I threw my overflow pipe in the bin

[Mark Weusten]

I cant brew at the moment because in a moment of carelessness threw my overflow pipe in the bin. After sparging I carry the inner basket to beside the bin. I normally remove the overflow pipe before pouring the used grains away but forgot. Weeks later I couldnt find it anywhere and realised I had been a dingbat. Called MJ and they will have some parts coming in late Jan, so no brewing for me til then. I considered trying to make one myself as the stainless pipe wouldnt be an issue but the spring clip would be very tricky to get working.

[Dene McDonald]

I did the same with the fitting that goes over the pipe during recirc. Remembered while I was cleaning and got it back.

[John H]

Well - if you were desperate you could still brew. You may lose some efficiency/clarity, but essentially you would have a non-circulating biab setup. (block up the hole for the overflow on the lower mesh screen) Even then - you could do small manual start/stop pump operations every now and then to improve the clarity.

Worth a try.

[Mark Weusten]

True John, I may just have to do that my stocks are running low.......

[clinton james anstis]

Where in nz are you I have a spare one it got replaced by one that only needs one gasket and am happy to lend it

[Mark Weusten]

Hey Clinton, that is very nice of you. I am also in Auckland. I will pm you.

[Chris]

In a pinch you could just raise the inner pipe 20mm above the plate it should still work as intended you will just have some grain movement.

It is purely something to centre the pipe and keep the wort 20mm above the grain.

[Mark Weusten]

Not with you Chris. The overflow bottom pipe is not adjustable (I am missing the Overflow top pipe)and even with small grainbill I get grains flowing down  the pipe without the overflow inlet sitting on top. I used a rubber plug for my last brew which worked but the recirc was bad and the pump kept running out of water and had to be periodically turned off and on.

[Chris]

My bad, i was just thinking the overflow inlet >_/p>

And ouch that sucks.

[Mark Weusten]

Well still no part after a months wait. I have had to resort to hassling imake staff which I dont enjoy but reluctantly they are going to get one off a unit in stock. Why this couldnt happen sooner I dont know. Anyway my last brew was a disaster. I used a rubber bung in the top of the bottom overflow pipe to stop grain going into the pump and it fell off as I was sparging. As a result I had grains sitting on the bottom of the element burning and eventually blocking the pump. This meant after the boil finished when I tried to cool the wort the counterflow wouldnt work and I had to leave it overnight to cool in the garage. I noticed a burnt smell to the wort and a massive protein clump the size of soccor ball when I poured it into a fermenter so it went down the drain. I think this is a serious issue and would urge potential buyers to take this into consideration. I am thinking to myself that if I consider the units being late, the water leaks, wait for the replacement counterflow and clips. Parts not available....I wouldn't go there again. I would be going 3 tier or Braumeister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Peter Smith]

mark I have had my faior share of CF brews with home made 50L keg system as well, leaks, pipes coming loose..... etc etc, but I guess i am to blame for all these... re the BM.. its like buying a merc vs a mazda, read this tho they have FUBARS too

https://forum.braumeisters.net/

by there nature recirc and pump = blockage... 

[Dene McDonald]

My take on all of this is that the first 100 were available to early adopters and that we really were beta-testers. They probably should have made people more aware that as part of the first 100 there would be problems and it may be slow to get replacement parts etc...

Overall I am really happy with my Grainfather and know I have made the right decision. I tried the 3v thing and it was a right pain - lots of cleaning, lots of equipment, lots of money for constant upgrades.... I always wanted a Braumeister but can't really justify the $3,500 cost. 

[Mark Weusten]

I hear you guys, I am still seething after tipping my brew down the drain......