Grainfather!!

[2LiveBrewCrew]

I just got the wortometer in and looking for suggestions on where to install it. I'm going to order silicone hose and need an idea of how much to get. You that have a wortometer like it? Thanks..

 

[shortyz]

shortyz ,
[URL='https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/members/shortyz.179197/']I checked page 101 about the modification. I'm still confused,my controller is another version as your. There are 3 receptacles. They receive plugs from the 110 V outlet, the pump and the heating element. Which one did you modify ?

Jacques[/URL]

 

[Jag75]

I just got the wortometer in and looking for suggestions on where to install it. I'm going to order silicone hose and need an idea of how much to get. You that have a wortometer like it? Thanks..

I believe that connects right after outflow of the cfc if I'm not mistaken. I've actually been thinking of getting one.

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

It looks well made and the cheapest place I found it was at Grainfather web site.

 

[jaymosbeershack]

Brewing today. I put in the pump filter before filling AND got the bottom plate in the first try. Looks like the start of a good day (knock on wood)

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

Brewing today. I put in the pump filter before filling AND got the bottom plate in the first try. Looks like the start of a good day (knock on wood)

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

Don't know what happened to my last post... Oh well.. Jaymosbeershack, what style you brewing today. I'm getting ready for tomorrows brew. I'm going to do a Stout.

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

Just installed the Wortometer and gave it a test run and it works quite well. Worth the money.

 

[shortyz]

dont you guys just grab the hose and feel the temp and adjust the valve according to feel... i duno thats just me.

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

In Grainfathers mash and sparge water calculator does it figure in boil off?

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

dont you guys just grab the hose and feel the temp and adjust the valve according to feel... i duno thats just me.

I guess you could and be ok but I like the idea of better accuracy. Just me...

 

[Jag75]

In Grainfathers mash and sparge water calculator does it figure in boil off?

Yes I go off of the water it calls for as your making the recipe . That water amount it calls for is 100% accurate every time I've brewed .

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

Yes I go off of the water it calls for as your making the recipe . That water amount it calls for is 100% accurate every time I've brewed .

Thanks for the info.

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

Any recommendations for a whirlpool paddle for the Grainfather?

 

[elgee]

Just just the recirculating pipe, but remove the ball and spring.

 

[RedlegEd]

Any recommendations for a whirlpool paddle for the Grainfather?

Hi.
I use this one: https://www.homebrewsupply.com/28-in-plastic-paddle.html. It's not very expensive and does the job. I also use it to scrape the bottom of the GF occasionally during the boil to keep it from overheating due to a blanket of gunk. If you decide to whirlpool at the end of your boil, be cautious of not hitting the filter to hard or too often. Hope this helps. Ed

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

Hi.
I use this one: https://www.homebrewsupply.com/28-in-plastic-paddle.html. It's not very expensive and does the job. I also use it to scrape the bottom of the GF occasionally during the boil to keep it from overheating due to a blanket of gunk. If you decide to whirlpool at the end of your boil, be cautious of not hitting the filter to hard or too often. Hope this helps. Ed

Thanks Ed. I'll watch that filter..

 

[jaymosbeershack]

Brewed a NEIPA first set if dry hops come out tomorrow second set goes in with 22 oz of honey. Citra, Cashmere, and Huell Melon.

Don't know what happened to my last post... Oh well.. Jaymosbeershack, what style you brewing today. I'm getting ready for tomorrows brew. I'm going to do a Stout.

 

[jaymosbeershack]

I use this big ole thing. Works great. Bayou Classic 1042, 42-in Stainless Steel Stir Paddle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FTUTL6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ESeGDbVHCP8H8

Any recommendations for a whirlpool paddle for the Grainfather?

 

[jaymosbeershack]

Just saw you're looking for whirlpool paddle not a mash paddle. I use a ss paint mixer from harbor freight. I think i paid $8 for it

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

I think I'll go take a look at Harbor Freight. Thanks for the info.

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

OK, here's a question I don't have an answer for so I'm going to put it out there. I'm not an electrician but would dielectric grease work on the heater plug and the connect unit heater receptacle to form a better connection and maybe reduce plug/receptacle burnout?

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

guys, open up your controller and put a plug on the controller, quit screwing around with new controllers. They all had this problem, just fix it yourself.

