Zymatic basics for new owner

[SanPancho]

watched the video, see how the unit works for most part. cant join the myface group yet so have a few questions-

1- if i take an old liquid diptube and run it down the gas post can i avoid the foaming in the keg? seems like you'd be aerating the hell out of your wort if it drops from the gas in tube.....

2- keg lube on the step filters? not sure exactly where to lube. the rubber parts, or something else?

3- whats the deal with the spoon or keg lid oring going on top of the step filter? is that for the main grain compartment or the 4 little boxes? or both?


4--advanced editor- got a random peice of advice to add wait/drain periods, but didnt understand it. in between each phase? only before/after mash? boil?

5- how do you set up a brew with whirlpool/flameout hops only? end boil, start whirlpool and then adjunct 1/2/3/4 ?

6- better to put the FO/WP hops in a sack in the keg or in the step filter?

7- the HBT'er who did NOT invent the IPL says he gets good efficiency with 30@148 and 30@156. is there a consensus on getting better efficiency than the standard program, but not taking as long as the "high efficiency" program? or just trial and error?

lastly- im trying to rig up some copper into a keg-sized IC coil that like jaded thing denny conn keeps shilling. so would i just add the chilling time to my whirlpool program time? or run a whirlpool, and then run a "chilling" program? does it make a difference?

thanks all

 

[SanPancho]

Anybody?

 

[Mike Howard]

watched the video, see how the unit works for most part. cant join the myface group yet so have a few questions-

1- if i take an old liquid diptube and run it down the gas post can i avoid the foaming in the keg? seems like you'd be aerating the hell out of your wort if it drops from the gas in tube.....

2- keg lube on the step filters? not sure exactly where to lube. the rubber parts, or something else?

3- whats the deal with the spoon or keg lid oring going on top of the step filter? is that for the main grain compartment or the 4 little boxes? or both?


4--advanced editor- got a random peice of advice to add wait/drain periods, but didnt understand it. in between each phase? only before/after mash? boil?

5- how do you set up a brew with whirlpool/flameout hops only? end boil, start whirlpool and then adjunct 1/2/3/4 ?

6- better to put the FO/WP hops in a sack in the keg or in the step filter?

7- the HBT'er who did NOT invent the IPL says he gets good efficiency with 30@148 and 30@156. is there a consensus on getting better efficiency than the standard program, but not taking as long as the "high efficiency" program? or just trial and error?

lastly- im trying to rig up some copper into a keg-sized IC coil that like jaded thing denny conn keeps shilling. so would i just add the chilling time to my whirlpool program time? or run a whirlpool, and then run a "chilling" program? does it make a difference?
thanks all

Had my Zymatic since June of 2016, I'll try to answer.

1 - Never had a foaming issue that required anything other than anti foaming agent in the cup on top of the keg.
2 - Keg lube the rubber plugs between the grain bin and the hop compartment, so you don't get leaks.
3 - Sometimes, depending upon how much grain you are using, the grain bed will lift the upper screen. You can prevent this by placing a couple of spoons or a keg O-ring on the top screen above the grains. Not required for the hop cages, although, after a while they might pop open, so you can put some food grade rubber bands around them to keep them closed.
4 - Only need to add those steps if you have a large jump in temperature >50 degrees. Otherwise you'll get the Fatal Error #1 which is a differential temperature error.
5 - There is a procedure on the Picobrew forums about that, let me know if you still need that?
6 - I just add my FO hops right to the keg.
7 - I always use the HE Mash Schedule so can't really provide any insight there.
lastly - That's probably your choice and requires some trial and error.