Grainfather!!

[hedgie57]

Bought from AIH,had the faulty plug.called AIH and a new unit was at my door in 3 days. The new unit shipped directly from Brewcraft USA , date on the tag is 7/18 ,my old one was 2017. One year newer but I don’t know if it’s he latest version.

 

[cpham574]

Finally got in touch with customer service. They’re sending me a new reset switch. Hopefully it helps

 

[eimar]

treacheroustexan , thank you for posting the picture of the receptacle. I purchased my GF connect about 1 year ago and here is a picture of the receptacle. It is different ,does it means that I have an old version of the controller ?

 

[treacheroustexan]

treacheroustexan , thank you for posting the picture of the receptacle. I purchased my GF connect about 1 year ago and here is a picture of the receptacle. It is different ,does it means that I have an old version of the controller ?View attachment 633402 View attachment 633402 View attachment 633403

Yeah, while your unit may be fine the most current place new have the upgraded receptacle.

 

[eimar]

treacheroustexan , I send my 2 pictures to GrainFather + the PO number of the controller, let's see what they 'll say. Now I'm confused, GF shipped you a controller with a new receptacle ( it looks like a NEMA 5-20 receptacle to me ) but they didn't ship the matching NEMA 5-20 plug. So, to me it doesn't make any difference. Could someone please explain ?

 

[hedgie57]

It will use that plug or a regular 3 prong plug

 

[MrHoppy]

Kettle sour is what destroyed mine.

 

[jaymosbeershack]

Kettle sour is what destroyed mine.

This is what has me so unsure about the kettle sour i have planned for wednesday. Never done it before, and i really want to. Im just nervous. Atleast i know Brocks Homebrew Supply has great customer service from when my first unit got replaced.

 

[lewandowski46]

My recent issue might be due to kettle sour as well. Nearly two days of maintaining 105F. However, there shouldn't be issues as it was switched to "mash" during that period and supposedly pulling a lot less amps.

I just need it to last a few more months before I drop the money on the B80pro when I do my brewery expansion.

 

[Jag75]

@jaymosbeershack

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/making-a-sour.665525/


I didnt want to do one in my Gf either . Check out this thread.

 

[jaymosbeershack]

@jaymosbeershack

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/making-a-sour.665525/


I didnt want to do one in my Gf either . Check out this thread.

I have read (a heavy portion of)it. I may go with mixed ferment instead.

 

[lewandowski46]

FWIW, I was filling the GF up to sous vide some steaks tonight and randomly pulled on the plug to see if it's going to be an issue or just got hot from being on for 48 plus hours. Sure enough it's fused to the outlet. Still works and need it to cook my steaks tonight, but sucky.

As mentioned before, gen 2, last revision before the connect controller came out...I thought the old school controller meant I would never see these issues, but unfortunately the problem is more widespread than thought.

 

[eimar]

It will use that plug or a regular 3 prong plug

hedgie57 , That's why why I'm puzzled , they replaced the original NEMA 5-15 ( 125 V, 15 A ) receptacle with a NEMA 5-20 T slot ( 125 V, 20A ) , but the cable connecting the heating element to the controller has not changed , it is still the original one with a 10 A capacity, not for 15A and the plug has not changed , still the original NEMA 5-15 ( 125 V, 15 A ).

 

[lewandowski46]

Sorry not the best photos, but the one prong has melted plastic all over it and the long blade socket is disfigured a bit.

 

[murphyslaw]

I did a kettle sour with my GF last without without any problems. YMMV.

 

[pkgmsu2000]

Not on big grain bills... the poor design of the tall and narrow basket creates too deep of a bed depth so you get poor circulation through the entire grain bed. Smaller grain bills it’s not an issue.

i decided after a few batches that it doesnt make any sense to mash with more than 14 lbs of grain. GF says you can mash up to 19 lbs but good luck with that...

 

[Jag75]

i decided after a few batches that it doesnt make any sense to mash with more than 14 lbs of grain. GF says you can mash up to 19 lbs but good luck with that...

Most I've done is 16 lbs . It was tough . I think I was under my estimated OG as well.

