Since I upgraded from a makeshift keggle system with a cooler mash tun to the Grainfather G30, I’ve been astounded by its efficiency and user-friendliness. However, the G30 has its challenges. Luckily, these are easy to fix. I’ve made several modifications to my G30 and have plans for more. If you’re in a similar situation or considering a G30, this post is for you!
You can find most of the mods in this writeup here: Complete List of My Gear! – Iconoclast Brewing
Modifications I’ve Made:
- Quick Disconnects
- GCast: WiFi Bridge
- Custom Brew Stand with Casters
- Plant Dolly
- False Bottom
- Rolled Steel Plates
- Grain Overflow Filter
- 3D Printed Accessories
Modifications I’m Considering:
- More Powerful Pump
- Sparge Arm
- Whirlpool Attachment
- Ball Valve for External Pump
- CIP Setup
Don’t have a G30 but want one? Buy one here. I’ll get a tiny commission at no cost to you, which will go towards keeping this site running!
Details on Mods I have Done:
Quick Disconnects
Before quick disconnects, I struggled to uncouple the connection between the chiller/recirculation hose and the pump pipework, especially with one hand. Not to mention I would spill hot wort from the tube. Every. Single. Time. Enter the Quick Disconnects!
This mod will replace your recirculation tube completely and will involve changing the connection on the counterflow chiller that came with your G30 to an MQDSHB Quick Disconnect fitting.
I have to give full credit to this thread on Reddit that I followed while doing this mod. The images below also came from that thread. Alternatives are available, specifically from the tried-and-true Brew Hardware build, but that one uses traditional camlocks. I like quickly connecting or disconnecting the CFC or recirculation tube with one hand.
This is where I got my parts: Stainless Brewing
These are the parts I picked up (These images all came from Stainless Brewing):
- FQDFT Female Quick Disconnect – 1/2″ FPT
- MQDSHB Male Quick Disconnect – 3/8 Hosebarb For Recirculation tube
- MQDSHB Male Quick Disconnect – 3/8 Hosebarb For Counterflow Chiller
- 04MBV04 1/2 X 1/2 Mini Ball valve type: MPT X FPT
- 12AHB04x03 Threaded Hex Bushing Reducing size: 1/2″ x 3/8″
- 2′ Silicone tubing with 3/8″ ID
That being said, certainly heed the words of u/jjflay:
“BTW, if ordering from StainlessBrewing’s web site, do look for the drop down to modify the plumbing parts…for instance the default ball valve when displayed is a FPT x FPT, not the MPT x FPT as I selected. A buddy of mine didn’t see that and had to reorder…”
GCast: WiFi Bridge
Honestly, wireless capability should have been included with the stock G30. Of course, it does come with Bluetooth, but what if you need to run out for supplies mid-brew? What if you have to pick up your kid from school halfway through the mash?
With this bridge, full WiFi capability is added. You can monitor and interact with the Grainfather from anywhere in the world. It works as a bridge between the onboard Bluetooth controller and your router. So, to set up the bridge, you place the Grainfather connect box in pairing mode, and plug the bridge into the wall near the Grainfather and reasonably close to your router. Then, go into the Grainfather app and pair the Grainfather Connect box to the bridge under the Hardware section of the app.
Custom Brewstand
I built this on a whim after getting inspiration from a Reddit article. A lot of projects start that way! I mentioned it to my supportive brew wife, who said I should research and go for it! An hour later, I was at Lowes getting 2×3 studs and some casters.
This is an easy build if you have some woodworking experience.
The beautiful thing about this stand? Well, first, it’s on casters. This is very important if you have limited room to take over in your garage, basement, or extra space. In addition, the bottom shelf slides out on heavy-duty sliding rails and has its own fifth caster. So, it can support a lot of weight.
I recommend installing a tankless RO filter to the back for more leisurely brew days. No more lugging 5-gallon jugs of water!
Building this stand took a few hours, but I am considering building similar stands to make my brew process smoother. A racking/filtration/transfer stand to roll out when needed would be very useful.
Second, the bottom shelf is on heavy-duty sliding rails, so you can store your Grainfather, then slide it out when you want to use it!
