Brewzilla Gen 4 advice and experiences

Davegase · Dec 4, 2024

The Baron said:
I have had that a few times Davegase it can be annoying but that look like a good fix-ish

It couldn't have been a better fit. Luckily I had a bucket that was in the right ball park to start with.
To get a good fit I stood The malt pipe upside down in the bucket, with a torch in the bottom I could see the line I needed to mark.
I cut it with a Stanley knife. It worked but it was pretty tough.

peterpiper · Dec 5, 2024

Davegase said:
A couple of times while sparging, maybe slightly too aggressively I've noticed a small amount of wort spraying through the side holes in the bottom of the grain basket onto the floor.

That happened to me once. I now do most of the sparge, with malt pipe only part lifted. Then the final litre or two, fully lifted.

I have an extender, and only ever used it for boiling a couple of big beers. But using it to prevent sparge spray, hadn't crossed my mind.

I now stand the BZ in a 40cm plant pot tray, which catches most of the dribbles. But still put down cardboard, or dustsheet, to protect a wider area and cut down on clean up time.

brewsby · Dec 5, 2024

Davegase said:
A couple of times while sparging, maybe slightly too aggressively I've noticed a small amount of wort spraying through the side holes in the bottom of the grain basket onto the floor.

I've had a couple of occasions where I get a random little jet of wort that escapes just due to the way the grain has settled, I guess. I've found that using the half-way position for as long as possible when draining/sparging resolves it but I like the simplicity and re-use of this. I'll have to start measuring my buckets to see which one could be repurposed.

6Trails · Dec 5, 2024

Always happens me when I don't use the top plate in the mash. That's a good idea.

Africa_Craig · Dec 8, 2024

So I finally upgraded to the 25Watt pump.

First brew went great and transfer to fill fermenters was soo much faster

Then when I tried to clean up the pump wouldn’t kick in

https://1drv.ms/v/c/f85a1c433cbbfdf0/EYsQ38kNqVtHk67mMPsPn_ABxhMFmTOKOQhWfinftMWe-Q
(Hope you can see the link if the uploaded video doesn’t work)

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

Other than this the system has been amazing. Just feel I may have received a dodgy pump as I got it to work again after manually cleaning the system.

FYI, this is the recipe I made
https://recipe.brewfather.app/XcHu5hA2GGY05FlIHrfGGlHw972f7Q

RoomWithABrew · Dec 8, 2024

Suspect there was something stopping the impeller going round. I've had this happen a couple of times, wasn't something I could back flush and ease. Luckily I've fitted two 25watt pumps in my 70 litre so was able to use that for whirlpool and transfer.

foxy · Dec 8, 2024

Africa_Craig said:
So I finally upgraded to the 25Watt pump.

View attachment 106602

First brew went great and transfer to fill fermenters was soo much faster

Then when I tried to clean up the pump wouldn’t kick in

https://1drv.ms/v/c/f85a1c433cbbfdf0/EYsQ38kNqVtHk67mMPsPn_ABxhMFmTOKOQhWfinftMWe-Q
(Hope you can see the link if the uploaded video doesn’t work)

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

Other than this the system has been amazing. Just feel I may have received a dodgy pump as I got it to work again after manually cleaning the system.

FYI, this is the recipe I made
https://recipe.brewfather.app/XcHu5hA2GGY05FlIHrfGGlHw972f7Q

Though the impeller has stopped, Mag drive pumps will still be considered to be working, as they are I have had a few to fix when the operator could have fixed them easily at home. It saves the pump from burning out, worst one I have seen was sugar encased around the impeller where it had not fully dissolved in the boil.

Africa_Craig · Dec 9, 2024

Never had this with the 6W pump - just strange with this pump. Will keep an eye on it for the next brew, probably in Jan as now have my a few kegs filled.

@RoomWithABrew could you share a photo of your setup with 2 pumps? I am thinking of rigging the 6W Pump to the tap and using that as a Backup system if this happens during a brew day.

TBH, I am probably seeing a second 25W replacement pump in the future.

peterpiper · Dec 11, 2024

Davegase said:
DIY EXTENDER.
On the whole I've been very happy with my 35l gen 4.
A couple of times while sparging, maybe slightly too aggressively I've noticed a small amount of wort spraying through the side holes in the bottom of the grain basket onto the floor....

And I guess, dribbles on the controller?

Reports (on foreign forum) saying BZ controller display dying after liquid got in. Due to the controller box, having no gasket seal.
Replacement $90+, but doesn't look available in UK.

So wondering if there's any suggestions, for a good way to protect the controller?
Both from dribbles, and from condensation during boil. Watching yesterdays brew: during boil off (under plastic skirt below cooker extractor hood), there were frequent condensation dribbles, running over the controller.

Perhaps some additional controller cover (maybe cut from 5L HDPE container), or mounting the controller on a swing arm, so it can be hinged out, away from BZ (a desk mic arm??).

Davegase · Dec 11, 2024

peterpiper said:
And I guess, dribbles on the controller?

Reports (on foreign forum) saying BZ controller display dying after liquid got in. Due to the controller box, having no gasket seal.
Replacement $90+, but doesn't look available in UK.

