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Author Topic: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size  (Read 2476 times)

Offline tommymorris

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Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« on: July 03, 2019, 05:17:46 pm »
If I want 2.5 gallons into my keg, do I want my batch size set to 2.5 gallons in the beta recipe crafter or larger?

In most recipe crafters the batch size is the volume into the fermenter not  the package volume. Is that the case for Picobrew? The Zymatic recipe crafter specifically called for volume of finished beer. I assume that was package volume. Although, I guess I could be misinterpreting that language.

Offline denny

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2019, 05:30:32 pm »
That's what I do and it seems to work out.  For a definitive answer, email kevin@picobrew.com.  Mention my name.
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Offline tommymorris

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Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2019, 05:59:01 pm »
That's what I do and it seems to work out.  For a definitive answer, email kevin@picobrew.com.  Mention my name.
Sorry to bother.  Just to be sure I understand...

You use 2.5G as the batch size? No need to bother Kevin over the holidays. I’ll just do what you do and see what happens. Thanks.
« Last Edit: July 03, 2019, 06:12:24 pm by tommymorris »

Offline BrewBama

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2019, 06:40:15 pm »
Keep us posted on the outcome. Learning curves are fun aren’t they?!?!


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Offline tommymorris

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2019, 07:38:50 pm »
Keep us posted on the outcome. Learning curves are fun aren’t they?!?!


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You’re right. But, I am sure I am over thinking it.

I just finished my rinse. That was easy. She’s clean and ready to brew in the morning. If it wasn’t my first brew I would set it up to be done brewing right after a race I have first thing. But, I want to sit in a lawn chair and watch the action.

Offline tommymorris

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2019, 10:39:36 am »


I am mashed in on an American Pale Ale.

The step filter is filled to the rim with wort.

Offline BrewBama

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2019, 06:31:48 pm »
Well, how did we do?  Have time to figure out what you’re gonna do different next brew yet? ( it usually takes me sleeping on it )


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Offline tommymorris

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Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2019, 09:52:10 pm »
Well, how did we do?  Have time to figure out what you’re gonna do different next brew yet? ( it usually takes me sleeping on it )


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It went pretty well.  The system is fairly easy to use and clean. I don’t think I made any boneheaded mistakes or had any problems. I did get stumped (after drinking a few) trying to figure out how to connect the wort chiller. Google solved that one for me.

I ended up with about 2.75 gallons of wort. That was actually my guess for the ending volume so I got lucky there.

My OG was 8 points below what the recipe crafter predicted: 1046 vs. 1054. At 1046 I think the beer should be fine. I really wanted 1050 so 1046 is not terribly low. My main change here will probably be to use more grain next time.  I calculate 62% efficiency into the fermenter.  Considering the Z is no sparge, I think 62% is fairly reasonable. I am not sure I could get it much higher.  On the other hand, Picobrew recommends a coarser crush than I am using. So, that is another change I could make.

I am fermenting in a Big Mouth Bubbler. I did that so I could measure the final wort volume.

The other trouble I had was with my wort chiller. There was tons of foam in the chiller. It turns out there was a pinhole in one side of the tubing. I think that was letting in air. I may buy a Jaded corny pillar. I think it would be a lot simpler to use and clean.

Offline BrewBama

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2019, 07:00:29 am »
I’d call that a successful first run! Maybe brew few more times, collect some data, and you can start to see some trends before making changes.

You were concerned with your grain — maybe start there. I’ve been impressed with Pearl’s small Weyermann’s and Simpson’s selection lately. They don’t have everything but I can see a Pils, Bitter, or APA in the inventory on their shelves. (I wish they’d refrigerate their hops and yeast.)

BTW I can vouch for Jaded products. My Hydra is rock solid.



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Offline tommymorris

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2019, 11:47:24 am »
Pearly’s does have decent malt selection but expensive. I use them for dry yeast and specialty malts occasionally.