 

[Pkrd]

Did about 19lb last month for a whiskey. Stuck sparge. Not sure of exactly amount, bill was supposed to be 12kg and we weighed 3.5 out for a biab, suspect the remainder was more than 8.5.

You might try insulating the kettle facing side of the controller.

 

[jaymosbeershack]

Ive gone to 16# of grain. I stirred regularly and used a good amount of rice hulls. With my batch sparge method i got about 74%

 

[eimar]

After sending the pictures of my controller ( see on this page ) I received the following reply from Grainfather:


" Mel (Grainfather)

Jul 4, 11:08 BST

Hey Jacques,

The tech team have confirmed that this control box is not from the defected batch and is safe to use.

During the heating up and boiling process, it’s normal that the heating plug is warm, but it shouldn’t be very hot. If you feel the plug is very hot, then please stop using it and ask us for further suggestions.

Thanks"

 

[TNJake]

This is what has me so unsure about the kettle sour i have planned for wednesday. Never done it before, and i really want to. Im just nervous. Atleast i know Brocks Homebrew Supply has great customer service from when my first unit got replaced.

I kettle soured in mine too. 90F for 3 days, no issues. Turned out to be the best beer I have made.

 

[Frilock]

Has anyone tried replacing the plug themselves? I remember watching a video on youtube about some guy replacing a bunch of them. My plug hasn't fused yet, but I'm getting a little nervous that it might.

 

[pkgmsu2000]

so, does anyone know how to replace the clear hoses for the CFC? my hoses are no longer clear, they are dark stained good. was hoping to find a DIY video online somewhere but no luck. would have thought that GF would have instructions. thanks in advance.

 

[skleice]

so, does anyone know how to replace the clear hoses for the CFC? my hoses are no longer clear, they are dark stained good. was hoping to find a DIY video online somewhere but no luck. would have thought that GF would have instructions. thanks in advance.

I just did this because my CFC fell (my fault) and snapped 1 of the hoses. It was very easy.

You need these:
https://www.homebrewing.org/The-Grainfather-Chiller-Silicone-Hose_p_6040.html

And some clamps to replace the little clamps you have to break off (the toughest part. I just used some snip plyers and a screwdriver).
https://www.homebrewing.org/Stainless-Steel-Adjustable-Hose-Clamp_p_430.html

Took me 5 minutes.

 

[pkgmsu2000]

I just did this because my CFC fell (my fault) and snapped 1 of the hoses. It was very easy.

You need these:
https://www.homebrewing.org/The-Grainfather-Chiller-Silicone-Hose_p_6040.html

And some clamps to replace the little clamps you have to break off (the toughest part. I just used some snip plyers and a screwdriver).
https://www.homebrewing.org/Stainless-Steel-Adjustable-Hose-Clamp_p_430.html

Took me 5 minutes.

how did you break apart the T's? Unless I am mistaken, the clear hose runs all the way through the entire CFC? the clear hose isnt just what you see on the inlet to pump and outlet to fermenter?

 

[skleice]

how did you break apart the T's? Unless I am mistaken, the clear hose runs all the way through the entire CFC? the clear hose isnt just what you see on the inlet to pump and outlet to fermenter?

The hose does not run all the way through. If you loosen the nuts where it connects it will come right off in your hand. Loosen another nut to expose the hose and pull it off. Ezpz

 

[pkgmsu2000]

The hose does not run all the way through. If you loosen the nuts where it connects it will come right off in your hand. Loosen another nut to expose the hose and pull it off. Ezpz

there is a visible clear hose that runs from pump connection to CFC inlet... there is a visible clear hose at CFC outlet that eventually goes into your fermentation vessel... are you saying once the HOT wort travels inside of the CFC it no longer travels through a hose? it just magically goes from a clear hose into nothing and then back to a clear hose

 

[hopjuice_71]

The clear silicone hose is attached to a copper pipe that runs inside of the black plastic tubing.

 

[pkgmsu2000]

The clear silicone hose is attached to a copper pipe that runs inside of the black plastic tubing.

now were getting somewhere, thank you thank you

although these nuts are far from easy to loosen up...

 

[skleice]

In other news, the timer does not count down on the app.