Grainfather!!

[seabrew8]

I have another FYI - make sure you get the little rubber fitting that goes into the pump filter all the way in. You will have to squeeze/force it a little to get the "lip" inside the filter.

This was the reason i was having slow pumping problems. Today my filter literally had an inch thick or more of hop debris caked around it but the pumped worked fine the whole session.

 

[seabrew8]

Pretty easy to assemble I guess. A couple of the directions threw me off. Had a hard time getting the bottom plate into the grain basket, and I still don't have it in perfectly. Love it so far!

You should try to get the outside tubing going to the pump deeper in the rubber tap/connector - i see its bunched up. I had the same problem. Run the tip of the tubing/piping under some water and then try to to push it in over an inch or so inside the rubber tap before you slide the black plastic 0-ring up.

And yeah the GF instructions are not the greatest.

 

[Kampenken]

Pretty easy to assemble I guess. A couple of the directions threw me off. Had a hard time getting the bottom plate into the grain basket, and I still don't have it in perfectly. Love it so far!

Hey, I've got the same thing!

That was a quick delivery! For us on the East coast, and during the holidays, we had to wait a week, so good for you, now enjoy and report back your process.

I too will add a tip, this on chilling in case you are unfamiliar with a CFC (as was I) and haven't read all the previous comments on the chilling. At end of boil recirc thru chiller back into the boiler for 10 min to sanitize without the cold water on. Then turn on your cold, close the red valve 1/2 way down and feel output until it turns cold (about 30 sec tops). Stop valve, move hose into fermenter and re-open to 1/2 way or so. I found that the water from the chiller out (red) runs about 8-10 degrees warmer than the chilled wort. So, for now, I measure the outlet water and adjust both the cold water supply and the red valve to get to my desired temp by taking temp measurements of the outlet water (I'll capture a cup's worth in the sink).

fyi- if you're used to an I/C, the CFC outlet water is way cooler, so I don't capture for cleaning. I will retain for landscape watering come Spring, and others I've read are putting it into their washers. I'm still brewing in my kitchen so won't save for the washer until I get my basement brew area setup. Would've begun that this weekend if it weren't for the snow!

Cheers!

 

[seabrew8]

IME don't even look at the temp readout when your using the chiller. I think it must be the pump that drives the temp up. Anyhow, i just put a floating thermometer in my bucket while i pumped the wort today. And just feel the outlet hose going to the bucket to get an idea if its cool.

One thing about the GF its not fool-proof.

 

[seabrew8]

The last FYI Get used to busting apart the ball valve and cleaning the spring, ball and housing - its a one-way/check valve. You just need 2 adjustable wrenchs. If you don't your pump will stall.

 

[treacheroustexan]

Thanks all!

 

[Kampenken]

IME don't even look at the temp readout when your using the chiller. I think it must be the pump that drives the temp up. Anyhow, i just put a floating thermometer in my bucket while i pumped the wort today. And just feel the outlet hose going to the bucket to get an idea if its cool.

One thing about the GF its not fool-proof.

I agree, the temp readout is meaningless, but it hasn't gotten old yet seeing it read 180 during the entire transfer while feeling the hot inlet into the chiller and the cold outlet at the same time into your fermenter! Yes, I'm new to a CFC.

Seabrew, your racking up the brews on that thing already aren't you? If that was a car lease you'd be over your mileage by now! Did you brew a batch and top up to fill your fermenter?

I'm looking forward to brew #4, an IPA, on Sunday with my brother at his house. He was here 2wks ago when I brewed, now I'll travel to his house with the GF (carefully!). Given his comments, it appears he's likely to join the GF family!

 

[erschwenk]

The last FYI Get used to busting apart the ball valve and cleaning the spring, ball and housing - its a one-way/check valve. You just need 2 adjustable wrenchs. If you don't your pump will stall.

Pulled that spring and ball out after my first brew. Hasn't been an issue since.

 

[scallopking]

I'm liking that idea of pulling the ball and spring out and trying it next time. I guess long as you close the valve all should be good.

