New Grainfather owner
New Grainfather owner
I received a new Grainfather last Friday and have been busy reading up and watching Youtube videos over the weekend. I have returned to brewing after about a 15+ year gap. After it's initial clean yesterday I started a brew this morning, a nice recommended Beerly Deloved American type IPA. It took longer than I expected, probably due to it being first time. But a few things I did notice. It seemed very slow pumping out to the fermentation vessel, well over an hour. I had used hop pellets and they were caked around the filter. Is this normal or should I have used a hop bag ? One of the videos I saw done by the manufacturers themselves suggests using a metal paddle during the boil, scraping the bottom occasionally to stop sticking on the bottom. I did this and even though could not detect and eveidence of sticking made some bloody awful scratches on the bottom. What do other people do or is this correct and I can expect the bottom getting scratched so early in its life.
Really enjoyed it. But it was an all day job !
Really enjoyed it. But it was an all day job !
Re: New Grainfather owner
I place the cf to the side of the grainfather rather than on top. After pumping the hot wort through the cf chiller back into the gf for 5 mins I give the wort a damn good stir to create a whirlpool effect and then leave for 20 minutes so the break and hop debris settles in the centre. I have a lot less issues with the filter clogging now.
Let's all go home, pull on our gimp suits and enjoy life
Brewing chat on slack - http://thelocal.stamplayapp.com
Brewing chat on slack - http://thelocal.stamplayapp.com
Re: New Grainfather owner
Thank's. I'll give that a try next brew. In fact I think I saw a video where the chap did the same sort of thing, preferring to keep the CF to the side.
-
- Piss Artist
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:25 am
Re: New Grainfather owner
I have done a few batches with mine now and not had a problem with pellets or leaf hops. Never had a problem draining it through the pellet debris which coats the filter and much easier to clean it all down afterwards than leaf. A plastic mash paddle has been quite handy in avoiding scratches and washing down with a soft scourer afterwards.
One lesson I forgot was drying the unit down after using the cleaning fluid. Last time it must have been slightly damp and some lovely mold sprung up.
One lesson I forgot was drying the unit down after using the cleaning fluid. Last time it must have been slightly damp and some lovely mold sprung up.
Grainfather conical
Corny Keg 1 - Silver empty
Corny Keg 2 - Purple Belgian blonde bombshell
Corny Keg 3 - Copper Candy kaiser 2
Demi Johns Spiced mead, cherry wine, ginger beer, red wine
Planning: - Selling up E-keggle and spare equipment. Putting together Keggorater.
Corny Keg 1 - Silver empty
Corny Keg 2 - Purple Belgian blonde bombshell
Corny Keg 3 - Copper Candy kaiser 2
Demi Johns Spiced mead, cherry wine, ginger beer, red wine
Planning: - Selling up E-keggle and spare equipment. Putting together Keggorater.
-
- Even further under the Table
- Posts: 2480
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:38 pm
- Location: Wirral, Merseyside
Re: New Grainfather owner
I've done about 8 brews in mine and brew days are no shorter than they were before. In fact they may be slightly longer. That's not why I got mine. I got it mainly for ease and convenience of use and the RIMS feature. I haven't so far had a problem emptying into the FV, though I haven't yet used pellets. I have heard that there could be problems with filter clogging using pellets. I've now replaced the STC-200 with the modified STC-1000 which (almost fully) automates the process.Wrongway wrote:I received a new Grainfather last Friday and have been busy reading up and watching Youtube videos over the weekend. I have returned to brewing after about a 15+ year gap. After it's initial clean yesterday I started a brew this morning, a nice recommended Beerly Deloved American type IPA. It took longer than I expected, probably due to it being first time. But a few things I did notice. It seemed very slow pumping out to the fermentation vessel, well over an hour. I had used hop pellets and they were caked around the filter. Is this normal or should I have used a hop bag ? One of the videos I saw done by the manufacturers themselves suggests using a metal paddle during the boil, scraping the bottom occasionally to stop sticking on the bottom. I did this and even though could not detect and eveidence of sticking made some bloody awful scratches on the bottom. What do other people do or is this correct and I can expect the bottom getting scratched so early in its life.
Really enjoyed it. But it was an all day job !
Best wishes
Dave
Dave
Re: New Grainfather owner
I think it was the pellets that slowed it down a lot Dave. Although I tried a whirlpool of the hops the filter was absolutely caked with the hops. Looked more like green polyfiller
. I believe it has a good filtering effect though so not too worried. I was thinking about an STC1000 myself as I have all the gear for programming it. But as I understand it the only place I can get one is Aliexpress via slow boat from China. And they don't take PayPal. I don't trust giving card details to distant companies like that. I got ripped off once.

