Grainfather!!

[scallopking]

#4 sight glass is the only issue I have. that would be nice instead of the flashlight. I brew almost every weekend, beers are great! go for it.

 

[Kampenken]

This makes me think of my basement. House built in the 30s with probably if I'm lucky 6.5 feet at the highest point. Have really struggled to figure out how to set up some kind of brewing space and the GF I think is the best bet for the space I have to work with. Just trying to figure out some reasonable ventilation. I do have a sink and window above it so have everything close by at least along with everything I need down there.

My plan is to brew by the steps going outside with fan on steps (about 3-4' off ground) directed towards the door. If it doesn't pull enough I will rig up a vent that is rigid yet moveable or possibly run the dehumidifier, I boil off about 3/4g per hour, across the full basement with door even partially open it should be ok. Time will tell!

 

[Jay-Brew]

My plan is to brew by the steps going outside with fan on steps (about 3-4' off ground) directed towards the door. If it doesn't pull enough I will rig up a vent that is rigid yet moveable or possibly run the dehumidifier, I boil off about 3/4g per hour, across the full basement with door even partially open it should be ok. Time will tell!

Sounds good and I hope that does the trick for you. This will be my first batch on the GF and first time brewing down there so for this round will open the window and try to blow the steam in that direction with a fan. Didn't get a chance to come up with a better option yet but will definitely be looking into it.

 

[Yambor44]

I got one also (email). I have been waiting on these to come back onto the market. For the convenience I think I am going to get one as soon as I can find a source other than the GF site. Should be hitting the West Coast suppliers soon if not already.

Went ahead and ordered one from GF USA online yesterday. I'll post back here once my setup is complete. Mocked this up from others on here or FB GF page (see pic) very smart design I thought so we copied it. Very small footprint. I'll probably need to add another 6" to the top for the sparge water heater so that the spigot clears the grain basket when it's raised for direct sparging.

I can only assume it will work flawlessly with the GF and I am stocked to finally be done with chasing my tail so to speak. Storage and brew days will be so much easier now.

All three batches have come out really nice on the GF (all IPA's) so I for one am happy with the results it produced and don't see the need to change anything. I may add some accessories like the Alembic top and whatnot for distilling. Looney Larry recently posted a video on YT using his during the boil instead of the lid. I'm still waiting to hear back on the boil off rate but it looked like a good alternative to a more vigorous boil if you are looking for one. Thats something I am testing. I want to see if it affects the flavor profile compared to the first two I did without the lid. The one I brewed with the lid was an exact clone of the second beer with the exception of the 2nd beer didn't get dry hopped. So I'll need another test with the lid on to compare to the 3rd beer with has more of a hop presence, mainly in the bitter.

Here's my stand and a link to LL's video.

 

[scallopking]

nice! what kind of wood did you use?

 

[MT2sum]

After 2 brews with the GF i was wondering if anyone was pouring the last bit of wort out of the GF into the fermenter after the pump dries up? Seems like a lot to throw away to me - must be at least a 6 pack.

I also got pretty cloudy wort, i think its the grain crush - it was really fine, lots of flour like stuff in the bottom of the bags.

Side note: I hate carboys! There to hard to clean! Give me a bucket anyday!

Will an AutoSiphon work with a GF? I have the tall one - abt 23-24" - and the short one - abt 12-13" ...... I agree on the carboys - they have to be soaked forever sometimes to get the Krausen off the sides close to the neck. I'm going to sell mine and get another BigMouth Bubbler - Cleaning that is a breeze!

 

[govner1]

I don't have a GF but- you might pick up astringency by draining that last bit of wort.
As for carboys ( I use BB's) I rarely even need a brush. I soak for an hour on average w/ hot water & 1 Tbsp/gal of B-Brite & hot water. I rinse thoroughly just after emptying & then clean as above.
If you're letting your dirty carboys sit a day or so before cleaning I can understand your difficulty in cleaning.

 

[DC_Steve]

Hey guys, just got mine today and I have a question. Burner and pump seem to be working fine with no issues. However, Im not able to set the temperature. I try holding down Set or Reset as well as the up and down arrows and I get nothing. It just keeps reading out the current temperature (which works). Any idea? I've tried unplugging and plugging in the computer multiple times and still no response. Do I have a faulty computer or am I missing something stupid and obvious?

