Klarstein first date

[chrissyr63]

So today I used my new Klarstein 30l recirculation system.
Decided to do a Kolsch (based on GH recipe but with hops I had).

4kg Lager malt
0.5kg Carapils

Hops went a bit funny as by my list (which I try and keep up-to-date!) I had some Hallertauer hops but the label had broken down so couldn't see any info other than 'Hall'. So went with

50g Styrian golding 4% @ 70 mins for 22 IBU (not noble but should bitter)
30g Hallertaur (guess 3-4%) @ 5 mins
25g Saaz 2.2% added @ 80c and steeped 20 mins

Then chilled - used my old diy copper immersion chiller and run the pump through the middle. Down to 19c after about 30 mins which is better than previous attempts. The small bazooka they provide for the tap seemed to clog pretty quickly so might have to look at what to do there (although used all the hops (pellet and leaf) in bags so maybe try loose next time).

Pitched at 19 with CML Kolsch yeast (rehydrated) and into the fridge set at 18c. Will leave for 2 weeks or so then crash.

Issues/learnings:
When I added the grain I initially went for a 3 to 1 ratio so 4.5*3=13.5lt (actually went for 15lts) but then was really dry mash and realised there is a 'sump' under the grain basket - ended up adding about 17lt - will play with this mix ratio.

Then I tried to set up an auto schedule but had to just use manual steps to do the
60 min mash at 65c
10 min mashout at 75c
70 min boil.
Probably just me getting use to system. (Had play after the brew and think I might understand it a bit better now).

Did notice the temp was out by -1c from my usual thermometer so not sure if I need to recalibrate it (tried this with the - and + held down but didn't seem to work - again maybe me not understanding yet so will play with it outside of a brew).
Again probably just my assumptions but I assumed you would set up a schedule and the machine would work through but it beeps and you have to press for the next step - can you set it to auto move to the next step?

Good things:
well 21lt @1.053 from 4.5kg came out at 80% in brewers friend.

So mostly went well and look forward to the next brew.

Water was all Devon so very soft, added half campden tablet.
Tsp gypsum added pre boil.
Protafloc tab at 15 min
Tbl spoon of yeast nutrition at 5 min.

And my last question is insulation - is there one available or what else fits? On mt old system I used a camping map so do people just cut one to fit?

Sorry for the ramblings!

 

[samale]

I have been looking at one for ages. I would like the 50 litre version but I need to spend the funds getting my garage sorted first. How did you brew before

 

[samale]

Some good videos on you tube on how to set up the schedule and to calibrate for temp

 

[chrissyr63]

Yes have watched the videos - wanting to get to the end so just did the easiest option ie went manual.
When I played with it afterwards with just some water all went well.
Have previously been using electric boiler (but the element is faulty), and a cooler box as the mashtun. So the recirculation is the new bit - is nice to see the wort so clear at the end of the mash.
Need to work out all my mash water levels and losses again.

 

[foxy]

If you got -1 I would be leaving it alone, when you calibrate you need to put the thermometer near the temperature probe, that is the source of the reading on the screen. The alarm and marking time on auto is a must if you are doing other things, if you are hovering around the kettle throughout the brew it makes no difference. My 40 litre is the old model and a couple the nights before brewday I have had a nightmare that I had missed the changeover from mash to boil. Forget the ratios of grain to liquor, you are recirculating do whatever suits you best. For me it is full volume of water to the grain, but one will have to extend the return pipe with some silicone tube to keep it above the water level.
There are insulation jackets, and well worth the money, also if you are handy on the tools you can knock up a hood very easily.