David, your advice is invaluable! I purchased the GF as a 50th birthday present and used it to make a Belgian Tripel, with the help of your videos. The beer came out perfect, in no small part thanks to you! Keep the videos coming!
Well done as always David. I feel #2 is vital for a high mash efficiency. The one about checking the wort level during the sparge is extremely clever, however those of us using a grain jacket will still be left guessing. Cheers!
Thanks Edward. Tip 2 is very vital for sure! Yes that wort level tip isnt something I can use either but its nice to know all the same. I guess plenty dont have the grain jacket. Personally I have confidence in the sparge volume created by the app and then track it using the connect.
Another valid option might be to insert a long strip of white cardboard from the top of the slot. When it is removed, you can check the level of the wort before sparging. For those who use the grainjacket, making small marks on it would help ;)
great video alway good to get a good tip, the one I like the best is connecting the RC arm to the chiller for cleaning/sterilization, I'll be doing that. Cheers.
Great video David, as always. I have just bought a second-hand Grainfather, and your videos has been a major inspiration for choosing this system instead of the shiny German alternative. Keep up the good work!
I like to experiment regularly with different brews if I don't like them I never have a problem finding someone with a taste for it to move it on not everyone's tastes are the same and most times they come back and ask me to brew them some more.
When I get a blocked pump I just blow some air down the pump from my air compressor. Other people just blow with their mouth. Seems to dislodge the crud just fine.
Great tips again David, thanks. A question that may/may not lead to a tip, is when using Rice hulls, do we need to take that into account with our grain weight/water calculations? Reason being is won't the rice hulls soak up some water, especially if using 3-4 good handfuls?
I know this is late, but what I do is soak my hulls in hot water and add that to the strike water once bloated.. Doesn't take much longer than 10 mins, which often coincides with me reaching striking temps anyways.
David, how did you install the 250 micron screen on your filter. Is it just wrapped over the top or is it wrapped around then folded over the top? What holds it on? Thanks for your help. Jeff
With tip #3, you can connect the counter flow chiller to the GF, then use a bottling tube to connect the counter flow chiller to the recirculating pipe, and hang the pipe inside the GF. Saves using a clamp.
I have enjoyed and appreciated your Grainfather tips, David. Thanks for taking the time to share with us! I incorporated just a few of your tips in my last two brews, and my efficiency has gone from around 70% to 83%. Not bad! I have noticed that my wort has been darker than anticipated since using the Grainfather. Any ideas why this might happen?
+George Mossel It is great to hear that my tips have increased your efficiency, that is good news :) Usually a darker wort is caused by boiling too vigorously. The sea level of your brewing area can mean that your boiling point is lower than 100 deg c. Also keep in mind that few temperature probes supplied with brewing systems are accurate at both mash temps and boiling temps. I would suggest that you measure the actual temperature of your boil temps to make sure that the high end boil temp is not too high. For me 100 deg c is actually 99 deg c. So I have adjusted my boil temp within the GF connect app on my smart device to allow for this. Hope this helps :)
Thanks, David. I will check that out, but I doubt my boiling temperature is too high. I have the US version and don't use the jacket. (Controller hangs right around 211-212 and have never had an issur with hot break.) I was thinking it might have more to do with the mash/sparge because my pre-boil wort seems darker as well.
Hello David, thank you for the tips and advice in your videos. When cooling your brew am I correct that you have a thermometer connected to your outlet pipe? If so I was wondering where you bought it or the make? Many thanks John
Thank you for your speedy response. I have one on order along with some additional silicon tubing and I am sure it will be of great use on my next brew
#7 Put the bottom plate of the grain basket in the freezer for a few minutes and the basket itself in the hot water before assembling - the cold will contract the plate and the heat expand the basket - the bottom plate slides in easily without the silicon seal being rolled off (annoying!).
I am getting a lot of husks in my boil, I've tried the sink strainer method and also getting a nice flow, still a lot of husks in the boil. What do I do? Cheers
How large are these husks? If they are small bits then chances are that your grain crush is too fine. Are you getting astringent flavours in the end beer?
Ok. I found theese ones: m.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-Round-Sink-Strainer-Bathroom-Filter-Net-Drain-Kitchen-Tool-New-H/371327150915?hash=item5674d2ab43:m:mUSCxO_QTBg_73Rtat628Rw. Do u think the 7cm would be ok?
