Grainfather disaster

A forum to discuss one pot automated brewing systems.
Post Reply
User avatar
Befuddler
Even further under the Table
Posts: 2472
Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:06 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Grainfather disaster

Post by Befuddler » Thu Jun 04, 2015 5:31 pm

Just had a right nightmare with my second brewday on the grainfather... I'm not entirely sure what happened, but my sparge water pretty much fell through the grain bed in 2 mins flat, which was a pretty big indication of a problem. Once I removed the malt pipe for the boil, I realised I had a HUGE amount of grain in the boiler, maybe a third of the whole mash. Preboil gravity reading was a full 10 points short of expectations.

I think maybe the bottom filter plate slipped as I was lifting the grain pipe into sparge position, which dumped a big chunk of mash straight into the boiler and left me with no proper grain bed to sparge through.

I've seived most of the grain out and started a 3.5 hour boil to get back to the gravity I wanted, but this is baaaaaaad. :evil:
"There are no strong beers, only weak men"

User avatar
Buckie Brewer
Piss Artist
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 8:06 pm

Re: Grainfather disaster

Post by Buckie Brewer » Thu Jun 04, 2015 6:00 pm

Out of curiosity, slipped how? My bottom filter plate is a tight fit there is no room for lateral movement or is there something I need to watch for?

User avatar
Befuddler
Even further under the Table
Posts: 2472
Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:06 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Grainfather disaster

Post by Befuddler » Thu Jun 04, 2015 7:13 pm

Buckie Brewer wrote:Out of curiosity, slipped how? My bottom filter plate is a tight fit there is no room for lateral movement or is there something I need to watch for?
I really don't know. I'm just guessing based on the available evidence... The mash went well and the recirculating wort was crystal clear, so I'm assuming all was well at that point. Everythung went tits up when I started to sparge so I'm guessing it was the lifting action that dislodged something. It shouldnt be possible for the plates to move though... Very weird.
"There are no strong beers, only weak men"

Dave-Leeds

Re: Grainfather disaster

Post by Dave-Leeds » Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:17 pm

do you have the new model where the bottom plate has a seal on as well as the top plate. mine is a very snug fit and no chance of moving but I have no seal on the bottom

sladeywadey
Hollow Legs
Posts: 374
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:56 pm

Re: Grainfather disaster

Post by sladeywadey » Fri Jun 05, 2015 10:15 pm

mine also is without the newer design seal on the bottom plate, but the plate fits very tight and after 5 brews so far it hasn't moved.

I love my GF..

User avatar
Befuddler
Even further under the Table
Posts: 2472
Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:06 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Grainfather disaster

Post by Befuddler » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:31 am

Mine has the seal on both plates... The bottom one is a tight fit but it can move if you knock the overflow pipe. I inspected the plates after the brew and the bottom one was slightly malformed, like a wonky vinyl record. I've bent it back as well as I could and it seems to sit a bit better now. Hopefully this won't happen again...

Either way, the laws of brewing state that this "disaster" will be among the finest beers I've ever made.
"There are no strong beers, only weak men"

Dave-Leeds

Re: Grainfather disaster

Post by Dave-Leeds » Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:51 am

Hope its sorted mate. Mine looks how u have described yours but need to put mine on an angle for it to fit and it needs a good tap to take it back out.

Am sure the beer will still be a good 1. Carnt wait to taste my 1st on the GF only just moved bottles intp cold to condition and 2 more sitting in a barrel and fv

Cheers

Post Reply