Recent content by bobbytuck

I use a Jaded chiller with my larger eBIAB outfit and love it. Cools the wort (usually around 4.75 to 5 gallons) to pitching temp in about 5 mins. That said, as much as I'd like a thin immersion chiller for my Pico, I'm fine with using a 5 gallon bucket and a couple changes of water. Keep in...

I'm using it in my fermentation chamber -- (a small chest freezer in basement with year-round ambient about 65F) -- with no issues. It's great, actually. It takes a while to heat up, but I'm able to get up in the upper 70's with it, no prob (for Saisons). I'm about to brew another Saison with...

Agree! The issue I ran into is that much of the Pico is user-fixable -- but the pumps, apparently, aren't. That's the main reason why I had to send it back (twice now). Pico support sent me illustrated PDFs on how to remove the top and re-lubricate and adjust the stepper arm. I've also heard...

I only received one fatal error -- but that was about 20 batches ago (I did 73 or so on my original machine). I did a lot of demo batches for buddies wondering about the Pico. Oddly, I had no issues up until batch 50 or 51 or so. And then it was usually my own fault: getting grain clogged in the...

Big -- big -- props to Pico for exchanging my defective Pico. Went through a lot of batches and troubleshooting -- and time -- but Pico made it right. Took a lot of iPhone photos, too -- and we spent quite a bit of time troubleshooting via email. The new unit just shipped out, and I'm...

In!

I do nearly the same. I put enough hot water (from the tap) in to cover the Boil Coil, drop in a little of the CraftMeister Oxygen cleaner (supposedly the same as Oxiclean but a bit stronger because it's sourced from a chemical company), and recirc for about 5 mins. I don't use the heat or temp...

I've got the 120V EBC-SV -- but I'm really (and unexpectedly) happy with this system. I've brewed 7 batches now -- and the 3 I've tasted have been phenomenal. I've also got a PicoBrew -- and have about 75 batches with the Pico -- but recently my Pico ran into some issues -- serious pump/drain...

The Blichmann element is awesome. Much better than the old water heater elements that used to come standard in many eHERMS or eBIAB systems. Big plug -- easily to unplug -- and much safer with metal shield. I have a 2250W 120V BoilCoil that does about 2 degrees per minute. Good rolling boil...

This is exactly what I do -- brew on a weekday. If I'm home by 5p, I'm able to have the brew finished -- and cleaned up -- no later than 9:30 -- usually by 9p for a basic brew -- and then another 15 mins or so for cleaning. If you decide to do a slightly more elaborate step mash -- dough-in...

Yep -- no need for a vigorous boil -- and (most likely) no need for a full on 212F boil (or whatever the temp for boiling is at any given location). My Pico recirculates during the 207F 60-minute "boil" phase. And it's this re circulation @ 207F that works fine to drive off the DMS. In fact...

Yes -- but you say "likely". What are his parts? Where is his parts list? You seem to know the specific parts in Dave's system -- either his 240V or his 120V system -- but where, specifically, has he posted his parts list for his current systems?

Where do you get $300 labor for Dave's current 120V system? I'm using this: http://www.highgravitybrew.com/store/pc/EBC-SV-with-Infinite-Power-Control-272p3986.htm You're saying there's only $95 in parts there? If so, where is the parts list for the current system? Has Dave posted that here...

I'm no electrical expert -- so I'm happy to pay Steven or Dave a profit. I know folks who are electrical experts -- or who have some experience with building stuff like this -- will say it's a simple build. That may be, but (a) it's not something I want to do and (b) the turnkey approach appeals...

How do you even know this? You have no idea. You're going by something you decided 5 years ago -- and only decided it because you read it on a forum. Are you going by the price alone? Folks like me who *do* know this -- and who have looked at the other builds and *used* other builds -- decided...