Grainfather!!

[BrewMeister49]

That's crazy about all the issues! Were the boxes beat up during shipping? I know GF has really good customer service! That still stinks. I'm hoping to do Yoopers Oatmeal Stout here in the next week or so!

 

[Mofoa]

Received my GF yesterday. Assembled, and cleaned. Worked fine. Set to boil to get temp to 131 and switched to mash setting and recirculated cleaner for half hour through chiller and rinsed.

I wiped down with a clean towel and used my air compressor to get into every nook and cranny to ensure no water was left.

Looking forward to my first brew

 

[kellynm]

I received mine yesterday too... was concerned about some of the issues others were/are having. This morning, I connected all the parts and did a heating test. Here are the results:

added 10 L of 131 F water
set switches to mash/mash
pump on
set mash setpoint to 154 F
it took 22 minutes to reach setpoint

then set switches boil/normal
pump on
it took 19 minutes to get to 205 F, and was a very nice boil

Appears mine is working normally

(Also, no reflectix was used, even though I will use one during brewing sessions)

Very pleased!

 

[gotbeer74]

How is everyone sanitizing/cleaning their Grainfather before brewing? Are you running two gallons of water with sanitizer before mash? If so what sanitizer are you using? I have only brewed one batch and that was after doing the first time cleaning process.

 

[gotbeer74]

What is everyone's process for sanitizing/cleaning before brewing? I am thinking I will recirculate 2 gallons through the system and save this for cleaning and to be used for the final cleaning. What product is everyone using for cleaning and sanitizing? My next batch will only be my second batch in the Grainfather. I also received a damaged mash sleeve. Mine was scratched by the chiller moving around during shipment.

 

[Knkbrand]

That's crazy about all the issues! Were the boxes beat up during shipping? I know GF has really good customer service! That still stinks. I'm hoping to do Yoopers Oatmeal Stout here in the next week or so!

that was my first brew in the grainfather! just bottled 5 days ago. Tasted great.

 

[gotbeer74]

What is your process before you brew? Are you circulating sanitizer through the system? Are you flushing with water before adding mash water? What product are you using?

 

[DarkUncle]

I brew with the GF the same way I have always brewed. Anything that will be coming in contact with boiling wort does not need to be sanitized beforehand as the boil itself will take care of that. As long as the system was cleaned properly initially as well as after prior brews no pre sanitizing is necessary.

 

[BrewMeister49]

Agreed. Just clean really well after your last brew and maybe a rinse if there is any dust. But the boil will get it!
And I'm pumped to try Yoopers stout!

 

[seabrew8]

That's crazy about all the issues! Were the boxes beat up during shipping? I know GF has really good customer service! That still stinks. I'm hoping to do Yoopers Oatmeal Stout here in the next week or so!

I think there trolls personally.

 

[jammin]

What is the max grain capacity of this system?

Apologies if this has already been covered.

 

[Yambor44]

I think there trolls personally.

???

 

[Lazer Wolf Brewing]

I think there trolls personally.

Yeah I had been commenting on this thread for weeks about buying one, finally do, then get it and take a picture of the defect, which I upload, and I'm a troll. If I was trolling I would say this thing can't make good beer, not that there was a dent and it will be replaced for free (I'm assuming).

Did you have a sad Christmas?

 

[Mofoa]

I read the cleaning instructions that game with the GF. Recirculated through pump, chiller and the return hose back into the pot itself for a good 30 minutes...mostly because I was doing other things.

Rinsed out with about 5 gallons of clean warm to hot water. Be sure to rinse out the chiller.

As far as brew day goes, I will do my cleaning as usual.

 

[Mofoa]

One thing to keep in mind, after cleaning be sure to wipe down dry with a clean towel...do not leave any water trickling down anywhere...get it all dry before storing away. You do not want to worry about having your investment begin rusting after a few uses.

 

[BrewMeister49]

What is the max grain capacity of this system?

Apologies if this has already been covered.

I think 18 pounds.

 

[Knkbrand]

What is everyone's process for sanitizing/cleaning before brewing? I am thinking I will recirculate 2 gallons through the system and save this for cleaning and to be used for the final cleaning. What product is everyone using for cleaning and sanitizing? My next batch will only be my second batch in the Grainfather. I also received a damaged mash sleeve. Mine was scratched by the chiller moving around during shipment.

the mash and boil will kill everything, so no sanitation is needed if you clean real good after the brew. I run PBW through the wort chiller for about 15, then I run through the re circulation arm, then rinse the same way. tonight I had to go back and add stronger PBW again, because the burner was still a little gunky

 

[enfox]

That's crazy about all the issues! Were the boxes beat up during shipping? I know GF has really good customer service! That still stinks. I'm hoping to do Yoopers Oatmeal Stout here in the next week or so!

