PicoBrew Pico users

[Lax coach]

Ahhh, yes thank you. I see how that does what I need. Unfortunately it looks like it ships in “1-2 weeks.”

I was really looking forward to force carbing and avoiding the dreaded serving keg, in which case I guess I would go the open transfer route. Unless this is highly frowned upon. Otherwise I’m stuck natural carbing in the serving keg.

Don't worry about the open transfer. Anything is worth avoiding the silly serving keg.

 

[Juice56]

Excellent, thank you. So i’ll Just open the metal keg lid and drop in the racking tube from the “out” connector on my C keg. Any tips for doing this most efficiently? I assume I should keep the tube right up against the floor of the pro keg.

 

[Lax coach]

That would most closely emulate the process using the transfer tube, where it connects to the out post and the dip tube adds the beer from the bottom of the keg.

 

[millsy1981]

Hey guys and gals. I think I broke the cheap serving keg after my first brew. I now have a belle of the ball ready to cold crash. The only kegs available at my local store are 7 and 10 litre kegs. What happens if I rack 5lutes of beer into a 7 or 10 litre keg?

 

[Lax coach]

Nothing at all. The standard picobrew keg is 1.75 gallons. 7 liters is 1.85 gallons.

 

[Lbarouf]

Hey guys and gals. I think I broke the cheap serving keg after my first brew. I now have a belle of the ball ready to cold crash. The only kegs available at my local store are 7 and 10 litre kegs. What happens if I rack 5lutes of beer into a 7 or 10 litre keg?

More headspace that needs to be filled with CO2. Not a big deal, unless you are just using the small 16g co2 cartridges. If you do, consider getting something bigger for carbing and serving, like a paintball or sodastream bottle. Maybe a used CO2 tank. But no big deal. If you get a 10L keg... why not fill that keg with a second batch instead? ;-) I use 3Gal kegs.

 

[Juice56]

That would most closely emulate the process using the transfer tube, where it connects to the out post and the dip tube adds the beer from the bottom of the keg.

So that went off smoothly thanks again for the input Lax coach. Gonna start a second pak tonight or tomorrow. At risk of sounding like a dope, do I need to run the "First Rinse" before every pak or is that just a first time out of the factory thing? If so, I'll need to grab some more distilled water. Or maybe I'll just run it anyway... better safe than sorry.

 

[Lbarouf]

It's after e

So that went off smoothly thanks again for the input Lax coach. Gonna start a second pak tonight or tomorrow. At risk of sounding like a dope, do I need to run the "First Rinse" before every pak or is that just a first time out of the factory thing? If so, I'll need to grab some more distilled water. Or maybe I'll just run it anyway... better safe than sorry.

It's after every brew. You should really do it, asap. And every 3 brews, it will tell you it need a deep clean with a dishwasher tablet.

I would say, no1 thing with brewing (not just pico brew) it's clean clean clean. The worst that can happen, is infection. All this for nothing. So, don't cut corners. A clean machine will reward you with good wort and working system. Clean and sanitized equipment will make the yeast happy and reward you with good beer. so keep everything squeaky clean. And your wort at steady temperature when fermenting. Big fluctuations are not good.

 

[Juice56]

It's after e


It's after every brew. You should really do it, asap. And every 3 brews, it will tell you it need a deep clean with a dishwasher tablet.

I would say, no1 thing with brewing (not just pico brew) it's clean clean clean. The worst that can happen, is infection. All this for nothing. So, don't cut corners. A clean machine will reward you with good wort and working system. Clean and sanitized equipment will make the yeast happy and reward you with good beer. so keep everything squeaky clean. And your wort at steady temperature when fermenting. Big fluctuations are not good.

Oh, Im quite aware of the importance of cleanliness, anyone I've ever talk to about brewing doesn't shut up about it, jk. There is a rinse process that I certainly ran after my first brew that involved putting an empty bucket in the step filter. I was specifically asking about the "FIRST RINSE" cycle that is on the menu.

