Can NB comment on the GC2 having a hysteresis of >5F. I experienced this on my first brew with this system. Wort in the fermenter at 66F. And this was my fermentation temp setting. But the initial fermentation was very vigorous from a good starter and the temp rose to 71. But the GC2 never kicked in until then. Then it did quickly drop the temp, but it rose back up as fermentation continued. Ok I'm a novice with chilling with glycol, but this is not a better fermentation temp control I signed up for!
I am using the Conical for a very long time and I love it. I feel like you missed the main selling point of this fermenter that sets it apart from any other on the market. It is double-walled and this helps a lot to maintain temp.
Since shooting this video William actually started doing his cold crash in slower stages, cooling the beer only about 7-10 degrees a day until it reaches cold crashing temperature. He says that seems to help (versus a quick mid-70s to upper 30s drop).
I remember the ports on the fermenter as “Hot” = “High”, “Low temp (cold)” = “Low”. Has worked for me! Currently using cooler with ice with cooling kit but the 2 port glycol chiller is definitely next on my wish list!!
I love the system. I have the same set up but with 3 fermentors, will be getting the 4th on there next sell. What is the piece of equipment you are using at 10:37? I am needing one of those for my mash. Please let me know.
Very complete and clear directional video! 1: Do you have to prime the chiller every time after you disconnect it? 2: Can you share your fermentation schedule for that beer you were doing? Thanks again guys!
I used the GF conical 4 times. The 4th time i was doing a Neipa with loads off hops in it. Quess what, hops all got stuck in the cone. O-rings damaged. And the lid leaks when adding a few psi co2. After that time i was done with GF Fermenters. I sold it the day after. But i do like the G40. Jacketed 14 gal Unitanks with big TC ports are the way to go now. I used the GF conical with a Mini freezer, 10w aqua pump,inkbird 308. The GF glycol chillers cost 800-1200 euro. To pricey.
I just bought the grain father conical fermentor pro edition same setup as yours with the foam jacket I’m using a diy glycol chiller with the Grainfather pump system with the insulated lines my glycol tank is 20 liters temp is a steady -8 degrees Celsius with my testing of this fermentor I have 23 liters of water in the fermentor the temp set to 4 degrees Celsius the start temp of the water was 20 degrees Celsius the room temp is 22 degrees Celsius the first day the temp hovered around 6 degrees Celsius at the censor at the bottom but the temperature at the top half is at -1 degrees Celsius with a thin layer of ice on the top second day turned up temp to 6 degrees on the fermentor now the the top of the fermentor is around o degrees Celsius no ice on top it seems like there is a flaw with this design can’t get the bottom half below 6 degrees Celsius with out freezing the top half I have noticed that all the videos are not showing this fermentor cold crashing this is the reason I bought this fermentor so I could free up my fridge and use it for my kegs do you have any helpful hints thanks
If you put the isolation over the brass connectors then the condensation just pours at the the end near the chiller. At least in my case. Is there some otherway to catch the condensation moist?
Couple Questions: Does the GC4 come with 4 pumps & insulated cooling lines? When ordering the GF30 fermentors do I order set of insulated lines or are there any included with the clycol chiller When ordering the GF30s
The GC4 specifically comes with two insulated tubes and sets of brass connection couplers, which is required to hook one fermenter up to the unit: www.northernbrewer.com/products/grainfather-glycol-chiller-with-cooler-connection-kit Additional tubing kits need to be purchased for any additional fermenters. www.northernbrewer.com/products/grainfather-conical-fermenter-cooler-connection-kit
Check out our full collection of Grainfather equipment and accessories: bit.ly/3O6M4nc
Great video! Exactly what I was looking for. No more, no less.
Great video.
Can NB comment on the GC2 having a hysteresis of >5F. I experienced this on my first brew with this system. Wort in the fermenter at 66F. And this was my fermentation temp setting. But the initial fermentation was very vigorous from a good starter and the temp rose to 71. But the GC2 never kicked in until then. Then it did quickly drop the temp, but it rose back up as fermentation continued. Ok I'm a novice with chilling with glycol, but this is not a better fermentation temp control I signed up for!
