Grainfather!!

[CMcK]

Likely the check valve clogged on you. Open it up and check it out. I believe Seabrew runs his without it in place (just be careful if you do). This bit of info saved me the other day, as I ran a brew without my basket and it was slow. Removed the valve (it was somewhat clogged) and instant improvement. Congrats on the first brew and best of luck with next ones

It was clogged thanks. What are the downsides to removing the check?

 

[Lazer Wolf Brewing]

It was clogged thanks. What are the downsides to removing the check?

The only downside is safety. If you have the pump running, flow valve open, and you unscrew the arm/chiller, you'll shoot boiling wort into the sky/your face. If you unscrew with the check valve in, the ball inside will not allow wort to shoot out.

If you take it out just make sure to close the flow valve and turn off the pump before screwing/unscrewing the arm or chiller.

 

[CMcK]

Thanks all, for the info. Looking forward to the new system. All in all, very impressed and would recommend it to anyone on the fence.

 

[actech]

Pulled the trigger last night. Been looking over recipes for my first all grain.
Pale ales my fav so toss up between : Yoopper's, Biermuncher's, Ed Wort's are what I'm deciding between. Maybe all 3 when I make a grain order.

 

[seabrew8]

Pulled the trigger last night. Been looking over recipes for my first all grain.
Pale ales my fav so toss up between : Yoopper's, Biermuncher's, Ed Wort's are what I'm deciding between. Maybe all 3 when I make a grain order.

Congrats. All grain lived up to my expectations!

If you remove the check valve make sure the wort drains back into the boiler after stopping the pump and then remove the arm or chiller. Its pretty easy to see with the arm.

While the boil seem to be the main issue with the GF i think its actually the pump. IME 2 pellet hops is the highest i would go without using a hop sock or something.

One plus when i just throw the hops in it creates a natural filter of hops so my final wort had been very clear and clean. Just wish it have more watts - i think its 5 or 6 watts.

 

[Mofoa]

I started using hop bags after my first clog in pump. After that....all good.

 

[Kampenken]

Pulled the trigger last night. Been looking over recipes for my first all grain.
Pale ales my fav so toss up between : Yoopper's, Biermuncher's, Ed Wort's are what I'm deciding between. Maybe all 3 when I make a grain order.

Congrats, you'll love it and you're among "family" here!

...
While the boil seem to be the main issue with the GF i think its actually the pump....

Exactly. Yeah it's a bit under sized. I brewed today (it was 7 outside!), and I used a fwh of ~1/2 oz of leaf hops, hard to do with a hop basket while getting first runnings. So I thought I'd test the filter and heck with it, into the boiler they went. Added another ~1/3 oz of leaf and about 1oz of pellets later. Sure enough it clogged. Removed check valve and it still performed poorly. On off on off with pump and nothing much better. Against my better instincts I carefully scrapped the filter. To my surprise it worked. Held nice and I tilted at the end and it sucked her dry! I was very pleased. I do wonder if pump was say 25 watts or so would it be no problem?

I plan, after warranty period to put on a STC1000+ setup (great thread on HBT, using one now for my ferm chamber), to replace existing controller mostly for fun of it (will allow for full mash schedule) and possibly a stronger pump for performance. For now it's always going to be hop basket or bag. Always.

Btw- I did a 1/2 batch today. About 3.5g starting boil. Crap, what a strong boil!- was like my propane boil on high! I set on lower wattage for a bit but only just held boil so back to vigorous boil on 1600 watts. Clog aside still loving this. Need to finish basement setup now, getting closer, for next big improvement of everything in one place.

 

[Kampenken]

It was clogged thanks. What are the downsides to removing the check?

In addition to reply you got, it's also a concern anytime recirc arm is off if you accidentally turn pump on (like during boil).

 

[Gareth68]

Ok....y'all got me. I've been reading for two days. Then I get the northern brewer 20% off code in my email.


Well....it's a done deal.

 

[gspot]

Congrats! You're in for a treat!

 

[treacheroustexan]

I think my next brew will be northern brewers grapefruit pulpin!

