PicoBrew Pico users

[Lbarouf]

My triple batches ferment just fine in a 5 gallon Corny. If all is measured out properly you should be around 4 1/2 gal

1gal 6 cups x 3 = 22 cups x 3
66 cups / 1 gal = 66 cups / 16 cups

4.125 gal

Some of the more aggressive batches that I add a couple cups to will give very little blow off. Use some fermcap-S if you are worried but I don’t think you have to.

Thanks for this. When looking at SS and Anvil, I find their 7 or so Gal conicals can fit in my beer fridge. This should work well for 4 batches. I prefer 4 as I buy my paks in packs of 4 to optimize shipping and 6 gals means I fill 2 of my 3gal kegs. A brew week-end would mean 2 different beers, but 12 gal. I can get away with it since I would not need to brew as often like this. Otherwise, a 5 gal for triple batches, but it won't fit in the fridge, so cold crashing will mean splitting my batch before racking.... far from ideal.

 

[Lbarouf]

Found more of the keg coolers at another Walmart

View attachment 558492

If only the darn things were not so much a pain in the neck. That's what I was thinking when I originally backed the campaign. The ones I saw were a different brand, but pretty much the same. I changed tune once I started using them. :-/
Plus, the cooling is via a peltier heatseak. I don't believe they cool the beer that much on a warm day. Then again, I never bought one...

 

[Lbarouf]

Have tilts ever been on sale?
Anyone here ever tried either of the following: naturally carbonating the beer in keg, or age their batches in oak casks (or any other wood essence)?

 

[Lbarouf]

Finally got around to tapping my Dead Guy. This one was done with a half pack of yeast. Naturally carbonated with DME. It is absolutely fantastic. The natural carb sets up such a nice creamy head. I had forgotten how good natural carb is after force carving for so long. The "weirdness" is barely there in this batch at all. It's very close to the real thing

Do you believe the DME had a positive impact on the taste vs the .... euh, is this sucrose in those packs?!?...dextrose or whatever they provide?

 

[Lbarouf]

I am planning on using a complete pouch of dry yeast on a quad batch of brewing, in a 7 gal fermenter, this should be sufficient yeast? Headspace in the fermenter is enough? I guesstimate using 6gal out of the 7 gal capacity.

 

[Jeff Flogerzi]

Anyone have a code that works on the Pico packs. There are 2 I want to order.

 

[Jeff Flogerzi]

Also anyone have some tips on using the serving keg with Pico's co2 regulator and there c02 cartridges? I can't find any instructions on Pico's site. I would like to force carb on this batch. I bought it before I knew it was not great due to the serving keg.. but I might as well use it snice I have it

 

[jrb03]

Anyone have a code that works on the Pico packs. There are 2 I want to order.

I can send you a 15% off code. Send me a pm.

 

[jrb03]

I am planning on using a complete pouch of dry yeast on a quad batch of brewing, in a 7 gal fermenter, this should be sufficient yeast? Headspace in the fermenter is enough? I guesstimate using 6gal out of the 7 gal capacity.

I’ve never seen tilts on sale.

1 pouch yeast is plenty. I would use fermcap just Incase, or keep an eye on it.

 

[Lbarouf]

I’ve never seen tilts on sale.

1 pouch yeast is plenty. I would use fermcap just Incase, or keep an eye on it.

Yep, thx. I always use it now to control krausen.

 

[Lbarouf]

Any issue in deep cleaning the pico after 4 batches instead of 3? I'm wondering if I could do so when brewing 4 identical paks back to back to save a bit of time. I would still do the after brew rinse.

 

[macgyuver]

Any issue in deep cleaning the pico after 4 batches instead of 3? I'm wondering if I could do so when brewing 4 identical paks back to back to save a bit of time. I would still do the after brew rinse.

As long as it is back to back runs I don’t see an issue. The wort doesn’t have time to gunk up the machine. I run triple batches and rinse between and deep clean afterwards.

 

[jrb03]

I deep clean every two. Pico says to deep clean after a back to back, not every three if doing two same day.

 

[macgyuver]

I have been doing brew 1st, rinse, brew 2nd, rinse, brew 3rd, deep clean. I have not noticed any difference in the deep clean after three or two when running back to back brews.

 

[Lbarouf]

Got you. Ok thank guys. I have yet not seen any gunk at all, nor blown paks so far. And I typically rinse immediately after the brews and deep clean after 3. But now that I am planning on quad batches, I did not think it would bad but in case there was something I missed. The last thing I want is a broken machine.

 

[Lbarouf]

Oxygen, carbonation and racking.

Is it that bad to expose your fermented beer to oxygen? if so, what is the best solution to ferment and rack 6 gal of beer? I had been using all those years a siphon to go from one vessel to another and an enolmatic to fill my bottles. I didn't see any issues. Today, I move the fermented beer to the clean keg using CO2 after purging it. IT works, but that only 1 batch at a time.

What are the best options for scaling to 4 batches at a time? The fermenter I was looking at, provides only a spigot to transfer the beer to kegs for carbonation. Is that exposure that bad? I see a pretty big benefit to using a fermenter instead of a keg, and feel like the benefit may outweigh the short exposure to air. Am i wrong?

Thanks for anyone and everyone's take on it.

 

[macgyuver]

I have transferred to my conical with gravity siphon as well as from conical to keg. As long as you are not splashing the fermented wort around I don’t think you have much to worry about.

 

[PeteSeattle]

I have transferred to my conical with gravity siphon as well as from conical to keg. As long as you are not splashing the fermented wort around I don’t think you have much to worry about.

