Grainfather!!

[JBurger538]

Just got a tracking number. Mine is shipping!

 

[thenewton]

Got a tracking number as well from AiH this morning.

 

[Sagath]

I was only kidding lol. I was shocked that we in eastern Canada beat out many brew bros stateside getting these gizmos.

Eastern Canada? I got mine last Friday here in Ontario! Two batches down with it already, with the third due Sunday!

 

[elreplica]

Eastern Canada? I got mine last Friday here in Ontario! Two batches down with it already, with the third due Sunday!

Excellent! But I apparently was first in Canada, as I picked mine up directly off the boat on March 19th...just for bragging rights and the record lol.

 

[macabra11]

Howdy folks! I have read through most of this massive thread but couldn't find an answer to my question and messaging the Grainfather people hasn't been a help.

I am wondering how to tell which is the latest generation of Grainfather when shopping around? I know there have been at least 2-3 iterations released since its inception. There are some pretty good deals on eBay for units, but I want to make sure I get the newest model and design. I assume (which is probably wrong) that if I order a unit that comes with the Connect controller, it will be the latest design of the actually kettles/chiller?

On the other hand there are some good combo deals that include the alembic pot still attachment but have the old controller. Then I could just order the new Connect controller separate. I'd only do this if I knew that the rest of unit (besides the controller) was the latest generation.

Any insight? Thanks!

 

[shortyz]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1491165221.821973.jpg

Huzzah! Another use for the gf, took the tubing off the pump arm and it fits nicely on my taps for growler fills [emoji106]

 

[Kampenken]

Howdy folks! I have read through most of this massive thread but couldn't find an answer to my question and messaging the Grainfather people hasn't been a help.

I am wondering how to tell which is the latest generation of Grainfather when shopping around? I know there have been at least 2-3 iterations released since its inception. There are some pretty good deals on eBay for units, but I want to make sure I get the newest model and design. I assume (which is probably wrong) that if I order a unit that comes with the Connect controller, it will be the latest design of the actually kettles/chiller?

On the other hand there are some good combo deals that include the alembic pot still attachment but have the old controller. Then I could just order the new Connect controller separate. I'd only do this if I knew that the rest of unit (besides the controller) was the latest generation.

Any insight? Thanks!

Ask the seller if the GF comes with a check valve on the recirc tube. This is the 2nd gen that contains a ball and spring. I think this is only one before the connect came out. Good luck!

 

[ratbastrd05]

Howdy folks! I have read through most of this massive thread but couldn't find an answer to my question and messaging the Grainfather people hasn't been a help.

I am wondering how to tell which is the latest generation of Grainfather when shopping around? I know there have been at least 2-3 iterations released since its inception. There are some pretty good deals on eBay for units, but I want to make sure I get the newest model and design. I assume (which is probably wrong) that if I order a unit that comes with the Connect controller, it will be the latest design of the actually kettles/chiller?

On the other hand there are some good combo deals that include the alembic pot still attachment but have the old controller. Then I could just order the new Connect controller separate. I'd only do this if I knew that the rest of unit (besides the controller) was the latest generation.

Any insight? Thanks!

For what it's worth, I recently bought mine from igobru32 on eBay and it came with the most recent Grainfather body, both the old and new controllers, the Grainfather hop spider, and free shipping. I did "Name Your Price" and we ended up at $975 for the whole package (it was listed at $1,040). Had a great experience with that seller!

 

[macabra11]

For what it's worth, I recently bought mine from igobru32 on eBay and it came with the most recent Grainfather body, both the old and new controllers, the Grainfather hop spider, and free shipping. I did "Name Your Price" and we ended up at $975 for the whole package (it was listed at $1,040). Had a great experience with that seller!

That is who I'm looking at. Thanks for sharing your experience (and pricing)!

 

[elreplica]

For what it's worth, I recently bought mine from igobru32 on eBay and it came with the most recent Grainfather body, both the old and new controllers, the Grainfather hop spider, and free shipping. I did "Name Your Price" and we ended up at $975 for the whole package (it was listed at $1,040). Had a great experience with that seller!

In my opinion - and based on my upgrades and the Canuckbuck...you stole it...