David, does your Grainfather vessel has scratches? I noticed that the grain basket scratched the lateral of the boil vessel, and that my paddle scratched the bottom of the equipment. Nothing serious, but heartbreaking for sure.
Hey David. I hade the pleasure talking with you around the opening of the Drotningsvik store ViBrygger.no It was at the very earliest of my homebrewing career. Do you have an email adress I can reach you on? I have a handfull of tips that might make it in a future tips-video. Tor, Bergen
Love your videos but I've noticed a couple common issues that you could improve on. It's pretty difficult to read the text when overlaid on your background (the one with brewing words) or photographs. Also, when you overlay images on top of the text background can you please make the images opaque and layered on top of the background? Thanks, happy brewing!
Thanks for the feedback Andrew. I have actually changed this totally now on more recent videos. It seems certain screens just didnt like it. I have started using a very light white background with the text more muffled with dark text on top. Photos are also displayed differently. Its a shame because on my computer it looks great the other way.
David, your advice is invaluable! I purchased the GF as a 50th birthday present and used it to make a Belgian Tripel, with the help of your videos. The beer came out perfect, in no small part thanks to you! Keep the videos coming!
+Michael Katzman Sounds like a great birthday gift! Its great to hear that my videos have helped :) It makes it all very worthwhile for me :)
That water spray trick to judge wort volume blew my mind.
Haha, yes it has been known before :) Glad you found it useful :)
Tip 4 is amazing!
Thank you 🍻🍻🍻
Nice tips, as always
Erik Schmidt Glad you found it useful Erik :)
Well done as always David. I feel #2 is vital for a high mash efficiency. The one about checking the wort level during the sparge is extremely clever, however those of us using a grain jacket will still be left guessing. Cheers!
Thanks Edward. Tip 2 is very vital for sure! Yes that wort level tip isnt something I can use either but its nice to know all the same. I guess plenty dont have the grain jacket. Personally I have confidence in the sparge volume created by the app and then track it using the connect.
The jacket is pretty much required on the US version.
Another valid option might be to insert a long strip of white cardboard from the top of the slot. When it is removed, you can check the level of the wort before sparging.
For those who use the grainjacket, making small marks on it would help ;)
great video alway good to get a good tip, the one I like the best is connecting the RC arm to the chiller for cleaning/sterilization, I'll be doing that. Cheers.
Glad you enjoyed it :) Yes it sure makes the cleaning easier and faster, just be sure to secure the connection :)
Great video David, as always.
I have just bought a second-hand Grainfather, and your videos has been a major inspiration for choosing this system instead of the shiny German alternative. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the feedback Anders, much appreciated :) If you have any questions or video requests please let me know :)
Great tips again David. Every video you produce I always learn something new.
wrongway2001 Great, thats my aim :) Thanks
Nice one, David.
Manoel Lage Glad you enjoyed it Manoel :)
Good stuff again David, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Peter :)
Spraying cold water on the side of the boiler is very clever. Thanks for that one David, cheers 🍻
RackOff Brewing glad you liked it :)
Thanks alot for great tips... first brew on the father today.. and success... smash citra...
Bryggern Glad you find them useful! Great news on your first brew :)
"In at number 8!" Love it. Would that be a Top of the Pops reference, David? ;-)
Haha, yes, sure was :)
I like to experiment regularly with different brews if I don't like them I never have a problem finding someone with a taste for it to move it on not everyone's tastes are the same and most times they come back and ask me to brew them some more.
Clive Davies I agree Clive. If all we brewed were our own favourites all the time we would never discover new ones :)
Really good David!! TY for this second "tips" edition :D
Specially like 4# and 10# ;)
Cheers!!
🍻🍻🍻
When I get a blocked pump I just blow some air down the pump from my air compressor. Other people just blow with their mouth. Seems to dislodge the crud just fine.
I do brew on a Brewzilla but I assume the grainfather is similar enough in construction.
Yes that works. They are very similar systems.
on point brother on point
Thanks Ed, glad you enjoyed it :)
Great tips again David, thanks. A question that may/may not lead to a tip, is when using Rice hulls, do we need to take that into account with our grain weight/water calculations? Reason being is won't the rice hulls soak up some water, especially if using 3-4 good handfuls?
Damo For the small amount of rice hulls used it isnt worth adding them into the calculations
I know this is late, but what I do is soak my hulls in hot water and add that to the strike water once bloated.. Doesn't take much longer than 10 mins, which often coincides with me reaching striking temps anyways.