View attachment 642583

How many screws hold the connect unit together? How many on the back and how many on top if any?

 

[skleice]

I s-h-i-t on this app pretty hard, so I thought it was only fair that I come back and say it is improving. I still don't like all the clutter/adds/social media garbage, but at least it's functional now. I find that it works much better on my Android phone than my iPad.

 

[shortyz]

you want to know how many screws hold it together? dude i duno grab a screwdriver and take it apart.

 

[Chino_Brews]

OK, here's a question I don't have an answer for so I'm going to put it out there. I'm not an electrician but would dielectric grease work on the heater plug and the connect unit heater receptacle to form a better connection and maybe reduce plug/receptacle burnout?

I would say no on the dielectric geese because it is not electrically conductive. You just need to replace the receptacle with a higher quality one

 

[Chino_Brews]

How many screws hold the connect unit together? How many on the back and how many on top if any?

I don’t remember how many screws on the back, but FYI there are two screws under the Mylar mask on the face of the control box. You need to use a heat gun to melt the glue and gently pry up the mask without ruining it. When done, scrape off the glue and re-glue the mask down with something like silicone glue.

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

I don’t remember how many screws on the back, but FYI there are two screws under the Mylar mask on the face of the control box. You need to use a heat gun to melt the glue and gently pry up the mask without ruining it. When done, scrape off the glue and re-glue the mask down with something like silicone glue.

Thanks for the info. That's what I was looking for. I thought I read something in one of the posts a while back but memory ain't what it used to be. Appreciate the answer...

 

[speavler]

Is reflectix wrap better that the Graincoat? I found the Graincoat at a decent price.

I use both

 

[2LiveBrewCrew]

Has anyone had any melting/fusing issues with the updated connects?

 

[speavler]

I s-h-i-t on this app pretty hard, so I thought it was only fair that I come back and say it is improving. I still don't like all the clutter/adds/social media garbage, but at least it's functional now. I find that it works much better on my Android phone than my iPad.

I wish i could say the same. It's like the controller and app are on different pages. I click ok on the controller to start the mash and the next thing i know it's going onto the mashout. trying to manually go to a step while temp is steadily increasing just puts me in a fit of rage. i am so over this thing.

 

[Jag75]

I've noticed as long as I have the updated app as I brew it works good. The one time i had issues i learned that it was due to me not updating the most recent version

 

[jlinz]

What is the consensus on extension cords? I want to brew outside and the grainfather cord is super short.

 

[alestateyall]

What is the consensus on extension cords? I want to brew outside and the grainfather cord is super short.

Extension cords are fine. Your pulling 14-15A so size accordingly. Unwind the whole cord. If you leave it wound the heat can’t dissipate and it can melt/become a fire hazard.

Here is a nice guide:

https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/best...any-situation/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90559d97e0

 

[nepatsfan1]

I was thinking of getting the (RoboBrew) false bottom for my Grainfather. Anyone that has it pluses, Minuses..

 

[Jag75]

I was thinking of getting the (RoboBrew) false bottom for my Grainfather. Anyone that has it pluses, Minuses..

Just curious but why would you add a false bottom?

 

[nepatsfan1]

Just curious but why would you add a false bottom?

I saw a David Heath youth video adding it and was wondering anyone else has done it yet and is it worth it.. Thats all

 

[murphyslaw]

I saw a David Heath youth video adding it and was wondering anyone else has done it yet and is it worth it.. Thats all

I saw the same video and wanted to buy it. Couldn't find it in stock at the time

 

[elgee]

I was thinking of getting the (RoboBrew) false bottom for my Grainfather. Anyone that has it pluses, Minuses..

I would get it. I make a lot of hop heavy beers and the filter has gotten clogged a few times. I have considered getting it since using a hop spider (in my opinion) reduces the hop efficiency when whirlpooling. Just my two cents, I’m sure others will have different experiences.

 

[murphyslaw]

I would get it. I make a lot of hop heavy beers and the filter has gotten clogged a few times. I have considered getting it since using a hop spider (in my opinion) reduces the hop efficiency when whirlpooling. Just my two cents, I’m sure others will have different experiences.

Exactly. It should be better than a hop spider. And easier to clean.

I may even wrap the false bottom in a paint strainer bag to filter even better. That would defeat the easy cleaning, though.