PicoBrew Pico users

[Moonkey]

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.

Sounds like something to that effect or even an issue with the lines. Although one e-mail a day from Support is frustrating.

 

[dkilday2]

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.

Thank you ! I'm going to get a ball lock keg so I can dry hop in the keg in the future. If it doesn't have the aroma I'm looking for I think I have spare citra hops in the freezer that I will put in the serving keg as well as this will probably be the last time I use
it.

 

[dkilday2]

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.

Thanks for your reply ! I plan to leave them at least till Sunday then cold crash before transfer so that will be close to a week. Was I correct that the foam is from fermenting under pressure and isn't the Krausenn layer?

 

[jrb03]

Thanks for your reply ! I plan to leave them at least till Sunday then cold crash before transfer so that will be close to a week. Was I correct that the foam is from fermenting under pressure and isn't the Krausenn layer?

It’s impossible to know visually. Fermenting under pressure will always cause the foam whether fermentation is active or not. If it is still active it’s hard to distinguish if there is krausen still or not. 10 days is fine to start dry hopping on your planned schedule.

 

[dkilday2]

It’s impossible to know visually. Fermenting under pressure will always cause the foam whether fermentation is active or not. If it is still active it’s hard to distinguish if there is krausen still or not. 10 days is fine to start dry hopping on your planned schedule.

That makes sense. Thanks again. I'm sure it will turn out fine. If not I'll do it different next batch ha!

 

[macgyuver]

That makes sense. Thanks again. I'm sure it will turn out fine. If not I'll do it different next batch ha!

Name of the game, trial, error, rinse, and repeat..... lol

 

[jrb03]

That makes sense. Thanks again. I'm sure it will turn out fine. If not I'll do it different next batch ha!

Get that ball lock keg and enjoy your Pico so much more. Dry hop in it and your IPAs will be immensely better.

 

[macgyuver]

Get that ball lock keg and enjoy your Pico so much more. Dry hop in it and your IPAs will be immensely better.

Totally agree, dry hopping in the keg I serve from has been a huge difference.

 

[Moonkey]

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

Thanks JRB, still waiting to hear back, this getting one e-mail a day from them is far from great service. Now moving on and I am sure it has been asked before, what is a good Kegerator to use with the small Kegs?

 

[macgyuver]

Thanks JRB, still waiting to hear back, this getting one e-mail a day from them is far from great service. Now moving on and I am sure it has been asked before, what is a good Kegerator to use with the small Kegs?

I use a small dorm fridge that my son had when he went to college. 3.5 cft I think is the one I have. I can stack several Small kegs in it at the same time. Use heating wraps and InkBird controllers to keep temps right where I want them. Once fermentation is done I transfer them to my RedBull cooler I have. Same as the cooler in the grocery stores at the check out counter. Working on installing 4 taps and handles on the side. Currently have one installed.

 

[Moonkey]

I use a small dorm fridge that my son had when he went to college. 3.5 cft I think is the one I have. I can stack several Small kegs in it at the same time. Use heating wraps and InkBird controllers to keep temps right where I want them. Once fermentation is done I transfer them to my RedBull cooler I have. Same as the cooler in the grocery stores at the check out counter. Working on installing 4 taps and handles on the side. Currently have one installed. View attachment 554945

Thanks, I was actually looking at the built in models like the Summit SBC677BITWIN

 

[jrb03]

Any kegerator will work, get one with a shelf. The nice thing about the Pico sized kegs is you can stack them 2 layers. I usually have 5 in mine.

 

[spark146]

New user, new topic, new piece of Pico equipment: PicoFerm. I've been enjoying my Model C and have had virtually no issues through my first half-dozen+ brews; nice machine and perfect for NYC apartment brewing. I do, however, have a problem getting my recently-received "PicoFerm" to operate properly, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with it. (I have tried to reach out to Pico customer service but they have gone strangely [disturbingly] dark with no reply for two days.)

My specific problem seems to relate to getting it properly registered through the connection process.

I'm happy to post more details about my specific issues but I first want to see if anyone in the group has yet experienced the PicoFerm. Anyone?

 

[DrSafety]

New user, new topic, new piece of Pico equipment: PicoFerm. I've been enjoying my Model C and have had virtually no issues through my first half-dozen+ brews; nice machine and perfect for NYC apartment brewing. I do, however, have a problem getting my recently-received "PicoFerm" to operate properly, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with it. (I have tried to reach out to Pico customer service but they have gone strangely [disturbingly] dark with no reply for two days.)

My specific problem seems to relate to getting it properly registered through the connection process.

I'm happy to post more details about my specific issues but I first want to see if anyone in the group has yet experienced the PicoFerm. Anyone?

I struggled with this as well. But after watching the video on the PicoFerm support page, I discovered what I think I was doing wrong. I use a windows machine with firefox so your situation might be different. People seem to have better success with laptop rather than a mobile device for registration.

1. Do a factory reset by holding the button until alll the lights go off, it can take 20-30 seconds. Wait until all three lights come back on after releasing the button.
2. Go to the setup web address in the instructions and follow the instructions there.
3. Connect the PicoFerm in your wireless connection. Uncheck the connect automatically button and answer no to the next question about discoverable or something. At this point, you may or may not need to enter the password PicoFerm12! (Case sensitive). Then go back to the webpage and click the click here text.
4. On the next page type in the name of your wireless network and the password and hit the submit button.
5. The PicoFerm should have a green light the starts blinking from the three that were lit before. Do not wait for anything happen on the screen. Go immediately to your wireless connections and reconnect to your network.

