Grainfather....Should I??

[sladeywadey]

Bearing in mind what Fil says I think I'll hang on. I've not written it off but can't see the point in becoming a test mule for the Grainfather. I'll wait to see how it develops, and when they've ironed out the bugs and improved it I will reconsider. Until then it's back to the plastic bucket for me!

I think this is a wise move. I was initially going to buy a grainfather but then stopped short of putting the deposit down. I too will wait to see how they go. They are now crowdfunding for their sale in the USA.

I would like the Braumeister but for the money, you'd expect a no-problem, refined system. The tap looks clunky and you have to pay extra for a decent hop filter?

[Wezzel]

If it's a cost issue consider buying a Braumeister from Niels in Belgium at www.homebrewshop.be and save £200. Delivery to UK is less than 10 euros.

[Buckie Brewer]

The pump is of concern as it contains some ?soft metals? which apparently require a special grainfather cleaning solution??? tying you into buying aftermarket supplies from grainfarther inc.. got a loud mental warning klaxon going off on this point..

On this note in a recent AMA on reddit the industrial designer stated that PBW would be fine to clean the system. http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2 ... he/covw3nh

I think the reason being there is copper parts/pipe in the pump system and this like all copper in home brewing is best cleaned with percarbonate based cleaners.


For the record I have pre ordered a Grainfather and I am looking forward to starting on AG (Been doing kits for 3 years). The reason for my purchase is based on two factors cost (in time and money) and size/footprint.

Cost
I have read this forum and came up with a plan for a stainless 3v system with out a thermopot and it came in at £510 all bought from http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk

HLT- £160.00
Mash Tun- £55.00
Boiler- £160.00
Fermenter- £28.00
Sparge arm- £22.44
Sight glass- £25.20
Chiller- £44.00
False bottom- £19.00
Mash Tun tap- £12.00

3v/AG can be done cheaper but this was my plan also after buying this it all had to be assembled and troubleshot, also as I am shed brewing the need for increasing the breakers/sockets in there would have to be accounted for. More time more cost. Also my job is fixing things etc i don't want my hobby to be that as well.

Size

The grainfather is a neat package and easily stored, enough said.

All in all I am pro grainfather, yes it is not the bruamiester (which I considered but I want to buy corneys as well) but it is nearly a 3rd of the price, yes it has a few problems but it has been on the go for a while down under and the company have a very good reputation for sorting issues, yes it only has a STC controller instead of a PID but how good is a mash tun temp control and a cheap thermometer, people make great beer with plastic buckets, sleeping bags and kettle elements.
I have yet to see a damning review of the grainfather and it seems to be gathering a following I am one of them. Just a bit peeved it's been delayed but as mentioned in the AMA linked above it is due to production timing issues in China and if the thing is no use when I get it I can get a refund.

[smeghead]

I've decided to take the plunge and have ordered a Grainfather. I believe it will suit by brew days really well. I don't see the need for a programmable control unit, I'm capable of looking at a timer and manually adjusting the heat. I reckon the stability of the heat will be better than me sticking a glass thermometer into the bucket and stirring whilst the element works away just under the grain! I had a long chat with a nice bloke at Love Brewing in Chesterfield, he said the manufacturers had already altered the wort cooler to a better design so who knows what improvements will be on the next shipment due sometime in April (hopefully) He says he always uses it for AG brews now as he is happy with the extraction and convenience. As I just live in a normal domestic house I don't want the hassle when I brew. I can't wait to get my hands on it, I'm as excited as when I ordered my new Vespa GTS a few weeks ago!

[beerlover1983]

Can i say to those making the jump watch the weld that holds the recirc pipe alot have popped off of late.
Im saying this more for me as i still have my eye on one and will own one one day but worried about some issues but have to say as a company they have been swift to sort issues within nz so hopefully with there kickststarter being funded for us amd canda support will be just as good elsewhere

[Buckie Brewer]

Can i say to those making the jump watch the weld that holds the recirc pipe alot have popped off of late.

This was discussed in the AMA I linked to the designer stated that this had been fixed on the new batch of models. Also liked your the video beerlover1983.