I tried an IPA recipe without using the hop filter this last weekend and worked like a charm, no clogging once I learned to not turn on the pump all the way when chilling. This was 5.2 ounces of hop total with a 3 oz. hopstand. The hop smell was huge during the boil and hopstand which I didn't get from the filter. I wonder how this IPA is going to come out vs. ones that I used the filter. if anyone wants the recipe let me know. Anyway thought I would share. I want to do an even larger hop amount next one and see how it does (like the video has the guy with 8 oz).

 

[joyride75]

I did a Citra DIPA two weeks ago and added 3oz of bittering and 3oz at flameout and I was surprised as hell that it didn't block the filter or the pump didn't clog. I always used a hop sack before this batch--because I was afraid it would clog--and any hoppy beer I did would come out fairly dull and less bitter than I expected.

This may be the best IPA I've brewed since I started brewing 8 years ago. I've always thought you could carbonate urine and hop it with Citra and everybody would still absolutely love it, but...where was I going with this?

Oh, right, I'll probably never use a hop sack again in the GF

 

[seabrew8]

I agree, the temp readout is meaningless, but it hasn't gotten old yet seeing it read 180 during the entire transfer while feeling the hot inlet into the chiller and the cold outlet at the same time into your fermenter! Yes, I'm new to a CFC.

Seabrew, your racking up the brews on that thing already aren't you? If that was a car lease you'd be over your mileage by now! Did you brew a batch and top up to fill your fermenter?

I'm looking forward to brew #4, an IPA, on Sunday with my brother at his house. He was here 2wks ago when I brewed, now I'll travel to his house with the GF (carefully!). Given his comments, it appears he's likely to join the GF family!

Yeah, i brewed a 23L cascade blonde in the fermenter at 1.056 yesterday and just added 3L of water to bring it down to 1.050. I used the dilution tool on brewer's friend. I had hoped for more final volume but i have to dial it in better.

This brew is my planned BMC pleaser so to speak and some for my parents and its the only relative big fermenter i have right now. The first batch is going over really well!

 

[seabrew8]

Pulled that spring and ball out after my first brew. Hasn't been an issue since.

Yeah, i might just do that. Good idea.

 

[seabrew8]

I'm liking that idea of pulling the ball and spring out and trying it next time. I guess long as you close the valve all should be good.

I tried an IPA recipe without using the hop filter this last weekend and worked like a charm, no clogging once I learned to not turn on the pump all the way when chilling. This was 5.2 ounces of hop total with a 3 oz. hopstand. The hop smell was huge during the boil and hopstand which I didn't get from the filter. I wonder how this IPA is going to come out vs. ones that I used the filter. if anyone wants the recipe let me know. Anyway thought I would share. I want to do an even larger hop amount next one and see how it does (like the video has the guy with 8 oz).

No filter! Now were thinking outside the box!

 

[elproducto]

I'm liking that idea of pulling the ball and spring out and trying it next time. I guess long as you close the valve all should be good.

I tried an IPA recipe without using the hop filter this last weekend and worked like a charm, no clogging once I learned to not turn on the pump all the way when chilling. This was 5.2 ounces of hop total with a 3 oz. hopstand. The hop smell was huge during the boil and hopstand which I didn't get from the filter. I wonder how this IPA is going to come out vs. ones that I used the filter. if anyone wants the recipe let me know. Anyway thought I would share. I want to do an even larger hop amount next one and see how it does (like the video has the guy with 8 oz).

Thanks for this. Just got my grainfather, haven't brewed yet but was worried because I brew a lot of hoppy beers and didn't want to use bags, as I'm sure you get much lower utilization.

When you say don't turn the pump on all the way when chilling, what do you mean? I thought it was just an on/off switch, do you mean the red ball valve switch?

 

[scallopking]

That's all I brew are hoppy beers and figure why not give it try and go all in this time. Yep, the ball valve, sorry. I opened until the wort just started coming out of the chiller. Now I want to brew another one with more hops! It's actually fun on the GF and can't wait until the next round.

 

[Kampenken]

That's all I brew are hoppy beers and figure why not give it try and go all in this time. Yep, the ball valve, sorry. I opened until the wort just started coming out of the chiller. Now I want to brew another one with more hops! It's actually fun on the GF and can't wait until the next round.