At this point, the equipment registration page came up and I was able to complete the registration.

I might have been lucky but this worked your results may vary.

 

[JPBrewLI]

Thanks JRB, still waiting to hear back, this getting one e-mail a day from them is far from great service. Now moving on and I am sure it has been asked before, what is a good Kegerator to use with the small Kegs?

Sad to see companies removing their phone numbers and only doing email communication, You would think spending $1,000+ on a product would at least buy you 10-30 minutes of phone support. Sure use a contact form on the website but pick up a damn phone sometimes!
Spending time typing, getting PARTIAL answers days later, back and forth is frustrating beyond belief.

 

[jrb03]

New user, new topic, new piece of Pico equipment: PicoFerm. I've been enjoying my Model C and have had virtually no issues through my first half-dozen+ brews; nice machine and perfect for NYC apartment brewing. I do, however, have a problem getting my recently-received "PicoFerm" to operate properly, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with it. (I have tried to reach out to Pico customer service but they have gone strangely [disturbingly] dark with no reply for two days.)

My specific problem seems to relate to getting it properly registered through the connection process.

I'm happy to post more details about my specific issues but I first want to see if anyone in the group has yet experienced the PicoFerm. Anyone?

Dr safety gave you great info. It registered fine on my iPhone but many people seem to need to use an alternate browser, or use a pc rather than mobile device. The video will walk you through the steps.

 

[Ewelady]

Finally my order from January 2nd has shipped.

 

[Ewelady]

So what's the big new thing they are coming out with? Someone here must have the scoop? I need to know how much money I need to set aside... darn tractors needed a lot of repairs this winter and now I found out today that my little truck needs about 1200 bucks in tires. Mind you it's not a normal little truck. But with 19's on the front and 20's on the back it runs into money. But I will leave the truck sit with bad tires if it's something really really good!

 

[pagrider]

Finally my order from January 2nd has shipped.

Same here they need to figure out the shipping issues its bad business. They should consider allowing local brew shops to carry paks.

 

[Oleary]

On a bright note, I plugged a speaker into the same surge guard as the pico last weekend. Did a brew this morning which popped a breaker with about a half an hour left in the brew. Assuming I'd have to toss the brew, I reset the breaker and turned the machine on. The screen read: "Brew interrupted, would you like to continue?". Hit yes and it started right where it left off. Wasn't aware it had that capability but sure glad it did.

 

[macgyuver]

So what's the big new thing they are coming out with? Someone here must have the scoop? I need to know how much money I need to set aside... darn tractors needed a lot of repairs this winter and now I found out today that my little truck needs about 1200 bucks in tires. Mind you it's not a normal little truck. But with 19's on the front and 20's on the back it runs into money. But I will leave the truck sit with bad tires if it's something really really good!

General ideas is the new bigger unit, Z’s bigger brother, that is aimed at pubs to do craft brewing in house. Have seen where it is predicted to be able to do 5-15 gallon batches. I have been on the fence on wether to buy a Z or wait. Hopefully I won’t have to wait anymore and my mind will be made up Tuesday. Just hope if it is that it won’t hurt my pocket to bad. I feel your pain on tires, I just bought some for my truck, 22” all around...

 

[thelevin8r]

So I just learned of whirlfloc for clarifying. I used to use Irish moss years ago. Are any of you adding any kind of clarifying additive? If so what, and at what point in the process? I know with some beer styles you don't want to do this.

 

[jrb03]

So I just learned of whirlfloc for clarifying. I used to use Irish moss years ago. Are any of you adding any kind of clarifying additive? If so what, and at what point in the process? I know with some beer styles you don't want to do this.

I don’t find a need for it or mess with it. My beers clear up great with a good cold crash and slow carb. If your in a hurry I would use an after brew clarifier like gelatin or biofine.

 

[Lbarouf]

Hummm 1-10 gallons officially!
My wallet is hurting as well damn it.

General ideas is the new bigger unit, Z’s bigger brother, that is aimed at pubs to do craft brewing in house. Have seen where it is predicted to be able to do 5-15 gallon batches. I have been on the fence on wether to buy a Z or wait. Hopefully I won’t have to wait anymore and my mind will be made up Tuesday. Just hope if it is that it won’t hurt my pocket to bad. I feel your pain on tires, I just bought some for my truck, 22” all around...

 

[macgyuver]

Hummm 1-10 gallons officially!
My wallet is hurting as well damn it.

Now for the price? My finger is itching to click buy. Need details on this machine.

 

[jrb03]

Machines*

I would guess at least 2 sizes, 1-5 gallons and 5-10 gallons etc.

 

[Ewelady]

how do we delete a post?

 

[Ewelady]

did you see a price? I couldn't find one... but I signed up. What the heck it's only money!

 

[macgyuver]

No price announced yet. Very little details beside 1 - 10 gallon batches.

 

[Goblism]

did you see a price? I couldn't find one... but I signed up. What the heck it's only money!

I think you're spot on! They mention a series, a 1-10 would be amazing but I am sure very $$$$. A 1-5 would be perfect for me and help me justify keeping my 10 gallon setup for occasional beers as well!