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Welp, Swallowed My Pride and Ordered a Grainfather


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#41 Deerslyr

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Posted 12 June 2018 - 06:42 AM

The biggest drawback I've found thus far is cleanup. My old system required about 10-15 minutes from the time the wort was in the fridge to the time is was packed away. But that's on the driveway, with a garden hose. The GF requires more delicate touch, and a good bit of recirculation.

 

 Which leads me to another potential drawback--having been designed around the water saving brew-in-a-bag system, this thing does require a lot of water to recirculate for chilling and cleaning, not to mention reheating. It's not a concern for me, but if water and time savings are a priority, it could be seen as a drawback for some.

 

My old system was about a 30 minute clean.  Seems to be the same for this one.

I didn't view the GF as having been designed around a water saving system, but rather one with a very small footprint.  It takes up considerably less space than my prior system and less time to set up.  

 

As for time... it all depends.  I think the time spent brewing on a GF is close to what I would have spent on my old system.



#42 denny

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Posted 12 June 2018 - 10:50 AM

1. A couple years ago a met I guy and showed him how to brew. His first brew was an extract at my place while we did an all grain on my system. Since then he's become my main partner come brewday. He moved to a GF pretty quickly, and is doing pretty well on it. He became my mentor yesterday, and this was one of my huge takeaways...he dumped his and had to sift through cold, 24 hour old spent grain to retrieve it. Now I know!

 

2. The combination of markings in the boiler and volume calculators worked well enough for me.

 

3. I was actually surprised at its heating capability. I'd add the jacket before I looked to do anything else.

 

4. Good to know. I watched a guy brew on one once, using like 20+ feet of shitty extension cord. He couldn't figure out why it wouldn't boil, and kept tripping that breaker every few minutes. :D I'm pretty adept at brewing with honey and sugars as well. No scorch on my propane system, and now no fouling of my little Grainfather heating element.

 

Definitely use the Graincoat!  Made a big difference for me.

 

Also, I envy you guys who use the GF indoors.  I'm way too messy for that.


Edited by denny, 12 June 2018 - 10:51 AM.


#43 Deerslyr

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Posted 12 June 2018 - 12:43 PM

Definitely use the Graincoat!  Made a big difference for me.

 

Also, I envy you guys who use the GF indoors.  I'm way too messy for that.

Downstairs basement bathroom is a 3/4 bath (i.e. shower stall).  Tile floor.  Exhaust vent/fan (the bathroom kind).  Works well.  A bit cramped, but that's ok.  



#44 Area Man

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Posted 12 June 2018 - 06:52 PM

I am sure you do this but save your chilling water out of the CFC for clean up.  I save mine for a second batch of beer if I have one planned for that weekend.

 

 

 I'm sure this would have occurred to me eventually. :D




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