Unboxing the Nano from CO Brewing

[jcav]

Ordered! :rockin:

Congrats 30Bones!! I know you've been wanting one for awhile now and you've done your research. Hope this system works well for you and is everything you wanted!

John

 

[30Bones]

@jcav you been e-stalking me?

Yeah I am excited, my inventory is low, I haven't brewed in months

 

[Howhownow]

Great stuff when you going to brew?

SOON!!!!
Since the kettle came in I was able to build my stand over the weekend. Did some more wiring work yesterday and today and I'm almost good to go. Planning to finish my controller and do a water test tonight!

 

[cmb4642]

Thank you for sharing! Did you think it would be possible to do a ~40 lb batch or would that make the mash too thick? I make huge beers occasionally so was curious about maximum capacity, but that may mean a 5 gal batch instead of 10.

You could also try a double mash on your huge beers, the increase is fairly linear with subsequent mashes.

 

[jabba11]

I did a lot of research and have been brewing for years. CBS seemed to fit the way I want to brew and is the most flexible system I could find.I placed my order two days ago for a 20g Nano. Unless I go pro or open a tap house someday this is it for me I think. Very exciting stuff.

 

[jcav]

@jcav you been e-stalking me?

Yeah I am excited, my inventory is low, I haven't brewed in months

Ha Ha!! That's good! No I have seen you ask many good questions on this setup and others. I know by your posts you made up your mind, and are Jonezin for one!

 

[jready]

I did a lot of research and have been brewing for years. CBS seemed to fit the way I want to brew and is the most flexible system I could find.I placed my order two days ago for a 20g Nano. Unless I go pro or open a tap house someday this is it for me I think. Very exciting stuff.

Congrats!! I think you will be happy, what kind of system did you brew on prior?

 

[jready]

SOON!!!!
Since the kettle came in I was able to build my stand over the weekend. Did some more wiring work yesterday and today and I'm almost good to go. Planning to finish my controller and do a water test tonight!

What are you thinking you will brew? Not a bad idea to go with one you know so you will know how to tweak later.

 

[jabba11]

Congrats!! I think you will be happy, what kind of system did you brew on prior?

Typical all grain setup with cooler mash tun and MLT.

 

[Carlscan26]

Haven't yet tested mine out and probably won't for a few weeks but here is my setup. View attachment 353750

Where is the controller from?

 

[Eamster]

Bräu supply

 

[Howhownow]

What are you thinking you will brew? Not a bad idea to go with one you know so you will know how to tweak later.

I'm thinking my coriander wit is sounding really good now that the days are getting warm. Need to decide if I am doing a full 10 gal batch or a 5 so I can do another soon (fermentation chamber limits).
Electronics tested well with the controller last night. Water test and finishing work tomorrow/Thurs, brewing Friday night!

 

[usarcher]

Getting ready to pull the trigger on this system. This thread has been great. Any insight as to choosing between the down under version over the home version?

Will probably go with the 20 gallon setup, I mostly do 5 gallons at a time but have a few special brews that will be 10 gallon batches with 30+ pounds of grain.

 

[30Bones]

I couldn't justify the extra cost of the down under personally. Better valves maybe and a taller stand (which I would prefer). I spend my savings on a new bike

I was shocked how cheap it was to ship it.

 

[jready]

I'm thinking my coriander wit is sounding really good now that the days are getting warm. Need to decide if I am doing a full 10 gal batch or a 5 so I can do another soon (fermentation chamber limits).
Electronics tested well with the controller last night. Water test and finishing work tomorrow/Thurs, brewing Friday night!

Looks great and sounds like a great first brew I too am limited on fermentation. Dying to brew again. I have two beers that should be ready to keg next week then I can get back at it.

I really like how you customized your set up!

 

[jready]

Getting ready to pull the trigger on this system. This thread has been great. Any insight as to choosing between the down under version over the home version?

Will probably go with the 20 gallon setup, I mostly do 5 gallons at a time but have a few special brews that will be 10 gallon batches with 30+ pounds of grain.

I am in the same camp as 30Bones. I went with the nano home and I'm not disappointed. I would love to have the whirlpool valve but got a decent whirlpool with the new recirc valve. The stand is not a big deal 3 cinderblocks was an easy fix. If I had unlimited funds I'd go down under but, with a daughter in college and two more behind that I am education poor!

 

[usarcher]

I couldn't justify the extra cost of the down under personally. Better valves maybe and a taller stand (which I would prefer). I spend my savings on a new bike

I was shocked how cheap it was to ship it.

Thats what I'm trying to justify. The stand on the down under looks to be turnkey, I would just drop it in the location and be done. The home I'd have to build something to raise everything up and mount the pump. From the new pictures they posted of the home it looks like it has a smaller controller too. Only other differences I could see were the addition of a whirlpool port and the sight glass is attached at both top and bottom of the pot. Looks like most of the additional price comes from labor for all the extra welding.