Scallop, that's interesting I've got a hop basket and was wondering how much utilization I'd get given how clogged up it was. I haven't been 100% pleased with the basket & I have 60 days to return, so I may just do that reading your and others positive experience with the GF filter working so well.

 

[seabrew8]

What do you guys consider hoppy brews? I done a light 25 IBU blonde and i really liked the cascade hop presence. But my 40 IBU both according to brewersfriend, ESB doesn't seem so "hoppy". I think it was the cold crash and gelatin though...they are commerical level clear with no chill haze.

I'm doing my second ESB now and it will be 48 IBU.

1oz Perle 60min
1oz williametter 20min
1oz fuggles 0min

 

[seabrew8]

The real last FYI I would recommend anyone who has pump issues with the GF remove the spring and ball in the valve and try that.

 

[Kampenken]

What do you guys consider hoppy brews? I done a light 25 IBU blonde and i really liked the cascade hop presence. But my 40 IBU both according to brewersfriend, ESB doesn't seem so "hoppy". I think it was the cold crash and gelatin though...they are commerical level clear with no chill haze.

I'm doing my second ESB now and it will be 48 IBU.

1oz Perle 60min
1oz williametter 20min
1oz fuggles 0min

Depends on hop, IBU/Gravity ratio and time of addition, I think. So a low IBU / low Gravity can be considered "hoppy", but not on a high gravity. My last smash was ~60 IBUs with 66 OG, nicely hoppy but not overly. First addition of 1oz @30 (was lowering the bitterness) next 1oz @ 5 and 1oz 15min whirlpool, along with 2oz DH. So 5 in all, came out hoppy. I've also done similar additions hit 84 IBUs on a 71 OG and that was hoppy. My porters and stouts with 1 oz, 1/2 full boil, not hoppy!

The real last FYI I would recommend anyone who has pump issues with the GF remove the spring and ball in the valve and try that.

I fear this! One slip up, pump on and valve open and whoosh hot wort all over! In a jam, I could see this as a good fix though. I haven't opened mine up but will take a look. I guess one advantage of the hop basket is the lack of hop material in the boil. So even if another fyi, its a good one!

 

[elproducto]

First brew going down tonight. Reflectix jacket is on, grain is crushed. Doing a simple Centennial Blonde to get used to the system, then a Galaxy Pale over the weekend to see if I can clog the pump!

 

[scallopking]

Scallop, that's interesting I've got a hop basket and was wondering how much utilization I'd get given how clogged up it was. I haven't been 100% pleased with the basket & I have 60 days to return, so I may just do that reading your and others positive experience with the GF filter working so well.

Honestly based on this last brew without and probably 6-7 with it I am not going to use it moving forward. Maybe it has a place still in the brew operation but honestly the filter was a pain the arse sometimes, it wouldn't drain and would be clogged most of the time -meaning once the wort dropped below I'd still be left with a fair amount in the filter that wouldn't drain. so had to lift it up and turn it over to drain out - not fun with the lid and chiller on the top, it would always spill.

 

[Yambor44]

I fear this! One slip up, pump on and valve open and whoosh hot wort all over! In a jam, I could see this as a good fix though. I haven't opened mine up but will take a look. I guess one advantage of the hop basket is the lack of hop material in the boil. So even if another fyi, its a good one!

I've only completed 2 brews so far. I've taken mine apart to clean both times after running PBW thru and both times there was debris in the spring. I would just consider it part of my cleaning routine. Ymmv.

 

[gotbeer74]

Getting ready for session 3. I love being able to get so much done in between steps. Strike water heating now. 3 oz of whole hops for this brew. Let's see what happens. I really dislike screens and bags.

 

[RockyMountainCraftBrewing]

I am maxed out for fermentation capacity as well as serving keg capacity.I have 3 corny kegs waiting to be cold crashed and 2 corny kegs that are nearly done gurgling.I have 3 corny kegs full of yummy delicious beer but sadly I have to replace my beer lines in my keezer.I got the keezer all set up just before Chistmas only to discover a leak 3 days later and it really demoralized me.I got the keezer all cleaned out and I got the new lines now all I have to do it get motivated and install them in the tower which I removed.

