New Grainfather Control Unit

[Seagull]

Just pre-ordered mine!

Put this in this section as opposed to beer because I'm intending to use it to control pot a stilling with the alembic.

Grab yours while you can!

https://www.brewuk.co.uk/grainfather-co ... 90bc632d48

[Mash]

Can you input mash steps into it ?

Ie ....
20 mins @ 52c
80 mins @ 66c
20 mins @ 74c

[vino-tinto]

Not being negative or bias because I use an ALVA, but, the questions I would ask are first are:

Has anyone come up with a list of what it will actually do?.

Has anyone published a test review?.

Is it programmable or can you only use pre-installed programs?.

[vino-tinto]

OK found out how it works with Beersmith.

Get the new controller.
Get Beersmith 2.3.7
Set up Beersmith to use the Grainfather profile.
Design your beer in Beersmith.
Select the recipe when finished.
Export the Beersmith recipe as an "xml" file.
Send the xml file to your bluetooth device.
Now On your bluetooth device install the Grainfather Connect app (when it's released).
Open the xml file, it will look like a screen full of programming.
Go to the top right of the screen and press the page up icon.
Select the "copy to GF" icon.
The recipe is now selectable in the Grainfather app.

Start the Grainfather controller.
Start the Grainfather app.
select "Grainfather Connect"
Select "imported recipes"
Select the file you want.
And away you go.

[Mash]

Just a shame you have to use beersmith.

[vino-tinto]

I don't think you'll have to use Beersmith, no doubt Mangrove Jacks will have some to download, and as you can design recipes with the Grainfather app you should be able to export them over to the connect app.
I personally use Beersmith to design my Grainfather recipes because it's the best of all I have tried. With the new profiles, It calculates the strike and sparge water exactly as Grainfather does and is producing an efficiency of about 85%. With a cost of less than £20 it's well worth it, it would cost that if you messed up just one brew session.

[Mash]

Sorry beersmith really gets my goat.

You are not learning anything just punching in numbers.

I don't use an app to make a sandwich.

Beersmith is doing what satnav did to people's ability to navigate.

Craft brewing is more than that.

[vino-tinto]

Sorry beersmith really gets my goat.
You are not learning anything just punching in numbers.
I don't use an app to make a sandwich.
Beersmith is doing what satnav did to people's ability to navigate.
Craft brewing is more than that.

Yep, I know exactly what you mean, I have come to rely on modern technology too much.

It's not been the same since my bank stopped using an Abacus.

[Mash]

LOL.

I can almost understand it with a satnav - With statements like "have to be there", "get there on time". Navigation could be viewed as a mandatory PITA part of Life.

But craft brewing!! Really ... if it is so much of a chore perhaps it's not the hobby they thought it was. I find it quite bizarre. If you just want good cheap beer, some of the kits are fantastic [wherry].

Perhaps I'm being too puritanical / Luddite / traditionalist / all of the above


.... and breathe in.

[vino-tinto]

Why don't we all go back to the very beginning

Nip over to your neighbours field and nick his grain, if he complains hit him with your club.
Leave the grain in the sunshine until it changes colour to light brown.
Beat the grain lightly to crack it open
Get a couple of sticks and rub together to make a fire.
Now turn over your turtle shell and fill with water.
Put one handful of grain per age ring on the shell into a deer bladder that has holes pricked in.
Drop the bladder into the hot water.
Check your sundial and leave for sixty booms of a dinosaur walking by.
Strain the grain by lifting the deer bladder and stoke up the fire to boil the liquid.
Boil for another sixty booms adding a handful of grass halfway through, then leave to cool.
Find some rotting fruit and add it to a new clean shell.
Pour in the cooled liquid and cover with a deer skin.
Leave for 7 moons, then drink.

[gaza the instructor]

I would have poured the liquid over the
thigh of "The Chessington virgin", but
I have been searching for 57 years and
I think doesn't exist anymore.

[gaza the instructor]

Serious for a mo...
I want to go all grain and want an all in one.
Is the Grainfather my best / only good option

[Mash]

No.. the Braumeister is another option. A couple of us have them on here.

[gaza the instructor]

Are they not a lot more dosh Mash ?

[vino-tinto]

Serious for a mo...
I want to go all grain and want an all in one.
Is the Grainfather my best / only good option

It really depends on the cost you are prepared to pay.
Some say Braumeister, some say Grainfather, they both make the same excellent end product.

Grainfather at £600 with a manual control, with an option of new pre-programmed controller for £110. Lots of sellers with a good supply of spares, Lots of good YouTube reveiws.

Braumeister at £1240 with pre-programmed control. not so many sellers because of the cost, good supply of spares, Lots of good YouTube reveiws.

Mash has a Braumeister, I have a Grainfather and we can both help whichever way you go.