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Critical safety warning for North American 220V units regarding power supply compatibility.
Identifies compatible and incompatible power supply sockets for the 220V system.
Essential safety guidelines for operating the brewing system, including usage and handling.
Steps for cleaning components and installing the hop filter before brewing.
Guide on attaching the G40 controller and connecting the unit to a power source.
Details on connecting the G40 to the Grainfather App for remote operation.
Steps for adding mash water, setting temperature, and preparing the grain basket.
Instructions for adding grains, stirring, and initiating mash wort recirculation.
Procedures for lifting the grain basket, sparging, and draining the liquid.
Guidance on boiling the wort after removing the grain basket, including hop additions.
Steps for using the counter flow wort chiller to cool the wort and transfer to fermenter.
Recommendations for cleaning the G40 components and proper storage procedures.
The Grainfather G40 Brewing System is an all-grain brewing system designed for home brewers, offering a comprehensive solution for crafting beer from start to finish. This system integrates several key components to streamline the brewing process, from mashing and sparging to boiling and cooling.
The Grainfather G40 serves as a complete brewing vessel, capable of heating water, mashing grains, recirculating wort, boiling, and chilling. Its primary function is to provide a controlled environment for all stages of all-grain brewing, ensuring consistency and ease of use. The system is designed to handle various grain bills, allowing for the creation of a wide range of beer styles.
The G40 system is built around a robust stainless steel body, which houses the heating element, pump, and control unit. The brewing process begins with adding mash water to the G40 body. The integrated controller allows users to set and maintain precise mash temperatures, crucial for enzyme activity and sugar conversion. The controller features a display screen that shows current temperature and other relevant brewing data. It also includes buttons for "PUMP," "SET," and "HEAT," enabling direct control over the brewing stages.
For mashing, the system utilizes a grain basket, which is inserted into the G40 body. The bottom plate of the grain basket must be securely fitted to ensure proper filtration. Once the mash water reaches the desired temperature, grains are added to the basket and stirred to prevent dry clumps. Unlike some older systems, the G40's newly designed grain basket with extra drainage holes typically eliminates the need for a top plate or overflow pipe, simplifying the mash process. However, for higher ABV beers with larger grain bills, a top plate can be used to keep grains submerged and prevent wort from draining through the lifting bar holes.
Recirculation of wort during the mash is a key feature, facilitated by an internal pump and a recirculation pipe with a sight glass. The recirculation hose is attached to a barb on the G40 body, and its other end rests on top of the grain bed, ensuring even distribution of wort and efficient sugar extraction. The ball valve on the recirculation arm controls the flow. The pump can be activated via the controller or the Grainfather App.
After mashing, the grain basket is lifted using a lifting bar, which is inserted into holes inside the basket. The basket is then rotated 45 degrees to rest on the basket support ring, allowing the mash liquid to drain into the boiler. This stage is known as sparging, where hot water is gently poured over the grains to rinse out remaining sugars. The G40's design emphasizes safety during this heavy lifting step, recommending a two-person or mechanical lift for larger grain bills to prevent injury. It's crucial to ensure the support ring and retainer are correctly installed and that the basket is not twisted while in the sparge position to avoid dislodging it. If the sparge becomes "stuck," the grain bed can be sliced with a paddle to improve drainage.
Once sparging is complete and the grain basket is removed, the wort is ready for boiling. The G40 is designed for boiling without the lid to prevent boil-overs. During the boil, hops and other additions are introduced according to the recipe.
Cooling the wort efficiently and sanitarily is achieved using the included counter flow wort chiller. After the boil, hot wort is circulated through the chiller for a few minutes to sanitize it. Then, cooling water is introduced, and the wort is transferred through the chiller directly into a fermenter, ensuring rapid cooling and minimizing contamination risk.
The G40 offers advanced wireless connectivity and app control. It can be paired with the free Grainfather App, which provides access to recipes and allows users to run their brew sessions remotely from a mobile device. This smart feature enhances convenience and control throughout the brewing process.
For power connection, the G40 is designed for North American 220V power supplies. It comes with a 2m power cord that plugs into the base of the unit. The controller also connects to the G40 body via an M12 cable. The system is compatible with various 3-pin and 4-pin power supply sockets, including NEMA 6-15R, NEMA 6-20R, NEMA L6-20R, NEMA 14-30R, NEMA L14-30R, NEMA 14-50R, and NEMA 14-60R. However, it is explicitly stated that NEMA 10-30R sockets are not suitable due to their hot-hot-neutral connections, which lack a ground connection necessary for safe operation. For certain compatible sockets, an adapter with a ground connection and appropriate electrical certification is required. For users in Australia and New Zealand, the G40 defaults to a 10 amp mode but can be switched to a 15 amp mode for increased power, provided a certified electrician professionally installs the appropriate power socket.
Cleaning and storage are essential for maintaining the G40's performance and longevity. Before initial use, and after every brew, it is recommended to clean the G40 and all its components thoroughly. The Grainfather High Performance Cleaner is specifically recommended for this purpose, as it helps remove stubborn residues and reduces the need for extensive scrubbing.
All stainless-steel components can be cleaned with a conventional, unscented detergent. Abrasive agents, sponges, or brushes are not recommended as they can cause scratching. A dish brush is ideal for cleaning the base of the unit.
After cleaning, all equipment should be dried, reassembled, and stored in a dry area to prevent damage. The G40 should always be disconnected from power before cleaning or storage.
The manual also emphasizes safety precautions, including handling hot components with caution, never moving the unit during operation, and using the side handles only for transportation when the unit is empty and cooled. It also advises against immersing the cord or plugs in water or other liquids to protect against fire and electric shock. The importance of a residual current device (RCD) with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA is also highlighted for electrical safety.
General| Material | Stainless Steel |
|---|---|
| Pump | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Voltage | 220-240 V |
| Frequency | 50/60Hz |
| Temperature Range | 20-100 °C |
| Batch Volume | 40 L |
| Pump Flow Rate | 6 L/min |
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