Best products from r/grainfather

This happened to me as well, and I crush my grain on the finer side (and I like that) so I've implemented the following two solutions:
First, I bought this stainless steel mesh screen and cut it into a circle using a pair of tin snips. This sits on top of my bottom plate during the mash and stops just about everything from getting through.
Second, because some of the grain can sneak up through the top plate during the mash, I bought this kitchen sink strainer to sit on top of the top plate overflow inlet.
While I agree with others that a small amount of grain in the boil should have little effect, these are two relatively inexpensive modifications that give me a lot of peace of mind. Cheers!

I've been making some beers out of Brewing Classic Styles (https://www.amazon.com/Brewing-Classic-Styles-Winning-Recipes/dp/0937381926/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468538316&sr=8-1&keywords=brewing+classic+styles) recently. I've found that I usually have to reduce the amount of grain slightly, since efficiency with the GF tends to be a little higher than whatever he's getting in that book.

I also second getting a copy of Beersmith or something similar like Brewer's Friend, which is what I use. Even for making someone else's recipe, they're really, really helpful for keeping notes on each brew day as well as what OG/FG to expect with a recipe on your system.

I bought a heat stick to help with the boil and it boils quite nicely now.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BDB4UG/ref=s9_simh_gw_g469_i4_r?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=1S0G8JPEZT1W9E7JJR0T&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

I just used my stove and bout a 16qt Pot from Amazon. Worked perfect. You could even get fancy and drill a hole and put a valve in and it could be gravity fed too. It was $35!!!


Excelsteel 16 Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot With Encapsulated Base https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030T1KR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-.qZDb98V9K54

I have also cold sparked for the first time and had no issues. Was a 9-11lbs of grain.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FH2PBS2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought these from Amazon in June 2018 and they've been perfect for 20+ brews. Absolutely no rust or degradation. It's a 2 pack so I use them both in a crisscross pattern over the overflow. They're the perfect size to sit right on top of the overflow without anything holding them in place.

i use the heat delay and heat the strike water and sparge water together. then before i mash i use the pump and take out the sparge water and put in a cooler ( https://www.amazon.com/Igloo-Gallon-Seat-Beverage-spigot/dp/B000FDXEN2/ref=sr_1_12?crid=1BNXXYIJMXUF3&keywords=igloo%2Bcooler&qid=1558019690&s=gateway&sprefix=igloo%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-12&th=1&psc=1 ) it keeps it hot. its not 167 degrees but its close and i figure its better than sparging with cold water.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012EI6KE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qI6OAbGWKHGY0

Looks like that should work, also 3 feet longer.

If out of warranty, take a hot air gun or a hair dryer and blow at the connection. The male plug will eventually come out. Don't worry if the female socket comes unclipped from the controller while you tug, just grab the socket with pliars while you pull the male. On mine the female socket had melted internally as I found melted plastic on the male blade of the plug. I bought 10 new sockets for $8.95 on Amazon. Took the controller apart and unsolderered the old socket and wired the new one in...it has worked for many brews now. The heater's current demand is higher on the US version since the voltage is only 110. The original sockets must not be up to their current rating of 15A.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T7DY54I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Try one of these upside down over your overflow pipe.

(David Heath suggestion) ;)

I just looked it up on Amazon, and the US version says it has a 1600W hearing element.

Here is the link.

Here is the Amazon link https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000DZF4US/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought a GFCI cord for mine off Amazon. Is GFCI at point where it connects to the outlet.

Edit: This one.. Woods Jacket 2879 14/3 SJTW Right Angle GFCI with Lighted End, 6-Feet, Yellow https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000HEKUJA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_x7u3CbRR2J18T

Get a faucet adaptor for the bathroom.

Camco 40083 Faucet Adapter - Lead Free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BGK2HE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_oThSCb3MWGQQG

Then you can get a garden hose (get the kind for drinking water use) and run it out into your garage. I do the same thing in my basement, but I specifically bought a faucet for my utility sink that had a garden hose connection on it already. Wife or family might be annoyed with the hose but it'd be worth it to me not to be hauling buckets of water around, and it'll simplify cleanup. At the end of the day I turn the water on hot and I can use the same hose for all my cleanup.

What are your thoughts here? Doesn't state what it's made of. https://www.amazon.com/Male-Female-Threaded-Adapter-FT079/dp/B01M8O7B26

Or here - https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-BSP-Male-x-1-4-BSP-Female-British-Pipe-Reducer-Bushing-Brass-Adapter-Oil-Gas-/123286024317

I bought stainless steel sink strainers off Amazon and I put them over the stand pipe to still allow overflow and prevent grain from getting through. The one I bought came with 2, and I put them both on in a cross pattern.

Also, I'm sure this goes without saying, but be careful when mashing in cause there is a gap between the grain basket and the main unit. I have had a few batches where I accidentally poured some grain between the two and I had a bad time.

Note that with even these preventative measures I still end up with some build up on the pump filter in the bottom by the end of it.

From my Amazon orders:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FH2PBS2?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title