Grainfather!!

[Yambor44]

I know mine boils at 212ºF and can get as high as 215º on the readout if I have the top partially covered.

Did I post this yet?

 

[scallopking]

Do you do practice this all the time? Is DMS an issue for you boiling partially covered? I did that in the beginning and on the GF forum was advised against and to leave the lid completely off. Just curious. Nice idea, the lid definitely needs a handle. I use tongs through the hole in the top to get to move it.

 

[MeanLowerLow]

I use an oven mitt - I stick the thumb through the hole in the center with no problems. I used to put the lid on top of my hopspider during boil - it raised it up enough to let steam escape and get me up to 214*. Now I've found once I'm at 214 I can take the lid off and it will stay there... if it drops to 213 I put it on for another minute or so and it ramps back up to 214*.

I also just listened to the Beersmith podcast about boiling and they were pretty explicit about not having any kind of cover during the boil - although I will say that I have not noticed any DMS flavors.

This weekend will be my first brew with the graincoat, so I am interested to see how that effects everything.

 

[Tang10]

I did a quick ice slurry test on the Grain father probe. Seems close at 33F.

Jamie

 

[Grzebyk26]

The only thing that is stopping me from buying this system is not knowing how much it can handle. What's the most you guys have done?

 

[scallopking]

ABV impact of 6 pts higher starting, assuming same ending gravity (and that may be a big assumption!) is ~0.8%. ABV is ~ 1.3125* change in OG & FG.
Lots of variables on why. As I recently read, being in the NE US, the drier winter will evaporate wort quicker than the humid summer, so that's one factor when comparing across time at least, and with the GF I'd expect consistent boil off rates, all other things being equal, its not like w/propane where one batch you rip it, another you don't. Yes, if you change your crush, you will absolutely change your gravity potential, so if your question surrounds other input changes than it will be more to consider as well. I am finding that with the GF its fine to have a fine crush (all the BIAB folks here already knew that I suppose!).

I like the idea of working with the GF profile in beersmith. I haven't done that, nor have used the GF online measurements, I figure they are no different than in the manual, but will check. I do think the GF is overshooting the required water. At least by a 1/2 g on 60 min boil, maybe its targeted to 90, however you indicated you go 90 min. and still overshoot volume? More to consider, so gee, thanks!!

thanks! my experience the GF boil off is consistent hence why I was surprised it happened. I've been doing 90 min boils for about 3-4 batches now and only non-constant was the mill. I use the online calculators but haven't crossed checked yet either. next time might see what the same mill does with a 60/60 approach. with milling at the LHBS I had it fairly dialed and new what to expect so now I need to adjust.

 

[scallopking]

The only thing that is stopping me from buying this system is not knowing how much it can handle. What's the most you guys have done?

Buy it!! I love this GF!

I do 6g batches with the largest grain bill at 15.5 pounds so far. Largest hop addition has been 5.6oz I think.

 

[scallopking]

I use an oven mitt - I stick the thumb through the hole in the center with no problems. I used to put the lid on top of my hopspider during boil - it raised it up enough to let steam escape and get me up to 214*. Now I've found once I'm at 214 I can take the lid off and it will stay there... if it drops to 213 I put it on for another minute or so and it ramps back up to 214*.

I also just listened to the Beersmith podcast about boiling and they were pretty explicit about not having any kind of cover during the boil - although I will say that I have not noticed any DMS flavors.

This weekend will be my first brew with the graincoat, so I am interested to see how that effects everything.

Exactly what I did before rest the lid on the hop spider. I noticed no change going from two wraps of reflectix to the grain coat, btw. that said I like the coat much better. easy on/off. cleaning and after the left the reflectix on too long and removed it the spill melted onto the outside of the GF and took a little elbow grease to remove it.

 

[rawlus]

Which safety spring are you referring to?

The one inside the ball valve.... The spring-loaded ball bearing that keep you from acidentally spraying the ceiling with wort if you turn the pump on without the top arm in place.

 

[rawlus]

This is why I want to calibrate the STC. I figured at my 360' elevation the boiling pt is ~212, here with interpolation its closer to 211.2, and yet the STC will begin a boil around 212 (good) but then will read up to 214. Possibly its due to the sugars in the water, so a test with plain water is in the works! It may end up being just fine.

Grainfather has commented on this, the readout at near boiling teams is not as accurate as they chose a controller to be accurate at mashing temps... Since the controller is bypassed at boiling you can literally ignore the readout on the controller.

Boiling is boiling...

If you do want to calibrate the controller, I would do so at 150* with a high grade thermometer. I have not seen a need.

 

[seabrew8]

I know mine boils at 212ºF and can get as high as 215º on the readout if I have the top partially covered.

Did I post this yet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E_PHSv6XoE

What are you doing man! Its not pretty anymore.

I just use a thick glove or cloth but whatever floats your boat.

 

[seabrew8]

The only thing that is stopping me from buying this system is not knowing how much it can handle. What's the most you guys have done?

