PicoBrew Pico users

[pagrider]

13 days later my brew unlimited order still hasn't shipped. So much for brew unlimited being a bargain. I contacted Pico I am sure they will fix the issue they always do. These were supposed to ship in 1 to 3 business days. Not so much

 

[DrSafety]

Yet another sale this week from PicoBrew on CO-Brew's Rye Strong Stout

Husband and wife duo, Jamie and Jana Williams, opened Denver’s beloved homebrewing store, CO-BREW, with a unique and compelling vision: to be the one-stop shop for buying homebrewing supplies, brewing beer, and enjoying a fresh pint.

Since 2015, they’ve shared their brewing passion with the local community, using their taproom for brewing bootcamps, trivia nights, and homebrew club meetings. This past October, they reached a major milestone, winning their first GABF medal.

Today, we raise a glass to their contributions to the homebrewing community and happily announce CO-Brew’s Rye Strong Stout as our second PicoPak recipe of 2018, yours for 20% off this week using the code COBREW20.

 

[Ewelady]

13 days later my brew unlimited order still hasn't shipped. So much for brew unlimited being a bargain. I contacted Pico I am sure they will fix the issue they always do. These were supposed to ship in 1 to 3 business days. Not so much

I complained the other day since mine from Jan 2nd is still in the shipping queue, they are sending me two free packs, that still doesn't solve the problem of having nothing to brew! Fortunately the Dead Guy I ordered Dec 30th arrived today. So there is going to be a beer drought shortly! Hummer carbonating now and Annie's still brewing, but a good week before it will be carbing. Luckily I had that as a free pack from awhile back. Guess I will brew back to back Dead Guy.

Pretty soon Nugget Nectar from Troegs will available so I can fill in with bought beer.

 

[dkilday2]

I am in the process of looking at upgrading to the pico pro serving keg but was curious if you guys have had success dry hopping with the included pico c keg? Didn't know if that was the best approach or if I should dry hop before transferring like the manual states?
Thanks again

 

[macgyuver]

I am in the process of looking at upgrading to the pico pro serving keg but was curious if you guys have had success dry hopping with the included pico c keg? Didn't know if that was the best approach or if I should dry hop before transferring like the manual states?
Thanks again

Here is what I use to dry hop. Fits in the pro kegs, not sure about the C kegs but it should.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073TSKD5R/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I have seen it for as little as 12 bucks.

Oh and I dry hop in the keg while force carbing after fermentation and leave it in there till keg kicks.

 

[dkilday2]

Thanks! The serving keg that comes with the pico only has a tiny hole but I am gonna order one of those when I order the pro serving keg. That looks like a great solution.

 

[macgyuver]

I am sorry, I thought you were referring to the C keg that you use to brew with not the actual serving keg. Using the included serving keg to serve and try to dry hop with is a major pain. I tried them a few times and hated the experience. I quickly upgraded to the ball lock kegs and have enjoyed it ever since. I now run 5g kegs for triple brews, 3g kegs for doubles and the 1.75 Pico pro kegs for single brews. Use the linked hop carrier to dry hop in all of them as needed.

 

[jrb03]

I toss the hops packets in the serving keg before racking and leave them there until keg kicks. Only way to go IMHO.

Edit* Ball lock keg of course. The “serving kegs” have long been in the trash.

 

[pagrider]

I complained the other day since mine from Jan 2nd is still in the shipping queue, they are sending me two free packs, that still doesn't solve the problem of having nothing to brew! Fortunately the Dead Guy I ordered Dec 30th arrived today. So there is going to be a beer drought shortly! Hummer carbonating now and Annie's still brewing, but a good week before it will be carbing. Luckily I had that as a free pack from awhile back. Guess I will brew back to back Dead Guy.

Pretty soon Nugget Nectar from Troegs will available so I can fill in with bought beer.

Its weird that it doesn't seem to impact some posters. They seem to get their order within 3 days at least thats what they post. I have yet to have an order arrive in less than two weeks.

 

[macgyuver]

New pak available now, 20% off through the weekend no code needed.

