Grainfather options

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m_rawdin
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Grainfather options

Post by m_rawdin » Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:47 pm

So I am looking to get myself a Grainfather and have sent 2 options, the first is this one:

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... ystem.html

The second is this which includes the control box:

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... l-Box.html

Is it worth spending extra on the control box?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/341609746264187/

Fermenting: Nothing
Conditioning: Smoked porter
Drinking: Cider, witbier, brown ale, Milk stout
Planning: Gamma Ray clone v3

sladeywadey
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by sladeywadey » Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:55 pm

I have the new control box - I think it is worthy of the extra dosh as it does open more options for brewing. They are currently having issues with the Android app but the Apple version works fine apparently. Very useful.

shepp

Re: Grainfather options

Post by shepp » Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:36 pm

Might be worth getting the cheaper model and buying the connect controller at a later date.
You'll have a spare controller if one packs up then.

m_rawdin
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by m_rawdin » Thu Feb 09, 2017 9:18 am

Thanks for all your advice, I think I might go for the one with the control box, they're only £514 on Amazon which seems quite cheap? A couple of people have said they use a separate water heater to spare with, is that worth it?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/341609746264187/

Fermenting: Nothing
Conditioning: Smoked porter
Drinking: Cider, witbier, brown ale, Milk stout
Planning: Gamma Ray clone v3

BrannigansLove
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by BrannigansLove » Thu Feb 09, 2017 10:09 am

sladeywadey wrote:I have the new control box - I think it is worthy of the extra dosh as it does open more options for brewing. They are currently having issues with the Android app but the Apple version works fine apparently. Very useful.
Be warned if you have an older Apple device, it uses Bluetooth v4.1, so won't work on things like the iPad2 and down (BT v2.x).

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DethApostle
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by DethApostle » Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:20 pm

m_rawdin wrote:Thanks for all your advice, I think I might go for the one with the control box, they're only £514 on Amazon which seems quite cheap? A couple of people have said they use a separate water heater to spare with, is that worth it?
Be very careful with Amazon retailers as there was a thread knocking about here or on one of the other homebrew forums about a fake retailer. Deals that seem too good to be true often are!

DA
Demon Valley Brewing
2012 - 2020
--------------------------------
Total Brewed: 2560 pints
--------------------------------

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DethApostle
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by DethApostle » Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:21 pm

Demon Valley Brewing
2012 - 2020
--------------------------------
Total Brewed: 2560 pints
--------------------------------

m_rawdin
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by m_rawdin » Thu Feb 16, 2017 4:20 pm

So is it worth getting a separate sparge water heater? Does the grain father not do all the work for sparging anyway?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/341609746264187/

Fermenting: Nothing
Conditioning: Smoked porter
Drinking: Cider, witbier, brown ale, Milk stout
Planning: Gamma Ray clone v3

Fastline
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by Fastline » Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:18 pm

Probably makes things a little easier although you can heat your sparge water up before hand or use your stove

Fastline
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by Fastline » Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:16 pm

Geterbrewed.com are doing grainfather with the connect control + a free Grainfather sparge water heater and a choice of grain kit for £750

Think that's the best deal I have seen on these so far

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DethApostle
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by DethApostle » Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:13 am

m_rawdin wrote:So is it worth getting a separate sparge water heater? Does the grain father not do all the work for sparging anyway?
For sparging I use a combination of water from the hot tap (via a combi boiler) and a kettle full of boiling water.
You can sparge with water at any temperature with no adverse effects however the colder you go the longer it takes to get back up to the boil!

DA
Demon Valley Brewing
2012 - 2020
--------------------------------
Total Brewed: 2560 pints
--------------------------------

Mattpc
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Re: Grainfather options

Post by Mattpc » Thu Mar 30, 2017 3:18 pm

I use a Bosch kettle that lets me set it to 70c and has a keep warm button. It holds 1.5l so I just heat up my sparge water like that. Only downside is im using untreated water from the tap as my sparge water. (I don't really care though!!)


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