thinking about upgrading to one of these but don't know which one.
which one would youhave or which one do you have
Grainfather.
or a bulldog brewer.
The GF is a solid buy. The counter flow chiller is the balls. I've not used a Bulldog but I have been around someone who was using it and I would still go with the GF
Having seen both in action, its a straight financial decision and depends "how much she loves you"
Quote from: CH on January 16, 2017, 08:47:39 AM
Having seen both in action, its a straight financial decision and depends "how much she loves you"
Is "old toilet cistern" an answer?
Quote from: irish_goat on January 16, 2017, 08:52:04 AM
Quote from: CH on January 16, 2017, 08:47:39 AM
Having seen both in action, its a straight financial decision and depends "how much she loves you"
Is "old toilet cistern" an answer?
What you do in the privacy of your own home...
Having seen both,the grainfather is a better build and design.
Quote from: DEMPSEY on January 16, 2017, 09:45:49 AM
Having seen both,the grainfather is a better build and design.
But if you are on a budget both will get you there :D :P
I've the bulldog and it's good and easy to use. But there is a fair few kinks to be worked out by the manufacturer to make it GF quality. Plus rumors on the internet that bulldog v3 is going to be closer to the GF but cheaper. I've seen vids of an ACE brewer online that maybe you should consider too.
I would go for a grainfather, better pump and chiller. The ace brewer looks good of as well, same pump as the gf but no chiller. It's 325 gbp on ebay
I was in the same position a few weeks ago. I went with the grandfather. It's a fantastic machine and it seems like the customer service etc is really solid!
Quote from: CH on January 16, 2017, 08:47:39 AM
Having seen both in action, its a straight financial decision and depends "how much she loves you"
her in doors like a glass or two of homebrew and said just go for the one like the best
so now which one do I like the best
I have a GF and think it's the dogs. Also I wouldn't be without the CF chiller
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Quote from: armedcor on January 16, 2017, 04:23:47 PM
I went with the grandfather. It's a fantastic machine and it seems like the customer service etc is really solid!
I agree, the grandfather is great! :D
I have a BM. Was spotted drooling at GF recently...
Of the BM wannabes, not having seen the others, the build and thought that has gone into GF seems to be way ahead of the other devices.
Didn't expect a Bm owner to be looking at a Gf. High praise indeed.
I'm another year or two I can see myself getting a Gf just for convenient batches. The 3V setup is great, buts it's a fairly interactive brewday.
My last brew day was complete in 5 hours. From printing off the beersmith brew sheets to crushing the grain to into the fermenter and all washed up and put away. Also did a fry of rashers and eggs for lunch too :)
Quote from: molc on January 17, 2017, 08:34:57 AM
Didn't expect a Bm owner to be looking at a Gf. High praise indeed.
I'm another year or two I can see myself getting a Gf just for convenient batches. The 3V setup is great, buts it's a fairly interactive brewday.
What do you not have to do with the GF and other 1 vessel systems, is it just moving liquids? Would a fancy 3 vessel system be just as easy or easier?
Quote from: Qs on January 17, 2017, 12:29:55 PM
Quote from: molc on January 17, 2017, 08:34:57 AM
Didn't expect a Bm owner to be looking at a Gf. High praise indeed.
I'm another year or two I can see myself getting a Gf just for convenient batches. The 3V setup is great, buts it's a fairly interactive brewday.
What do you not have to do with the GF and other 1 vessel systems, is it just moving liquids? Would a fancy 3 vessel system be just as easy or easier?
I have a homebuild of the same automation as a GF with my ArdBir. The big difference would be the plumbing for the herms and swapping connections all the time when going from step to step. Also cleaning is easier for the GF, as it's the one vessal and you can just dump the liquid outside, whereas my 3V is quite big and heavy, so I do it all in place.
Brewday time is about the same, so it just comes down to convenience.
I think I'll stick with the simplicity of my plastic HLT, cooler and big pot.
