HBW218 - Grainfather G40 First Brewday

This is one long ass video, lets name and shame that elephant in the room right at the start. However, I wanted to capture as much footage as possible and this is almost all the first brewday as it happened. Two cameras ran out of battery right at the end so I didn't get the equipment cleaning recorded but who wants to see that? You do? OK, I'll do it on the next video or the one after. Glad I did record everything as I noticed a few things that happened along the way that I didn't see at the time.
Might try a full batch on the next brew, most likely an IPA of some description so interested to see how the hop filter responds to the increased amount of hops in the bottom of the kettle. That will be a real test.
------------------------------
Track: Follow Me - Vendredi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: • Follow Me - Vendredi |...
Free Download / Stream: alplus.io/follow-me
------------------------------

Пікірлер: 29

  • @dylanjonesbragdybachhomebrew
    @dylanjonesbragdybachhomebrew2 жыл бұрын

    This is what I like, an absolute honest brewday! Not perfect, but who does have a perfect brewday? Pretty sure, as you've said it'll be a great beer! Kudos to you, glad I've started following you, you've showed me how to raise the bar on my own vlogs! Iechyd da! from the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales 👏👏👏👍

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    Cheers Dylan, I'll check out your channel later on. Yeah stuff goes wrong on brewday, that's just the way it is. I always think that you learn more from something going wrong than you do when everything runs smoothly. Beer already in keg and tasting decent.

  • @StassBrewing
    @StassBrewing2 жыл бұрын

    Cheers Banana. One thing I have which made using hoses with taps a long way away is a hose connector with a ball valve on it. Can buy from hardware/garden store for not much. Means you can adjust the flow, turn on/off without running around the back yard. I would recommend buying a ball valve to replace the nut. Makes cleaning WAY easier and faster. Just watch out cos it's a shallow thread. If you can, buy the G70 tap as it's the same part and fits perfect. You'll find your rhythm with the system!

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's a good idea about the hose with the valve on, need to see if I can get my hands on one. Pretty sure I have at least one ball valve in a box somewhere that should fit. Can see how it would be handy during the clean.

  • @seanlester307
    @seanlester3072 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant...........Nothing better than brew day with a new toy........Everything seems to be awkward but hopefully it will be a great brew.

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yeah first one down and no major issues, second brew planned for this weekend. Double batch too with a lot more hops, enough that will test the hop filter good and proper.

  • @BrewabitRick
    @BrewabitRick2 жыл бұрын

    I applaud you 👏 doing a video while using a new bit of equipment ( a complicated bit of equipment at that ) I’ve just recorded a video on calibrating my first digital ph meter and it looked more like a comedy than a how to🤪 kit looks amazing nice work cheers 👍🍻

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    After todays brewday, the comedy mishap video isn't far off. Still can't quite believe what actually happened 😬😂

  • @vendettawarcrime
    @vendettawarcrime2 жыл бұрын

    I’ve been enjoying the G40. I use mine indoors so I have the benefit of the sink to set the CFC’er in and lead the hoses thru the centre channels/spaces to keep them a bit tidied out of the way. If memory serves me correct once the red hose gets some hot water into it it’s a bit more malleable but with your tap being far away it looks like a bit of a sprint to beat the water before it starts to flow! Once you have anothe new and are accustomed to the app and figure out your own routine/system to using the new kit you’ll be golden. I’m gonna do my Belgian pale as my next brew. 20L batch although it’s a better Autumn beer than a Spring one.

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    I need to get some light beer on, have ended up with 3 kegs of dark beer and not very much Vacant Gesture left. Double batch this weekend to make up for it.

