Grainfather!!

[RedlegEd]

I finally pulled the trigger last night!!! Bought the Grainfather, Graincoat, and mash paddle from Grainfather USA and the Grainfather sparge water heater from Homebrew Supply for $126 shipped! Can't wait!!!

Hi. Congratulations! I'm sure you'll love it as much as many of us here do. Here is another item you may want to consider buying. I got one and it's indispensable. You can reset the GF (if needed) while it's on the dolly, and it's a whole lot easier to push around than lift and carry. Your local Big Orange (Home Depot) store might have them on hand (mine only had Terra Cotta,) so I ordered the black one. Ed

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TRWJLA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[user 4295]

Hi. Congratulations! I'm sure you'll love it as much as many of us here do. Here is another item you may want to consider buying. I got one and it's indispensable. You can reset the GF (if needed) while it's on the dolly, and it's a whole lot easier to push around than lift and carry. Your local Big Orange (Home Depot) store might have them on hand (mine only had Terra Cotta,) so I ordered the black one. Ed



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TRWJLA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

This is why I love HBT! I was just going to do a search for the dolly I saw people using, back about a thousand posts ago, and there it is. My plan is to build a proper cart for it based on designs in this thread, but until then, this is just what the dr ordered. Thanks!

 

[robc311]

Just wanted to say thanks to the people that posted about the Home Brew Supply sale. I ordered a Grainfather, hop spider, and an all grain kit last night for $70 less than the regular price for the Grainfather alone! I'm getting the Graincoat from amazon because it didn't qualify for the discount shipping on HBS...can't wait to try it out!

 

[Pantherjon]

I finally pulled the trigger last night!!! Bought the Grainfather, Graincoat, and mash paddle from Grainfather USA and the Grainfather sparge water heater from Homebrew Supply for $126 shipped! Can't wait!!!

Welcome to the brotherhood!

 

[skraeling]

Quick garbage video I cut together of mine with brief shots of my first brew with it.



edit: need to edit out some stuff in the video.

 

[Wagon_6]

Woke up this morning to perfectly heated strike water! Mashed in before pouring a cup of coffee! I love having the integrated recipe plugged in my iPad

 

[skraeling]

Fixed the issue with the first video.

 

[shortyz]

quick question on beersmith and grainfather, on the mash tab below mash there is a selection for "adjust temp for equip"

Do we click that or leave it be? it bumps the strike water like 3f if its clicked..

 

[skraeling]

quick question on beersmith and grainfather, on the mash tab below mash there is a selection for "adjust temp for equip"

Do we click that or leave it be? it bumps the strike water like 3f if its clicked..

I did +10* when I mashed in and it settled in spot on to around 152 very quickly. soon as I started doughing in I set the controller to my actual mash temp of 152.

 

[RichPetersen]

Has anyone else had an issue with their Grainfather having the support ring slipping down into the boiler when attempting to lock the grain basket for sparging? I have done quite a few brews with mine but the last 3 or so I have had the ring slip out of the groove it fits into. Yesterday's was the worst. The grain basket made a huge splash of very hot wort over the floor and me. Ouch. It was only about a quart or so but still painful. Should I just try to replace the ring (which I'm not even sure is possible) or is there some other cause I'm missing?

 

[Minky]

Has anyone else had an issue with their Grainfather having the support ring slipping down into the boiler when attempting to lock the grain basket for sparging? I have done quite a few brews with mine but the last 3 or so I have had the ring slip out of the groove it fits into. Yesterday's was the worst. The grain basket made a huge splash of very hot wort over the floor and me. Ouch. It was only about a quart or so but still painful. Should I just try to replace the ring (which I'm not even sure is possible) or is there some other cause I'm missing?

I had to check the instruction booklet to see what you meant by "locking" the grain basket. Sure enough, they mention locking it, but they don't say how that is done. I simply followed the instruction to lift the basket and turn it so the tabs rest on top of the ring, and left it at that.

I looked at mine and didn't see a way it could lock, so I'm wondering what it is you're doing when you're trying to lock it.

 

[Kampenken]

Has anyone else had an issue with their Grainfather having the support ring slipping down into the boiler when attempting to lock the grain basket for sparging? I have done quite a few brews with mine but the last 3 or so I have had the ring slip out of the groove it fits into. Yesterday's was the worst. The grain basket made a huge splash of very hot wort over the floor and me. Ouch. It was only about a quart or so but still painful. Should I just try to replace the ring (which I'm not even sure is possible) or is there some other cause I'm missing?

I agree with above poster, not sure about "locking". I just set mine on that upper ring. I pull the ring out after every brew to clean and dry well. If this were to happen to me, I'd stretch the ring apart. It should be larger than the diameter of the boiler and "clicks" into place firmly when installed in the groove in boiler. Sounds like yours isn't doing that. Try stretching apart a bit. I've brewed many batches over a year now without issue. Good luck

 

[skraeling]

Due in early March!!

AIH changed the wording on the connect box :\ No longer early feb.

We are never getting these stupid things are we.

 

[joyride75]

Nope, doesn't look like it. Damn.

 

[RichPetersen]

I agree with above poster, not sure about "locking". I just set mine on that upper ring. I pull the ring out after every brew to clean and dry well. If this were to happen to me, I'd stretch the ring apart. It should be larger than the diameter of the boiler and "clicks" into place firmly when installed in the groove in boiler. Sounds like yours isn't doing that. Try stretching apart a bit. I've brewed many batches over a year now without issue. Good luck

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was just reading from the instruction booklet and trying to be as accurate as possible, but yeah all I meant was setting the grain basket on top of the ring. I thought about stretching it but wasn't sure if that would do anything. Will give it a try, thanks.

