Brewzilla Gen4 Timer?

[Tony Dyer]

I've just done my first brew with my new shiny G4. Seemed to go well. I used the 'top plate' when mashing and it all got a bit squashed and I had to dip my hands in to remove the plate so I could loosen it all up. No problem, I won't use it next time except possibly when sparging.

One thing that really is bugging me though: alright, two things - the RAPT app is crap, not enough room here to explain how bad it is but I already hate it. The other is that the controller needs a timer so you can for instanbce set a mash temp of 68 degrees and get an alarm after 60 minutes. You only seem to be able to do this in a profile via the app (see above).

Am I missing something?

 

[Twostage]

I've just done my first brew with my new shiny G4. Seemed to go well. I used the 'top plate' when mashing and it all got a bit squashed and I had to dip my hands in to remove the plate so I could loosen it all up. No problem, I won't use it next time except possibly when sparging.

One thing that really is bugging me though: alright, two things - the RAPT app is ****, not enough room here to explain how bad it is but I already hate it. The other is that the controller needs a timer so you can for instanbce set a mash temp of 68 degrees and get an alarm after 60 minutes. You only seem to be able to do this in a profile via the app (see above).

Am I missing something?

I don't think so. By app do you mean on the mobile ? The website is better.

BTW I've created some simple profiles including mash which has a timer and alerts. Log into the RAPT portal go to profiles then search profiles and put in HBF. It should show the profiles I've made public. Download the mash one and then send it to your BZ. You can then edit it (different mash length and temperature) and save them and your BZ will download your latest edit.

 

[Tony Dyer]

I don't think so. By app do you mean on the mobile ? The website is better.

BTW I've created some simple profiles including mash which has a timer and alerts. Log into the RAPT portal go to profiles then search profiles and put in HBF. It should show the profiles I've made public. Download the mash one and then send it to your BZ. You can then edit it (different mash length and temperature) and save them and your BZ will download your latest edit.

Yes, I do mean the mobile, and yes your right, using the website on a laptop is easier. However the mobile is handier. I used a profile for my first brew. I think I loaded it onto the BZ from the laptop and didn't get any alarms on my phone, although I'd programmed them in. I understand that a bit of practice will help, but it still seems daft that you can't set a time along with the temparature on the console.

 

[Twostage]

Yes, I do mean the mobile, and yes your right, using the website on a laptop is easier. However the mobile is handier. I used a profile for my first brew. I think I loaded it onto the BZ from the laptop and didn't get any alarms on my phone, although I'd programmed them in. I understand that a bit of practice will help, but it still seems daft that you can't set a time along with the temparature on the console.

Agreed. You should also be able to create and edit profiles on it too.

Actually I struggle to get the mobile app to load. I just get the dreaded twirly. I do get notifications though.

 

[Tony Dyer]

Agreed. You should also be able to create and edit profiles on it too.

Actually I struggle to get the mobile app to load. I just get the dreaded twirly. I do get notifications though.

That's interesting, I had the same problem getting the app to run on my phone. I uninstalled it and reinstalled it several times and then just left it for a few days and next time it worked.

 

[peterpiper]

The android 'app', interface, seems to actually open an interface via a browser. Advantage of app, for me, is being able to receive RAPT 'profile' alerts on my phone (eg when step temperature reached.
nb. A RAPT 'profile' is the name used by BZ, for a brew program step sequence.

I find extra screen space on the direct Web interface (viewed on PC), gives a much clearer picture of programme steps than a small phone screen. Though app on a decent sized tablet, is nearly as good.
The android app interface, seems prone to crashing (I also use phone mostly for alerts). Whether alerts function, seems dependant on android version.

Big thing, I don't like about 'profiles', is that there's no way to view or share, a complete program. You have to expand each individual steps, Details or Alerts, to view each part.
The RAPT developer forum responds to suggestions, but I haven't seen any suggestions implemented yet.

None of my profiles use a timed step.
I prefer to use a manual timer, started when I finish dough in, or recieve temperature alert. Adjusted to suit each recipies times for mash steps and boil/ hop additions.
This way, I just need one profile for each temperature sequence, rather than duplicating it for every different mash step duration and hop addition time.
eg: Beta-glucan 45 profile:
Strike 48°C ■ Beta-glucan rest 45°C Beta-amylase rest 63°C ■ Alpha-amylase rest 71°C ■ Mash out 77°C; ■ Boil ■ Cool (with alert at 25°C).

Most steps are set to end when 'I push a button on the device'. Other than 'Strike' step, which ends when the target is reached.
Each step alert temperature is usually a little below the target, eg Boil step target 105, alert at 100.

Cool step, started by button push, after my manual boil timer finishes, is when i start water through chiller coil.
Step alert at 25C. By the time I stop chill water, mash will be around 23C (my typical ferment temp).

By putting a final step target of 0°C, at next power on the target will still be 0°C. So avoiding any chance of a dry overheat later, during cleaning etc.