The Bread Maker

[Andy]

Seems to be working just fine Still plenty of time today to get a brew on

[barneey]

No test day today, I have 30+litres in there now / I`ve changed over the pump to a MrLard 12v - testing the thermostat - then up to boiling

Another vid 12v

[barneey]

The thermostat works, so I`ve now set it to boiling to what the "roll" is like. Also added both filters - its still flowing but at a reduced rate using the 12v pump.

Filter Vid

[Andy]

With the grain in place do you think the 12v pump will be up to it ?

[barneey]

Its a good question and there is only one way to find out but will leave that until I do a brewday, a bit late in the day at the moment but will try over the next few days.

If the pump isn't man enough for it there is always the 24v one (don't have one of those though), failing that I have the chugger.

The boiler does achieve a nice rolling boil with the lid off + jumpy boil with the lid on. (Approx 30ltr volume)

[barneey]

For the sake of 4.5kg grain bill (50/50% spilt MO & Wheat). I thought I might as well see if the pump was up to the job.

Bearing in mind I haven't made a couple of fine mesh filters yet + I think the top FB would benefit from a silicone hose sealing ring as a few bits of grain floated by, the thing works.



Started at 50c 14.30

[barneey]

67c 15.10 things are getting clearer. a curious thing happened - the pump seemed too much for the FB and had to be throttle back a little to prevent the FB tilting.

[barneey]

The tube is now removed, I`ve taken the wort upto boiling and then switched off, having to cook an evening meal has stopped proceeding.

Will start the boil again tonight a 7ish to finish, so far though its been very quick brewday.

Even found an old better bottle to ferment in

Until later.....

[Nikster]

Have you filmed this ready for YouTube? Looking at the pictures I'm unsure what crazy voodoo is happening.

[themadhippy]

come on barney get that thermostat out and replace it with a pid and ssr,whilst in there you might as well fit a variable power supply for the pump,plenty of room in there to cram it all in

[barneey]

come on barney get that thermostat out and replace it with a pid and ssr,whilst in there you might as well fit a variable power supply for the pump,plenty of room in there to cram it all in

The boiler thermostat is a bit hit or miss but controllable by careful monitoring / adjustment of the thermostat nearer the required temp.

It is as you say crying out for a PID / SSR combo and the possible inclusion of a varible power supply.

I`ll start and finish the boil later on, i`ve got some Flyer hops to try out - seems appropriate as I wasnt expecting to brew today. Christ knows what a 50/50 MO Wheat and only Flyer will turn out like but at least it has / will give me ideas of possible future improvements to the system.

I do however want to brew with my original "81?3913?211"next so I at least know how that performs.

Must say its a little bit weird mashing upside down the grain even forms a grain bed upside down and rests on the top FB, reading the other instructions I see the control unit pump breaks every so often to re set things.

Compared to a RIMs system (or Herms) its certainly easier to control, just very weird.

Big plus point the tube / grain clear up is very easy.

[barneey]

Just thrown 20g of flyer in at 60, will do another 20g at 30, 20 at 15 and throw the remainder 40g in at flameout. See what happens

Got to say the flyer hops smell amazing at the moment

[barneey]

Everything washed up and put away so about a 4hour brewday?

[sladeywadey]

great stuff - how clear was the wort into the boiler after mashing?

[barneey]

Reasonable - but could have been a lot clearer - I`ll make some fine mesh filters (they are part of an original shop bought product) + might try a sealing ring around the top FB.

Trouble with the test today is that I had never tried upward flow mashing - wasn't even going to brew just water test.

I really now want to brew with my original unit which will hopefully indicate the errors today.

For one I thought the 12v pump wouldn't be enough grunt but as it turns out after I throttled it back a little the system worked better.

The main problem with the upward mash is that any grain the escape out of the top has now where to go afterwards except remain in the boiler pot.

So a few teething problems to be ironed out, but that's to be expected with a brand new build / technique of brewing.