Braumeister & pre-crushed malt

[Wezzel]

I'm currently waiting for my 20L BM to be delivered and am planning for my first brew.

Reading the forums, however, I've noticed that the BM is sensitive to the coarseness of the grain crush and many people have started to crush their own to prevent "fountains".

I normally buy mine pre-crushed from TheHomebrewShop and was just wondering if anybody else her uses this supplier for their BM brews. I don't want the extra expense at the moment of buying a crusher.

[oz11]

Doesn't directly answer your question but I use Crisps malt which is readily available to homebrewers. I have only had fountains once, out of about 8 brews, when I used a little less than 3.5kg of grain. Now if making a small beer I push the grain bill to at least 4kg and increase the brew length accordingly.

[BrewerBen]

ive use the crushed grain from the homebrewshop and the malt miller withut an issue in the BM. The malt miller will adjust the crush if you ask, but i didnt notice the difference when i gave it a go. I've not done ahuge number of brews on the BM but I've not seen a wort fountain yet, even with a over filled malt pipe.

[Wezzel]

Thanks Chaps,

I'll go with what I always use and see how it goes. Good point about it being worse for small beers as I have read that too. I'm pretty boring and always go for beers of about 5% so should be okay.

[pduk]

Just to add to this, I've had zero problems with Malt Miller crushed malt for about 15 brews so far... I don't do ultra high gravity brews mind, about 6kg malt is the max for me in a 20L BM.

[Killick Greenie]

I always use Malt Miller and had no problems at all.

[IPA]

It is very important to thoroughly mix the grain in the liquor before fitting the filters, so there are no dry clumps as it these that cause fountains.

[Wezzel]

I did my first brew last week (using pre-crushed malt) and it went fine. I took my time adding the grains, stirring well as I went, and did a 10 minute rest at 40c.
No problems

[chris.laws.54943]

Well I brewed in my BM today. All set on auto pilot! Came in after 30 min and there was wort everywhere. The pipe had dislodged and I ended up with malt grains in the wort. I'm presuming I have suffered my first fountain? I'd never heard of that before. Interestingly I was using my first batch of crisp ale malt from the malt Miller. I must admit I didn't stir the mash today. I'm not sure if I ever do though? I will next time. I've completed the brew anyway (with pump off) there was a lot of debris obviously but I'll see how it turns out. After all it still tastes of sweet sugars and bitter hops.

[paulg]

chris what do you mean the pipe had dislodged?
I have only had a wort fountain once and what happens is wort squirts up out of the malt pipe but the grain and filters remain in place.

[chris.laws.54943]

I may have inadvertently had the rubber seal kinked. To be honest I was elsewhere and the brew was going on in the garage so I didn't see the moment it happens just the aftermath. I wasn't blaming the malt Miller product either. More likely brewer error!

[chris.laws.54943]

A quick FWIW: the brew tastes like crap and is going down the drain!

[BrewerBen]

I may have spoke too soon:



I didnt notice any fountains but the BM struggled to get the wort flowing. This brew was 50% wheat, 41% Pilsner and 9% Cara Amber. The Pilsner did seem a lot finer than usual and more flourery. Maybe it was from the bottom of the bag:

Here's a pic of the pilsner does it seem like a fine crush to you guys?

[chris.laws.54943]

I couldn't say. I know sometimes there is more "fine" stuff than "course" but I'm not totally sure how much that matters. FWIW I've since done another brew with the same MM's British ale malt and it's absolutely bloody delicious.
I'd advise a good 5 minute stir when you add the malt.