 

[RockyMountainCraftBrewing]

With using the CF chiller you completely avoid cold break.

RMCB

 

[scallopking]

For an update I brewed a 5.2oz hop Beer yesterday, all pellets straight in again, no hop filter. No clogging. I also ran without the check valve and problem I have with that is it nearly overflows up the side of the tun on the mash step. Without the ball and spring there's a bit more flow. Also, I seem to get more wort over the overflow the whole time and before it would nearly stop at the end. I'll probably run with it next time.

 

[Kampenken]

With using the CF chiller you completely avoid cold break.

RMCB

I thought that was the downside to the CFC? That you end up with cold break in your fermenter (unless filtering into the fermenter).

For an update I brewed a 5.2oz hop Beer yesterday, all pellets straight in again, no hop filter. No clogging. I also ran without the check valve and problem I have with that is it nearly overflows up the side of the tun on the mash step. Without the ball and spring there's a bit more flow. Also, I seem to get more wort over the overflow the whole time and before it would nearly stop at the end. I'll probably run with it next time.

Good call. Its easy to pull when getting ready to chill, if not a bit hot!

 

[gspot]

I thought that was the downside to the CFC? That you end up with cold break in your fermenter

It's arguable whether that would be considered a downside. Seem to remember an xbeeriment that suggests not. Can't say it has been a significant prob for me, and I own an immersion chiller, a plate chiller, and the GF CFC.

 

[HCbrewing]

Ok....y'all got me. I've been reading for two days. Then I get the northern brewer 20% off code in my email.


Well....it's a done deal.

It says in the offer details doesn't include Grainfather, but if you put it in your cart and apply the coupon it discounts it. Did it actually let you check out for the $731.92 price?

 

[treacheroustexan]

It says in the offer details doesn't include Grainfather, but if you put it in your cart and apply the coupon it discounts it. Did it actually let you check out for the $731.92 price?

Good catch, I just tried for the heck of it and I got as far as putting in my credit card. Should work! Whether they refund you or actually honor it....who knows.

 

[Yambor44]

With using the CF chiller you completely avoid cold break.

RMCB

I get lots of cold break in my fermenter every time.

 

[Kampenken]

I get lots of cold break in my fermenter every time.

Yeah, that's what I thought, not that it's an issue, as Gspot said, however I'm filtering to keep my yeast collection as clear as possible. It's easy with my conical's wide opening top to filter. Just my new approach with GF, may not matter other than an easy collection and more yeast in proportion to total it appears to me than before.

 

[HCbrewing]

Well I placed my order on Northern Brewer for $731 and it should be here by Thursday or Friday with the expedited shipping. We'll see If I get a call saying they need more money because the details clearly say the 20% does not apply to the Grainfather.

 

[actech]

Now more anxious than ever for GF to get here, ordered grain bill for Biermuncher,Ed Wort and Yoopers pale ales yesterday and it just arrived on my porch about 10 minutes ago. Oh well it will need cleaned and I have to build my ugly grain mill contraption first. Feel like a kid in back seat on long road trip "are we..is it here yet?"

 

[seabrew8]

For an update I brewed a 5.2oz hop Beer yesterday, all pellets straight in again, no hop filter. No clogging. I also ran without the check valve and problem I have with that is it nearly overflows up the side of the tun on the mash step. Without the ball and spring there's a bit more flow. Also, I seem to get more wort over the overflow the whole time and before it would nearly stop at the end. I'll probably run with it next time.

You've done this a number of times now correct? I'm just worried about all that hop debris going through the pump.

I will give it a try next brew!

Anyone else remove the filter altogether?

 

[RockyMountainCraftBrewing]

You've done this a number of times now correct? I'm just worried about all that hop debris going through the pump.

I will give it a try next brew!

Anyone else remove the filter altogether?

I have over 15 brews on my GF and I have never had an issue with hops(leaf or pellet) blocking the filter or causing a blockage in the pump.Yes if the filter gets coated real good the flow is diminished when it is coated.I have done some really hoppy IPA's with 6 ounces of pellet hops and have never had a problem and I have not removed the check valve.

