Buying advice on Grainfather chiller and fermenter

brewingnoob · Nov 19, 2024

Hi there, I'm busy shopping around and want to get the GF GC2/4 and a ss fermenter. I'd appreciate if anyone has advice here.
Below are the two options I see for the setup I want, and it seems like option 2 gives me a GC4 for £100 more, unless I've missed something obvious?
I don't really have a need for a GC4 right now but for £100 more it seems like a fairly good deal. I'm not seeing any obvious differences between them besides it being a bit bigger - although I'm struggling to find out if the power consumption of the GC4 with only 2 channels running is the same as the GC2.

Option 1: £995 with GC2
Maltmiller
Maltmiller 30L Stainless Steel Conical Fermenter – Pro Edition with Cooling Coil
Grainfather GC2
Grainfather GCA

Option 2: £1,108 with GC4
https://brew2bottle.co.uk/products/grainfather-glycol-chiller-adapter
https://brew2bottle.co.uk/products/grainfather-gc4-glycol-chiller-bundle
https://darkrockbrewing.co.uk/product/30l-stainless-steel-conical-fermenter-with-cooling-coil/

Thanks!

jof · Nov 19, 2024

Do you already have a glycol chiller? What you linked is just an adapter to connect one to the cooling coil, not a complete cooling system.

With a budget & shopping list like that, I hope you are less of a noob than your username suggests.
Or maybe you have an acquaintance with similar kit that has allowed you to do a "try before you buy"

I can only guess you already have a packaging solution (kegs or bottles).

Its your process that will make great beer. It takes quite a few practice runs to tailor it to your tastes & optimised for your equipment.

brewingnoob · Nov 19, 2024

Hey @jof! Totally reasonable question

I'm getting resetup after a break and a few house moves. So I'm starting with zero equipment and want to improve from my process before. I've never used a glycol chiller and have no friends brewing that would, but starting fresh I'm interested in trying new things instead of defaulting back to what I know. Yep I'll be kegging, probably going to start with some oxebars this time around. Planning on also getting a GF G40, once again never specifically used this model but have used a variety of much cheaper home built solutions.

jof said:
What you linked is just an adapter to connect one to the cooling coil, not a complete cooling system.

I've double checked both options and both definitely seem to come with it. Note there are three links that make up the second option, the chiller itself is in the second one https://brew2bottle.co.uk/products/grainfather-gc4-glycol-chiller-bundle
Alternatively I'm going crazy which isn't unreasonable.

JockyBrewer · Nov 19, 2024

I have the GC2, paired with the Grainfather Conical.

The GC2 is a great little unit, although I did have a fault with the glycol level sensor after a few months of ownership. They sent me a new sensor to self replace it which was simple enough. If you have a cooling coil in the fermenter I'd recommend getting a set of self sealing quick disconnects to go on it and the glycol lines so you don't dribble glycol everywhere when you have to disconnect the coil for cleaning.

I have mixed feelings about the Grainfather conical - the bottom dual valve arrangement is problematic as it's fiddly to clean, has lots of seals on it and it's not really sanitary if you want to crop yeast for reuse. The rest of the fermenter though is super easy to clean as it has a cooling jacket rather than a coil, and it comes with the quick disconnects.

Whatever you get, just make sure you take apart any ball valve taps when you first get it, and do the same after each brew.

Deadhead · Nov 19, 2024

They didn't have the 2 fermenter version when I bought my Grainfather Glycol Chiller, but I can say I'm super happy with the 4 fermenter version I have. I have one GF stainless steel conical (agree about the dual valve comment from @JockyBrewer) and I also use the Glycol Chiller Adapter Kit sometimes with a bucket fermenter (when I'm not trying to brew a lager and my stainless steel fermenter is already in use). I can't ever imagine having 4 fermenters going at the same time, but you know, why not, might be fun if I find myself with extra cash! sick...

brewingnoob · Nov 19, 2024

Thank you @JockyBrewer and @Deadhead!
Any chance either of you have measured the electricity use between 1 channel being turned on vs all of them?

JockyBrewer · Nov 19, 2024

brewingnoob said:
Thank you @JockyBrewer and @Deadhead!
Any chance either of you have measured the electricity use between 1 channel being turned on vs all of them?

No, but ultimately the power use will come down to heat gain in the system.

The chillers have a fairly small reservoir of glycol to keep just below zero. When your fermenter goes above a set temp it turns a pump on.

As a result I don’t think there will be a big power difference between the GC4 and GC2, it’s more about the number of fermenters you have plugged in and their delta from room temperature.

brewingnoob · Nov 19, 2024

JockyBrewer said:
No, but ultimately the power use will come down to heat gain in the system.

The chillers have a fairly small reservoir of glycol to keep just below zero. When your fermenter goes above a set temp it turns a pump on.

As a result I don’t think there will be a big power difference between the GC4 and GC2, it’s more about the number of fermenters you have plugged in and their delta from room temperature.

Right ok that makes sense. I guess I was thinking that there were multiple different coolers but I guess it makes sense that it is all cooled together and just the pumps vary.

brewingnoob · Nov 20, 2024

In case it is interesting to anyone, here is a very helpful response I got from Grainfather themselves about power usage:

The 300W relates to the compressor, so when the compressor is on it will be using 300W, but the compressor is not always running, it may only use 300W for an hour every 4 hours.

Then the pump uses about 30W of power so while the pump is running the power consumption will be 30W, there is only one pump so will remain at 30W regardless of how many channels are being used simultaneously.

Lunesdale Brewer · Nov 20, 2024

+1 for GC2 and Grainfather GF30 conical, good neat integrated system, very easy to use and clean.
I have the G30 placed on a low shelf in my garage that the GC2 fits under and that means I can bottle or keg directly from the drain valve.
I fill the GF30 using the pump from my Brewzilla (on a dolly) so no lifting hot heavy wort.
Had the GF30 for 60 brews but bought the GC2 this year; trying hard not to buy another GF30….
I don’t find the dual valve fiddly to clean or unsanitary, my only comment is that if I have a heavy yeast deposit (think S-04) I have to work the heavily sprung opening lever a lot to “pump” the deposit out.
Brewed good beer for years in plastic buckets with immersion heaters and other makeshift arrangements; the Grainfather setup is expensive but if you have the money it is a joy to use.

Polcho · Nov 30, 2024

In terms of the Grainfather conical fermenter, I think it's wonderful. With the app you can see what’s going on, anytime anywhere.

The bottom dual valve is fine, it's not great if you are using a lot of hops, it's not tall enough inside, but you can get a longer part for it.

I agree with Jocky 'lots of seals on it and it's not really sanitary if you want to crop yeast for reuse'

I haven't bothered, I just siphon it.

It's fine for wine though.

In terms of a chiller, I was going to buy one, then I read about running water through it.

Works great, even on the hottest days.

I have an old fermenting bucket to the side of it, 3 quarters full of water. If I think it's going to get warm I put those cooler blocks from the freezer in the bucket.

It's never been an issue.

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