Brewzilla Gen 4 - Struggling to get to boil point

[Michael Burnley]

As the title says, it's my first brew with it and I've been trying to get the thing to 100 C for about an hour. I don't have the jacket which I figure I obviously now need, but am I doing something wrong ? Anybody else had a similar problem ?

I've wrapped it in 2 fleece blankets and I've gone from being stuck at 94 c to slowly rising and I'm now at 96.5 c

Thanks

 

[RoomWithABrew]

have a look at the brewzilla 4 thread on homebrewtalk.com

 

[Empty bottle]

That seems strange because you should not need blankets or jackets for a machine to get to boiling point. Generally the insulation jacket is there for during the mash process to save heat escaping and keep it at an even temp not to get it up to boiling point. I have never used a brewzilla but something is wrong if the unit can not reach boiling point under its own steam.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

@Libigage had the same problem - Brewzilla boil off rate

Received my brewzilla last week, haven't done a brew yet but I did a test run. Started with 18 litres, took 33 minutes to get to 68 °C, with lid and pump on.
Added 12 litres and put it up to 100°c. Pump on and lid on. It never hit 100°c only 99°c but had a nice boil at 45 minutes then I turned the 500 watt element off. Boiled for 60 minutes and then tested volume left. I was left with 25.66 litres, so with grain absorbtion what do you think I will be left with. I calibrated my brewzilla and it was pretty much spot on until I got to the top.

 

[Empty bottle]

As the title says, it's my first brew with it and I've been trying to get the thing to 100 C for about an hour. I don't have the jacket which I figure I obviously now need, but am I doing something wrong ? Anybody else had a similar problem ?

I've wrapped it in 2 fleece blankets and I've gone from being stuck at 94 c to slowly rising and I'm now at 96.5 c

Thanks

Can you set the temp higher than 100deg or is that as high as it will go?

 

[Michael Burnley]

Thanks for all the replies, after i wrapped it in the second fleece it did manage to get to 100deg. Maybe I should have stated I brew in an unheated shed, but I was surprised it struggled to get to a boil in the summer, I obviously need to buy the jacket.

Yes I can set the temp higher, I had already noted that problem before brew day and i set it to 105deg.

 

[Empty bottle]

Thanks for all the replies, after i wrapped it in the second fleece it did manage to get to 100deg. Maybe I should have stated I brew in an unheated shed, but I was surprised it struggled to get to a boil in the summer, I obviously need to buy the jacket.

Yes I can set the temp higher, I had already noted that problem before brew day and i set it to 105deg.

So even when its set at 105 deg it still wont boil ? Also a much cheaper way to insulate your pot is to buy a yoga mat and simply cut it to size. I got a 15mm thich one for £7 delivered for my boiler last year and it works brilliant as closed cell foam is a perfect insulator.

 

[Michael Burnley]

So even when its set at 105 deg it still wont boil ? Also a much cheaper way to insulate your pot is to buy a yoga mat and simply cut it to size. I got a 15mm thich one for £7 delivered for my boiler last year and it works brilliant as closed cell foam is a perfect insulator.

Well yes, it did eventually reach boiling point but only when it was wrapped up.

Thanks for the yoga mat tip, I shall look into that, how did you join the seem ?

 

[Empty bottle]

Well yes, it did eventually reach boiling point but only when it was wrapped up.

Thanks for the yoga mat tip, I shall look into that, how did you join the seem ?

glued 3 strips of velcro

 

[Empty bottle]

Snug as a bug in a rug. also used the off cuts to build a wee hat for the lid.

 

[The Baron]

I think there is something not right it should still get to boiling even in a shed and without insulation. I would contacting the supplier unless something is being missed in the settings

 

[Empty bottle]

Well yes, it did eventually reach boiling point but only when it was wrapped up.

Thanks for the yoga mat tip, I shall look into that, how did you join the seem ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14404242...tQgPp/xHpzQm8RzJ2DCFaqF0iCNb|tkp:BFBMptn68rRi
Even yoga mats have soared in price but here is a similar one to mine for under a tenner. Just out of curiosity how much is a brewzilla jacket ? 50-60quid is my guess

 

[Michael Burnley]

I think there is something not right it should still get to boiling even in a shed and without insulation. I would contacting the supplier unless something is being missed in the settings

I shall have a play with it, it is more than likely something I am doing wrong

 

[Michael Burnley]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14404242...tQgPp/xHpzQm8RzJ2DCFaqF0iCNb|tkp:BFBMptn68rRi
Even yoga mats have soared in price but here is a similar one to mine for under a tenner. Just out of curiosity how much is a brewzilla jacket ? 50-60quid is my guess

£21.99 from Angel Homebrew

https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/bre...acket-parka-with-recirculation-arm-cover.html

 

[Michael Burnley]

@Empty bottle do you use insulation to help you achieve boil temp ?

 

[Empty bottle]

@Empty bottle do you use insulation to help you achieve boil temp ?

no i only use it for the mash

 

[Empty bottle]

@Empty bottle do you use insulation to help you achieve boil temp ?

There is obviously a setting or a problem with the element or something because it should reach boiling point very easily on its own without the help of insulation etc even in the freezing cold it should boil without any help.

 

[Empty bottle]

£21.99 from Angel Homebrew

https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/bre...acket-parka-with-recirculation-arm-cover.html

I thought they would have cost more than that but hey ho i would still get a yoga mat and make my own as it will also be much thicker and a greater sense of achievement at engineering your very own thermal jacket for under a tenner. haha

 

[Rodcx500z]

I have a gen 3.1, it has no trouble getting to boil, i brew outside even in winter without insulation, i would contact the manufacturer

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I think there is something not right it should still get to boiling even in a shed and without insulation. I would contacting the supplier unless something is being missed in the settings

I agree i cannot remember any members saying they cannot get to 100C other than in the thread i linked to.