[beerlover1983]

I have to say i see a grainfather in my future kit as a company they listen well to their customers.Support like that is worth alot .I suspect there will be a need for a grainfather section on these forums very soon.

[TheGrainfather]

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know that we are on this forum now in case you have any questions about the Grainfather or just general brewing. We've posted in the suppliers forum; viewtopic.php?f=43&t=70832 so feel free to get in touch!

[shepp]

I am seriously considering buying a Grainfather.
I have done some basic kit brewing but I was never happy with the result, so still have the kit for that.
So I have everything else to buy for all grain brewing. For £600 with everything in a neat easily stored package, this I think is the way forward.
Just need to look at the competition in a little more depth, but from what I have seen, my mind if almost made up.

[smeghead]

I agree Shepp, looking at videos of it in use it looks great. I don't really think it has much competition at the price. I found a Brewolution Brewster but it looks awkward to use and a bit faffy, not a lot cheaper either. The Braumeister looks very nice but is expensive and I can't personally see why it's worth the money other than it's German and the world seem to think that German stuff is good for some reason. I'm not suggesting the Braumeister isn't good but I don't see what it does over the Grainfather for double the money. Maybe someone can enlighten me. Let the forum know how you get on Shepp.

[Fil]

the BM pushes the mash recirculation liquor up thru the malt tube, and the grain farther uses gravity and an overflow to recirculate the liquor down thru the mash.. is the major difference between the 2 systems im aware of. oh and things like an IC chiller, hop filter, and insulation jacket are optional extras with the BM..

afaik the only complaint voiced by BM owners is buying the wrong size, and a 50l GF isnt an option right now..
Fwiw Love-Brewings first wave of GFs has been delayed Again!! **EDIT - just received the Its here email so its on its way..... may get it tested with a smash brew with amarillo hops at the end of the week

[Buckie Brewer]

Fwiw Love-Brewings first wave of GFs has been delayed Again!! **EDIT - just received the Its here email so its on its way.....

Like Fil, I too have received the email and have made the final payment. I have also purchased the Timothy Taylor Landlord recipe pack and cleaner deal as this will be my first all grain so I would like to keep it as straight forward as possible and the cleaner comes in at the same price as PBW.

After reading up on TTL recipes on Jims I will be skipping the draw of a few litres and boil it down step and instead adding 5% light crystal malt. Only problem is I am stuck on a boat in the Atlantic till mid April

[steambrew]

I to have ordered a grain father or should I say I have been given the money as a retirement present to order one we hope Jim will have a separate form for this in the not to distant future so people can exchange ideas

[shepp]

I agree Shepp, looking at videos of it in use it looks great. I don't really think it has much competition at the price. I found a Brewolution Brewster but it looks awkward to use and a bit faffy, not a lot cheaper either. The Braumeister looks very nice but is expensive and I can't personally see why it's worth the money other than it's German and the world seem to think that German stuff is good for some reason. I'm not suggesting the Braumeister isn't good but I don't see what it does over the Grainfather for double the money. Maybe someone can enlighten me. Let the forum know how you get on Shepp.

I like the idea of turning it into a 'still' with the copper hood, I quite fancy having a go at making one of these modern complex gins or a malt whiskey.
I will definitely keep the forum informed with my efforts.

[Pinto]

I agree Shepp, looking at videos of it in use it looks great. I don't really think it has much competition at the price. I found a Brewolution Brewster but it looks awkward to use and a bit faffy, not a lot cheaper either. The Braumeister looks very nice but is expensive and I can't personally see why it's worth the money other than it's German and the world seem to think that German stuff is good for some reason. I'm not suggesting the Braumeister isn't good but I don't see what it does over the Grainfather for double the money. Maybe someone can enlighten me. Let the forum know how you get on Shepp.

I like the idea of turning it into a 'still' with the copper hood, I quite fancy having a go at making one of these modern complex gins or a malt whiskey.
I will definitely keep the forum informed with my efforts.

Sadly, not on this forum, shepp - mentioning anything to do with the "D" word (unless you're making water) will get your post shut down double quick given the legal implications. There are dedicated places on the web if you want to do research - just a google search away