 

[d-bone]

AIH changed the wording on the connect box :\ No longer early feb.

We are never getting these stupid things are we.

has anyone ordered direct from GF and received theirs ( in US)? I am about to cancel my order and reorder from them if so. My controller just broke yesterday and I can't wait another month.

 

[TBC]

has anyone ordered direct from GF and received theirs ( in US)? I am about to cancel my order and reorder from them if so. My controller just broke yesterday and I can't wait another month.

I was on the grainfather website today and I couldn't find the connect controller in their store.

 

[skraeling]

has anyone ordered direct from GF and received theirs ( in US)? I am about to cancel my order and reorder from them if so. My controller just broke yesterday and I can't wait another month.

The page has been down for over a week on GF site. I think they are out of stock there too. Why are we having such trouble getting them? It's not like it's new. EU has had them for months now.

No point cancelling your order

 

[Wagon_6]

has anyone ordered direct from GF and received theirs ( in US)? I am about to cancel my order and reorder from them if so. My controller just broke yesterday and I can't wait another month.

I ordered direct from GF on 1/19 and received it few days later.

 

[elreplica]

AIH changed the wording on the connect box :\ No longer early feb.

We are never getting these stupid things are we.

How is that? They're already landed in the US via port of New York...they're claiming mid-late Feb. in Canada so...where the hell are you in the US?

 

[WesM63]

has anyone ordered direct from GF and received theirs ( in US)? I am about to cancel my order and reorder from them if so. My controller just broke yesterday and I can't wait another month.

Yes. Ordered mine on Jan. 18th from the Grainfather store. Received it on Jan. 25th, brewed with it on Jan. 27th.

(It's all a few pages back, have to find it among all the bickering)

 

[MrHoppy]

How do you use a SS hop spider in the Grainfather? The level of my wort would only allow about an inch or two of the hop spider to be submerged. I have been using paint filter bags, but have the SS spider, that I would prefer to utilize. Thought about hanging it down, suspended by a wire, but don't want it flopping around when I stir. Anyway, if you have it figured out, please share how you use it. Thanks.

 

[RedlegEd]

How do you use a SS hop spider in the Grainfather? The level of my wort would only allow about an inch or two of the hop spider to be submerged. I have been using paint filter bags, but have the SS spider, that I would prefer to utilize. Thought about hanging it down, suspended by a wire, but don't want it flopping around when I stir. Anyway, if you have it figured out, please share how you use it. Thanks.

Hi. I made an "S" hook from 1/8" x 1" x 8" AL flat stock that's about 6 inches long (from hook to hook.) One "hook" goes over the edge of the GF, the other under the cross bar of the hop basket. It holds the basket firmly up against the side, so it doesn't flop around when I stir. I'm on the road this week, but will get you a picture when I get home.
Ed

 

[shadar]

I've been having issues with my unit not using the full strength heater. The last two brews when I turn it on and put it to "Normal" it heats EXTREMELY slowly in the 80's to 120's. I have hit the reset button on the bottom of the grainfather (its more like a reset button on a surge protector, just kind of bounces around). I have tried different outlets. Nothing seems to make it go into full heater mode until it randomly decides to kick into high gear, then it is problem free the rest of the brew cycle. But this scares me as what if it fails half way through?

Anyone have this issue or any solutions?

 

[elreplica]

How do you use a SS hop spider in the Grainfather? The level of my wort would only allow about an inch or two of the hop spider to be submerged. I have been using paint filter bags, but have the SS spider, that I would prefer to utilize. Thought about hanging it down, suspended by a wire, but don't want it flopping around when I stir. Anyway, if you have it figured out, please share how you use it. Thanks.

Mine looks like this and hangs off the side. If you don't have a hook, you could easily bend one up and attach it with stainless or brass wire.View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1486576637.671706.jpg

 

[MrHoppy]

Hi. I made an "S" hook from 1/8" x 1" x 8" AL flat stock that's about 6 inches long (from hook to hook.) One "hook" goes over the edge of the GF, the other under the cross bar of the hop basket. It holds the basket firmly up against the side, so it doesn't flop around when I stir. I'm on the road this week, but will get you a picture when I get home.
Ed

That is a great idea, I will try that. Thanks.

 

[skraeling]

How is that? They're already landed in the US via port of New York...they're claiming mid-late Feb. in Canada so...where the hell are you in the US?

considering it used to say first 1-2 weeks in feb now its bumped almost a month later? middle of the US. Just annoying that its been delayed yet again.

 

[BrewinSoldier]

considering it used to say first 1-2 weeks in feb now its bumped almost a month later? middle of the US. Just annoying that its been delayed yet again.

I agree. Had I known that, I would've bought mine directly from Grainfather and not had to wait 2 months to get it. Very frustrating to say the least.

 

[elreplica]

considering it used to say first 1-2 weeks in feb now its bumped almost a month later? middle of the US. Just annoying that its been delayed yet again.

Yeah I see MI now and remember what a "skraeling" was doing there...we own "skraelings" here in eastern Canada. Our Connects are supposed to be here mid to end of this month. Initially here by Christmas but that went for a piss...

 

[d-bone]

I agree. Had I known that, I would've bought mine directly from Grainfather and not had to wait 2 months to get it. Very frustrating to say the least.

same here