I asked support at the same time that I posted here and they replied that it's really just for the first time you use the device, to ensure its working properly in addition to cleaning. They said its not necessary for every brew, for what its worth I had already done it anyway because I ran out and grabbed a few extra gallons of distilled water. Thanks so much for the response though.

I just started a "Half Squeezed" pak. I still haven't gotten an alternative yeast, but I am going to scale back how much I pitch based on the previous comments here. Sounds like a half teaspoon is the consensus of the us-05?

 

[Lbarouf]

;-)
Yeah, in that case, first rinse is really just that.

For the yeast, I'd say 1 full teaspoon (1tsp). I have also added 1 tablespoon on other packs, and frankly never saw much difference, I am sticking with 1 teaspoon.

 

[Lbarouf]

Oh, and a suggestion. Not everyone will likely agree on this one, but I aerate my wort a lot. And I start my yeast before pitching it, using an erlenmeyer. My fermentations start quickly and I could swear I hear the yeast having a party in there.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/aeration-system.html

 

[Juice56]

Oh, and a suggestion. Not everyone will likely agree on this one, but I aerate my wort a lot. And I start my yeast before pitching it, using an erlenmeyer. My fermentations start quickly and I could swear I hear the yeast having a party in there.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/aeration-system.html

Thanks, I whisked the crap out of my first brew before pitching the dry yeast. It sat at a steady 65 F in my cellar. I had krausen blowing out the umbrella valves on the top of the "C" keg after about 36 hours.

 

[Lax coach]

They just announced a true "build-your-own" picopak today:

Homebrewers, rejoice! Today we’re thrilled to share an exciting new development for those of you who know how to craft a recipe and who like to keep your own ingredients on hand. That’s right, we’re giving you full creative freedom to use your own ingredients in our PicoPaks!

How's it work? Choose your own grain and hops to test a new recipe or re-create one of your old favorites. Use our Beer Editor and choose from a library of recipes, create your recipe, or import an existing BeerXML recipe. Add your grains to the mash bin, and place your hops/adjuncts in the Hops Pak. Clip on your PicoPak lid, place your PicoPak in the Step Filter, and hit brew!

Back a Use Your Own Ingredients Starter Kit for $50 and you'll receive:

• 5 PicoPaks (including 5 Hops Paks + 5 Mash Bins)

• 5 PicoPak Minis (5 Hops Paks )

• Reusable Dividers for separating adjuncts

• Stainless steel clamps for securing lid on Mash Bin and Hops Pak

• A collection of small and large sachets for your adjuncts

• Mineral packets (gypsum, calcium chloride) for brewing water adjustments

• Pico bittering hops

 

[Tuckerl]

They just announced a true "build-your-own" picopak today:

Homebrewers, rejoice! Today we’re thrilled to share an exciting new development for those of you who know how to craft a recipe and who like to keep your own ingredients on hand. That’s right, we’re giving you full creative freedom to use your own ingredients in our PicoPaks!

How's it work? Choose your own grain and hops to test a new recipe or re-create one of your old favorites. Use our Beer Editor and choose from a library of recipes, create your recipe, or import an existing BeerXML recipe. Add your grains to the mash bin, and place your hops/adjuncts in the Hops Pak. Clip on your PicoPak lid, place your PicoPak in the Step Filter, and hit brew!

Back a Use Your Own Ingredients Starter Kit for $50 and you'll receive:

• 5 PicoPaks (including 5 Hops Paks + 5 Mash Bins)

• 5 PicoPak Minis (5 Hops Paks )

• Reusable Dividers for separating adjuncts

• Stainless steel clamps for securing lid on Mash Bin and Hops Pak

• A collection of small and large sachets for your adjuncts

• Mineral packets (gypsum, calcium chloride) for brewing water adjustments

• Pico bittering hops

I just saw that too. Judging by the looks of it, I'm guessing they're single use mash bins and hop packs. That would be disappointing at roughly $10 a piece. That said, this is one step closer to what many of us have been asking for! Hope more details come soon.