 

[gspot]

You have to hold the set button long enough for the word set to appear on the display. Once that happens and the temp appears again, use the store keys to set your temp and press set again.

 

[RockyMountainCraftBrewing]

Will an AutoSiphon work with a GF? I have the tall one - abt 23-24" - and the short one - abt 12-13" ...... I agree on the carboys - they have to be soaked forever sometimes to get the Krausen off the sides close to the neck. I'm going to sell mine and get another BigMouth Bubbler - Cleaning that is a breeze!

Do you keg your beer?If so I highly suggest you switch to corny kegs for fermenting.Use a pipe cutter to nip 3 inches off the liquid dip tube and you are good to go.For blow off all you do is snap on a gas connector to the gas post with a couple feet of hose on it running to a jug of star san.No worries about breakage and when the yeast is done it's work it all falls to the bottom due to the absence of light.Cleaning is an absolute joy.Just bring a litre of water to a boil in a kettle and pour it in and add a table spoon of dishwasher detergent.Shake for a minute and then let it rest for 5 minutes upside down.Repeat the shake and empty and it is clean as can be.Once in a while you have to do a bit of scrubbing near the top.

Transferring to a serving keg is a snap.Put the fermenting keg into your kegerator/keezer over night then next day you just simply hook up a liquid to liquid jumper(I use threaded liquid connectors for this) from the fermenting keg to a sanitized serving keg.Connect the gas and turn it on at 4 PSI.No worries about infections with racking canes etc and ZERO sediment etc.Soon as you are done the transfer you can force carbonate the beer as it is already chilled

RMCB

 

[DC_Steve]

You have to hold the set button long enough for the word set to appear on the display. Once that happens and the temp appears again, use the store keys to set your temp and press set again.

I've held it for over 30 seconds as I did every other button. Still nothing. Anything you can think of that you had to do special the first time? Or is there anyway to do a hard reset on the unit besides the bottom of the boiler (I've tried that)?

 

[BrewMeister49]

On my old system I was routinely getting 63-65% efficiency. Not sure how expecting a 1.060 and getting 1.048 is 78%? Maybe more like 58%? It's just how much sugar your extracting from the grain. I.E - 100% eff is getting 100% of the sugars out. So you use far less grain than say 60% eff. On my old system I was happy with 65%. Now on the GF in getting 80% and using a lot less Grain and getting more consistent beers. Love the system!

 

[gspot]

I've held it for over 30 seconds as I did every other button. Still nothing. Anything you can think of that you had to do special the first time? Or is there anyway to do a hard reset on the unit besides the bottom of the boiler (I've tried that)?

I would literally time how long I was pressing it with a watch. Then, I would call GF tech support. If you've got a hard number (e.g. 60 seconds with no "set" appearing), I would think they'd just send you a new controller unit. There really wasn't any other thing that needed doing. You do have the right toggle switch set to mash right? I think if it's set to boil, it bypasses the temp controller, although I wouldn't think it would interfere with the ability to set a target temp.

 

[Eichler]

As for $900, read back a few pages, there's an internet seller (E-Bay??) who is an authorized GF distributor and takes offers, I think folks have bought for 750-800. Make an offer and post back here what you paid!

I used EBay seller igobru's Make An Offer @$800 and the guy I recommended bought their GF for $750!!! Free shipping and they are a certified partner too. Crazy.

 

[Eichler]

Do you keg your beer?If so I highly suggest you switch to corny kegs for fermenting.Use a pipe cutter to nip 3 inches off the liquid dip tube and you are good to go.For blow off all you do is snap on a gas connector to the gas post with a couple feet of hose on it running to a jug of star san.No worries about breakage and when the yeast is done it's work it all falls to the bottom due to the absence of light.Cleaning is an absolute joy.Just bring a litre of water to a boil in a kettle and pour it in and add a table spoon of dishwasher detergent.Shake for a minute and then let it rest for 5 minutes upside down.Repeat the shake and empty and it is clean as can be.Once in a while you have to do a bit of scrubbing near the top.



Transferring to a serving keg is a snap.Put the fermenting keg into your kegerator/keezer over night then next day you just simply hook up a liquid to liquid jumper(I use threaded liquid connectors for this) from the fermenting keg to a sanitized serving keg.Connect the gas and turn it on at 4 PSI.No worries about infections with racking canes etc and ZERO sediment etc.Soon as you are done the transfer you can force carbonate the beer as it is already chilled



RMCB

This is my next step. I picked up some lids from AIH for this purpose. Plan on rotating 2 kegs in keezer, 1 in primary and 1 in secondary.