RMCB

 

[Kampenken]

Honestly based on this last brew without and probably 6-7 with it I am not going to use it moving forward. Maybe it has a place still in the brew operation but honestly the filter was a pain the arse sometimes, it wouldn't drain and would be clogged most of the time -meaning once the wort dropped below I'd still be left with a fair amount in the filter that wouldn't drain. so had to lift it up and turn it over to drain out - not fun with the lid and chiller on the top, it would always spill.

I ran into similar issue the filter getting clogged. I pulled it out early in the transfer process and used a sanitized ladle to scoop out wort. I have my chiller on a stool alongside instead of on top, with plenty of room to move around the kitchen,I like it there instead of on top.

I've only completed 2 brews so far. I've taken mine apart to clean both times after running PBW thru and both times there was debris in the spring. I would just consider it part of my cleaning routine. Ymmv.

I will certainly take a look tomorrow, never thought of it, not sure its on the GF cleaning suggestion, but seems like it should be!

Getting ready for session 3. I love being able to get so much done in between steps. Strike water heating now. 3 oz of whole hops for this brew. Let's see what happens. I really dislike screens and bags.

Let us know how the whole hops work. I have a bunch from a Hops Direct order I placed around Thanksgiving (Gobble till you Wobble Sale!). So I will be trying them out shortly.

 

[Kampenken]

First brew going down tonight. Reflectix jacket is on, grain is crushed. Doing a simple Centennial Blonde to get used to the system, then a Galaxy Pale over the weekend to see if I can clog the pump!

Share a first brew report when you get a chance!

 

[elproducto]

Share a first brew report when you get a chance!

First brew went really well... until I hooked up the chiller to a garden faucet in my garage. Water went everywhere, couldn't get a good seal with the attachments that they included. I tried everything, and after making a huge mess with water (it's -15 Celcius here right now), I gave up. Guess I'm doing no chill until I can figure out these connections.

Otherwise, the system is absolutely incredible. The boil was plenty vigarous, and the time to heat water up was not bad at all, although I used hot tap water to start.

 

[Kampenken]

First brew went really well... until I hooked up the chiller to a garden faucet in my garage. Water went everywhere, couldn't get a good seal with the attachments that they included. I tried everything, and after making a huge mess with water (it's -15 Celcius here right now), I gave up. Guess I'm doing no chill until I can figure out these connections.

Otherwise, the system is absolutely incredible. The boil was plenty vigarous, and the time to heat water up was not bad at all, although I used hot tap water to start.

That blows, the chilling should be a sweet process. I've had no issues with my setup for chilling. If the seal that leaked was between hose bib and attachment, sounds like an extra washer? If was where blue hose attaches, then a good hose clamp on barb does the trick nicely enough. Hope you can get it figured out.

I've read not to use hot tap water unless you have a tank-less system.

Glad to hear the rest went well! Looking forward to brewing this Sunday!

 

[seabrew8]

First brew went really well... until I hooked up the chiller to a garden faucet in my garage. Water went everywhere, couldn't get a good seal with the attachments that they included. I tried everything, and after making a huge mess with water (it's -15 Celcius here right now), I gave up. Guess I'm doing no chill until I can figure out these connections.

Otherwise, the system is absolutely incredible. The boil was plenty vigarous, and the time to heat water up was not bad at all, although I used hot tap water to start.

I have a slow leak from the cold water tap connector, i just place a small towel over it.

 

[seabrew8]

I've only completed 2 brews so far. I've taken mine apart to clean both times after running PBW thru and both times there was debris in the spring. I would just consider it part of my cleaning routine. Ymmv.

Yeah i brewed 3 batches this week.

First brew: Pump slowed due to not having the little rubber fitting in the filter over the "groove" - it did slowly get in the fermenter though after many stop/go's, whirlpooling etc

Second brew: Worked fine.

Third brew: Clogged due to hop debris in the check valve/spring and ball.

So i think if you clean the check valve after every brew you should be fine or remove it altogether if you experience any problems.

However, i think i'm just going to remove it altogether. The pump rate - after removing the spring/ball - was the best i seen for the chill process after 5 brews. Note: The older GF versions didn't have a check valve or even a ball valve.

And yeah Kampenken GF youtube vids do show how to clean the check valve. I'm not sure of the recommendations per se.