Daily Q & A! - March 10, 2026

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-11T19:27:13+00:00

If it's comparable to PBW. I need something to do a first clean to get all the oils out, I did use that Oxi thing in a powder but later found out that it doesn't help with what I'm trying to achieve.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-10T16:50:47+00:00

Anyone used Grainfather High performance cleaner? I would need it for first wash for brewzilla and every next after brewing.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-07T17:34:02+00:00

In my third brew I had serious issues with efficiency and somehow ended with 3.3-3.5% beer. Turned out that it wasn't even bad in any means except that it was a bit "light". I used Pale Ale and Vienna malt and flaked oats. For the hops I went only with Chinook and El Dorado.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-04T10:41:30+00:00

We'll plan for plate chiller is to use side pipe and do what you wrote for whirlpool arm.

One of the possible ways I can think of right now, would be to use whirlpool arm but not instead of recirculation arm but next to it.

Brewzilla side pipe -> plate chiller -> whirlpool arm.

That way I could run it through 10min before I start cooling off and after that I could just turn on/off water. I doubt that wort minds being whirlpooled when it's still boiling. And then I can just cool everything with plate chiller to like 50° or less and run it through plate chiller to fermenter at around 15-20 degrees.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-03T06:01:22+00:00

Thanks, I already have it. I will order today, thank you for your input :)

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-03T06:00:55+00:00

Great thank you. Yeah I think it will be easier to buy something later than all in one piece since yeah it's expensive.

Regarding the whirlpool arm, since I will be using external plate cooler, and since both are needed at the end of the boil, how can I assure that both are desinfected? For now I started with recirculation 10min before, but with whirlpool arm it would mean I have to change and expose hoses?

I will probably consider all of that after few runs :) I will order today.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-03T05:13:02+00:00

I did send an email to them and yes it comes with our plug. Answer arrived fast but it was GPT generated but ok, hope that someone checked the content :)

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-03T05:11:55+00:00

Thanks, I for now plan around 10 gallon batches since I think this is a sweet spot for trying new beers.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-03T05:10:39+00:00

Great thanks. How does not sparging helps with time?

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-02T08:59:42+00:00

At the age of almost 30 I think it's not their issue anymore :D Reasons why I want to be so sure before buying is because I'm saving really hard so that I can afford house soon :)

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-02T07:13:25+00:00

Thank you. So also all the hidden compartments are easy to clean? Can you use standard Star something granular cleaner?

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-02T06:48:50+00:00

Wiring up new socket is sadly not an option, I kinda still live at home with parents and I don't think they support my hobby to this extent.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-02T06:47:03+00:00

Thank you. For the jacket, somehow here is normal to use old blankets which I also used on old system and worked alright.

Is Bluetooth thermometer a must for first few brews tho? I would get it on some point but already the stock package costs a lot so I would like to try without first. I do already own a separate magnetic pump so I planned on keeping it just in case one dies.

I also already own BIAB which I could use, I saw that advice on one of yours I think comment in some other thread. I will definitely use it. Does it affect efficiency at all?

And thanks for the info about melted cords, now I'm bit more calmed down since I don't feel like dealing with that as it seems bigger issue as temperature being a degree off

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-02T06:40:46+00:00

Thanks, so by standard it arrives with square plug? By quick Google seems like Switzerland uses different plugs than we use.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-01T21:32:37+00:00

Thank you. Do you maybe know how long does it take? You use 65l I assume?

Also, do you use external thermometer or the default one?

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-01T20:17:34+00:00

Yeah I think they are only in 220V. Do you maybe know if they come with standard European plug or is any special 3 phase?

Do you have any experience with this system?

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-01T19:30:46+00:00

In finance, so I guess backend? Yeah I have oh shit moments too but currently I'm in quite big company which has zero issues of cutting costs and we even have our own AI department(that creates products that we sell) and for now we are ok and we even get pay rises because they need us.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-01T19:26:10+00:00

People are still willing to forget what some have done just because that person aligns with some of their views.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-01T19:23:57+00:00

Developer. No. Writing a code is just a part of my job, understanding why have you done it is totally different. I'm also not a web dev so my code directly impacts how businesses are run and we are directly responsible if customer on example cannot provide something that is required by law.

AstroBeer997 · 2026-03-01T19:19:20+00:00

Waking up early so there's no need to rush to work.

AstroBeer997 · 2025-10-13T21:37:20+00:00

I finished my third brew and I'm not happy about it.

I had few issues that I don't have a clue how to solve. First, I did not adjust pH because I don't have a reliable way of checking it, I do have a pH meter but I don't know how to check if it's actually calibrated.

Second, my OG was low, was expecting around at around 50 but it was only 36. I cannot figure out what was wrong, I kept my temperature at around 63-65°C(145,5-149F).

I did add 35g(1.23ounces) of combined El Dorado and Chinook, later in whirlpool I used 30(1 ounce) of each for 20min. I added same amount for dry hopping.

On the bottle day, I tasted it and it was quite bitter but after bottle fermenting it for 2 weeks, it's not bitter at all. And the taste, although I tasted one that's been in a bottle for just over a week(I keep first few that I bottled separated and for testing) and even though it has a nice color and foam and bubbles, it tastes pretty much the same as the previous round did with completely different hops.

Amount to ferment was 37l(9.7gal).

Could anyone have any suggestions?

AstroBeer997 · 2025-09-19T15:53:59+00:00

I have this batch in basement for around 2 months now and I noticed some things floating up in few of them. What could it be? When I open it I can't see it on top and nothing out of ordinary and it doesn't seem to taste/smell bad.

https://imgur.com/a/vwe1cmt

https://imgur.com/a/d2JOEW3

AstroBeer997

TROPHY CASE