19 replies to this topic

[consumptionjunction]

So I broke down and purchased a barley crusher from Northern Brewer. Taking shipping into account, the full construction, including the hopper, and the fact that I was already buying stuff from them for my next beer, really swayed me away from most of the other options out there.Currently, the gap is set at .039", and there's a window between 0.015" and 0.070". Though I don't have the "feeler guage" recommended by the instruction sheet to measure the spacing, I may go out and get one before making any adjustments if I need to. What would be a good setting? (If this sways the decision, I do batch sparging in a 10 gallon igloo cooler, with typically about 12-15 lbs of grain.)PS I wanted to add a poll to this post but it seemed to disappear when I hit "preview post."

Edited by consumptionjunction, 30 October 2009 - 02:43 PM.

[consumptionjunction]

Apparently replies can add polls...

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

whatever the stock settings is (not sure what that is).

[Slainte]

I have mine set at the default, and routinely get 83-85% efficiency, so I haven't had the need to change it.Very happy with my barley crusher.

[Humperdink]

mine's on the default which is I believe .036. I get consistent numbers, usually not in the 80's, but that's perfectly fine by me. 77%

[Deerslyr]

Mine is set to "crush the bahley like a girrrlie mahn"! I don't know what I've got my gap set at right now. All I know is that the crush is finer than most would probably do, but I have not had a stuck mash on my system and the efficiency is suiting me just fine (75% to 78%).

[BarelyBrews]

I thought my default setting was .039 , whatever it is i have not changed it at all and i am very happy with the efficiencies i get from my grain crush. I usually get 82% so i always estimate 80% in my brews now.

[CaptRon]

I bought mine a couple of months ago, but haven't used it yet. So it is the default setting.

[MakeMeHoppy]

The factory setting works well. I would recommend doing a couple batches there and only adjust if you think you need to.

[3rd party JKor]

I say set it to 0.001". Mmmmm...barley flour.

[ChefLamont]

I would definitely go to the auto parts store, spend the 2 bucks and get the feeler gauge. While most people have good luck with the default and never change it, I think it is good to know what the gap is and what sort of efficiencies you get with particular gaps. That way if you are getting low eff. or stuck sparges or something like that, you have the background knowledge to adjust your mill. I run the secondary gap on my 3-roller at 0.028-0.032, but that is probably apples and oranges knowledge.

[3rd party JKor]

Yeah, get the feeler gauge, they're really cheap.

[ncbeerbrewer]

I have my BC set to the factory setting, not sure what it is but I double crush the grains and I routine and consistently get 80-83% eff. Its a great product.

[cj in j]

You really don't need feeler gauges or anything technical -- just do as Denny says, crush till you're scared. Try the default factory settings, see how it works. If your efficiency is bad, tighten it up a bit and try again. If you have a slow runoff, loosen it a little and give it a try. Find what's best for you in your setup, and use that. Numbers are just numbers -- experience is what's important.

[3rd party JKor]

You really don't need feeler gauges or anything technical -- just do as Denny says, crush till you're scared. Try the default factory settings, see how it works. If your efficiency is bad, tighten it up a bit and try again. If you have a slow runoff, loosen it a little and give it a try. Find what's best for you in your setup, and use that. Numbers are just numbers -- experience is what's important.

The gauge is really useful for knowing what you're crushing at and being able to check the spacing if something goes wrong. It doesn't help you set the correct spacing, that's more of a trial and error thing.

[Spoon]

You really don't need feeler gauges or anything technical -- just do as Denny says, crush till you're scared. Try the default factory settings, see how it works. If your efficiency is bad, tighten it up a bit and try again. If you have a slow runoff, loosen it a little and give it a try. Find what's best for you in your setup, and use that. Numbers are just numbers -- experience is what's important.

This is what I do/did. Ive had mine for years, go it on the GB only group buy.

[UGALawDawg]

One more vote for "whatever the default setting is". I've had mine for over three years, and I have never once touched the gap setting. My results have always been great.

[kbhale]

Rice hulls.

[Stout_fan]

You really don't need feeler gauges or anything technical -- just do as Denny says, crush till you're scared. Try the default factory settings, see how it works. If your efficiency is bad, tighten it up a bit and try again. If you have a slow runoff, loosen it a little and give it a try. Find what's best for you in your setup, and use that. Numbers are just numbers -- experience is what's important.

BTW I'm not familiar with the mill , but IIRC it has a continuously adjustable gap. If so, CJ, I'm shocked at your reply.If you start at say .030 and it is a bit too coarse, and you tighten it up a bit and find after several weeks it's too fine how do you know where to go back to? Let alone go a smidge tighter than the last time?Sorry, for a fin, grab a set of gauges and always know where you are.That stated my Valley mill has a set of detents. One up from horizontal for first crush, one down from horizontal for second crush.Flour and hulls baby, no rice required.

Edited by Stout_fan, 05 November 2009 - 05:42 AM.

[consumptionjunction]

I'll be crushing my grains and brewing tomorrow. Right now, the mill is at its default setting (.039"). If I feel I can get a better efficiency, I plan on buying those feeler gauges and making some adjustments. Being the empirical type, I'd never make those adjustments without measuring its placement. Thanks for all the responses.