So wondering if there's any suggestions, for a good way to protect the controller?
Both from dribbles, and from condensation during boil. Watching yesterdays brew: during boil off (under plastic skirt below cooker extractor hood), there were frequent condensation dribbles, running over the controller.

Perhaps some additional controller cover (maybe cut from 5L HDPE container), or mounting the controller on a swing arm, so it can be hinged out, away from BZ (a desk mic arm??).

Never had any going on the controller, but you could wrap it in cling film to protect it.

The Baron · Dec 11, 2024

Just sparge carefully in my mind you should not be putting enough sparge water in for it to spurt out or if it does start just slow down. I do not see a issue myself Simples

Rwilts · Dec 11, 2024

How long is the cable? Since doing my mod on 3.1.1 the controller sits completely away from the boiler

RoomWithABrew · Dec 12, 2024

Africa_Craig said:
Never had this with the 6W pump - just strange with this pump. Will keep an eye on it for the next brew, probably in Jan as now have my a few kegs filled.

@RoomWithABrew could you share a photo of your setup with 2 pumps? I am thinking of rigging the 6W Pump to the tap and using that as a Backup system if this happens during a brew day.

TBH, I am probably seeing a second 25W replacement pump in the future.

I have the second pump controlled by a separate switch, have added a 3 way on the ascending recirculate to allow whirlpool and over the top recirculate or just one or other.
Whirlpool during mash mixes the wort in the space between maltpipe and kettle. Plus it flows over the temp sensor so that temp more accurate.
Second pump is for the counter flow chiller which enters as a second whirlpool.
I have also swapped out the original control unit for a smart PID controller this links into brew father, Adds WiFi control and second temp sensor that I use to measure recirculate wort temp or the outflow from CFC.

Twostage · Dec 12, 2024

peterpiper said:
And I guess, dribbles on the controller?

Reports (on foreign forum) saying BZ controller display dying after liquid got in. Due to the controller box, having no gasket seal.
Replacement $90+, but doesn't look available in UK.

So wondering if there's any suggestions, for a good way to protect the controller?
Both from dribbles, and from condensation during boil. Watching yesterdays brew: during boil off (under plastic skirt below cooker extractor hood), there were frequent condensation dribbles, running over the controller.

Perhaps some additional controller cover (maybe cut from 5L HDPE container), or mounting the controller on a swing arm, so it can be hinged out, away from BZ (a desk mic arm??).

Mine is attached to the shed wall by sliding down over two screws.
I moved it there as it got a better WiFi signal from the house (for some reason it didn’t like the WiFi in the shed when I set it up).
When I take the BZ out to clean I unscrew the cable, put the cover back on and heft it out of the shed.

peterpiper · Dec 14, 2024

The Baron said:
Just sparge carefully in my mind you should not be putting enough sparge water in for it to spurt out or if it does start just slow down. I do not see a issue myself Simples

Only the occasional splash here, when sparging or lifting malt pipe. But worry that OP's report, said display was wrecked by a single spill. And think protection, from my regular condensation dribbles during boil, could be worthwhile (I need a couple of containers, on floor, to collect catch all the drips).
Protection now, may be easier / cheaper, than having to source & fit a replacement controller later.

peterpiper · Dec 14, 2024

Rwilts said:
How long is the cable? Since doing my mod on 3.1.1 the controller sits completely away from the boiler

Not home now, but I'd guess cable is arount 4ft long. There's enough slack for a mount maybe 1ft away from BZ (at about same height).
Apparantly an extension cable is made. Unsure if it's available in UK, but if the connector can be identified. It wouldn't be difficult to make.

My BZ is often moved during brewday, between sink area and extractor hood area (BZ being on a trolly dolly).
So having controller on any fixed surface isn't ideal. But on some arm attached to trolly, is an option.

The Baron · Dec 14, 2024

peterpiper said:
Only the occasional splash here, when sparging or lifting malt pipe. But worry that OP's report, said display was wrecked by a single spill. And think protection, from my regular condensation dribbles during boil, could be worthwhile (I need a couple of containers, on floor, to collect catch all the drips).
Protection now, may be easier / cheaper, than having to source & fit a replacement controller later.

I wander how much liquid actually got on the control unit because my thoughts is it would have to be reasonably quite a bit.

Davegase · Dec 14, 2024

peterpiper said:
Not home now, but I'd guess cable is arount 4ft long. There's enough slack for a mount maybe 1ft away from BZ (at about same height).
Apparantly an extension cable is made. Unsure if it's available in UK, but if the connector can be identified. It wouldn't be difficult to make.

My BZ is often moved during brewday, between sink area and extractor hood area (BZ being on a trolly dolly).
So having controller on any fixed surface isn't ideal. But on some arm attached to trolly, is an option.

1.5 m extension cable for gen 4 screen.

https://brewkegtap.co.uk/products/b...OQ_9TfSymfmBQqLRuUyClejaLJRgh-8BoCgRUQAvD_BwE

The Baron · Dec 14, 2024

They really know how to charge for brewers :laugh8:

Not BKT they are just passing the cost on charged by Kegland

The Baron · Dec 14, 2024

The Baron said:
They really know how to charge for brewers
No BKT they are just passing the cost on charged by Kegland

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