Wingman Brewer’s P-51 Bomber

https://www.picobrew.com/brewmarke...il&utm_term=0_7d69801238-9942999d24-221372409

 

[Ewelady]

Its weird that it doesn't seem to impact some posters. They seem to get their order within 3 days at least thats what they post. I have yet to have an order arrive in less than two weeks.

I wonder if it's just the brew unlimited orders?! One of the gift packs has already shipped and will be here on Friday. The January 2nd brew unlimited order still hasn't shipped. Brew Free or Die IPA and Stingray IPA, seems like they should have shipped by now, they aren't real new beers.

 

[pagrider]

I wonder if it's just the brew unlimited orders?! One of the gift packs has already shipped and will be here on Friday. The January 2nd brew unlimited order still hasn't shipped. Brew Free or Die IPA and Stingray IPA, seems like they should have shipped by now, they aren't real new beers.

i feel your pain.

 

[Moonkey]

So trying to brew my 4th Picopak I get this Error "Securely attach hoses to keg posts, and continue. Otherwise select exit and contact support".

Nothing I did could get rid of the message and there is no phone number to call support. My Picobrew just turn 1 Year Old, has anyone had this problem before?

 

[jrb03]

If it sat a long time without getting used you may need to prime the pump, send support an email [email protected]

The other causes could be keg posts on backwards, the post with notches are the In side and gray ball lock. Also make sure the inline filter cap is on tight and the red gasket inside is not torn or missing. Also make sure the step filter is pushed in all tbe way and seated well.

 

[Moonkey]

If it sat a long time without getting used you may need to prime the pump, send support an email [email protected]

The other causes could be keg posts on backwards, the post with notches are the In side and gray ball lock. Also make sure the inline filter cap is on tight and the red gasket inside is not torn or missing. Also make sure the step filter is pushed in all tbe way and seated well.

Thank you for the reply, how do I prime the pump?

 

[Lbarouf]

Thank you for the reply, how do I prime the pump?

Hey Moonkey,

I feel the pain and understand the anguish. They will make things right, and help you. Not being able to call them is my pet peeve as well. But, please be patient and write to them to help you fix the issue, before you try things that could damage the unit.

Mine had sat for at least 2-3 months when I could not brew. I have not seen this message yet. Whatever it is, they can take you through steps, or worst case, to send the machine.

So unfortunately, don't rush. Contact them and wait. I know this means not brewing. But, you can always grab a cold one that someone else brewed for you! ;-)

Resist the temptation of doing something irreversible.

In the meantime, have you checked that the ball lock connectors or both the machine and keg are clean? Maybe let them soak in warm water a bit, before trying again.

Hope you get this resolved soon.

 

[jrb03]

Thank you for the reply, how do I prime the pump?

Sorry you need to let support diagnose your problem and give you the go ahead to open up the unit. Send them an email to address I gave you and they will get you fixed.

 

[Lbarouf]

Sorry you need to let support diagnose your problem and give you the go ahead to open up the unit. Send them an email to address I gave you and they will get you fixed.

Personally I use the website to create the tickets, based on the categories they have. Sending to info should work just as well. Not sure if they route based on type of issue. If so, maybe it's faster when using the website?

But I agree, not to open the box unless asked to.

 

[jrb03]

Actually it is better to send directly to that address I provided.

 

[Lbarouf]

I'll try with the next ticket. In my case so far, questions have been answered within 4hrs on average, I can't complain about that at all. Then again, they have been fairly simple questions too.

 

[jrb03]

I’ve never waited more than 30 minutes, even on weekends. Also simple questions though. They have some dead links and addresses on the website, any communication you have with them should go to info@ and it gets routed accordingly.

 

[Lbarouf]

Hummm ok. It's never been urgent so far, but good to know. And simpler. Thx.

 

[Moonkey]

Personally I use the website to create the tickets, based on the categories they have. Sending to info should work just as well. Not sure if they route based on type of issue. If so, maybe it's faster when using the website?

But I agree, not to open the box unless asked to.