 

[PeteSeattle]

They just announced a true "build-your-own" picopak today:

I was excited when I got the email as well. I was about to put my C up for sale. But as @Tuckerl mentioned, we’re getting close!

... but Jan 2019

Also, wish the new packs were reusable instead of having to dispose of them. Wonder if this can be hacked for diy pak containers.

 

[Lbarouf]

I was excited when I got the email as well. I was about to put my C up for sale. But as @Tuckerl mentioned, we’re getting close!

... but Jan 2019

Also, wish the new packs were reusable instead of having to dispose of them. Wonder if this can be hacked for diy pak containers.

I doubt. We'll see, but with their business model, I doubt. They will likely put a single use RFID tag on the packs. From the freestyle menu (or a new menu) they will force you to register the packs, and put your recipe. The machine will authenticate the pack just like commercial paks, and pull the recipe. I don't see how they could do it differently. They could make the serials multi-use, but why would they? They want to make as much money as possible. At $10 each, I actually don't mind. But if they sell them $18 after the kickstart promo, it would make those more expensive than paks on sale. Not sure it would be that popular. Likely what the breweries want. Which is what I wonder... how they approach brewries with their model. Now that BYOI is here, it's potentially less sales for them. Potentially!

 

[Lax coach]

I doubt. We'll see, but with their business model, I doubt. They will likely put a single use RFID tag on the packs. From the freestyle menu (or a new menu) they will force you to register the packs, and put your recipe. The machine will authenticate the pack just like commercial paks, and pull the recipe. I don't see how they could do it differently. They could make the serials multi-use, but why would they? They want to make as much money as possible. At $10 each, I actually don't mind. But if they sell them $18 after the kickstart promo, it would make those more expensive than paks on sale. Not sure it would be that popular. Likely what the breweries want. Which is what I wonder... how they approach brewries with their model. Now that BYOI is here, it's potentially less sales for them. Potentially!

If I remember right, the serial # on the current commercial paks doesn't actually get disabled in their database for a day or two after it's brewed. So you could presumably re-fill the same pak several times with the same recipe and do back-to-back brews. Somewhat limiting from a variety perspective, but would let you get more for your money.

 

[PeteSeattle]

Well I understand they need to profit with RFID but still think a more permanent box would be cool as well even if we have to pay for an RFID or some type of access to the database each time. But, hey, we are getting closer to more control so it’s still good news.

Btw, I’ve only brewed 3 batches. My intention with the Pico was to start brewing after a long break and stay small. Well, that went over like a lead balloon. I wasn’t satisfied with the 1.5 gallons so I stepped it up to BIAB. Wasn’t satisfied with that either. So I dug out my keggles and started brewing 5-10 gallons again. As expected, I was back in bliss with my system from the 90s.

That’s why I almost put my C up for sale until this news. Thanks, Pico. Lol.

 

[Lbarouf]

Well I understand they need to profit with RFID but still think a more permanent box would be cool as well even if we have to pay for an RFID or some type of access to the database each time. But, hey, we are getting closer to more control so it’s still good news.

Btw, I’ve only brewed 3 batches. My intention with the Pico was to start brewing after a long break and stay small. Well, that went over like a lead balloon. I wasn’t satisfied with the 1.5 gallons so I stepped it up to BIAB. Wasn’t satisfied with that either. So I dug out my keggles and started brewing 5-10 gallons again. As expected, I was back in bliss with my system from the 90s.

That’s why I almost put my C up for sale until this news. Thanks, Pico. Lol.

Lol.... funny, sounds like me. In my case, no space for a much larger system. I brew 3 or 4 batches in a row and have a mix of pico and 3gal kegs. So far it's the best balance between space and quantity I found.

I hear you, I would have introduced a whole step filter with dividers for that purpose, which would include a permanent RFID tag. All reusable.

 

[PeteSeattle]

Lol.... funny, sounds like me. In my case, no space for a much larger system. I brew 3 or 4 batches in a row and have a mix of pico and 3gal kegs. So far it's the best balance between space and quantity I found.

