Brewzilla Gen 4 advice and experiences

[tondy79]

thanks .... maybe use rice husk ?

I think that would be useful when using the grain basket (with a finer crush, or with more wheat etc), but the issue I had with the bag was not a "stuck mash" so to speak, but rather the holes in the bag getting plugged and not allowing liquid to escape.

I was experimenting with the bags more for quick clean up / clearer wort type of reasons rather than any recirculation or sparging issue with the Brewzilla, so for me the experiment outcome was that took much more time to deal with the bag than it did to clean the grain basket, and that the beer drops clear in the end in any case!

 

[Barone]

I think that would be useful when using the grain basket (with a finer crush, or with more wheat etc), but the issue I had with the bag was not a "stuck mash" so to speak, but rather the holes in the bag getting plugged and not allowing liquid to escape.

I was experimenting with the bags more for quick clean up / clearer wort type of reasons rather than any recirculation or sparging issue with the Brewzilla, so for me the experiment outcome was that took much more time to deal with the bag than it did to clean the grain basket, and that the beer drops clear in the end in any case!

In my case I would be using it to avoid clogging the tap and the pump

 

[tondy79]

In my case I would be using it to avoid clogging the tap and the pump

Sure... I've not had that issue really. I have once had to blow back through the pump with a little length of tubing into the recirculation arm, but it seems to have been more or less a one off for me. I think there has been various advice on this, but the biggest thing for me has been to not turn off the pump whilst the recirculation arm is still dipped into the mash/liquid, as it then draws back liquid (potentially with bits of grain or hops) down back to the pump.

 

[Davegase]

In my case I would be using it to avoid clogging the tap and the pump

Up to now I've never had that problem

 

[MashBag]

Can I make BIAB in the Brewzilla gen 4 automatic pan ? Would the grain bag be inside or outside the malt basket?

Just why?

On the topic of grain bags @Barone, I have tried it both ways. Inside the basket was a better experience than outside, but even with a good quality 400 micron brew bag draining the bag was slow and frustrating. What would you be trying to achieve by going "Brew In A Bag" as opposed to "Brew In A Basket"?

IME 400 micron is to fine for anything brewing. 800 is plenty fine enough.

Couple of thoughts based on experiences.

We worry too much about grains/trub getting through to ferment. At the real cost of good, thorough circulation in the mash.

Grains/trub getting out, does not negatively affect final beer quality & taste for ale.

In fact I suspect (&proved to my satisfaction) that quite the opposite is true. A little is actually beneficial.

But everyone pedals there own bike.

 

[Barone]

Just why?




IME 400 micron is to fine for anything brewing. 800 is plenty fine enough.

Couple of thoughts based on experiences.

We worry too much about grains/trub getting through to ferment. At the real cost of good, thorough circulation in the mash.

Grains/trub getting out, does not negatively affect final beer quality & taste for ale.

In fact I suspect (&proved to my satisfaction) that quite the opposite is true. A little is actually beneficial.

But everyone pedals there own bike.

...... I want to try BIAB to solve the problem of clogged taps and pumps.

 

[MashBag]

Normal reason for clogging isn't that some fluff in the wort, it normally that pipe work is restricted somewhere and it gets caught.

So...
Are all taps top and bottom full bore?
Are there any hard turns in the pipes?

Let's not forget manufacturers will change suppliers and not notice (or gaf) if the quality of a component is compromised.

Can the taps be improved / replaced / removed all together?

 

[Rodcx500z]

Perhaps better to take it to the Brexit thread and keep this thread for Brewzilla Gen 4 advice and experiences

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/brexit-thread.105203/


On the topic of grain bags @Barone, I have tried it both ways. Inside the basket was a better experience than outside, but even with a good quality 400 micron brew bag draining the bag was slow and frustrating. What would you be trying to achieve by going "Brew In A Bag" as opposed to "Brew In A Basket"?

I agree entirely, but some folks just can't let go and it ain't me

 

[Brew_DD2]

I agree entirely, but some folks just can't let go and it ain't me

You replied to a post that I made nearly a month ago. One in which I replied to a post about Kegland opening a warehouse in the EU, hoping that would make the prices reduce. It was entirely in-keeping with that topic to mention that our post-brexit agreement with Europe means that it's very unlikely it will reduce prices.

That's just an acknowledgement of reality.

 

[tondy79]

Well @Rodcx500z and @Brew_DD2 , I guess the proof will be in the european brewzilla pudding.

Sounds delicious, hey


@MashBag; that's a good point about the routing. On the gen 4 you dont need to remove anything to check the tubing in and around the pump so probably a worthwhile idea @Barone to turn your brewzilla upside down and make sure there are no obvious kinks or restrictions in the short pieces of tubing that lead to and from the pump and tap.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Why keep harping on about brexit it's done and dusted and won't change, better to get on and look forward, living in the past helps nobody

 

[Rodcx500z]

Well @Rodcx500z and @Brew_DD2 , I guess the proof will be in the european brewzilla pudding.

Sounds delicious, hey


@MashBag; that's a good point about the routing. On the gen 4 you dont need to remove anything to check the tubing in and around the pump so probably a worthwhile idea @Barone to turn your brewzilla upside down and make sure there are no obvious kinks or restrictions in the short pieces of tubing that lead to and from the pump and tap.

Agreed' must be cheaper shipping one from Europe than Austrailia

 

[Brew_DD2]

Why keep harping on about brexit it's done and dusted and won't change, better to get on and look forward, living in the past helps nobody

It's not the past though if only it was. The consequences were and are relevant to the post I was replying to and are very much relevant today and into the future. We don't have the same advantages of free trade, so Kegland's expansion will see more of their products reach our shores, but prices are likely to be the same or higher.

 

[Brew_DD2]

Agreed' must be cheaper shipping one from Europe than Austrailia

China. You'd think so, but (say it quietly) we no longer have frictionless trade with the EU.

 

[6Trails]

Does anyone know if/how you can calibrate the Bluetooth RAPT thermometer? Even when it's connected to the brewzilla, changing the calibration points 1 and 2 seems to only affect the built-in one in the bottom of the unit.

 

[tondy79]

I don't think this is possible. Its not referenced in the manual, and I haven't seen any threads or videos on the topic.

 

[Rodcx500z]

China. You'd think so, but (say it quietly) we no longer have frictionless trade with the EU.

The Eu is just a dinosaur and like them will die just like they did, as a Country we are more than capable of looking after ourself, i once left a club but i didn't have to pay an exit fee nor did i have to pay other members who were less well off, sorry guys this will be my last post on this matter in this thread

 

[MashBag]

I don't think this is possible. Its not referenced in the manual, and I haven't seen any threads or videos on the topic.

It is possible. I have a calibration device in my kitchen.
Hold the pill at waist height, press the footpedal on the calibrator. Release the pill into the calibrator.
Now its calibrated you will make much better beer.

 

[Twostage]

It is possible. I have a calibration device in my kitchen.
Hold the pill at waist height, press the footpedal on the calibrator. Release the pill into the calibrator.
Now its calibrated you will make much better beer.

Reminds me on the bit in the farmhouse brewing book that says “if you are not happy with the temperature of your mash move your thermometer until you get a reading you like”.

 

[Davegase]

It is possible. I have a calibration device in my kitchen.
Hold the pill at waist height, press the footpedal on the calibrator. Release the pill into the calibrator.
Now its calibrated you will make much better beer.

The question was nothing to do with the pill !
It was about the Bluetooth thermometer used during the mash