Its holds ~30 liters. The most grain i've used was 14.5# but the specs said you can get use up to ~20# so you would have to use around 28L to mash that. The sparge would be very small of course.

From what i read it would be a little tricky to make barleywine without added extract/sugar.

 

[Yambor44]

What are you doing man! Its not pretty anymore.

I just use a thick glove or cloth but whatever floats your boat.

Sorry, thought we were making great beer not entering a beauty contest....read the video description on YT.

No need to put a glove on for hop additions. Still not sure if I am going to leave it on as I may not leave the lid partially on during the boil. There is enough steam escaping so I don't think DMS is a worry. Boil off was better as well. This particular beer is cold crashing at the moment and will be kegged either tis evening or tomorrow so jury is still out on whether it made a negative/positive impact.

 

[Elkobrewer]

Man I sure hope that the grain father is worth the money. I just bought one 5 minutes ago. Elkobrewer isn't joining the grain father family. :rockin:

 

[Lazer Wolf Brewing]

Man I sure hope that the grain father is worth the money. I just bought one 5 minutes ago. Elkobrewer isn't joining the grain father family. :rockin:

It is my man. You will be very pleased.

 

[gspot]

+1. Welcome to the brotherhood!

 

[BrewMeister49]

I brewed up Yoopers stout and now it's all ready to drink! Just plain amazing. For those who don't know about it, look it up. Best oatmeal stout out there!! I used 100% bottled water too and it made all the difference as I felt my chlorine was affecting the flavors as well. Amazing stout!

 

[Elkobrewer]

Thanks for the welcome guys. Can't wait tell it shows up next week

 

[MeanLowerLow]

Thanks for the welcome guys. Can't wait tell it shows up next week

Congrats! Will this be your first foray into AG?

 

[RockyMountainCraftBrewing]

+1. Welcome to the brotherhood!

+1 to that sentiment

You are no longer a home brewer.You will not suffer stuck mashes or stuck sparges.You will not be beset with poor efficiency or cloudy wort.You will not suffer a boilover because of a flame set too high nor will you run out of gas at a critical time.Your wort shall be clear and consistent brew after brew after brew.You will hit your gravites with true marksmanship and you will cherish that brilliant piece of brewing genius hardware.That beautifull amalgamation of stainless steel and plastic and electronic components that is absolute simplicty.You will lovingly clean it after each brew as well as the wicked CF chiller as it is your duty to do so.

Your are part of a Brotherhood indeed.You are no longer a home brewer Elkobrewer...you are now a Craft Brewer and you will piss excellence

^the above said in the voice of the drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket

Best money you have ever spent :rockin::rockin:

RMCB

 

[Elkobrewer]

I have been all grain brewing for a little over a year now but when I saw the grainfather about 8 or so months ago I knew I wanted one. So today I Finley got to pull the trigger on one. I also picked up grain and hops so I can do my fall down brown ale. Can't hardly wait tell next weekend to get here. I hope it arrives by then. Thanks for the welcome to the family guys

 

[BrewMeister49]

I'm still hitting high on my OG constantly high. I always set my recipes at %75 and come out 80-85%. Very happy with those numbers.

 

[JBurger538]

Welcome to the GF family! It is an amazing system and just as RockyMountain said.

 

[joyride75]

Just finishing up a DIPA and had something weird happen during the mash that I haven't seen before. When I finished sparging and lifted the top perforated plate, there was a large, empty channel on one side of the grain bed. Which means that the part of the sparge wasn't being filtered through the grain, but just ending up in the boil. Whoops.

My normal batches are around 85% eff, my last DIPA was 78%, this one was 70%. It'll still end up fine, but has anybody else had this happen?

 

[gspot]

Wow, that's disturbing. It almost sounds like your recirculation return blasted through the top plate and excavated a channel in your grain bed. I haven't seen that yet. I'm going to make sure my wort return is coming in as parallel as possible to the top plate in the future. Hope the beer turns out as good as you hoped.

 

[seabrew8]

I'm still hitting high on my OG constantly high. I always set my recipes at %75 and come out 80-85%. Very happy with those numbers.

Brewhouse eff?

 

[BrewMeister49]

I would have to double heck on the computer but I believe so. When I make my recipes in Beersmith2 I make them at %75 and I typically hit %80-85

 

[aceuass]

4 beers completed on GF, averaging 82% (wow)
Couple of things---(I brew outside)I used one of them waist trimming belts (didnt work on me) to wrap around and than used the reflectix over that, have no issues with keeping boil (I did buy a 1000w bucket heater just in case, winters in Chicago)
I have had a couple of issues with whirlpooling---the filter has come off twice
Next brew I`m thinking of using a bazooka screen and attaching with a wormscrew connector, any thoughts?

Cheers
Paul

 

[Elkobrewer]

Hi all I'm sure this has been asked but should I wire in a 220 volt plug or the grainfather or will a 110 work fine? Also while I'm asking is it ok to clean it with oxyclean free.

 

[user 4295]

The Grainfather sold in the US is 120v, so a 220v plug is not required.