Grainfather as a fermenter

[Anavrin]

Hi Guys

Today I bought the T500 lid for my grainfather, eventually I'll get the SD adapter to use it as a pot still for stripping runs, but on my way to the shop I started wondering if I could use it as a temperature controlled fermenter.

Set the temp at 21°c and use the built in pump when it comes to racking, I could also mash a few KG's of grain, remove the spent grain, mix in a few KG's of sugar while the worts still hot and top up to 25 litres, maybe 26-27ish and away it goes.

I've filled it with 25 litres of water tonight, heated to 21°c and fitted my power meter set at £0.12p per Kw/Hr to see how much electric it uses in 24hrs, it's quite cold in the guarage so it'll be a good test.

[Mash]

Ooo that's not a bad idea at all. Interested to see the results.

Do you really need the pump?

[Anavrin]

Hi Mash

I guess I was only going to use the pump because it's there, I've been using the Grainfather to pre heat wash water to 35°c, then pumping it into my fermenter and dissolving my sugar.

The pump inlet is a little off the bottom so it might work well for racking in to a clean FV to clear.

[Easydrinker]

Hi Guys

Today I bought the T500 lid for my grainfather, eventually I'll get the SD adapter to use it as a pot still for stripping runs, but on my way to the shop I started wondering if I could use it as a temperature controlled fermenter.

Set the temp at 21°c and use the built in pump when it comes to racking, I could also mash a few KG's of grain, remove the spent grain, mix in a few KG's of sugar while the worts still hot and top up to 25 litres, maybe 26-27ish and away it goes.

I've filled it with 25 litres of water tonight, heated to 21°c and fitted my power meter set at £0.12p per Kw/Hr to see how much electric it uses in 24hrs, it's quite cold in the guarage so it'll be a good test.

I am watching this one with great interest.


Robert.

[Icefever]

Brill idea A....multi-purpose..

[Mash]

I am thinking opens up a whole new world of temperature controlled fermentation experiments. We could determine the effects of temperature on flavour profile.

I am thinking 10L washes. Exactly the same recipe running at 20°c, 25°c & 30°c


......i must get another PH meter. I am going to run my next wash at 3.2

[Anavrin]

After 13 hours the meter reads 5p, so maybe 10p per day with an outside temp of around 9°c.

I could also insulate the Grainfather to make it more efficient, plus an actual wash will produce its own heat which will further reduce the hearing cost.

[Mash]

After 13 hours the meter reads 5p, so maybe 10p per day with an outside temp of around 9°c.

I could also insulate the Grainfather to make it more efficient, plus an actual wash will produce its own heat which will further reduce the hearing cost.

The obvious choices are dump on used quilt or cut up a camp mat and make a proper snug fit jobby (..don't forget the lid - most do!)

[Anavrin]

It cost 9p to keep 25lt of water at 21°for 24hrs.

I think with a wash that generates its own heat and some additional insulation it could be less than half of that, out of interest ive now connected it to my fermenting fridge which has a 24hr old sugar wash fermenting inside, I'll compare the cost of running that for 24hrs

[packapoo]

This is most interesting Anavrin. On the cusp of jumping into one of these, just waiting to complete my relocation.

[Anavrin]

It's certainly got potential, my fermenting fridge with a real wash only cost 3p to run for 24hrs, so there's hopefully not much in it if I used a real wash and insulated it.

[Mash]

Gotta be close. Is a smaller space to heat. Providing the heat loss isn't too great.

Pity yeast doesn't run at 60..you could sous video as the same time

[Easydrinker]

Gotta be close. Is a smaller space to heat. Providing the heat loss isn't too great.

Pity yeast doesn't run at 60..you could sous video as the same time

You have me there....

Robert.

[Mash]

Lol. I quite like the thought of watching your dinner slowly cook under water
You never know it might be the next big thing!

[Seagull]

How did the fermentation experiments go?

Ordered a Grainfather from Burnley Homebrew on Saturday. Should be arriving Tuesday. Can't wait!!

Eventually looking to get the copper dome and condensor for it too.

I do like your idea of the temperature controlled fermenter.