I had to sacrifice my workbench area for space and break out my big ass set-up. I moved from densely populated Seattle into a suburb (much bigger house thank goodness). But if starting next year this new custom feature works out it will totally be my pilot system before finalizing a big brew recipe. Pico/pilot in the kitchen and big brews on the workbench.

I love my 3 gallon kegs. And the small Pico one as well.

 

[Ellen L.]

Hi Everyone, I posted yesterday, but it didn't appear . (I have a Picobrew Pico-C). I emailed Picobrew customer service when I saw the 'build your own' announcement. They couldn't quote me a price on the reusable pack boxes, but they did mention that the 'starter kit' on Kickstarter includes reusable parts, like the dividers and clamps. They hinted that the one-use pack boxes would be pretty cheap.
-Ellen L.

 

[VagueSkunk]

Anybody know if these newly announced bits from their email will work with the original Pico units sold during the kickstarter campaign? I don't know what nomenclature they're using for that model.

 

[Lax coach]

There were multiple kickstarters, so you'll have to be more specific. The Pico (nothing), Pico S, and Pico Pro are all essentially the same thing, just came with different parts. The Pico C was a cost-reduced version designed to work exclusively with their proprietary kegs.

My understanding is that the Mini Pico Paks will work in any of these, provided you purchase the Fusion Beverage add-on. I would expect that the "use your own ingredients" Pico Paks will work as well (there's no reason they shouldn't), but they haven't said so explicitly.

 

[Lbarouf]

Anybody know if these newly announced bits from their email will work with the original Pico units sold during the kickstarter campaign? I don't know what nomenclature they're using for that model.

Yes, the campaign comments contains their reply. Since the step filter is the same, it will. Pico S is the original Pico model by the way.

 

[Lbarouf]

There were multiple kickstarters, so you'll have to be more specific. The Pico (nothing), Pico S, and Pico Pro are all essentially the same thing, just came with different parts. The Pico C was a cost-reduced version designed to work exclusively with their proprietary kegs.

My understanding is that the Mini Pico Paks will work in any of these, provided you purchase the Fusion Beverage add-on. I would expect that the "use your own ingredients" Pico Paks will work as well (there's no reason they shouldn't), but they haven't said so explicitly.

Actually they did.
"@Andrew. Yes! Use your own ingredients kits are compatible with Pico U AND Pico C/S/Pro."

 

[Lax coach]

Just got another email that said they're planning on selling just the empty paks (without the clips, dividers, etc that are in the $50 kit) at $29/10. So even with shipping they should be less than $4 each.

 

[PeteSeattle]

Just got another email that said they're planning on selling just the empty paks (without the clips, dividers, etc that are in the $50 kit) at $29/10. So even with shipping they should be less than $4 each.

Thanks for the update. That’s a pretty decent price.

 

[Lbarouf]

Yes, this is actually a good price. Even better than the option... hummmm

 

[Ewelady]

just logged in to see if you all are reading what I am reading...4 bucks a pack... I am assuming the current kit contains all the non throw away items and you won't get them with the 10 pack?

Am I right? So the 50 bucks right now gets you 20 dollars worth of boxes and 30 dollars worth of reusable items?

i am too tired to think... or calculate. Long day. And I've got to watch my budget since I think I am going to have to buy a new skidloader.

 

[Lbarouf]

just logged in to see if you all are reading what I am reading...4 bucks a pack... I am assuming the current kit contains all the non throw away items and you won't get them with the 10 pack?

Am I right? So the 50 bucks right now gets you 20 dollars worth of boxes and 30 dollars worth of reusable items?

i am too tired to think... or calculate. Long day. And I've got to watch my budget since I think I am going to have to buy a new skidloader.

5 paks and 5 mini paks, plus all the reusable stuff. The 10 pack is for 10 larger picopaks. No clue how those will be, say $2 instead of $3. So $25 of reusable and $25 of consumables approx I guess? Are the hops bags and adjuncts part of the 10 pack, or we would need to buy separately ?