Third, you can 3D print brackets to hold your lid, pipework, grain overflow filter, etc., and tack them onto the side for an ultra-convenient mobile brew station. I have spots for nearly everything, from lactic acid, syringes, a refractometer, and Grainfather accessories.
I will do a complete build post on this, including measurements, materials, and considerations if I built it again! So, if you are interested, subscribe to get notified when that becomes available!
Plant Dolly
Simple and effective. If you don’t have or plan to build a brew stand for your G30, consider getting one of these plant rollers!
It even has a hole in the bottom so you can push that pesky reset button during a boil without getting dangerous and tilt the Grainfather with 7 gallons of boiling wort when it matters most. Just reach underneath and push the button and resume your brew!
I used this 16-inch Plant Dolly for about 5 years before I built my own brew stand. The roll around was invaluable when I needed to move the Grainfather, whether across the room or even a foot, so I could connect my chiller.
I’ll keep this around for future use, even though I have a brew stand, just in case!
False Bottom
Ever been brewing a batch, getting ready to knock out, and when you start recirculating your chiller to sanitize it, it gets clogged with only 10 minutes left in the boil? Yeah, me too. Due to the narrow diameter of the chiller and pipework tubing, it doesn’t take much hop matter to thoroughly clog them up. And that’s even when you use the stock filter on the pump inlet. Sure, it helps, but more is needed.
I found this false bottom on Williams Brewing, which has changed everything. I no longer need to use a hop spider, though I sometimes still do if I’m planning on an IPA, anything heavily hopped, or when I add fruit to the boil to keep things nice and clean.
If you get this, you will notice the ring on top does not allow the bottom mash plate to sit evenly in the mashing insert. To fix this, I unscrewed the ring and flipped it so it was on the bottom. I can still grab the screw to pull the false bottom out when cleaning up, no problem.
While it works well, the false bottom IS a little light. So, be careful not to stir the boil too hard, or it could flip up and no longer catch proteins and hop material.
Rolled Steel Plates
This mod is a big deal. If you’ve brewed with a G30 before, you know getting those silicone gaskets to stay on the perforated steel mash plates is a massive pain. Sure, you can spray the edges of the mash insert with StarSan to make the seals slide more effortlessly, but I just wanted it to work without needing extra effort.
These rolled plates are superior because they have no seals to worry about. When you are ready to mash, drop the bottom plate in. That’s it. These plates are more robust and durable than the stock ones that come with the G30. I still have the stock plates but should toss or rehome them.
They support a lot of weight and show no signs of wear after using them for over 40 brews.
Grain Overflow Filter
If you’ve brewed with the G30, you know that sometimes during recirculation during mashing, that grain can flow into the overflow pipe. This is terrible news. You want to avoid boiling grains because you’ll extract tannins, which taste very bitter and harsh. They would have the potential to completely change the profile of your finished beer.
Enter the grain filter.
This filter goes on the top mash plate and prevents grains from traveling through the overflow pipe during mashing and sparging. I have used a standard steel sink strainer, and this official strainer is FAR better. It is taller, wider, and finer mesh, so it has better filtering capability.
3D Printed Accessories
I’ve printed all of these and use them constantly. They are all lifesavers! I highly recommend using ABS for all parts, as it is much more tolerant of heat and stress than PLA.
Other Mods I am Considering
- More Powerful Pump
- Sparge Arm Addition
- Whirlpool Attachment
- Addition of a Ball Valve for an External Pump
- CIP Setup
References
Northern Brewer. (2023). Grainfather G30 Rolled Edge Grain Plates Kit. [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/grainfather-g30-rolled-plates-kit
BSG HandCraft. (2023). Grainfather Overflow Filter. [Image]. Retrieved from https://bsghandcraft.com/grainfather-overflow-filter
Williams Brewing. (2023). Grainfather False Bottom. [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.williamsbrewing.com/Home-Brewing-Equipment/Wort-Making-Equipment/All-In-One-Wort-Making-Machines/Brewzilla-Gen-4/Grainfather-False-Bottom
Amazon. (n.d.). Image of DeVault DEV3000B Plant Dolly. [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/DeVault-DEV3000B-Plant-Dolly-Black/dp/B002TRWJLA
Northern Brewer. (2023). Grainfather GCAST Bluetooth WiFi Bridge. [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/grainfather-gcast
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