Home Brewing / Micro Brewery / My own beer

[GAD]

What's your opinions of the GrainFather?

I'm seriously considering buying one and where would I get the best service and price.

I'm a beginner brewer and want everything but must kill one monster at a time.

Got the fermenters, hydrometer, bottling wand, swingcap bottles, capper, caps, no rinse sanitizers and and and....most of the basics.

Now to prioritise...
First to get the GrainFather.
Then get into kegging.
Then lastly build a Keezer.

Any recommendations for the noob will be highly appreciated.

And lastly any good cider recipes for the wify.

Mangrove Jacks seem to be hard to get in my region.

I'm still working my way through the forum to educate myself as much as possible.

But I'm itching to get a Grainfather because of the convenience.

 

[Dimpie (COMPUTEK)]

What's your opinions of the GrainFather?

I'm seriously considering buying one and where would I get the best service and price.

I'm a beginner brewer and want everything but must kill one monster at a time.

Got the fermenters, hydrometer, bottling wand, swingcap bottles, capper, caps, no rinse sanitizers and and and....most of the basics.

Now to prioritise...
First to get the GrainFather.
Then get into kegging.
Then lastly build a Keezer.

Any recommendations for the noob will be highly appreciated.

And lastly any good cider recipes for the wify.

Mangrove Jacks seem to be hard to get in my region.

I'm still working my way through the forum to educate myself as much as possible.

But I'm itching to get a Grainfather because of the convenience.

See specials here >https://benonibrew.co.za/collections/all

That BB45 for R8,000 is a steal

 

[JSparrow]

Very nice!

 

[GAD]

See specials here >https://benonibrew.co.za/collections/all

That BB45 for R8,000 is a steal

Yes it is but I heard that these products are not as good as the GrainFather.

Pumps packing up just after 3 brews.

Think I will rather fork out the extra moola for better peace of mind.

But thanx anyways for the info.

 

[JSparrow]

The new Grainfather is not as reliable as previous models according to some reviews.

I don't know how true it is. I still use a bucket.

 

[JSparrow]

And Mangrove Jacks is distributed by Brewcraft. They are also the only LHBS that has not received any stock since lockdown ended. I ask questions on their numerous adds on Facebook and I get **** all replies. It is really starting to piss me off.

In short, make sure you can get parts if needed .

 

[GAD]

Yes the larger G70 I think is the problem child.

 

[SukkaFoo]

Yes the larger G70 I think is the problem child.

Depending where you are why don't you see if there are some brewers in your area who have them to chat to about how they find them? Can probably ask your lhbs if they can reach out to some owners.

Personally I've not got one but the guys I know who have them seem to love them

 

[Toxxyc]

Yes it is but I heard that these products are not as good as the GrainFather.

Pumps packing up just after 3 brews.

Think I will rather fork out the extra moola for better peace of mind.

But thanx anyways for the info.

I would rather buy two 45l BenoniBrews than one 20l grainfather. They are great. Essentially rebranded Demacrafts. And they come with a local warranty.

 

[Went_For_Beer]

What's your opinions of the GrainFather?

I'm seriously considering buying one and where would I get the best service and price.

I'm a beginner brewer and want everything but must kill one monster at a time.

Got the fermenters, hydrometer, bottling wand, swingcap bottles, capper, caps, no rinse sanitizers and and and....most of the basics.

Now to prioritise...
First to get the GrainFather.
Then get into kegging.
Then lastly build a Keezer.

Any recommendations for the noob will be highly appreciated.

And lastly any good cider recipes for the wify.

Mangrove Jacks seem to be hard to get in my region.

I'm still working my way through the forum to educate myself as much as possible.

But I'm itching to get a Grainfather because of the convenience.

I have a Grainfather G30 and love it. I even have the add on reflux still. Best thing I did for my brewing was getting one

 

[SukkaFoo]

I would rather buy two 45l BenoniBrews than one 20l grainfather. They are great. Essentially rebranded Demacrafts. And they come with a local warranty.

I'm not sure I'd put that much value on a local warranty for a company that's existed for like 6 months? That being said brewcraft aren't exactly showering themselves in glory re their service either.

 

[Toxxyc]

Exactly. At least with the BB you know if the pump breaks, you spent R8k and not R20k like with the Grainfather. Seriously. That thing is worth every cent, if you ask me. You can't even build your own for that money.

 

[GrootP]

Not exactly beer. But beer related. I bake as well and cultured some sourdough starter with a dash of midbust kveik and I have been growing the starter the last week (I make true sourdough with a 5 year old starter this was just an experiment) and baked this today!

Feedback on taste according to my wife one of the best loaves I have ever baked. Success!

View attachment 956279

Please share your recipe!

 

[GAD]

I have a Grainfather G30 and love it. I even have the add on reflux still. Best thing I did for my brewing was getting one

The GrainFather is my dream machine because of the reflux still and copper dome for distilling so it's a one stop all in one machine BUT at a hefty price tag for everything.

But the quality is just great.

You guys inputs are highly appreciated.

But those add-ons will have to come much much later on after the kegging and the keezer.

 

[SukkaFoo]

There's a really nice PID controller (smartpid.com) that you can fit to those white label breweries (dematech, benonibrew, etc). This then integrates it into brewfather

 

[Dimpie (COMPUTEK)]

Yes it is but I heard that these products are not as good as the GrainFather.