 

[TBC]

If your interested in a grainfather forum let him know.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=623985

 

[Flyboypr77]

Just in me for tomorrow's brew.

 

[JBurger538]

I got mine last night as well. I can't wait for the weekend. That will be my first chance to brew with it. I hate when work gets in the way of fun.

 

[d-bone]

brewed with mine for the first time this weekend. Initial thoughts:
1. so glad I dont have to babysit the brew when heating to strike and mash out.
2. The mash temp overshot by a couple of degrees during the mash

3. the box seems to retain ALOT less heat the first, due to the vents.
4. Also really like that the box itself has an an alarm for stage notification, sometimes I forget to turn up the volume on my ipad/phone.
5. Maybe I am crazy, but this seems to heat a little faster, maybe the reason for the overshoot during mash.


I am wondering if these things will be firmware upgradeable.

 

[BrewinSoldier]

Just got my controller today and am having some fitment issues. Can those of you who just received yours from AIH post a few pictures of the back of it, as well as the fitment?

I have tried the screws in both the top and bottom holes. In the top set, it won't fit in the metal loop that it's supposed to slide down into. On the bottom holes it will slide on but the bottom of the unit sits above the metal ring and flops around.

 

[BrewinSoldier]

Double post

 

[elreplica]

Just got my controller today and am having some fitment issues. Can those of you who just received yours from AIH post a few pictures of the back of it, as well as the fitment?

I have tried the screws in both the top and bottom holes. In the top set, it won't fit in the metal loop that it's supposed to slide down into. On the bottom holes it will slide on but the bottom of the unit sits above the metal ring and flops around.

I just moved the screws from the Connect from bottom to top - or versy vica and viola ...there it was...

 

[BrewinSoldier]

I just moved the screws from the Connect from bottom to top - or versy vica and viola ...there it was...

Yeah I did that but it didn't fix it. It slid on but the bottom of the controller doesn't even slide down into the metal "U" shaped holder.

 

[WesM63]

Yeah I did that but it didn't fix it. It slid on but the bottom of the controller doesn't even slide down into the metal "U" shaped holder.

It doesn't, it just sits in the keyholes. It doesn't seem very sturdy but I have yet to have it cause an issue. (I've got 5 brews under the connect). I remove it before cleaning as well. Some People on the GF Facebook group use some Velcro to help hold it in place.

Glad everyone is receiving their's from AIH, but I posted about all this info 20 pages back or so. Edit: 30 pages. Post 2722 2736

 

[BrewinSoldier]

It doesn't, it just sits in the keyholes. It doesn't seem very sturdy but I have yet to have it cause an issue. (I've got 5 brews under the connect). I remove it before cleaning as well. Some People on the GF Facebook group use some Velcro to help hold it in place.

Glad everyone is receiving their's from AIH, but I posted about all this info 20 pages back or so. Edit: 30 pages. Post 2722 2736

Thanks for the heads up. I contacted grainfather about it. On the newer grainfathers that come with the connect controller, it looks like they made a special style metal support just for the connect that holds the grainfather in place(all welded in to the backmount and grainfather. I don't see any screws on the new one.)

All they would have to do is release a metal piece that they should include for the retrofit controllers. It just needs to be a little bit longer and it would hold it in just fine. I might just make my own. Just two angled bends and two drilled holes in each side.

 

[elreplica]

Thanks for the heads up. I contacted grainfather about it. On the newer grainfathers that come with the connect controller, it looks like they made a special style metal support just for the connect that holds the grainfather in place(all welded in to the backmount and grainfather. I don't see any screws on the new one.)



All they would have to do is release a metal piece that they should include for the retrofit controllers. It just needs to be a little bit longer and it would hold it in just fine. I might just make my own. Just two angled bends and two drilled holes in each side.

Yeah, mine just hangs off the vessel too. I was hoping it would've slid into the bracket but it doesn't seem to be a problem as I pull it off a couple times when cleaning anyway. But I agree with your recommendations.

 

[skraeling]

Yeah I had to yank my bracket off as well. which is fine since everything disconnects rather easily now and you dont have that long cord that you cant unplug.

 

[dibbz]

2 cable ties fixed this for me

 

[elreplica]

I got mine last night as well. I can't wait for the weekend. That will be my first chance to brew with it. I hate when work gets in the way of fun.