  • @RustyHomebrew
    @RustyHomebrew2 жыл бұрын

    On my first brew I thought the mash strike temp was too high (G30 doesn't do this), but if you leave the lid open for 3-5 mins, once you start re circulating it quickly gets down to mash temp. For the CF chiller, I have a valve connector on my hose to control the water in (save you running down to the garden tap), then I have the Blichmann Thrumometer to keep an eye on the temp coming out into the FV (adjust the flow with the valve on my water hose, which adjusts the temp... in the winter, if you have it on fully, it can quickly get down to 15C, which is too low to pitch the yeast) Definitely recommend getting a ball valve for the nut bottom of the slight glass, watch out though, when you open that up and turn the pump on, it's more power than you realise, I've made a right mess, a couple of times with that, it shoots out 😂

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yeah think I'll try to knock something up before the next brewday with the mountain of spare parts that have been building since I started brewing. I refuse to throw them away and this is the perfect opportunity to use them. Let's hope they fit, if not then a load of cloth tape will do the job 😂

  • @AceTeale
    @AceTeale2 жыл бұрын

    Well that was interesting I just have not got round to a all in one brew system as yet, maybe because mostly i am small batch brewing, but i am tempted, the chiller looked scary I am still throwing mine outside the back door to cool down which is not the best.....still looking forward to see how the beer turns out.....

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yeah if you only brew 10 litres max then it seems a bit pointless to get a system like that. Suppose it would take a lot less time to cool 10 litres than 20 or even 40 litres. Would get the cube out for that.

  • @tubedinoz
    @tubedinoz2 жыл бұрын

    Top looking bit of kit. Hope you come up with a solution for the chiller. Cheers mate 🍻

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    Will figure it out the chiller at some point, if not then me and it can wrestle naked in front of the fire like in Oliver Reed in Women In Love

  • @tubedinoz

    @tubedinoz

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@BigBananaBrewing haha. I'd paid to see that. Hope you get it sorted. Cheers

  • @RockonBeerBlog
    @RockonBeerBlog2 жыл бұрын

    Im still struggling with what to do with the damn counterflow however many years later. It doesn't get any easier. Im considering mounting it somewhere now that I've got the brewhouse a bit better thought out.

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    This G40 is so big that it's unlikely I'll be brewing anywhere except at that garage door so properly mounting it might be best. Still considering panelling the rest of the garage at some point so not sure whether to wait or just do it

  • @swamphennz3380
    @swamphennz33802 жыл бұрын

    the counter flow chillers are awesome on the Grainfather. I was trying to tell you your hot hoses was pointing out of the bucket but you weren't listening. Done five brews on my G70 and loving it. If you can get a tap down the bottom then run a 10mm hose from it you will find it easier to clean. Homebrew griffo did a video on it. Don't know why the G40 doesn't have it.

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yeah on the search for a G70 tap, I find it really annoying they didn't just include one with the machine, it's not exactly an expensive bit of equipment. Counterflow is great, very quick.

  • @swamphennz3380

    @swamphennz3380

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@BigBananaBrewing also after cleaning leave the lid slightly off to one side. Found they are alot more well sealed than the G30 and you can get a stale wet smell if the condensation has no where to go.

  • @brandelrock5833
    @brandelrock58332 жыл бұрын

    I wrap a small piece of tinfoil around the outlet hose and make a small cup for the wort to settle in. It stops the hose outlet from scouring and digging into the grainbed.

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    Cheers Brandel, that's a good tip. Might do that on the next brew. If I remember.

  • @briansimmons5612
    @briansimmons56122 жыл бұрын

    Out of interest what size is that whisk? I’m thinking of getting a 20” one for my G40. I mainly do full volume, no sparge brews, so obviously the mash pipe is gonna be a lot fuller

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    This is a 20 inch heavy whisk. I got mine here, there are quite a few to choose from of all different sizes www.nisbets.co.uk/search/?text=Whisk

  • @briansimmons5612

    @briansimmons5612

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@BigBananaBrewing Cheers mate, just ordered the same thing but through Amazon, so a bit cheaper 🍻

  • @markusm.7521
    @markusm.75212 жыл бұрын

    Hi could you plase share the type of fermenter you are using there ? Type and manufacturer, thanks..... greetings markus

  • @BigBananaBrewing

    @BigBananaBrewing

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Markus, that fermenter is the Kegland Fermzilla All Rounder 30 litre