Was given the go ahead to upgrade my setup, building an electric setup in the basement that will need to last a long time. With that in mind it's not that big of a price difference and just trying to decide if the other features of the down under are nice to have or not really needed.

 

[usarcher]

I am in the same camp as 30Bones. I went with the nano home and I'm not disappointed. I would love to have the whirlpool valve but got a decent whirlpool with the new recirc valve. The stand is not a big deal 3 cinderblocks was an easy fix. If I had unlimited funds I'd go down under but, with a daughter in college and two more behind that I am education poor!

My oldest is just finishing up kindergarten, so I've got some time before college

 

[pretzelb]

Thats what I'm trying to justify. The stand on the down under looks to be turnkey, I would just drop it in the location and be done. The home I'd have to build something to raise everything up and mount the pump. From the new pictures they posted of the home it looks like it has a smaller controller too. Only other differences I could see were the addition of a whirlpool port and the sight glass is attached at both top and bottom of the pot. Looks like most of the additional price comes from labor for all the extra welding.

Was given the go ahead to upgrade my setup, building an electric setup in the basement that will need to last a long time. With that in mind it's not that big of a price difference and just trying to decide if the other features of the down under are nice to have or not really needed.

The nano I bought had the larger stand and an extra outlet for another pump. If I decide to expand away from single tier it will be easier with this setup. That was a big feature for me. But you can also get the home version and if you want to expand sell the entire thing and buy a new system.

A big factor for me was having the system be complete with no work needed from me (except for the chiller). That included the pulley system.

 

[usarcher]

The nano I bought had the larger stand and an extra outlet for another pump. If I decide to expand away from single tier it will be easier with this setup. That was a big feature for me. But you can also get the home version and if you want to expand sell the entire thing and buy a new system.

A big factor for me was having the system be complete with no work needed from me (except for the chiller). That included the pulley system.

I was hoping you would chime in. That's pretty much how I'm feeling about which way to go.

One other question for you. In a picture you posted earlier showing the feet of the stand the tower for the pulley system wasn't connected. Does it just slide into the stand somehow or is it bolted/clamped on somehow? Want to make sure I can easily get in through the door and down into the basement.

 

[pretzelb]

I looked and I don't have a picture which is surprising. Both the pulley and the controller arms slide into the base and are secured with bolts. I can measure it if you'd like.

 

[usarcher]

If you don't mind measuring the total height that would be great. Since it comes apart I shouldn't have an issue getting it in the door. I've got about 8ft of clearance once in the basement for it to stand up in, might be able to cheat a little more height between the floor joists if needed.

 

[wildseedgrrrl]

I looked and I don't have a picture which is surprising. Both the pulley and the controller arms slide into the base and are secured with bolts. I can measure it if you'd like.

I'm curious how much larger your 20 gallon pot. I'm wondering if it would fit on my stand. Would you mind posting measurements?

Looks like I'll be replacing my whole breaker panel with an updated one and I'll be putting in a 30A GFCI breaker. Cost would be less than trying to configure or buy an inline extension cord. Still about 3 weeks away from a finished garage but I'm hopeful I'll be brewing first batch in early June.

 

[pretzelb]

My 20g kettle is 17.75w by 18.75h according to my notes.

 

[Howhownow]

I'm curious how much larger your 20 gallon pot. I'm wondering if it would fit on my stand. Would you mind posting measurements?

Looks like I'll be replacing my whole breaker panel with an updated one and I'll be putting in a 30A GFCI breaker. Cost would be less than trying to configure or buy an inline extension cord. Still about 3 weeks away from a finished garage but I'm hopeful I'll be brewing first batch in early June.

My measurements match pretzelb. To get exact I think you can look up Concord pot measurements- that is what the kettles start out as (be aware, many listed widths include handles).
Spa box is probably the cheapest way to go for GFCI protection. I had mine wired up in 20 minutes- it's very simple.

 

[pretzelb]

Here are pictures of the poles attaching to the base. About 16" tall but I have the feet attached now. Hope that helps.

View attachment 1463095762316.jpg

View attachment 1463095777533.jpg

 

[usarcher]

Thanks pretzlb, will definitely fit through the door. With the poles attached, what's the overall height?

 

[pretzelb]

With the feet installed the pulley arm is at 81.5" and the top of the panel is 56".

 

[usarcher]

Thanks, 20 gallon Down Under system ordered.

I had called the other day and Tim from CoBrewing just called me back, really nice guy. They are starting to offer touch screen controls and a rotating vent hood. They are going to call me right before building my system to see if I want to upgrade, thinking the hood would be a good option as it will make venting out from the basement a lot easier.

 

[breinhold]

I'm fairly new to home brewing and just starting to think about transitioning from extracts to all-grain. This thread has me really interested in possibly getting a Nano Home, and although I'm not quite ready for it I'm thinking about ordering one before the price goes up in a week.

Do you guys think this system is a good way to get started in whole grain brewing?

I was thinking about the 10 gallon system -- am I likely to regret not getting either the 15 or 20 gallon model? (Can the 10 gallon system brew a 10 gallon batch?)