Brewzilla Gen 4 advice and experiences

[Davegase]

They really know how to charge for brewers
Not BKT they are just passing the cost on charged by Kegland

Maybe things will get cheaper when kegland Europe gets going.
MAYBE !!

 

[The Baron]

We can but hope Dave

 

[Brew_DD2]

We can but hope Dave

I think hope is all it will be if they base themselves on the continent (and why wouldn't they, right?). #brexitmeansbrexit

 

[Barone]

Is it possible to mash without the false bottom and the HED plate?

I wanted to make a BIAB type wort, with a bag of grains inside the mash tube

 

[Davegase]

Is it possible to mash without the false bottom and the HED plate?

I wanted to make a BIAB type wort, with a bag of grains inside the mash tuwoul would

Is it possible to mash without the false bottom and the HED plate?

I wanted to make a BIAB type wort, with a bag of grains inside the mash tube

I would say yes, but why wouldn't you use the false bottom and the heat deflection plate if you already have one ?

 

[Barone]

I would say yes, but why wouldn't you use the false bottom and the heat deflection plate if you already have one ?

because I think it would get too hot... burn the bag of grains

 

[Davegase]

because I think it would get too hot... burn the bag of grains

I don't see how two extra barriers between the heating element and the grain basket would cause the bag of grains to burn !
You did say that your intention was to use a bag inside the grain basket (mash tube).

 

[Africa_Craig]

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.

Thats quite a setup you. #Drooling :). As I bypassed the pump for my tap, thinking I am going to replace the tap with a camlock valve and then connect my older pump to that as a backup. As I have already upgraded the recirc pipe to the site glass, I have the old one I can rig as a backup setup.. Something like this. Can also then upgrade the pump.

 

[RoomWithABrew]

Thats quite a setup you. #Drooling :). As I bypassed the pump for my tap, thinking I am going to replace the tap with a camlock valve and then connect my older pump to that as a backup. As I have already upgraded the recirc pipe to the site glass, I have the old one I can rig as a backup setup.. Something like this. Can also then upgrade the pump.
View attachment 106929

That would work.
I'd still be tempted to swap that tap out for a dedicated whirlpool.

 

[Africa_Craig]

That would work.
I'd still be tempted to swap that tap out for a dedicated whirlpool.

Do you find whirlpooling in an AIO using a center drain works? I have never tried to whirlpool in it and still get crystal clear beers. Also haven’t noticed the bit of hops mane getting through to make any noticeable taste different (or am I used to it you make me think now haha)

 

[RoomWithABrew]

Do you find whirlpooling in an AIO using a center drain works? I have never tried to whirlpool in it and still get crystal clear beers. Also haven’t noticed the bit of hops mane getting through to make any noticeable taste different (or am I used to it you make me think now haha)

I don't have a centre drain on my system. I think on the US brewzilla thread many do whirlpool.
Gentle whirlpool during the mash helped a lot on my system to balance temperature in the kettle with better mixing. Also has helped by mixing the water / wort between malt pipe and kettle wall.

 

[Davegase]

I don't have a centre drain on my system. I think on the US brewzilla thread many do whirlpool.
Gentle whirlpool during the mash helped a lot on my system to balance temperature in the kettle with better mixing. Also has helped by mixing the water / wort between malt pipe and kettle wall.

The whirlpool is after the boil !
During the mash it's recirculation.
Actually in the gen 4, Kegland don't recommend whirlpooling, although many people still do.
I'm still in two minds about whirlpooling in the gen 4 myself.
In a system that doesn't have a center drain, it does makes sense to whirlpool because the hop matter and trub will accumulate in the centre, (away from the the drainage point).

 

[peterpiper]

Used the whirlpool arm the first few brews, but don't think the built in pump is powerfull enough to create a decent whirlpool on its own. I supplemented with drill degassing paddle, or vigerous stir.
Whirlpool should leave trub (cone) in middle. So on BZg4 wiith centre drain, I guess whirlpool would only be worthwhile on systems with the HED (which I have) where main flow is then around the perimeter.

Have since found that when using hop spider (which is a pain to clean). If i recirculate via spider for a while during cooling (or hopstand), then transferred wort is just as clear as when whirlpooling. So long as I don't pump out the last, maybe 200ml.

Also, as I circulate through my hopspider. It's difficult finding a good time, to put the whirlpool arm in circuit, for sterilising.

Do you find whirlpooling in an AIO using a center drain works? I have never tried to whirlpool in it and still get crystal clear beers. Also haven’t noticed the bit of hops mane getting through to make any noticeable taste different (or am I used to it you make me think now haha)

 

[Mash Monster]

Used the whirlpool arm the first few brews, but don't think the built in pump is powerfull enough to create a decent whirlpool on its own. I supplemented with drill degassing paddle, or vigerous stir.
Whirlpool should leave trub (cone) in middle. So on BZg4 wiith centre drain, I guess whirlpool would only be worthwhile on systems with the HED (which I have) where main flow is then around the perimeter.

Have since found that when using hop spider (which is a pain to clean). If i recirculate via spider for a while during cooling (or hopstand), then transferred wort is just as clear as when whirlpooling. So long as I don't pump out the last, maybe 200ml.

Also, as I circulate through my hopspider. It's difficult finding a good time, to put the whirlpool arm in circuit, for sterilising.

Have you thought about a hop rocket/ missile or hop back ?
I find that I get extra flavour and aroma from the hops without any hops left in the kettle plus the fact it does filter the wort to some extent as well.
Just a thought