Quick question for any Grainfather owners

[ChrisPDuck]

This may sounds stupid but I think there may be a problem with part of the grainfather I received last week.

The ‘Overflow Inlet’ (part 36 on the 3rd page of their manual) does not fit over the ‘top overflow pipe’ like I believe it should (step 8 on page 8 of the manual)

I assume this is down to a manufacturing defect the ‘top overflow pipe’ feels very slightly oval and there was no way this part could have been damaged during transit.


Can anyone confirm that the overflow inlet should fit onto the overflow pipe and not just kind of balance on the top.

 

[Mungri]

This may sounds stupid but I think there may be a problem with part of the grainfather I received last week.

The ‘Overflow Inlet’ (part 36 on the 3rd page of their manual) does not fit over the ‘top overflow pipe’ like I believe it should (step 8 on page 8 of the manual)

I assume this is down to a manufacturing defect the ‘top overflow pipe’ feels very slightly oval and there was no way this part could have been damaged during transit.


Can anyone confirm that the overflow inlet should fit onto the overflow pipe and not just kind of balance on the top.

It definitely slides over the top, but it's a bit of a tight fit. At least my one is. Hold the pipe and twist as you connect the two together.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

thanks, I did get it on once by twisting. Not something I could do once it's installed in the GF and its a temp!
I the also needed a vice to get it off!

Not the most exciting video you’ll watch today but is this normal

 

[Mungri]

thanks, I did get it on once by twisting. Not something I could do once it's installed in the GF and its a temp!
I the also needed a vice to get it off!

Not the most exciting video you’ll watch today but is this normal

Mine's not that difficult to get on. If you need a vice to remove it that can't be right. Maybe a mail to your supplier is in order.

 

[ITMA]

I've just discovered my caliper's battery is flat, frustrating, but it does look like its that 0.32 on the top pipe that's the problem. Mine is much closer to 16mm and clearly it has to be smaller than the hole in the overflow inlet.

Let's check (sorry) that it's the right pipe - does the other end of have the spring on? If so, it's definitely a manufacturing fault.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Yes it is the pipe with the spring on.
The lower pipe goes inside the top pipe so has a much smaller diameter.

Contacted the supplier who passed my issue onto GF.

got a response within an hour saying it should fit and asking for the serial number. I’ve supplied this so will see what happnes.

 

[Mungri]

Yes it is the pipe with the spring on.
The lower pipe goes inside the top pipe so has a much smaller diameter.

Contacted the supplier who passed my issue onto GF.

got a response within an hour saying it should fit and asking for the serial number. I’ve supplied this so will see what happnes.

I’m sure they’ll sort it out for you. Bit of a pain having to wait though.
I’ve only had my grainfather about six weeks and have brewed with it four times. Must admit it’s difficult getting the overflow onto the pipe when hot.
I suppose it expands with the heat.
I’ve watched some grainfather vids on YouTube and they just seem to slide on no problem. Wonder if they’ve changed the manufacturing process recently ?

 

[ITMA]

Their support is good they'll definitely sort it - you'll get a reply from the local rep (Cheshire if UK) for Bevie who are the real company behind grainfather brand (and loads of others).

Does that overflow inlet actually do much? I suspect you could run a brew without it while you're waiting for replacements.

 

[Tom Kerry]

We have just received one and we have the same issue. We had just assumed this was normal.

Who supplied yours ?

Let us know how you get on.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Where in Cheshire is their rep? (I’m in Chester myself)

Without it more grain and bits would come up from below the top grain plate (as the top overflow pipe is a very loose fit in the hole in the grain plate) so you’d end up with lots of bits in the wort and a very cloudy beer.

I have made 2 batches by balancing it on but it didn’t work very well and I assume I’m in for some very cloudy beer once fermentation completes.

Interesting your is the same Tom. I looked at it for a while before coming to the conclusion something was wrong as it doesn’t ‘look’ faulty (no burs etc) so for a few brews I thought ‘yeah, maybe it is just meant to balance on top like that’

Will report back when I hear front then again

 

[Tom Kerry]

Yeh appreciated. We purchased ours from the malt miller. So I may get in touch with them.