Pumps packing up just after 3 brews.

Think I will rather fork out the extra moola for better peace of mind.

But thanx anyways for the info.

Mind backing this up with links ?

IF it's bad, we all want to know(read facts) about it ??

 

[Snyper564]

Please share your recipe!

Just make your own starter

No-Knead Everyday Sourdough Bread

Every baker needs an all-purpose, go-to loaf in their repertoire. And if you're new to sourdough, this recipe for no-knead everyday sourdough bread is the perfect place to start.

www.baked-theblog.com

 

[GAD]

Mind backing this up with links ?

IF it's bad, we all want to know(read facts) about it ??

Nope...sorry...no links.

Just word of mouth from local brewers.

Thus the reason for me being sceptic about it.

But if chaps on this forum that owns one can make it out as bull then I'm willing to hear them out.

 

[MrR]

@GAD, have you invested in fermentation setup, specifically temperature control?

Boiler is great for minimizing the effort on brew day but the outcome of brewing comes with the fermentation and the right level of temperature, at the right time.

If you haven't already, invest in temp control first, whether it be a repurposed fridge/ freezer or purpose-built temp controlled fermenter (GF, SS Brewtech, Spike).

You'll have a better end product, open doors to new recipes (lagering/ cold crashing) and also year-round fermentation at stable temps.

Next investment could go into kegerator/ keezer (Real On Tap, Keg Solutions, Brew Craft, Brew Keg Tap) to store & serve end product (and because bottling en masse sucks) and then grain mill (because buying grain in bulk is better and you'll inevitably build your own recipes), yeast starter equipment and finally, a boiler. I'm sure I'll get flak for the order.

As for boilers, I'm biased towards G30 because I have one and it's worked well for me for a long time.

The Dematech is a rebranded Brewzilla; not that there's nothing wrong with that. Have brewed on the Dematech 60l before and it operates exactly the same as the GF without issue. Dema has a stronger element (given that it needs to boil 60l and not 30l), so everything gets up to temp much quicker. The pumps on the Dema and GF could do with more power. My acquaintance that owns the Dema has done 10+ brews, without any issue.

Do prefer the GF counterflow to the Dema immersion chiller given efficiency of cooling; you can build your own one with relative "ease" or purchase separately. Counterflow also works great for transferring wort to fermenter. No need to siphon or gravity feed to the fermenter. You'll need to attach tubing to the Dema's whirlpool arm before flame out to do similar type of transfer. Only negative about the counterflow (which is true for any counterflow) is the hassle of cleaning it. Bicycle pump, couple of CO2 bursts or beer line cleaner does the trick eventually.

There are multiple reports on social media that the G70 has taken a dip in build quality, with bad weld spots, inaccurate temp controller and an underpowered element. Don't know if this also filters down to the current G30's being built as well.

 

[GAD]

@GAD, have you invested in fermentation setup, specifically temperature control?

Boiler is great for minimizing the effort on brew day but the outcome of brewing comes with the fermentation and the right level of temperature, at the right time.

If you haven't already, invest in temp control first, whether it be a repurposed fridge/ freezer or purpose-built temp controlled fermenter (GF, SS Brewtech, Spike).

You'll have a better end product, open doors to new recipes (lagering/ cold crashing) and also year-round fermentation at stable temps.

Next investment could go into kegerator/ keezer (Real On Tap, Keg Solutions, Brew Craft, Brew Keg Tap) to store & serve end product (and because bottling en masse sucks) and then grain mill (because buying grain in bulk is better and you'll inevitably build your own recipes), yeast starter equipment and finally, a boiler. I'm sure I'll get flak for the order.

As for boilers, I'm biased towards G30 because I have one and it's worked well for me for a long time.

The Dematech is a rebranded Brewzilla; not that there's nothing wrong with that. Have brewed on the Dematech 60l before and it operates exactly the same as the GF without issue. Dema has a stronger element (given that it needs to boil 60l and not 30l), so everything gets up to temp much quicker. The pumps on the Dema and GF could do with more power. My acquaintance that owns the Dema has done 10+ brews, without any issue.

Do prefer the GF counterflow to the Dema immersion chiller given efficiency of cooling; you can build your own one with relative "ease" or purchase separately. Counterflow also works great for transferring wort to fermenter. No need to siphon or gravity feed to the fermenter. You'll need to attach tubing to the Dema's whirlpool arm before flame out to do similar type of transfer. Only negative about the counterflow (which is true for any counterflow) is the hassle of cleaning it. Bicycle pump, couple of CO2 bursts or beer line cleaner does the trick eventually.

There are multiple reports on social media that the G70 has taken a dip in build quality, with bad weld spots, inaccurate temp controller and an underpowered element. Don't know if this also filters down to the current G30's being built as well.

this is why I am such a big MyBB fan.

This is such an informative post and I thank you for it.

You are spot on with the temp control and I definitely need to invest in something because this is my first summer brewing and I foresee problems if I don't.

Winter my brews came out great but my last blond ale after a week of bottle conditioning has a bit of a slight sourly metal off flavour that I am sure was the result of fermenting at too high room temperatures. Do you think that slight off taste will disappear with a bit of aging?

The GrainFather is my first choice.
But first, like you said...I must rather start with the temperature control and progress from there to the other "must haves"

I should have started this hobby much earlier... it's a hobby AND you can DRINK it