New house means new equipment.

[pretzelb]

So I was able to get a brew in yesterday. Went just about as flawlessly as I think it could.

Awesome. Glad it all worked out. If you have any numbers to share on the grain/water amounts and/or efficiency numbers that would be interesting. Oh, did you keep track of the time from start to finish? Any issues with clean up?

 

[Grandmaster]

Awesome. Glad it all worked out. If you have any numbers to share on the grain/water amounts and/or efficiency numbers that would be interesting. Oh, did you keep track of the time from start to finish? Any issues with clean up?

Well although the brew went great the numbers are not the best. I calculate a 64% efficiency. I had 9.5 gallons make it in the fermenter. I did hit my gravity of 1.055 but the amount lost to boil off and hoses/chiller must have been much more than I anticipated. No doubt once I learn the system those numbers will go up.

As far as clean up. I just drained it. Rinsed it. Then with some of the water I saved from cooling I warmed up and did a PBW cycle. Followed by another rinse. Very easy but is time consuming. I probably took almost as much time cleaning as I did brewing. Was just letting the system run while I hung out with some friends.

Time? Well I flipped the system on at 5:40am, sober, and was 100% done with clean up and BS'ing with friends, no longer sober, by 1. Now the brew went much faster than that though. I didn't really keep track of a timeline too much.

 

[Grandmaster]

Oh, grain and water? The recipe was a pale ale, 23 pounds of grain and 15 gallons of water to start. That did just about push the water/grain level over the top of the basket so I will have to mess with that also. When I pulled the basket it wasn't even half full.

 

[pretzelb]

Oh, grain and water? The recipe was a pale ale, 23 pounds of grain and 15 gallons of water to start. That did just about push the water/grain level over the top of the basket so I will have to mess with that also. When I pulled the basket it wasn't even half full.

Hmm, that is unexpected. I was thinking the capacity was larger. I need to go into Beersmith and see if I can simulate the capacity with some of my recipes. The biggest drawback that I can see is not having the room for large grain bills that might fit in a 15g 3v system.

Thank you very much for all the info.

 

[30Bones]

So 1.055 or there abouts is the max you can get for a ~10 gallon batch? To do higher gravity you just need do 5-6 gallon batches. Seems fair, I don't want 10 gallons of high ABV anyway

 

[pretzelb]

So 1.055 or there abouts is the max you can get for a ~10 gallon batch? To do higher gravity you just need do 5-6 gallon batches. Seems fair, I don't want 10 gallons of high ABV anyway

10g of high gravity beer? Yes please!

I'm getting greedy with my plans to upgrade. I certainly don't need that 10g of high gravity beer but I like the idea of having one batch to drink early and another to let age a long time. Probably not a good idea health wise but it would be fun.

 

[30Bones]

I have to keep my sights at 5 gallons with 10 being a max is all. However I do like the idea of more options.

 

[Grandmaster]

The pot is plenty big enough for a 10g high gravity beer. Would just have to incorporate a sparge or top up water of some sort. Which a sparge isn't a bad idea anyway.

 

[pretzelb]

The pot is plenty big enough for a 10g high gravity beer. Would just have to incorporate a sparge or top up water of some sort. Which a sparge isn't a bad idea anyway.

That is true. The only thing I don't like about that is having to change a process to fit a recipe. With a 3v system I think it would be hard to exceed the capacity of a even a15g mash tun due to the lower ratio of water to grains. I just have to decide if it's worth the extra expense and equipment.

 

[30Bones]

I filled a keggle to the max on a RIS and that was not BIAB and a 5 gallon batch. Granted the OG was 1.10 or something super dumb

 

[Grandmaster]

Well for a 5 gallon batch this system appears to be able to take just about anything you could throw at it. Only time you would have to change the process would be for a 10g.

I have gone back and forth from 3v to BIAB and now back from 3v to this setup. They all make great beer. I just didn't want to have that big of a setup at this time. Big reason why I went with the Nano Brewer. So I can expand pretty easily should the 3v bug get me again.

 

[30Bones]

Well for a 5 gallon batch this system appears to be able to take just about anything you could throw at it. Only time you would have to change the process would be for a 10g.

I have gone back and forth from 3v to BIAB and now back from 3v to this setup. They all make great beer. I just didn't want to have that big of a setup at this time. Big reason why I went with the Nano Brewer. So I can expand pretty easily should the 3v bug get me again.