Box was intact, no damage to the box or vessel, other than what seems to be a defective reset switch. Grainfather is closed until the 5th so I have not even been able to begin the return process.

 

[Kampenken]

Box was intact, no damage to the box or vessel, other than what seems to be a defective reset switch. Grainfather is closed until the 5th so I have not even been able to begin the return process.

Wow, similar to my experience (see back a few pages). Dented up good, but no box damage. This shouldn't be seen as a GF problem, this is a shipping company problem in my best guess. Assuming the reset button was due to a drop. Which is exactly why I didn't keep the damaged GF for a discounted price.

Great customer service at Williams brewing and my replacement is due here tomorrow. Can't wait, just put in a GFCI outlet by the disposal so I can plug in without an ext cord. Now to pick up some reflectix and use the template posted here to make the wrap.

 

[seabrew8]

Yeah I had been commenting on this thread for weeks about buying one, finally do, then get it and take a picture of the defect, which I upload, and I'm a troll. If I was trolling I would say this thing can't make good beer, not that there was a dent and it will be replaced for free (I'm assuming).

Did you have a sad Christmas?

I never had you in mind when i posted that but yeah i was in a pretty cynical place when i posted that. In my defense i read a lot of political sites that are just rampant with trolls. TMI?

Good luck on getting your gf fixed up. And i can't wait - but i have to - when i get mine!

 

[Yambor44]

Wow, similar to my experience (see back a few pages). Dented up good, but no box damage. This shouldn't be seen as a GF problem, this is a shipping company problem in my best guess. Assuming the reset button was due to a drop. Which is exactly why I didn't keep the damaged GF for a discounted price.

Great customer service at Williams brewing and my replacement is due here tomorrow. Can't wait, just put in a GFCI outlet by the disposal so I can plug in without an ext cord. Now to pick up some reflectix and use the template posted here to make the wrap.

Did you have to send yours back first? I'm still waiting to hear how AIH will handle mine.

 

[Cutterman]

I received mine on Christmas Eve. Did initial cleaning and function check; all good. I did boil check with 7 gal of 100 degree water. 100-213 took 90 min and had good boil at sea level with no insulation. Chesapeake VA.

 

[Mofoa]

What is the consensus on grain crush for the GF?

 

[RockyMountainCraftBrewing]

Great customer service at Williams brewing and my replacement is due here tomorrow. Can't wait, just put in a GFCI outlet by the disposal so I can plug in without an ext cord. Now to pick up some reflectix and use the template posted here to make the wrap.

I concur about the customer service at Williams.My only issue was that my CC was declined by their online store due to me being in Canada so I had to use Paypal instead.I went with the $6.99 flat rate shipping and Williams followed my shipping details meticulously.My GF arrived at AT The Border storage and I drove down and picked it up the following saturday.Box was fine with no damage and GF was shiny and undented.

RMCB

 

[TKH]

I ordered my Grainfather last week. It'll be my first all grain experience. How are you heating your sparge water? And are you just pouring it over as suggested by the Grainfather directions or have you rigged up something else? Thanks

 

[gotbeer74]

I had scratches on the inner sleeve from the chiller sliding around. I bought mine from the local homebrew shop. I am waiting for the sales rep to get back to them on how it will be resolved.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451322054.919138.jpg

 

[BrewMeister49]

I ordered my Grainfather last week. It'll be my first all grain experience. How are you heating your sparge water? And are you just pouring it over as suggested by the Grainfather directions or have you rigged up something else? Thanks

I use a deprecate boil kettle on the stove. Heat to 170 and it holds temp until sparge is ready. Then just slow pour it on!

 

[Mofoa]

I ordered my Grainfather last week. It'll be my first all grain experience. How are you heating your sparge water? And are you just pouring it over as suggested by the Grainfather directions or have you rigged up something else? Thanks

I will heat the water up on my stove as I have done before with my mash cooler. I do plan to pour it as instructed...little by little...could take up to 20 mins depending on your grain bill.

Although, I have been eyeing the Hot Rod Stick.

 

[seabrew8]

I concur about the customer service at Williams.My only issue was that my CC was declined by their online store due to me being in Canada so I had to use Paypal instead.I went with the $6.99 flat rate shipping and Williams followed my shipping details meticulously.My GF arrived at AT The Border storage and I drove down and picked it up the following saturday.Box was fine with no damage and GF was shiny and undented.

RMCB

I ordered mine from noblegrape in Nova Scotia. $1268cad shipping included.

 

[gspot]

I ordered my Grainfather last week. It'll be my first all grain experience. How are you heating your sparge water? And are you just pouring it over as suggested by the Grainfather directions or have you rigged up something else? Thanks

I have yet to brew with mine, but I bought a 1000w bucket heater and plan to heat my sparge water in my 10 gal stainless pot using that. I brew in the garage and there's no stove.