What's a liquid jumper? I was just going to force it through under CO2.

 

[DC_Steve]

I would literally time how long I was pressing it with a watch. Then, I would call GF tech support. If you've got a hard number (e.g. 60 seconds with no "set" appearing), I would think they'd just send you a new controller unit. There really wasn't any other thing that needed doing. You do have the right toggle switch set to mash right? I think if it's set to boil, it bypasses the temp controller, although I wouldn't think it would interfere with the ability to set a target temp.

Thanks. I'll give them a call. I tried on every combination of settings possible.

 

[Kampenken]

Thanks. I'll give them a call. I tried on every combination of settings possible.

Yeah, something is amiss. I hold set button and in about one second it displays SET, and from there you set your temp. Sorry to hear you're results but I agree just a new STC should fix your problem.

 

[Kampenken]

I used EBay seller igobru's Make An Offer @$800 and the guy I recommended bought their GF for $750!!! Free shipping and they are a certified partner too. Crazy.

When will we hear $725 or $700?!!

 

[Kampenken]

Sounds good and I hope that does the trick for you. This will be my first batch on the GF and first time brewing down there so for this round will open the window and try to blow the steam in that direction with a fan. Didn't get a chance to come up with a better option yet but will definitely be looking into it.

Thanks, good luck on your first brew, let us know how it goes.

Also to add, I'm going to try to brew outside too on my deck. Have a 15a service out there that I will try first, as others here have had success using, else I will make a 20a short extension cord. I enjoy outdoor brew days when it's nice out!

 

[RockyMountainCraftBrewing]

This is my next step. I picked up some lids from AIH for this purpose. Plan on rotating 2 kegs in keezer, 1 in primary and 1 in secondary.

What's a liquid jumper? I was just going to force it through under CO2.

I made one out of 2 threaded swivels etc to attach to two ball lock liquid posts.Hook the chilled fermenting keg to the serving keg liquid to liquid and then connect CO2 to transfer the beer over.

Also I have never needed to do secondary when fermenting in a keg.

RMCB

 

[actech]

finally my first beer made by grainfather Yoopers house pale recipe

 

[gspot]

finally my first beer made by grainfather Yoopers house pale recipe

Woo hoo! Looks great! And how do you like it? I'm guessing it turned out pretty good!

 

[Eichler]

My first brew day with the GF and so far so good! Getting use to the setup still and need to work on my time management (pre-sanitize and clean up) but all goes well. Reflectix working out well and water heater on standby for the boil.

Right now, I'm not sure who's a bigger fan: me or my wife. I'm brewing beer, folding clothes, and doing stuff around the house as we speak.

UPDATE

Welp. Happy fun time is over. I'm stuck on step 3 of a 4-step mash. Mash temp has stalled around 130F on a 16lb bill. Not sure I'm going to make it to 165F tonight (and then boil). Contacted GF about my situation.

UPDATE 2

Some fine soul reminded me to check the switch on the bottom. Perilous tipping it over but alas we're back on the rise.

 

[seabrew8]

My first brew day with the GF and so far so good! Getting use to the setup still and need to work on my time management (pre-sanitize and clean up) but all goes well. Reflectix working out well and water heater on standby for the boil.

Right now, I'm not sure who's a bigger fan: me or my wife. I'm brewing beer, folding clothes, and doing stuff around the house as we speak.

UPDATE

Welp. Happy fun time is over. I'm stuck on step 3 of a 4-step mash. Mash temp has stalled around 130F on a 16lb bill. Not sure I'm going to make it to 165F tonight (and then boil). Contacted GF about my situation.

UPDATE 2

Some fine soul reminded me to check the switch on the bottom. Perilous tipping it over but alas we're back on the rise.

Cool you got it settled. One thing i will say the GF is not foolproof, it will not make the beer for you.

My brews are going pretty smoothly now though. My main issues have been the pump/hops. Whirlpooling and letting the wort sit for 15min or so before you start the pump seems to have fixed that issue for me. Just make sure you don't hit the filter and hit the rubber cap off! Which i did one batch and i had to literally dump the wort in a brew bucket and use an ice bath! Of course you can use bags or something but i'm stubborn like that.