Understandable. I think the 20 gallon BIAB is plenty for my needs. I only do 5's now and have only ever done a 10 gallon batch 3 times. I brew ~70 gallons a year and rarely have a dry spell.

 

[pretzelb]

Well for a 5 gallon batch this system appears to be able to take just about anything you could throw at it. Only time you would have to change the process would be for a 10g.

I have gone back and forth from 3v to BIAB and now back from 3v to this setup. They all make great beer. I just didn't want to have that big of a setup at this time. Big reason why I went with the Nano Brewer. So I can expand pretty easily should the 3v bug get me again.

It sure appear to be capable for any 5g batch. My goal is to upgrade to 10g and brew less often so it would bum me out of I had a recipe that wouldn't work as 10g.

How does the expansion work? I don't recall seeing extra controls for another heating element or pump. Do you have to swap the plugs or is there room for more?

 

[Grandmaster]

It has two pump plugs with switches and also three plugs for elements with switches.

 

[pretzelb]

I've got a new question on this system. Is the pulley arm adjustable? I've read it's 8ft tall and my garage door is 7.5 feet from the floor. My plan was to move the system to the edge of the garage so steam would vent but I will still be covered.

 

[Grandmaster]

I just measured mine and it is just under 7' tall. Not really adjustable as far as I can tell.

 

[pretzelb]

I just measured mine and it is just under 7' tall. Not really adjustable as far as I can tell.

Thanks for doing that. Sounds like it would fit my garage.

 

[sgraham602]

I'm looking at going to the same system. I brew alone and am worried about being able to lift the basket down by myself. Do you have any trouble lowering the basket after the mash?

 

[Grandmaster]

I also brew alone. It's kinda awkward lowering it but yes it can be done. The pulley system is really the only thing I would change on the system. Seeing the ones he builds for his larger systems I would ask to upgrade to an electric hoist and track mounted version. Would just make it that much easier.

 

[pretzelb]

I also brew alone. It's kinda awkward lowering it but yes it can be done. The pulley system is really the only thing I would change on the system. Seeing the ones he builds for his larger systems I would ask to upgrade to an electric hoist and track mounted version. Would just make it that much easier.

I had no idea the bigger systems had the track system. I might ask him about that. I also noted in his video he has a sparge arm option but I think it only works with the large dual system. The large dual system appears to have baskets with solid sides.

What process do you have for the basket? I'm guessing the grains never really stop dripping so I'm trying to guess how I would avoid a mess. Since it's electric and not propane, maybe just pull the trash bin right near the kettle and pull the basket down over to the trash bin.

Also, have you checked your efficiency numbers at all? I was thinking of doing a pseudo sparge and holding some water back and pouring it over the grains after mash. That should give better numbers but I have no idea what to expect.

 

[Grandmaster]

I hoist the basket up and let drain as much as possible. Last brew I withheld a couple gallons of water to do a sparge. Did help my numbers a lot. I actually lost the work sheets so I don't know how much but it was much better.

I then hold the basket with one hand and the rope with the other. Slowly release the rope as I guide the basket past the kettle to a pan on the floor. Really not hard just really awkward.

 

[pretzelb]

I hoist the basket up and let drain as much as possible. Last brew I withheld a couple gallons of water to do a sparge. Did help my numbers a lot. I actually lost the work sheets so I don't know how much but it was much better.

I then hold the basket with one hand and the rope with the other. Slowly release the rope as I guide the basket past the kettle to a pan on the floor. Really not hard just really awkward.

Thanks for the info. I will have to find something to hold the basket once I finally make this purchase. I can't imagine having anything in the house that it will fit into but I won't know until I get it here.

FYI, Tim let me know they changed things a bit in 2016. The basket now has solid sides and a different method for the re-circulation. I think it will be the same as the new dual professional system that has a new video.

 

[sgraham602]

what type of plug did you use for the power cord? I saw that you have to supply your own?

 

[sgraham602]

Just got mine in today. Super excited. Tim did some custom work for me and added a trolley so that it's a little easier to remove the basket by myself.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1463447057.390698.jpg

 

[30Bones]

Congrats, very nice setup. What was your time frame from date of order to delivery? I am anxious to get mine.

 

[sgraham602]

It was right about 3 months, which is what I expected. Very happy with the quality. Well worth the wait.

 

[30Bones]

Longer than I anticipated, but I will survive. Thanks