When the parts are cold I can get the inlet on the pipe and just about off, when’s it hot we have got no chance.

 

[Tom Kerry]

Just to report i contacted our supplier and they had one other customer who reported the issue. They stock the spares anyway so didn't hesitate in sending us the two parts straight out. They even checked they fitted together first.

Tom

 

[MyQul]

Where in Cheshire is their rep? (I’m in Chester myself)

Without it more grain and bits would come up from below the top grain plate (as the top overflow pipe is a very loose fit in the hole in the grain plate) so you’d end up with lots of bits in the wort and a very cloudy beer.

I have made 2 batches by balancing it on but it didn’t work very well and I assume I’m in for some very cloudy beer once fermentation completes.

Interesting your is the same Tom. I looked at it for a while before coming to the conclusion something was wrong as it doesn’t ‘look’ faulty (no burs etc) so for a few brews I thought ‘yeah, maybe it is just meant to balance on top like that’

Will report back when I hear front then again

Cant answer you're questions about the equipment as I dont own a GF but wort clarity has no effect on beer clarity. I BIAB and squeeze the bag like it owes me money which makes for very cloudy wort. But my beer is normally very clear

 

[ITMA]

Where in Cheshire is their rep? (I’m in Chester myself)

I think they're based in Ellesmere Port. I think as with Tom, most likely your supplier will replace the part rather than bothering to go to Bevie. Hope its resolved quickly!

 

[Zephyr259]

I'm with MyQul, my bottom plate lets a lot of grain through on some beers and I still get a nice clear pint at the end. A few bits of grain from the gap in the top plate won't hurt, I'd just not bother with the overflow inlet for the time being and set the recirc pipe an inch or so over the top plate. Good luck.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Replacement top pipe (which turned out to be the problem) dropped off at my house by Mark (the grainfather rep) in person. You can’t ask for better than that.
He chucked me a few extra’s as well

 

[ITMA]

I think it was Mark dealt with my problem - really great service!

 

[Slid]

The Overflow Inlet appears to be a slightly different design to mine, which is an older model. The problem you may get without one, as has been referred to above, is not so much cloudy beer at drinking time, but unwanted crud in the boiler at boiling time, which the GF does not like. If stuff sticks to the bottom, it cuts out if you are lucky enough to have this issue, or overheats and starts to go into melt down - literal meltdown, as opposed to the over-reaction of a hormonally imbalanced family member. (Typically female in my experience).

A GF cut-out is easy to deal with, but a time consuming nuisance that really needs a BIAB bag to sort. You just bale the contents of the stalled GF into a bag lined fermenter, or the sparge water heater, etc. Then clean out the GF, give its boil plate a good clean and polish, remember to re-set the cut-out button underneath, and then bale back the strained wort into the GF and continue as if nothing had happened, over and above the effluxion of time and the inevitable cooling of the wort.

 

[ITMA]

A GF cut-out is easy to deal with, but a time consuming nuisance that really needs a BIAB bag to sort. You just bale the contents of the stalled GF into a bag lined fermenter, or the sparge water heater, etc. Then clean out the GF, give its boil plate a good clean and polish, remember to re-set the cut-out button underneath, and then bale back the strained wort into the GF and continue as if nothing had happened, over and above the effluxion of time and the inevitable cooling of the wort.

Good to see proper advice on GF cut outs here. I've lost count the number on the GF facebook group who've said "stupid design to have the reset switch underneath! I've removed the cut off and the thermal fuse by twisting the wires together and I've never had an "issue" since". Feckin ejits. I bet they've got tin foil in place of their circuit breakers too.

 

[Norfolk79]

Good to see proper advice on GF cut outs here. I've lost count the number on the GF facebook group who've said "stupid design to have the reset switch underneath! I've removed the cut off and the thermal fuse by twisting the wires together and I've never had an "issue" since". Feckin ejits. I bet they've got tin foil in place of their circuit breakers too.

Health and safety I’m sure. If they didn’t have that there would always be that one thick person who switched it on without water, burnt their house down and then sue iMake for damages.