I am using the Conical for a very long time and I love it. I feel like you missed the main selling point of this fermenter that sets it apart from any other on the market. It is double-walled and this helps a lot to maintain temp.
How about another vid showing the pressure transfer with GF kit. I bought the kit but need to learn how to use it best practice.
How do you handle suck back when cold crashing?
Since shooting this video William actually started doing his cold crash in slower stages, cooling the beer only about 7-10 degrees a day until it reaches cold crashing temperature. He says that seems to help (versus a quick mid-70s to upper 30s drop).
Instead of electrical tape I would use adhesive lined heat shrink tubing, basically heat shrink with hot glue inside it. Water tight connections!
Best solution
I remember the ports on the fermenter as “Hot” = “High”, “Low temp (cold)” = “Low”. Has worked for me! Currently using cooler with ice with cooling kit but the 2 port glycol chiller is definitely next on my wish list!!
Great tip!
Great set up however I dont prefer this system for making beer
I love the system. I have the same set up but with 3 fermentors, will be getting the 4th on there next sell. What is the piece of equipment you are using at 10:37? I am needing one of those for my mash. Please let me know.
Sorry for the delayed response! That is one of our Imperial Sparge Arm setups. Check it out: bit.ly/442ob4X
Very complete and clear directional video!
1: Do you have to prime the chiller every time after you disconnect it?
2: Can you share your fermentation schedule for that beer you were doing?
Thanks again guys!
I used the GF conical 4 times. The 4th time i was doing a Neipa with loads off hops in it. Quess what, hops all got stuck in the cone. O-rings damaged. And the lid leaks when adding a few psi co2.
After that time i was done with GF Fermenters. I sold it the day after. But i do like the G40.
Jacketed 14 gal Unitanks with big TC ports are the way to go now.
I used the GF conical with a Mini freezer, 10w aqua pump,inkbird 308. The GF glycol chillers cost 800-1200 euro. To pricey.
Will this Cold Crash at 33°f???
I just bought the grain father conical fermentor pro edition same setup as yours with the foam jacket I’m using a diy glycol chiller with the Grainfather pump system with the insulated lines my glycol tank is 20 liters temp is a steady -8 degrees Celsius with my testing of this fermentor I have 23 liters of water in the fermentor the temp set to 4 degrees Celsius the start temp of the water was 20 degrees Celsius the room temp is 22 degrees Celsius the first day the temp hovered around 6 degrees Celsius at the censor at the bottom but the temperature at the top half is at -1 degrees Celsius with a thin layer of ice on the top second day turned up temp to 6 degrees on the fermentor now the the top of the fermentor is around o degrees Celsius no ice on top it seems like there is a flaw with this design can’t get the bottom half below 6 degrees Celsius with out freezing the top half I have noticed that all the videos are not showing this fermentor cold crashing this is the reason I bought this fermentor so I could free up my fridge and use it for my kegs do you have any helpful hints thanks
If you put the isolation over the brass connectors then the condensation just pours at the the end near the chiller. At least in my case. Is there some otherway to catch the condensation moist?
Couple Questions:
Does the GC4 come with 4 pumps & insulated cooling lines?
When ordering the GF30 fermentors do I order set of insulated lines or are there any included with the clycol chiller
When ordering the GF30s
The GC4 specifically comes with two insulated tubes and sets of brass connection couplers, which is required to hook one fermenter up to the unit:
www.northernbrewer.com/products/grainfather-glycol-chiller-with-cooler-connection-kit
Additional tubing kits need to be purchased for any additional fermenters.
www.northernbrewer.com/products/grainfather-conical-fermenter-cooler-connection-kit
So, just to understand, the Grainfather will help me at maintaining temps during fermentation? I didn’t see a heating element. Thanks
As far as I am aware, the heating element in the cone at the bottom of the fermenter. Please correct me if I am wrong :)
Great review. Thanks guys.
Excellent content.