The Bulldog Brewer

[Damofto]

I had considered that allright but it looks like there are sections cut out of it for the control panel and maybe some of the other fittings as well so it wouldn't be perfect. A homemade jobbie might be just as good.

[Will_D]

Maybe I shouls have a look.

This what I did to a Grainfather:

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,9390.msg134563.html#msg134563

[Damofto]

Thanks very much Will, I'm not sure when I'd be out your neck of the woods though.

That job looks fantastic, what material did you use and did it make much of a difference with your mashing/boiling? The Bulldog should be quite straightforward to do with just the handles and tap to worry about.

[Will_D]

There are 3 layers of the 2mm aluminised radiator foam under the SS outer wrapper.

Big difference to times etc. Whereas a boiling GF outside SS temp is like 100C+ my system is more like 35C.

Much safer and more energy efficient.

Oh BTW don't ever put the glass lid on  a GF (even if not insulated) when doing the boil.

[Damofto]

Brilliant Thanks Will, I will look into doing something similar.

[Will_D]

There are 3 layers of the 2mm aluminised radiator foam under the SS outer wrapper.

Big difference to times etc. Whereas a boiling GF outside SS temp is like 100C+ my system is more like 35C.

Much safer and more energy efficient.

Oh BTW don't ever put the glass lid on  a GF (even if not insulated) when doing the boil.

[Damofto]

A few guys have been asking about a Beersmith profile for the Bulldog, below is what I have come up with after 4 brews.

You can add a new equipment profile by going to Profiles then equipment.

My batch size is 23 litres and I have set the brewhouse efficiency at 80% which gives a mash efficiency of around 88%. I boil on the 1800w setting so the boiloff rate is calculated based on that



The next thing I changed was the mash profile, and I'm using the Temperature mash, 1 step.  Again these can by accessed by going to profiles the Mash Profiles, you will see that there are 3 profiles; Full, Light & Medium body.  There are also 2 step but I'm not sure when you would use those.  Below is my Medium body profile



I changed the water to grain ratio on each of these to 3.80l/kg, you can do this by double clicking on the Saccharification line which will bring up another screen.



I think that's everything, hopefully it will help to get some of you started anyway.

[auralabuse]

I think that's everything, hopefully it will help to get some of you started anyway.
[/quote]
Fair play to ya

[TonyC]

Thanks. Nice job

Sent from my ONE E1003 using Tapatalk

[BrewDorg]

Is the boiloff really 4L p/h?! On my own similar sized system, my 2.5kW element @ 75% will boil off around 2L p/h. I wonder why it's so much more on the Bulldog.

[Dr Brown Ale]

thanks for those settings.

[Damofto]

thanks for those settings.

No problem, let me know if you think anything is wrong, I'm no pro on Beersmith or anything.

[Damofto]

Is the boiloff really 4L p/h?! On my own similar sized system, my 2.5kW element @ 75% will boil off around 2L p/h. I wonder why it's so much more on the Bulldog.

I think so, that was my estimate before my last brew and I was very close with my target volume and gravities.  It is quite a vigorous boil even at 1800w, more experimentation is needed though. I just installed the 20L Braumeister profile there for a look and boil off is set at 4.260 l p/h, my old 3kw Burco type boiler used to boil off around 5 litres as well.

[auralabuse]

https://youtu.be/2Tg8j7arn4w

[Will_D]

Whoever made that video:

Loose the "music" and maybe add a commentary!