I like the GF cus I can fill it up the night before, knock it on earlier in the morn and go for a walk while it reaches mash temp, then Its plain sailing for the next 3-4 hours. Its just handy, and easy cleaned. And the cooler is amazing, you can instantly pump it into your fermenter at 20C.
The cooler is definitely crazy efficient. I had the wort running through full cack on my last brew and it was actually coming out colder than I wanted ;D ;D
Quote from: Qs on January 17, 2017, 12:46:45 PM
I think I'll stick with the simplicity of my plastic HLT, cooler and big pot.
That ain't simplicity!! More shit to clean!!
I'm 3 brews in on the ACE and I'm delighted with it. Has made brewday nice and neat. If you need a good chiller and money isn't an issue, then the GF is the best option. However, if a chiller isn't an issue and you don't want to spend GF level money, I don't think the ACE can be beaten.
Quote from: Pheeel on January 17, 2017, 02:23:08 PM
Quote from: Qs on January 17, 2017, 12:46:45 PM
I think I'll stick with the simplicity of my plastic HLT, cooler and big pot.
That ain't simplicity!! More shit to clean!!
HLT is just water so thats clean. Put a hose on the cooler during the boil and its done. Then its just the kettle and chiller after. Hose the chiller off and give the kettle a bit of a scrub.
Does the GF not require cleaning tubes and all sorts?
Quote from: molc on January 17, 2017, 08:34:57 AM
Didn't expect a Bm owner to be looking at a Gf. High praise indeed.
My thoughts exactly! That's great to hear, considering the difference in price point. Grainfather must really be hurting Braumeisters business at this stage.
Can you drop the temp before whirlpooling in the GF?
Quote from: Pheeel on January 17, 2017, 02:23:08 PM
That ain't simplicity!! More shit to clean!!
Ever brewed a beer in a brewery? ^-^ ;D ;D ;D
so come on guys which one my head is going around and a around help me out please
Gf and call it a day :)
Quote from: ipa-drinker on January 17, 2017, 05:49:51 PM
so come on guys which one my head is going around and a around help me out please
That's your decision, reading the posts there is one stand out system
what he said
Its an individuals choice and unfair to choose one over another, determine the features you want and budget you have and work to that.
Besides correct answer is my 3 Vessel Herms
Controls temp of mash to 0.1 Degree
Step mash Rise 1 Degree a minute.
MT 14Kg Max Grain 50L water
Boils 70L
Batches of 55L
Recircs 11L/min
Chills 60L in 20Mins
Oh sorry that wasn't original Q in OP :P well just saying loike
well it look like the gf system. her in doors say its ok for me to go for it.
so just got look who is doing a deal on these
thanks guys for your help
Buying in Ireland the homebrew company is cheapest by far. I picked mine up just after Xmas. Was under €700 with the NHC discount and came with both the old controller and the new grainfather connect.
Quote from: Qs on January 17, 2017, 05:09:02 PM
Can you drop the temp before whirlpooling in the GF?
You can but its a bit tricky. You start pumping wort through the chiller and return it to the grainfather while its hot to sterilize it. If you then start running the cold water through the chiller it will start to cool the wort but if you continue to cool the wort the chiller flow rate will slow down. Best only do it for a few degree's like down to 80C for a late hop addition temp.
also seen this on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271687277467?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Quote from: ipa-drinker on January 18, 2017, 10:36:55 AM
also seen this on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271687277467?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
One of the lads on here did a complete write up of the Ace brewer in action
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/all-grain-brewing/ace-microbrewery-ipa-brew-day/msg163831/#msg163831
Quote from: ipa-drinker on January 18, 2017, 10:36:55 AM
also seen this on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271687277467?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
That's the ACE system I mentioned earlier in this thread.
For anyone wondering what the internals on the ACE Microbrewery look like i came across this on the youtubes ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcTXiv0XWW0