Grainfather!!

[Chiller_ale]

is the grain coat worth it?

I don't think it is worth it. I made a reflectix cover for mine. No problems keeping it clean. I pull it off after the boil every time. Takes 30 seconds to put on and about 5 to take off.

With the 20 dollar roll, I had enough extra for an 8 gallon pot and for a barrier around my Weber smokey mountain smoker.

 

[treacheroustexan]

I use reflectix also, but a roll was given to me for free from a guy in my homebrew club. Works for me!

 

[seabrew8]

I done probably 20 brews before i got the grain coat, its not absolutely necessary but it does help for sure. Looks cool too.

 

[elreplica]

I done probably 20 brews before i got the grain coat, its not absolutely necessary but it does help for sure. Looks cool too.

Eyuuuup![emoji106][emoji12]

 

[elreplica]

I don't think it is worth it. I made a reflectix cover for mine. No problems keeping it clean. I pull it off after the boil every time. Takes 30 seconds to put on and about 5 to take off.



With the 20 dollar roll, I had enough extra for an 8 gallon pot and for a barrier around my Weber smokey mountain smoker.

$50 after spending $800-1K...?🤔[emoji15]

 

[Chiller_ale]

$50 after spending $800-1K...?🤔[emoji15]

I don't think it works any better and plus have extra for other projects.

Plus, $50 bucks half the price of a new grain mill.

 

[ReverendJ]

I would say I love the Grainfather for how easy it is to use, but my pump died while cleaning the Grainfather after the first use. Not terrible impressed with the build quality right now.

 

[elproducto]

I would say I love the Grainfather for how easy it is to use, but my pump died while cleaning the Grainfather after the first use. Not terrible impressed with the build quality right now.

That sounds out of the ordinary.

 

[RedlegEd]

I would say I love the Grainfather for how easy it is to use, but my pump died while cleaning the Grainfather after the first use. Not terrible impressed with the build quality right now.

I agree with @elproducto, that doesn't sound normal. Did you contact the folks at GF? If it died after the first use, I'm sure they would be more than happy to make it right. Ed

 

[d-bone]

I would say I love the Grainfather for how easy it is to use, but my pump died while cleaning the Grainfather after the first use. Not terrible impressed with the build quality right now.

thats what warranties are for. My first GF came with a slight dent, and a new one was received less than a week later.

 

[elreplica]

I use reflectix also, but a roll was given to me for free from a guy in my homebrew club. Works for me!

I have a spare Reflectix jacket with a glued on Velcro strip...it worked fine and I've enough material for another - all free from a friend. When the Graincoat showed up for $60 CDN, there was no question about it going on my machine.

 

[PCL]

Thanks to all contributors regarding the GF. I'm strongly looking into purchasing one because I love brewing INSIDE with my family not out in the driveway for 3 hours.

One question I have is what kind of "water in" attachments come with the GF? Heard perhaps there were several

TIA- PCL

 

[elreplica]

PCL, there are several attachments. I however had to jury rig one for my "designer" tap in the kitchen, as its one of the jobbies with an aerator on a pull down flex hose. I use a butterfly quick clamp and a small piece of hose adapter to lock on to the cold water in for the chiller. A simple adapter but one that only comes with necessity. If you have a standard faucet you'll likely not need anything for your chiller attachment. If you have a Moen style, you'll need a homemade adapter like mine. I'd be happy to share pics.

 

[PCL]

Elreplica: thanks! I do have a moen, and greatly would appreciate a pic.

 

[TBC]

My grainfather came with 3 different connections. One for a hose hookup, one for a faucet and I'm not sure about the third. I use the faucet hookup in either of my bathrooms because it will fit on my moen faucets in there. I have a moen kitchen faucet but the threads are recessed in and I can't get a good connection. Actually considered getting the wife a new kitchen faucet for her that would just happen to work for my grainfather.

 

[elreplica]

Here it is...View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1483103065.111951.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1483103089.367153.jpg
I unscrew the aerator and slip the tube over the "o" ring threaded end, tighten up the butterfly clamp, attach it to the chiller and away we go...

 

[PCL]

Thanks guys. And greatly appreciate the pics elreplica.

 

[acarter5251]

Has anyone sour mashed in their grainfather? How did you go about keeping the grainfather sealed from oxygen?

 

[MilwaukeeBrewGuy]

Does anyone know the difference between a Gen 1 vs Gen 2/3? I bought one from a seller and it was sold as a Gen 1.

 

[skraeling]

Does anyone know the difference between a Gen 1 vs Gen 2/3? I bought one from a seller and it was sold as a Gen 1.

Here are some of the changes that have been made that I could find. regarding gen 3.

REDESIGNED PIPEWORK
We have modified a few things on the pipework to take into consideration the feedback that we have received about a better connection option for the chiller and the nuisance of the brass cap.
We have changed the thread to a much more robust coarse thread. This makes it much quicker to connect and disconnect, eliminates the chance of cross threading and provides a more substantial seal for the connection.
The rubber O ring has been changed to a silicone O ring so it is much more hard wearing.
We have fitted a shut off valve that is opened when the connections are fitted and closed when they are removed to eliminate the need to fit the brass cap.
We have moved the ball valve to the outlet pipe from the counter flow wort chiller so that it is much easier to control the flow of wort when cooling.
SILICONE TUBES
We have also redesigned the silicone tubes that connect the pump to the pipework. These tubes are now moulded so cater for the different diameter outlet on the pump and the inlet and outlet pipes. This should eliminate any chance of leaks.
GRAINSTOPPER
We have included the new Grainstopper that replaces the aluminium cap used on top of the overflow pipe while adding grains. This conveniently fits inside the overflow pipe and the rolled top ring prevents the top pipe from being over extended.

