Brewzilla Gen 4 advice and experiences

[Davegase]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Africa_Craig]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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