Re:malt. I have full bags of root shoot waiting to brew. I am just trying to get through my Viking and Briess stock first. I am almost there. Before the Root Shoot opportunity came up, I had purchased a bunch of 10# bags from Morebeer. Grain is pretty cheap there if you get over the $59 free shipping minimum and buy 10# bags.

I think the Picobrew Z1 was a success. I use more grain per batch with the Grainfather. The Grainfather has higher mash efficiency but the Picobrew Z1 has much less system loss.

Offline Wilbur

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #10 on: July 09, 2019, 09:41:46 am »
Is the low 60's pretty standard with efficiency for these systems? I usually get about 73% when I do no sparge for my 1V BIAB.

Offline denny

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #11 on: July 09, 2019, 09:45:16 am »
Is the low 60's pretty standard with efficiency for these systems? I usually get about 73% when I do no sparge for my 1V BIAB.

I'm in the 65-70% range.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline tommymorris

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2019, 05:08:28 pm »
Today I brewed an 805 Blonde clone. Efficiency was up to 67%. I used the High Efficiency Mash setting. I collected 2.78 gallons of wort.  I planned for 62% (what I got last batch) so my beer has 4 extra gravity points but 1050 (where it ended up) is my sweet spot.

Today’s wort looks a bit cloudy. I didn’t see much cold break.  Today I used an ice bath to cool. It was not that bad. The wort is very foamy when chilling. Maybe that helps oxidize the wort before pitching yeast. But, it is also annoying to pour so much foam into the fermenter. I have a Jaded Corny Pillar ordered. I think will be a faster better way to chill with no foam. Hopefully, the Corny Pillar arrives before my next batch.

Also today, I kegged my first Picobrew Z1 batch (American Pale Ale). It tastes great: exactly like it should.  Nice and hoppy like I would expect.

Offline denny

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #13 on: July 14, 2019, 08:30:38 am »
Today I brewed an 805 Blonde clone. Efficiency was up to 67%. I used the High Efficiency Mash setting. I collected 2.78 gallons of wort.  I planned for 62% (what I got last batch) so my beer has 4 extra gravity points but 1050 (where it ended up) is my sweet spot.

Today’s wort looks a bit cloudy. I didn’t see much cold break.  Today I used an ice bath to cool. It was not that bad. The wort is very foamy when chilling. Maybe that helps oxidize the wort before pitching yeast. But, it is also annoying to pour so much foam into the fermenter. I have a Jaded Corny Pillar ordered. I think will be a faster better way to chill with no foam. Hopefully, the Corny Pillar arrives before my next batch.

Also today, I kegged my first Picobrew Z1 batch (American Pale Ale). It tastes great: exactly like it should.  Nice and hoppy like I would expect.

I did a Z brew last week.  After the Brew is done, I run a drain rather than a record (no foam) then chill with the corny pillar.  Then I stick a Brewjacket Immersion Pro in the keg for fermentation.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline tommymorris

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Re: Picobrew Z1 Batch Size
« Reply #14 on: July 14, 2019, 11:47:55 am »
Today I brewed an 805 Blonde clone. Efficiency was up to 67%. I used the High Efficiency Mash setting. I collected 2.78 gallons of wort.  I planned for 62% (what I got last batch) so my beer has 4 extra gravity points but 1050 (where it ended up) is my sweet spot.

Today’s wort looks a bit cloudy. I didn’t see much cold break.  Today I used an ice bath to cool. It was not that bad. The wort is very foamy when chilling. Maybe that helps oxidize the wort before pitching yeast. But, it is also annoying to pour so much foam into the fermenter. I have a Jaded Corny Pillar ordered. I think will be a faster better way to chill with no foam. Hopefully, the Corny Pillar arrives before my next batch.

Also today, I kegged my first Picobrew Z1 batch (American Pale Ale). It tastes great: exactly like it should.  Nice and hoppy like I would expect.

I did a Z brew last week.  After the Brew is done, I run a drain rather than a record (no foam) then chill with the corny pillar.  Then I stick a Brewjacket Immersion Pro in the keg for fermentation.
Do you do that manually? Or is there a way to use the advanced editor to have the Z1 drain to the keg after the last brew step?