-
- Even further under the Table
- Posts: 2480
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:38 pm
- Location: Wirral, Merseyside
Re: New Grainfather owner
Yeah, sounds like a problem with pellets. I've not used them before except for a kit I made up recently. I've since bought three varieties in T90 form but am intending to use them for dry hopping.Wrongway wrote:I think it was the pellets that slowed it down a lot Dave. Although I tried a whirlpool of the hops the filter was absolutely caked with the hops. Looked more like green polyfiller. I believe it has a good filtering effect though so not too worried. I was thinking about an STC1000 myself as I have all the gear for programming it. But as I understand it the only place I can get one is Aliexpress via slow boat from China. And they don't take PayPal. I don't trust giving card details to distant companies like that. I got ripped off once.
Aliexpress is indeed the place to get the flashable STCs. Whether anyone else does them I don't know. It's a pity about the non-Paypal friendliness but I had no problem with them and they are a very widely renowned company. Not heard of anyone having a problem with them either. Delivery was about 2-3 weeks. I can recommend the upgrade, it adds quite a bit to the GF's functionality.
Best wishes
Dave
Dave
Re: New Grainfather owner
So very tempted. Just wish I knew how much the new GF controller is going to be. Either way an STC will be a fraction of the cost. I like the Bluetooth to smartphone idea of the the new controller. Not for controlling remotely, but to keep an eye on temperatures. Also the new controller will be a PID type with PWM control of the element which should give a lot finer control. The STC-1000 is only on/off with dead band adjustment isn't it?Dave S wrote:
Aliexpress is indeed the place to get the flashable STCs. Whether anyone else does them I don't know. It's a pity about the non-Paypal friendliness but I had no problem with them and they are a very widely renowned company. Not heard of anyone having a problem with them either. Delivery was about 2-3 weeks. I can recommend the upgrade, it adds quite a bit to the GF's functionality.
Has anyone got an STC-1000 from Aliexpress recently to confirm that they are still mod able. I seem to think I read somewhere it's revision 1.0 board or earlier that worked.
Re: New Grainfather owner
This is the one you want (the custom firmware project tracked down the original manufacturer here): http://www.aliexpress.com/item/temperat ... 66302.html
Re: New Grainfather owner
Ah...Glad you said that. I was looking at this which might not be the correct version. http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product ... 93655.htmlf00b4r wrote:This is the one you want (the custom firmware project tracked down the original manufacturer here): http://www.aliexpress.com/item/temperat ... 66302.html
Re: New Grainfather owner
Just a thought, although your Grainfather is new (was it old stock?), is it fitted with the later type (modified) longer pump filter on it? i bought mine last year and recently replaced the original short stubby filter that pushes directly into the outlet with the newer longer one that fits with a rubber boot onto the outlet. My Grainfather pumps out into the fermenter in about 10 minutes. 

Re: New Grainfather owner
Yes, it has got the latest filter. But with using pellet hops which seem to break up into a slurry as opposed to the more usual hops the filter resembled a courgette when the boiler was finally empty. This had slowed the flow to the fermenter to a bit more than a trickle.
Re: New Grainfather owner
No filter is good for pellets and because the grainfather has a smallish diameter whirlpool will be difficult. Try a hop spider. Made mine for about £10
Re: New Grainfather owner
I did look at hop spiders. The Mangrove Jack one on Grainfathers site is £34 and is 800 micron mesh which some say is not fine enough for pellet hops. Otherwise I saw this one http://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/en/filte ... -x-14.html which is 300 micron mesh and is probably more suitable. But at £52 is a tad steep. Would be interested in your £10 design
. I have bought a couple of straining bags to try as well.

-
- Even further under the Table
- Posts: 2480
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:38 pm
- Location: Wirral, Merseyside
Re: New Grainfather owner
I think I'll stick to leaf in the GF and pellets in the FV
From what I can gather, the new controller will not add any functionality but make temperature control tighter with the use of a PID.

Last edited by Dave S on Sat Jun 25, 2016 1:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Best wishes
Dave
Dave