You really do not need to do this for them to work.
great stuff!
+TrevMc77 Glad you think so , thank you!
David, how did you install the 250 micron screen on your filter. Is it just wrapped over the top or is it wrapped around then folded over the top? What holds it on? Thanks for your help. Jeff
I wrapped it around the filter and then folded the top. It holds itself on :)
With tip #3, you can connect the counter flow chiller to the GF, then use a bottling tube to connect the counter flow chiller to the recirculating pipe, and hang the pipe inside the GF.
Saves using a clamp.
Nice idea Jay :) Thanks!
I have enjoyed and appreciated your Grainfather tips, David. Thanks for taking the time to share with us! I incorporated just a few of your tips in my last two brews, and my efficiency has gone from around 70% to 83%. Not bad! I have noticed that my wort has been darker than anticipated since using the Grainfather. Any ideas why this might happen?
+George Mossel It is great to hear that my tips have increased your efficiency, that is good news :) Usually a darker wort is caused by boiling too vigorously. The sea level of your brewing area can mean that your boiling point is lower than 100 deg c. Also keep in mind that few temperature probes supplied with brewing systems are accurate at both mash temps and boiling temps. I would suggest that you measure the actual temperature of your boil temps to make sure that the high end boil temp is not too high. For me 100 deg c is actually 99 deg c. So I have adjusted my boil temp within the GF connect app on my smart device to allow for this. Hope this helps :)
Thanks, David. I will check that out, but I doubt my boiling temperature is too high. I have the US version and don't use the jacket. (Controller hangs right around 211-212 and have never had an issur with hot break.) I was thinking it might have more to do with the mash/sparge because my pre-boil wort seems darker as well.
I like your intro!
+beerman1957 Thank you :)
Hello David, thank you for the tips and advice in your videos. When cooling your brew am I correct that you have a thermometer connected to your outlet pipe? If so I was wondering where you bought it or the make? Many thanks John
+John Bs Yes, that's correct:)
+John Bs Its a blichmann thrumometer 3/8" www.blichmannengineering.com/products/thrumometer
Thank you for your speedy response. I have one on order along with some additional silicon tubing and I am sure it will be of great use on my next brew
#7 Put the bottom plate of the grain basket in the freezer for a few minutes and the basket itself in the hot water before assembling - the cold will contract the plate and the heat expand the basket - the bottom plate slides in easily without the silicon seal being rolled off (annoying!).
.
I am getting a lot of husks in my boil, I've tried the sink strainer method and also getting a nice flow, still a lot of husks in the boil. What do I do? Cheers
How large are these husks? If they are small bits then chances are that your grain crush is too fine. Are you getting astringent flavours in the end beer?
Nice tips here David. What size are your sink strainer?
Thanks :) I just went for one classed as large on ebay. Sink holes are universal in size.
Ok. I found theese ones: m.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-Round-Sink-Strainer-Bathroom-Filter-Net-Drain-Kitchen-Tool-New-H/371327150915?hash=item5674d2ab43:m:mUSCxO_QTBg_73Rtat628Rw. Do u think the 7cm would be ok?
Perfect :)
David, does your Grainfather vessel has scratches? I noticed that the grain basket scratched the lateral of the boil vessel, and that my paddle scratched the bottom of the equipment. Nothing serious, but heartbreaking for sure.
No, I don't have any scratches myself but as long as they aren't deep and just surface marks then its no issue.
Hey David. I hade the pleasure talking with you around the opening of the Drotningsvik store ViBrygger.no
It was at the very earliest of my homebrewing career.
Do you have an email adress I can reach you on?
I have a handfull of tips that might make it in a future tips-video.
Tor, Bergen
2rRas Sure, davejheath@gmail.com
Just sent you 15 new tips.
(Or maybe some of them have been used in a previous video...)
Did you get the email?
Love your videos but I've noticed a couple common issues that you could improve on. It's pretty difficult to read the text when overlaid on your background (the one with brewing words) or photographs. Also, when you overlay images on top of the text background can you please make the images opaque and layered on top of the background? Thanks, happy brewing!
Thanks for the feedback Andrew. I have actually changed this totally now on more recent videos. It seems certain screens just didnt like it. I have started using a very light white background with the text more muffled with dark text on top. Photos are also displayed differently. Its a shame because on my computer it looks great the other way.
Sounds as though the pump is a major problem, at the price I would have thought this should have been addressed by the manufacturer.
The pump is the weakest point of many home brew systems