To Grainfather or not?!

[MonkeyM]

Hi guys I'm really considering taking the plunge and investing in a a grainfather but I'm a little reluctant due to the price and myself being a bit of a penny pincher makes puts me more in a cuffufle!! Questions I ask

1) I have never brewed an All Grain nor know too much about it, how hard would a GF be for a novice like myself?

2) How good of a beer can I brew using a GF?

3) Long term how much cheaper is this than kit/extract brewing?

Iv been brewing for over a year and done several kits and steeped some grains and used some hops along the way but still a novice.

Any help on my Grainfather issues/queries?


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[Leon103]

Can't answer all of your questions because I don't own one. You can make good beer using any equipment.

AG works out much cheaper than extract - kits can be bought cheap but they are never as nice as grain. Cost comparison is difficult because you need to factor in the cost of buying the grain father.

There do seem to be a couple of good deals out there for them so perhaps now is the time to buy.

 

[TheRedDarren]

I love automated systems, I think they're really good fun to brew with, and they are consistent.
But I would suggest going with a kettle and mash tun to start, purely because you learn so much from doing it this way.
I don't think you can beat a kettle and mash tun for adaptability. What I mean is you can use quite a few different techniques that maybe you couldn't or wouldn't once you have an all in one system. Techniques like parti gyle, decoction mashing, very high gravity.

I've got a BM20 and if it broke down, I'd buy another one tomorrow. But I'm really glad I did a year with a more simple system as I've learnt stuff that you wouldn't learn with an all in one.
The other thing is an all in one is expensive, I don't think they are really value for money in the sense that you'd make it back by making cheap beer. If budget is a consideration, go with a kettle and tun.

 

[Bigjas]

I think it depends on what your after. I have looked at the automated systems and thought to myself, actually, I like my traditional 3 vessel system because I feel more involved with the process. I too am a penny pincher and like to make things if possible. I made my HLT, Mash Tun and boiler for the price of a few decent kits and it works well. I am sure the Grainfather is a very good piece of kit, but I can't justify (afford) the outlay.

Jas

 

[Leon103]

All in ones are also good for limited space.

If I had £600 I would buy a grain father. If I had £1000+ I would buy a fancy SS 3 vessel system.

 

[GermLish]

I love automated systems, I think they're really good fun to brew with, and they are consistent.
But I would suggest going with a kettle and mash tun to start, purely because you learn so much from doing it this way.

Totally agree, however the Grainfather is not an automated system. From My point of view it is a upgraded BIAB Mash tun.

So I decided to start with the ACE Mash tun (100.-), Inkbird controller (27.-) and a solar pump (17.-). You will also need a worth chiller (35.-) and some bits and bobbles for electric/electronic part like 12V power supply for the pump, silicone hose, clamps etc. (another 20 squit).

All together I payed for the same setup similar to the grainfather 199.-. The difference is the ACE uses a bag and it needs a bit of elbow grease plug the stuff together.

BTW: The Grainfather will be upgraded in autum with a new controller so you can use an app and then it will be similar in function to the Speidel Braumeister.

 

[glynb]

I've got a grainy and I find it a great and efficient way of brewing. The brew tastes as good as or better than pub beers.

It's very easy to use as it is more or less an all in one machine with the exception of a sparge water kettle so you'll need one of those.

The basic instructions to use a grainfather are:

1. Get your water up to mash temp.
2. Add grains and other additions (like gypsum if needed).
3. Fit inner plate over grain, turn on pump and leave for however long your mash time is. (At this point I'd be heating my sparge water in the other kettle).
4. Turn off the pump, lift inner sleeve up (you'll see what i mean if you see the youtube videos) and sparge. To save some time whilst sparging I switch the boiler to boil at this point.
5. Bring the wort to a boil, add bittering hops and then just do as the recipe states. If it helps, I'd use a hop sock or spider as the pump can get clogged up easily.
6. With around 30 mins to go, connect up the cooling coil, switch on the pump and run the hot wort through to sterilise it (minimum of 15 mins is a must!)
7. Transfer to an FV..
8. Worse part... The cleaning ceremony.

That's it :thumb:

 

[DoctorMick]

1) It's very, very, very easy to use. The instructions that come with the kit are basic but they're enough to get you through, just have a read about or ask on here for any specifics.

2) Wort production is only part of what makes a good beer but the GF will produce you very good wort.

3) Including the cost of the machine it probably won't work out cheaper for an awful lot of years. Ingredients are cheaper obviously so if you discount your initial investment it's cheaper. You'll be able to produce better beer than with kits tho.

 

[wfr42]

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=63155

Have a look at the above thread.
Lots of us are very happy with a biab AG setup.

 

[Kman]

I've just invested in a 50litre pot with 3 piece tap, temp dial, hop spider and bazooka strainer to get me started for biab, few more bits to get but only £200 plus another £100 for induction hob much cheaper to get me going plus I can add to it and go 3 vessel if I choose. If I had the money to spare I'd of seriously considered the gf

 

[GlentoranMark]

You can brew AG for very little cost (Just follow Clibit's guide).

Around £100 will get you a basic but decent AG set up but I salivate over a Grainfather and I do plan on getting one, cash is the stumbling block

My point is a Grainfather will produce you decent beer but you can also produce it for next to nothing. If you don't know anything about it, maybe try and walk before you can run?

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