 

[elreplica]

Thanks guys. And greatly appreciate the pics elreplica.

You're welcome "Grainbro"[emoji106]. HNY!

 

[sillysauce]

Has anyone sour mashed in their grainfather? How did you go about keeping the grainfather sealed from oxygen?

I've done a kettle sour in the grainfather. I put syran wrap over the wort and set the GF to maintain specific temperature for a few days. It certainly wasn't "sealed" from oxygen, but it worked.

 

[dibbz]

I've done 3 now, I starsan and glad wrap the lid & pump after counter flowing it down to around 40c, the first 2 times I flooded it with co2 but didn't bother this last time which turned out fine also. Souring with pro-biotic IBS lacto plantanum capsules for around 40 hours @ 34c.

My bill has 9% acidulated in a 3.4kg 23litre bill 70min boil (10 before souring and 60 after) lands me around 4.5ph for the souring also.

 

[MilwaukeeBrewGuy]

I landed an open box display model for $490 US shipped. Is that a good deal?

 

[jrcrilly]

I landed an open box display model for $490 US shipped. Is that a good deal?

 

[phishie]

Does anyone use Brewersfriend.com with the Grainfather? I've been trying to dial in my equipment profile while using Brewersfriend.com with my Grainfather and am not having much luck. It would be helpful to see what values like kettle deadspace, boil off rate, grain absorption, etc are working well for others.

 

[elreplica]

I landed an open box display model for $490 US shipped. Is that a good deal?

What you really mean..."is that a good steal?"🤓

 

[RedlegEd]

Does anyone use Brewersfriend.com with the Grainfather? I've been trying to dial in my equipment profile while using Brewersfriend.com with my Grainfather and am not having much luck. It would be helpful to see what values like kettle deadspace, boil off rate, grain absorption, etc are working well for others.

Hi. Yes, I built a GF profile using Brewersfriend and I'd be happy to share it of you'd like. Let me have a look to see the easiest way to provide it. Also, I use a slightly modified mash/sparge formula that syncs up almost perfectly with my GF profile. Ed

 

[RedlegEd]

Does anyone use Brewersfriend.com with the Grainfather? I've been trying to dial in my equipment profile while using Brewersfriend.com with my Grainfather and am not having much luck. It would be helpful to see what values like kettle deadspace, boil off rate, grain absorption, etc are working well for others.

Hi. Yes, I built a GF profile using Brewersfriend and I'd be happy to share it of you'd like. Let me have a look to see the easiest way to provide it. Also, I use a slightly modified mash/sparge formula that syncs up almost perfectly with my GF profile. Ed

Ok, here's what I use in my Grainfather profile. I set Brew method to BIAB and Equipment Profile to Grainfather. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions. Ed


Equipment Settings:

1. ​
   Boil Evaporation Rate: 2 qt/hr
2. ​
   Grain Absorption: 0.4 qt/lb
3. ​
   Hops Absorption: 0.05 qt/oz
4. ​
   Kettle Dead Space: 2.8 qt
5. ​
   Misc Losses: 0 qt
6. ​
   Cooling Shrinkage: 4%
7. ​
   Chilling Method: CFC

All Grain Brewing:

1. ​
   Average Efficiency: 80%
2. ​
   Default Mash Thickness: 1.68 qt/lb
3. ​
   Mash Water Unit: Quart
4. ​
   Mash Tun Volume: 31.7 qt
5. ​
   Mash Strike Heat Loss: 0°F
6. ​
   Lauter Dead Space: 0 qt

Mash/Sparge Formula (round up answer to nearest 0.1 gallon)
Mash (Gal) = (Pounds Grist*0.3255)+0.9
Sparge (Gal)(60 min boil)= (6.5-Mash)+(# Grist*0.1)
Sparge (Gal)(90 min boil)= (6.9-Mash)+(# Grist*0.1)
Sparge (Gal)(120 min boil)= (7.3-Mash)+(# Grist*0.1)

 

[phishie]

Ok, here's what I use in my Grainfather profile. I set Brew method to BIAB and Equipment Profile to Grainfather. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions. Ed


Equipment Settings:

1. ​
   Boil Evaporation Rate: 2 qt/hr
2. ​
   Grain Absorption: 0.4 qt/lb
3. ​
   Hops Absorption: 0.05 qt/oz
4. ​
   Kettle Dead Space: 2.8 qt
5. ​
   Misc Losses: 0 qt
6. ​
   Cooling Shrinkage: 4%
7. ​
   Chilling Method: CFC

All Grain Brewing:

1. ​
   Average Efficiency: 80%
2. ​
   Default Mash Thickness: 1.68 qt/lb
3. ​
   Mash Water Unit: Quart
4. ​
   Mash Tun Volume: 31.7 qt
5. ​
   Mash Strike Heat Loss: 0°F
6. ​
   Lauter Dead Space: 0 qt

Mash/Sparge Formula (round up answer to nearest 0.1 gallon)
Mash (Gal) = (Pounds Grist*0.3255)+0.9
Sparge (Gal)(60 min boil)= (6.5-Mash)+(# Grist*0.1)
Sparge (Gal)(90 min boil)= (6.9-Mash)+(# Grist*0.1)
Sparge (Gal)(120 min boil)= (7.3-Mash)+(# Grist*0.1)

Awesome, thank you so much!

Although you've listed in non-metric units I'm guessing you have the 220V version (seeing 2.00 qt/hr boil evap rate)? Everywhere I've read online (including GF FAQ) says the 120V version gets 0.4 gal/hr boil evap rate (or 1.6 qt/hr).

You're regularly seeing 2.8 qt of wort left behind in the kettle dead space (or are you including wort loss in the fermenter too)?