Questions to all Grainfather users

Rad · Post by **Rad** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:37 pm

I'm sorry to all BM fans but 20L is out off the question and 50L is out of the budged

I really wanted to build my own GF. But my poor welding skills combined with too complicated machine are pushing me back towards getting GF. I know it's a great piece but I'd like to know exactly what it's limits are before I can commit.

What's the biggest grain bill you used successfully?
What's the biggest pre boil volume you did (without making a mess)?
What's the biggest in fermenter volume you did (without post boil diluting)?
What's the highest OG you got and what was the batch size? EDIT: of course I meant OG

I know what its maker say but what are the real users reporting?

Post by **f00b4r** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 3:11 pm

You may want to check out this thread on an Aussie forum. Apologies to the mods for linking to another forum but it probably is the definitive thread on the Grainfather.

Dads_Ale · Post by **Dads_Ale** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 3:53 pm

Rad wrote:I'm sorry to all BM fans but 20L is out off the question and 50L is out of the budged

I really wanted to build my own GF. But my poor welding skills combined with too complicated machine are pushing me back towards getting GF. I know it's a great piece but I'd like to know exactly what it's limits are before I can commit.

What's the biggest grain bill you used successfully?
What's the biggest pre boil volume you did (without making a mess)?
What's the biggest in fermenter volume you did (without post boil diluting)?
What's the highest FG you got and what was the batch size?

I know what its maker say but what are the real users reporting?

I have been lucky enough to be trialing a Grainfather for two weeks and today was the first brew.

Grain bill was 6.140 kg
Pre boil volume was 29 litres (no problem with boil over so long as you stir to begin with so could probably got a bit more in)
Volume in FV is about 25litres
OG was 1060 (supposed to be 23 litres at 1061 so good efficiency)

I must say it has performed without a hitch.

Hope this helps

McMelloW · Post by **McMelloW** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 4:25 pm

Have a look at the Facebook Grainfathers User Group or become a member. There is a mile length of postings by GF users. Al your question have been asked and answered. Just take your time to scroll trough it.
I you have the money, just buy one. It is worth every penny of it.

Rad · Post by **Rad** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:59 am

Trust me when I say it, but I've done my research. It's not the first time I'm looking into it. I've been going back and forth between buying GF and building something myself. 3 months later I'm running out of brew and have little to show for.

No offence but feels like reading propaganda on that Aussie forum

Thank you Daddy, that's the sort of info I'm after. My fermenters can hold 25-27l without overflowing and 1.060 is going to be the target for majority of my brews.

Post by **f00b4r** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 7:26 pm

Rad wrote:Trust me when I say it, but I've done my research. It's not the first time I'm looking into it. I've been going back and forth between buying GF and building something myself. 3 months later I'm running out of brew and have little to show for.

No offence but feels like reading propaganda on that Aussie forum

Thank you Daddy, that's the sort of info I'm after. My fermenters can hold 25-27l without overflowing and 1.060 is going to be the target for majority of my brews.

Well it is pretty pro the grainfather but it does have a lot of useful info on grain bills, upgrades etc..

Rad · Post by **Rad** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 2:23 pm

Well, the deed is done. A shiny new Grainfahter will be on it's way to me shortly. I even went full tart and there'll be a shiny new Grainfather tea urn sparge water heater coming along with it. Of course there's the branded cleaner and recipe pack to test it with.

I'm contemplating getting some sort of insulation for them. Either the cheap alu-bubble wrap or the Armaflex. The later is the best flexible insulation I know, but it doesn't stand up well to manhandling and would be a pain to wash. The former I have no experience with.

EDIT: corrected formatting, strike-trough bbcode didn't work.

Post by **f00b4r** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 2:28 pm

Rad wrote:Well, the deed is done. A shiny new Grainfahter will be on it's way to me shortly. I even went full tart and there'll be a shiny new Grainfather [s]tea urn[/s] sparge water heater coming along with it. Of course there's the branded cleaner and recipe pack to test it with.

I'm contemplating getting some sort of insulation for them. Either the cheap alu-bubble wrap or the Armaflex. The later is the best flexible insulation I know, but it doesn't stand up well to manhandling and would be a pain to wash. The former I have no experience with.

I would try it without the insulation first and see if you are happy. I did a few brews with the Grainfather using a Sous Vide Supreme water bath for the sparge water (perfect as it kept the water at the exact temperature) and I am not sure if you will gain anything but a few minutes faster to boil and it will be a pain to cut to fit on the GF (the recirculating system means it holds the mash temperature well at whatever it is set at).
It might save you a few quid to spend elsewhere

Rad · Post by **Rad** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 3:03 pm

I guess I'll do the first brew without spending more cash and see how it goes. The insulation idea was inspired by this:

Doesn't look too hard to cut.

Hairybiker · Post by **Hairybiker** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 7:03 pm

When I went to insulate mine, I used a foil backed camping mat. Works GREAT. And it is a lovely YELLOW

But it was all they had with foil backing.
I haven't gone overboard on grain or volume, I am backing down from 27L brews to 22L (19L in the cornie and the rest in bottles) and the most grain was ~6.5Kg (total weight) for a 1060 out.
30L+ pre is do-able you just need to watch for the foaming and be ready with a water spray/paddle.

Rad · Post by **Rad** » Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:02 pm

I'm used an old camping mat for my fermentors. I wasn't sure if it would stand up to GF's temperatures. Doesn't it melt or smell funny? The bubble wrap states temp resistance to 135*C.

sonicated · Post by **sonicated** » Tue Oct 27, 2015 6:41 pm

Although insulating is going to be somewhat more efficient I think it's just the US version that needs it as it's less powerful.

Fil · Post by **Fil** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:00 pm

the uk version will not need insulation, but it will improve its power efficiency

sonicated · Post by **sonicated** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:17 pm

And the Graincoat is available in the UK now. Clicky.

Hairybiker · Post by **Hairybiker** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:38 pm

Rad wrote:I'm used an old camping mat for my fermentors. I wasn't sure if it would stand up to GF's temperatures. Doesn't it melt or smell funny? The bubble wrap states temp resistance to 135*C.

The one I got was foil backed, made sure of that. No issues after 3 brews.

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