I believe Oscar Wilde stated it best, "Work is the curse of the drinking class". [emoji13]

 

[gamerc]

So as I work on my second Grainfather brew, I believe this needs a sightglass - has anyone worked this project (besides the one seen in a video)? Interested in sourcing parts and putting it together. It would really be helpful during sparging

 

[RedlegEd]

So as I work on my second Grainfather brew, I believe this needs a sightglass - has anyone worked this project (besides the one seen in a video)? Interested in sourcing parts and putting it together. It would really be helpful during sparging

Hi. May I ask why it would be helpful during sparging? If you measure out all your mash & sparge water ahead of time, why worry about it? I will concede that knowing you've hit your final volume at the end of boil might be helpful, but if you know your boil off rate, that shouldn't be a problem either. I've found the formulas are pretty close to being spot on, and I've tweaked my formulas slightly to dial in my system with a Graincoat. Just asking so you don't drill a hole in your Grainfather for something you might not need. Ed

 

[Sadu]

I would suggest etching markings on the inside instead of installing a sight glass.

 

[skraeling]

I would suggest etching markings on the inside instead of installing a sight glass.

But it has stamped markings on the inside...

 

[skraeling]

if you dont mind my asking, what did you use to cut the inner circle out? I was thinking a jewelry cutter, but dont know if the mesh is too hard.

Ok well I just tried this out last night the extra screen with disastrous results. LHBS had a temporary mill setup and crushed this super fine. i also had some wheat in this batch.

Immediate stuck mash. Great. I had to pull everything out dump all the fluid and grain into a bucket. Dissasemble the bottom plate take off the screen.

Bonus the super fine crush combined with me having to futz around with this stupid thing led to scorching on the element which I have got to have the most sensitive ass "boil off protection" switch ever. Seriously why the hell does this thing even have that switch? What idiot would try and boil this dry?

So of course this is the first time im trying to use the new connect and also do a multi step mash for a belgian dubbel.

Constantly having to reset the element so it kept heating to my next mash temp was SUPER FUN.

So somehow managed to successfully get all my grain + wort back into the GF. Slugged through the mash steps.

Managed to hit my final gravity and volumes even STILL with all this hot mess that went on. Finally finished at about 1am so a 7hr brew day which given the issues I had isnt too bad (got started late).

The good news is the LHBS finally had the commercial grade grain mill show up and the head brewer there set the gap to actually give a courser crush thankfully.

So I dumped my extra screen. Guess this is what I get with a perfect storm of trying to reinvent the wheel.

 

[d-bone]

Ok well I just tried this out last night the extra screen with disastrous results. LHBS had a temporary mill setup and crushed this super fine. i also had some wheat in this batch.

Immediate stuck mash. Great. I had to pull everything out dump all the fluid and grain into a bucket. Dissasemble the bottom plate take off the screen.

Bonus the super fine crush combined with me having to futz around with this stupid thing led to scorching on the element which I have got to have the most sensitive ass "boil off protection" switch ever. Seriously why the hell does this thing even have that switch? What idiot would try and boil this dry?

So of course this is the first time im trying to use the new connect and also do a multi step mash for a belgian dubbel.

Constantly having to reset the element so it kept heating to my next mash temp was SUPER FUN.

So somehow managed to successfully get all my grain + wort back into the GF. Slugged through the mash steps.

Managed to hit my final gravity and volumes even STILL with all this hot mess that went on. Finally finished at about 1am so a 7hr brew day which given the issues I had isnt too bad (got started late).

The good news is the LHBS finally had the commercial grade grain mill show up and the head brewer there set the gap to actually give a courser crush thankfully.

So I dumped my extra screen. Guess this is what I get with a perfect storm of trying to reinvent the wheel.

funny you should mention this... I just used mine for the first time last weekend, and also had a pretty bad stuck sparge. I was using about 30% rye which was milled finer than the rest, and this may have caused it, but I dont know if I am going back to using the extra screen. The miniscule amount of grain particle that gets through without it is not worth this much trouble. I have thought about putting an extra domed false bottom down, as someone else here has done, to see if that makes things better.