 

[seabrew8]

finally my first beer made by grainfather Yoopers house pale recipe

Homebrew and a beef steak..the life.

 

[MeanLowerLow]

After one brew I knew I needed a hop spider. I got the one below from my LHBS, and have not regretted it. The cooling process goes much quicker as well.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/kettle-spider.html?gclid=CLakks-NzcsCFReUfgodRm8EEA

Cool you got it settled. One thing i will say the GF is not foolproof, it will not make the beer for you.

My brews are going pretty smoothly now though. My main issues have been the pump/hops. Whirlpooling and letting the wort sit for 15min or so before you start the pump seems to have fixed that issue for me. Just make sure you don't hit the filter and hit the rubber cap off! Which i did one batch and i had to literally dump the wort in a brew bucket and use an ice bath! Of course you can use bags or something but i'm stubborn like that.

 

[Eichler]

Cool you got it settled. One thing i will say the GF is not foolproof, it will not make the beer for you.

My brews are going pretty smoothly now though. My main issues have been the pump/hops. Whirlpooling and letting the wort sit for 15min or so before you start the pump seems to have fixed that issue for me. Just make sure you don't hit the filter and hit the rubber cap off! Which i did one batch and i had to literally dump the wort in a brew bucket and use an ice bath! Of course you can use bags or something but i'm stubborn like that.

I think the heavy mash bill on my first run wasn't such a smart move in hindsight. But whatever, it's all bubbling in the carboy now so ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

Hahah we all have the same problems don't we?! I knocked off the rubber cap last night during flameout and clogged my pump filter with final whole hop addition. The flower was a perfect fit. Ack.

After one brew I knew I needed a hop spider. I got the one below from my LHBS, and have not regretted it. The cooling process goes much quicker as well.

Great minds think alike. I was thinking this exact same thing. Hop spider or a mesh bag at the very least. Luckily my LHBS is MoreBeer in Concord!

 

[d-bone]

What do you think of the Gaincoat?

I'm trying to decide between buying that or making a refletex wrap. I have neoprene jackets on my ssBrewtech fermentors and like them, but am wondering about your experience with their thermal insulation (i.e. Graincoat)?

I made a reflectex wrap when I first received my Gf ( about 6-7 months now) and purchased the graincoat when it became available. I like the graincaoat better because 1: its easier to clean 2: my boils are noticably stronger 3: it is not as hot to touch as the reflectix when boiling 4: it doesnt make a terrible crinkling sound when lifting the unit ( though this could be avoided by removing) and 5: it fits much snugger so I think it is conserving heat a bit better, although i might have just made mine a little too loose. All in all, I think it was worth it to buy this, although in hindsite, I might have just asked my wife to sew heat resistant neoprene over the reflectix. also, I live in Minnesota and brew in my basement which is mid to high 60's F in the summer and mid to low 50's in the winter.

 

[Kampenken]

I made a reflectex wrap when I first received my Gf ( about 6-7 months now) and purchased the graincoat when it became available. I like the graincaoat better because 1: its easier to clean 2: my boils are noticably stronger 3: it is not as hot to touch as the reflectix when boiling 4: it doesnt make a terrible crinkling sound when lifting the unit ( though this could be avoided by removing) and 5: it fits much snugger so I think it is conserving heat a bit better, although i might have just made mine a little too loose. All in all, I think it was worth it to buy this, although in hindsite, I might have just asked my wife to sew heat resistant neoprene over the reflectix. also, I live in Minnesota and brew in my basement which is mid to high 60's F in the summer and mid to low 50's in the winter.

How's the basement setup working for you? Did you do anything for ventilation? I'm working on my setup and will brew by a full size basement door (up about 5 steps) am hoping that a fan on top step will be sufficient, as I wish to avoid having to build a vent hood. I boil off about 3/4 gal / hr.

 

[elreplica]

Completed a light Canadian Pale Ale for my first Grainfather run. The recipe predicted 23 liters but i only ended up with 20. The OG and FG were all with the style range so I'm a bit puzzled. Anyway, I couldn't hold off trying it after a few days on the gas and it was really good - even for being undercarbed! It's back on the gas for a few days and then getting ready for an Old Peculiar clone. This run will be done with a new Graincoat instead of the Reflectix jacket. I was disappointed that I couldn't pull it over the Reflectix but am happy with the form for sure. I think I'm going to really enjoy this all grain thing