Klarstein

[Horners]

I noticed today that their 30L Maischfest mash kettle is only £169.99 ATM (cheaper than the 25L version).

If you are procrastinating, now is the time

https://www.klarstein.co.uk/?cl=det...&varselid[0]=e018b9aa17e376b75cf41801365023a5

 

[the_quick]

am I right to think that only difference to other system of that kind, this one doesn't have circulation pump?

 

[crowcrow]

Just came here to say the same thing. Don't forget you get a £10 discount for signing up to the newsletter - just pulled the trigger and bought one. Can't wait to try my first all grain. I better order some malt and hops... Hum. What to brew first!

 

[crowcrow]

Also - had a 'how to guide' written here for me - https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...-how-to-guide-for-the-klarstein-system.82410/

 

[crowcrow]

am I right to think that only difference to other system of that kind, this one doesn't have circulation pump?

The pump is the key difference, but it also has a mildly different internal layout. From what I can see this is closer to a 'metal brew in a bag' set up.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Saw this last night and was tempted, can a pump be fitted and if so how hard would it be

 

[crowcrow]

My friend has this set up and fit a water pump to the tap. He said this was simple and cheap to do. I assume there are threads or posts about doing this, but I've not looked into it myself.

 

[crowcrow]

Also - for those considering buying, note that the price wobbles a lot, just last week it was back to £210 for the 30lt one. If you miss this it will be cheap again, just a matter of when!

 

[PeterB]

I purchased the 25l (which is a bit too small) with a view to adding a pump for recirc. The trouble I found was the heater controller is nowhere near accurate enough, it reaches the temperature you set then turns off and falls 3 deg C then turns back on and reaches the temperature you want, then falls 3 deg, etc, etc. So if recirculating your mash, you would have a less consistent temperature than using a lagged mash tun - I lose 1 deg C over a 60 min mash in my cooler box mash tun and lots of lagging.

Also, because of the constant varying temperature and the tall thin nature of it and the sensor being at the very bottom, it makes it tricky (but not impossible) to get the mash to be the temperature you want it to be, even if you are not trying to recirc. Stir lots, have a separate thermometer, etc.

I am back to a 3 tier system, with the Klarstein as the boiler (which you need to set to 103 deg C) but I am setup for recirculating with a pump, plumbing, etc, so may try and replace the Klarstein controller with a PID - either external or built in. With a PID level of accuracy it may be a very different story.

Also, the all-in-one systems with pump come with a separate sheet of metal gauze for the top of the mash and a pipe in the middle to allow water to overflow down into the base, if the water doesn't flow through the mash fast enough.

 

[crowcrow]

All version, are currently £219.99 - sure will be down again soon

 

[Rodcx500z]

Yeah just seen that, I may be tempted to go for the 35 liter at that price

 

[crowcrow]

Note for those considering buying the 30l version, the 'max fill' line inside is actually at 27 litres. 30 litres is to the top of the kettle and while I can see that you could consider fitting that amount in there, there is no way you'd want to boil that in there.

Should be fine for the brews I have planned, but I was expecting it to be 30l to the max fill line.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Crowcrow thanks for posting this, the brew I have today is for 19l in the fv total water for boiling is 27.5l, that max line is close to the top as well, that's with software set for no chill if I uncheck that its 26l, looking were that line is its close, might adjust down to 17l happy brewing

 

[crowcrow]

 

[Rodcx500z]

I just measured mine with water yep 27l to the line, doesn't leave a lot of room for the boil even more so when you chuck the hops in, will give it ago see how I get on

 

[Dads_Ale]

The last brew I put 29 litres into the klarstein. 27 in initially to get a rolling boil using 3 kw element then turn down to 1.5 and add a couple more litres.
I have found tat adding some insulation around the outside means the 1.5 setting can maintain a rolling boil.
Be careful with the temp on the display as this can lag behind on the 3kw setting and you can get a boil over.