I’m planning to do exactly that (Pico c) but in a translucent conical so I can observe the action. I’m not fond of guessing as to what’s going on. Maybe I’m old fashioned but I like watching the yesti beasties do their work. I’ve only fermented once in SS but more inclined to visually monitor the beer. The plus is doing the back to back batches as most of you have mentioned. Happy brewing all!

 

[Dilbert Fizzwinkle]

I have a conundrum. I have the Pico S and I am getting ready to rack my beer into a serving keg to naturally carbonate.
I have watched the videos for both the S and the Pro and have read the instructions for both the S and the Pro.
They both mention connecting the gray keg connector and clearing the line until the liquid stops flowing. What liquid? Where is the liquid coming from?
Should I add water to the reservoir or to the step filter or both? And if so, how much?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance

Pete

 

[macgyuver]

I have a conundrum. I have the Pico S and I am getting ready to rack my beer into a serving keg to naturally carbonate.
I have watched the videos for both the S and the Pro and have read the instructions for both the S and the Pro.
They both mention connecting the gray keg connector and clearing the line until the liquid stops flowing. What liquid? Where is the liquid coming from?
Should I add water to the reservoir or to the step filter or both? And if so, how much?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance

Pete

This is a precautionary task to make sure there is no water left in the line. There is a small chance that after a rinse there can be some water left behind. Do not add anything to your Step filter or reservoir. If you do this will introduce more chance for water to be introduced into your beer which you do not want. You are simply using the pump to move air to push the beer from one vessel to another.

 

[Dilbert Fizzwinkle]

I guess I read too much into clearing the line and not enough into the WHY of clearing the line.
Thanks for "clearing" that up for me!

Pete

 

[Lbarouf]

I guess I read too much into clearing the line and not enough into the WHY of clearing the line.
Thanks for "clearing" that up for me!

Pete

If you have plenty of CO2 handy, you can use that to move it instead of the slightly compressed air the Pico will send. I also like to purge my keg with CO2 before filling it with beer. Maybe that's just me.

 

[jrb03]

Oxygen, carbonation and racking.

Is it that bad to expose your fermented beer to oxygen? if so, what is the best solution to ferment and rack 6 gal of beer? I had been using all those years a siphon to go from one vessel to another and an enolmatic to fill my bottles. I didn't see any issues. Today, I move the fermented beer to the clean keg using CO2 after purging it. IT works, but that only 1 batch at a time.

What are the best options for scaling to 4 batches at a time? The fermenter I was looking at, provides only a spigot to transfer the beer to kegs for carbonation. Is that exposure that bad? I see a pretty big benefit to using a fermenter instead of a keg, and feel like the benefit may outweigh the short exposure to air. Am i wrong?

Thanks for anyone and everyone's take on it.

That big bad oxygen boogie man! Don’t be afraid, seriously. A siphon is the most common way homebrewers move beer around. I love fermenting in a keg, but not because of the ability to push with co2, I use the Pico to rack more often than co2, non issue. Brulosophy did an experiment on racking vs just pouring it in with splashing. Interesting read if your really interested in the topic.

 

[Lbarouf]

That big bad oxygen boogie man! Don’t be afraid, seriously. A siphon is the most common way homebrewers move beer around. I love fermenting in a keg, but not because of the ability to push with co2, I use the Pico to rack more often than co2, non issue. Brulosophy did an experiment on racking vs just pouring it in with splashing. Interesting read if your really interested in the topic.

Yeah, I'll look it up for when I get a chance to read. I just started pushing it with Co2, and have been because it was simple and had easy access to CO2 now that I got some tanks.But never noticed any off flavors either way.

Right now oxygen is not my issue, it's the wife who does not want to see fermenters in the basement. Another fight, another day. I may have to stick to kegs in the end. *sigh*

 

[macgyuver]

Been there done that.....^

 

[Oleary]

FYI for those of us who purchased the Z1. There may be an extra cost to upgrading to the Z2+.

Saloni (PicoBrew Inc.)
We haven't quite drilled down on the upgrade specifics and pricing for going from Z1 to Z2/3/4 but we will offer a path to do so. We will either provide a higher voltage option of Z1 or bring in your unit to make the updates necessary to upgrade your Z1 when you choose to scale up your Z.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Saloni

Leaning toward the Z2 just to avoid the hassle...

 

[macgyuver]

I have read that they will give you to the option to upgrade to a larger unit before they ship so that is an option.

 

[Oleary]

I have read that they will give you to the option to upgrade to a larger unit before they ship so that is an option.

I asked that question in my reply along with a time frame on when they'll make the decision.

If they would take the S as a trade-in, I'd upgrade in a heartbeat. I was going to follow Ewelady's suggestion and brew one batch in the S and one in the Z1. I don't really need 3 brewing vessels at this stage though.

On a separate note, has anyone heard if they'll offer brew unlimited again?

 

[Lbarouf]

I have asked that that question in person at CES as well as by email, and Brew Unlimited does not appear to me as something they plan on doing it again. Some pre canned PR answer is provided each time. We never know, but with the Z launch, I doubt. Maybe if there's a future consumer product, who knows.

As for the Z.... the Z2 seems like a better choice if you plan on scaling. It does need a 240v plug, where the Z1 can be used immediately without changes.

Anyone seen the guy at Electric Brewery's basement with his separate brewhouse room? That's what I need with a Z4 or 2 of them. A beauty

 

[Jeff Flogerzi]

What do you guys recommend to clean the Pico Serving Kegs. I was pretty lazy to clean it out after my first batch. I cleaned it per their instructions but I don't think its all the way clean. Getting all the water out is a PITA and I can still smell some of the old beer(not strong but its their)