The email works, this is the reply from PicoBrew.

1. Make sure that your step filter is draining correctly. There should be no more than an inch of liquid in your step filter at any time.
2. Make sure that you started with 1 gallon + 6 cups of water in your brewing keg.
3. Check to make sure that your ball lock fittings are securely attached to the keg posts. If you are having trouble connecting the keg posts, check to make sure that they are oriented correctly on the keg with the notched post on the "IN" position with the short dip tube.

And 1. is the problem as water collects in the step filter, any suggestion no make sure it drains correctly?

 

[jrb03]

The email works, this is the reply from PicoBrew.

1. Make sure that your step filter is draining correctly. There should be no more than an inch of liquid in your step filter at any time.
2. Make sure that you started with 1 gallon + 6 cups of water in your brewing keg.
3. Check to make sure that your ball lock fittings are securely attached to the keg posts. If you are having trouble connecting the keg posts, check to make sure that they are oriented correctly on the keg with the notched post on the "IN" position with the short dip tube.

And 1. is the problem as water collects in the step filter, any suggestion no make sure it drains correctly?

Check the bulkhead valve on back bottom of the step filter. Press it in and check if you have gunk clogging it up, it’s spring loaded. You can remove the oring to disassemble if it’s very dirty, or press in and shoot with a blast of water is what I do after every brew.

 

[dkilday2]

I am sorry, I thought you were referring to the C keg that you use to brew with not the actual serving keg. Using the included serving keg to serve and try to dry hop with is a major pain. I tried them a few times and hated the experience. I quickly upgraded to the ball lock kegs and have enjoyed it ever since. I now run 5g kegs for triple brews, 3g kegs for doubles and the 1.75 Pico pro kegs for single brews. Use the linked hop carrier to dry hop in all of them as needed.

So today I went to add my dry hops (day 10) and there was quite a bit of foam still. I've read this can be due to fermenting under pressure and not necesarrily mean that it's still active fermentation. My question is will this foam affect the dry hop? I sanitized a spoon and pushed them down but of course they came right back ha.

 

[macgyuver]

So today I went to add my dry hops (day 10) and there was quite a bit of foam still. I've read this can be due to fermenting under pressure and not necesarrily mean that it's still active fermentation. My question is will this foam affect the dry hop? I sanitized a spoon and pushed them down but of course they came right back ha.

That will not be an issue, once the paks get saturated they will sink to the bottom. I use a dry hop hopper to keep all the paks together and to not clog the pickup tub. I also dry hop once I start to cold crash and leave the hopper in until the keg kicks.

 

[macgyuver]

As for the error with the keg fittings, I agree contact customer support and they will do everything they can to help. They are top notch on support. I had an issue similar before and it was the pump that pulled from the keg. It ended up being a loose terminal connector on the motor itself. Easy fix once it was diagnosed.

 

[Moonkey]

Check the bulkhead valve on back bottom of the step filter. Press it in and check if you have gunk clogging it up, it’s spring loaded. You can remove the oring to disassemble if it’s very dirty, or press in and shoot with a blast of water is what I do after every brew.

The valve in the back of the Step Filter was actually as clean as new, will update when I hear back from Support, unfortunately I have only managed to brew one Picopak successfully.

 

[jrb03]

So today I went to add my dry hops (day 10) and there was quite a bit of foam still. I've read this can be due to fermenting under pressure and not necesarrily mean that it's still active fermentation. My question is will this foam affect the dry hop? I sanitized a spoon and pushed them down but of course they came right back ha.

They will definitely float if there is still fermention going on, the turbulence forces them to the top and they will sit on top of the krausen. After 10 days you should be fine, they will keep floating on that foam longer than you would think though. That’s one of the reasons dry hopping in the serving keg is the best option, if you do the fermenter go longer than the manual says.

 

[jrb03]

The valve in the back of the Step Filter was actually as clean as new, will update when I hear back from Support, unfortunately I have only managed to brew one Picopak successfully.

Bummer. You probably have a hardware problem then. Support will make it right.