Grainfather High Performance Cleaner
-
- Piss Artist
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:13 pm
Grainfather High Performance Cleaner
How do those of you who use the Grainfather High Performance Cleaner rate it? Have you ever had any problems?
Please note, at the moment I'm not looking for recommendations for something cheaper or anything anyone thinks works better.
Please note, at the moment I'm not looking for recommendations for something cheaper or anything anyone thinks works better.
- Dennis King
- Telling everyone Your My Best Mate
- Posts: 4227
- Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:52 pm
- Location: Pitsea Essex
Grainfather High Performance Cleaner
Binkie Huckaback wrote:
Please note, at the moment I'm not looking for recommendations for something cheaper or anything anyone thinks works better.
Sabro Single Hop NEIPA 25/02/20 CLICK ME to monitor progress with Brewfather & iSpindel
Re: Grainfather High Performance Cleaner
I could recommend the wife then
-
- Piss Artist
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:13 pm
Re: Grainfather High Performance Cleaner
To perhaps make things a little clearer, some more info which I didn't add originally, as I thought a short and simple question might be best and then add some more info with further questions if there were any replies. By the way, if the Moderators think this may be best filed under the Grainfather and All on One section, please feel free to move it, or I can add it there too.
I always use the Grainfather cleaner as per the instructions after brewing and rinse through with very hot water and I've never had any reason to doubt it's efficacy. Also, before each brew day, I flush through again with very hot water.
Last brew day, for some reason, while cleaning everything slowed to a trickle. The pump was pumping, so assumed a blockage. When I first bought my Grainfather, on the advice of someone on a forum, bought a bicycle pump to blow out any water in the counter-flow chiller through, but it didn't fit, so never used it.
In desperation, I tried just holding the pump against the silicone hose and it *kind of* worked. However, the I spotted an adaptor in the handle (having not owned a bike for decades, I've not had use for a pump, so think I can be forgiven!). Anyway, the pump now fits and I gave it a good old blow back through and a load of slivers of crap blew back into the Grainfather of the kind that surprise you when you think you have a very clean bottle and use a bottle brush on it.
Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo, but managed one of a single 'flake' which I'll add below. They're maybe the size of a staple.
So, my question really, is: is the Grainfather cleaner not as high performance as it claims, or am I doing something wrong?
Once again, I'm only interested in people's experiences with the product in question, not recommendations for another product.
I always use the Grainfather cleaner as per the instructions after brewing and rinse through with very hot water and I've never had any reason to doubt it's efficacy. Also, before each brew day, I flush through again with very hot water.
Last brew day, for some reason, while cleaning everything slowed to a trickle. The pump was pumping, so assumed a blockage. When I first bought my Grainfather, on the advice of someone on a forum, bought a bicycle pump to blow out any water in the counter-flow chiller through, but it didn't fit, so never used it.
In desperation, I tried just holding the pump against the silicone hose and it *kind of* worked. However, the I spotted an adaptor in the handle (having not owned a bike for decades, I've not had use for a pump, so think I can be forgiven!). Anyway, the pump now fits and I gave it a good old blow back through and a load of slivers of crap blew back into the Grainfather of the kind that surprise you when you think you have a very clean bottle and use a bottle brush on it.
Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo, but managed one of a single 'flake' which I'll add below. They're maybe the size of a staple.
So, my question really, is: is the Grainfather cleaner not as high performance as it claims, or am I doing something wrong?
Once again, I'm only interested in people's experiences with the product in question, not recommendations for another product.
Grainfather High Performance Cleaner
I wonder if it is the cleaner or the design of the GF that has allowed it to happen.
I cannot really comment on the performance of the GF particular cleaner BUT I would be tempted to try a (preferably) unscented dishwasher tablet on a long hot recirculating clean; if it clears out a lot of the crap then you might have your answer with regard to the GF cleaner performance. I would then run a standard clean to remove any surfactants that might be left behind.
I know other members have mentioned before about taking their pump apart occasionally for a deep clean, maybe they can weigh in. Can you confirm whether the CF chiller was part of the cleaning loop or is the blockage in the GF itself?
I cannot really comment on the performance of the GF particular cleaner BUT I would be tempted to try a (preferably) unscented dishwasher tablet on a long hot recirculating clean; if it clears out a lot of the crap then you might have your answer with regard to the GF cleaner performance. I would then run a standard clean to remove any surfactants that might be left behind.
I know other members have mentioned before about taking their pump apart occasionally for a deep clean, maybe they can weigh in. Can you confirm whether the CF chiller was part of the cleaning loop or is the blockage in the GF itself?
- Dennis King
- Telling everyone Your My Best Mate
- Posts: 4227
- Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:52 pm
- Location: Pitsea Essex
Re: Grainfather High Performance Cleaner
I used the grainfather cleaner for the first couple of years. When I first moved used the chemclean a lot more gunk came out. Having said that I've never had an infection since I've had the grainfather.
Re: Grainfather High Performance Cleaner
Absolutely agree. Pumps need to be be stripped occasionally to prevent this sort of thing.
I will add, never found chemicals powerful enough to negate this completely, even when I researched CIP.
I use TFR (truck wash) which is in effect liquid dishwasher tablet.