I have used a hop spider I got from arbourfab with good success and I have also used hop bags though I am currently out of the latter.I plan on picking up a big batch of them from Ebay in the future.

RMCB

 

[seabrew8]

I have over 15 brews on my GF and I have never had an issue with hops(leaf or pellet) blocking the filter or causing a blockage in the pump.Yes if the filter gets coated real good the flow is diminished when it is coated.I have done some really hoppy IPA's with 6 ounces of pellet hops and have never had a problem and I have not removed the check valve.

I have used a hop spider I got from arbourfab with good success and I have also used hop bags though I am currently out of the latter.I plan on picking up a big batch of them from Ebay in the future.

RMCB

Do you always use an extra hop filter? I'm assuming yes because IME the check valve should be cleaned after every 2nd batch or so. I just throw them in the boil.

Maybe i should just get used to the slow pump rate to the fermenter and use hop bags for IPA's. I like simple. I believe the GF should work has is. Too stubborn i guess.

 

[Kampenken]

You've done this a number of times now correct? I'm just worried about all that hop debris going through the pump.

I will give it a try next brew!

Anyone else remove the filter altogether?

I read it that he meant no hop basket / muslin bag, not that he removed the GF's filter. If he did that, holy crap, that's a new one! But maybe I'm wrong. I want to know now!

I have over 15 brews on my GF and I have never had an issue with hops(leaf or pellet) blocking the filter or causing a blockage in the pump.Yes if the filter gets coated real good the flow is diminished when it is coated.I have done some really hoppy IPA's with 6 ounces of pellet hops and have never had a problem and I have not removed the check valve.

I have used a hop spider I got from arbourfab with good success and I have also used hop bags though I am currently out of the latter.I plan on picking up a big batch of them from Ebay in the future.

RMCB

How much leaf hops? I have same experience as Seabrew with needing to remove check valve if hops directly in boiler without a basket or bag. I was quite surprised after I cleared the leaf hop clog with a spoon that it ran very well afterwards. Sucked her dry with me tilting towards the pump.

 

[seabrew8]

Yeah Kampenken, pretty sure scallopking is removing the filter.

Names Brad btw

 

[scallopking]

Not removing the GF filter just not using the arbor fab hop filter anymore once I was instructed on throttling back the flow by closing the valve off it solved the clogging so far. It's not super fast and the GF filter gets really coated up but I don't have any issues. I just leave it and let go and do something while transferring. In the beginning I wasn't doing it right and had it wide open which clogged it up. Then I got the arbor fab hop filter not knowing otherwise and started using that which stopped the clogging but was still wide open. So for the last two brews each 5oz pellet right at the point when starting sanitizing the chiller I open Just enough so the wort doesn't flow back up and leave it until fully transferred. Hop stands and all. At the end I tilt the wort to get the last little bit. I think I've run. It this way for 2-3 times now.

Last brew was the first time I took the check valve parts out and I ran without just to see. It was too strong on the mash step or at least I need to cut the tubing back since the output is so close to the wall.

I have a 6 or 7 oz IPA on deck so I'll check back in on the weekend.

I have never used leaf hops in it.

 

[seabrew8]

^^Really glad i confirmed that!

 

[Gareth68]

because the details clearly say the 20% does not apply to the Grainfather.

I honestly missed that completely in my 3 am binge shopping.

I would not have ordered had I seen the exclusion and would have waited for a sale elsewhere.


Anyhow, mine is one town over and should be here today.

 

[user 21663]

I honestly missed that completely in my 3 am binge shopping.

I would not have ordered had I seen the exclusion and would have waited for a sale elsewhere.


Anyhow, mine is one town over and should be here today.

I never saw any exclusion on the NB homepage so I went right to the grainfather system, added to the cart, entered the code and paid. It wasn't until after on a separate page I saw the exclusion.

If they call asking for more money, I'll just cancel the order. I've been right on the edge and this discount pushed me to purchase it.