Pro Steam Condenser & Distillation Lid For HomeBrewers

[@allanbrand]

Thanks David, great video! I bought the 35L lid and steam condenser back in January and can confirm that it does fit the Grainfather G30.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Thanks Allan, Yes its a good fit.

[@christopherlane486]

Thanks David. I have this lid on my BZ Gen4 35L. Built really well and works as it should. The condensation does bug up viewing through the sight glass but you can still clearly see if you are approaching boiling over. At only $40 more than the basic SS lid, this was a no brainer. I share in domestic review. My wife was uninterested as well. Now if I was making wine, that may be a different store, but likely not. Another great video. 😂 Cheers.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Great to hear Christopher. Yes I believe its well worth its asking price for sure. 🍻🍻🍻

[@PortlyGentleman]

Nice video David, the pro lid is definitely the way to go !

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Cheers Bradley, yes for sure 🍻🍻🍻

[@bradsmith69]

They’re catching up to Brewtools. Are there plans to modify the Brewtools steam condenser into a still attachment?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

The problem here is the legal side

[@paulbigelow758]

I have this lid and steam condenser on my Brewzilla Gen4 35. It's a good combo and the padded handles are great for removing a hot lid. However the sight glass becomes a bit of a misnomer during the boil, because it instantly gets coated in condensation and you can no longer see in. With a strong light, I can maybe almost detect how my boil is rolling. The sight glass port is good for larger additions like whole hops, but re-seating the gasket, window and (rather hot) clamp on the sloping lid afterwards is a bit of a juggling act. I find myself using the top port of the steam condenser for additions instead.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Hi Paul, the sight glass is really there for additions rather than viewing.

[@veitre91]

I brewed my first batch yesterday with the condenser lid, and during testing for boil off rates prior, I was also a bit annoyed about the sight glass fogging up. But here’s what I did; I cut a potato in half and rubbed it on the inside of the sight glass, and it worked like a charm. Seems to create a barrier that the steam doesn’t attach to. Combine that with a strong flashlight - and you will have no problem monitoring your boil!

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Great tip, thanks for sharing 🍻🍻🍻

[@feuer-gluat-quoim]

Burned myself coule times yesterday using this. 😂 I would love to see a silicone plug for the 3" hole, similar as the Brewtools one...

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Sorry to hear that. Brewers gloves are a great solution.

[@Tense]

I wonder if the 35l would work for the Anvil 10.5. Probably will be a while till I can get it over in the US for steam condensing obviously.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Could do, if its the same size as the systems supported.

[@chrisinestes]

If they made one that'd fit my 20 gallon Blichmann kettle, I'd buy it.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Yes, sure is a handy thing to have. Its just the sizing issue.

[@chrisinestes]

@@DavidHeathHomebrew Spike makes one that will fit, but there's no gasket, and no tidy way to clamp it to the kettle. For my NZ-style use, that is...

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

That is a shame

[@gileus1]

I'm assuming it would fit the bucket buddy fermenter also? I like to peek in on fermentation and you could put a hop dropper on the top also. Also could replace the sight glass and use that port for stuff aswell.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

I believe so, best to check with Kegland to be sure though. 🍻🍻🍻

[@agustinfernandez6279]

Hi David, How about DMS and evaporation? Could it be any problem with that? Many thanks

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Hi, there are no concerns these days with DMS from the brew, just from yeast. This is due to the modern malting technology. In terms of evaporation you will boil of less with a steam condenser.

[@jonmccombs1711]

Great review!

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Thanks Jon 🍻🍻🍻

[@Dazzle2257]

I imagine the 4 inch opening on the larger one would also work with some ducting and an extraction fan?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

I have an idea that it would if the fan was powerful enough and if the ducting was secured.

[@philoleson1780]

Can you put a tape measure to this lid.. I am amazed that EVERY listing is copy & pasting Keglands marketing and I'm unable to find this answer anywhere.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

I no longer have one. If you email KL at this email they will be able to advise:- [e-mail]

[@002simba002]

This is very interesting for us that brew indoors without dedicated air vents with fans to suck out the boil off. When using one of these how does affect the amount of boil off if any? I also assume that this lid goes on first after stirring in the “foam” and have come to a safe boil.

[@SteveBenson]

I use a steam condenser on my system. For reference, I have a 220v controller and a 5500watt element. Pre steam condenser - I would run my element at 80% power (to maintain a normal rolling boil) and I would get a boil off rate of about 1.3 gallons per hour (14-15%). I didn't have dedicated ventilation - my brew room would be hot, steamy and there would be condensation dripping from the ceiling - on the path of mold for sure. Post steam condenser - I now run my element at 30% power (to maintain the same rolling boil) and I now get a boil off rate of about .6 gallons per hour (8%). There is zero excess heat, steam or condensation anywhere in the room. The vacuum created by the condenser sucks every last bit of steam out and into the bucket below. It's honestly a game changer. My steam condenser connects to a tri clamp port at the top of the kettle (not the lid) but the process for using it is the same - leave the lid off as you're coming up to a boil, once it starts rolling put the lid on, turn on the condenser, and then lower your power immediately, and then leave the lid on for the entirety of the boil. If you have hop additions, do it quickly as venting the steam out the top will drastically change your boil off rate after multiple openings. Cheers!

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Great answer, cheers 🍻🍻🍻

[@ArthurAskey-oj2pl]

I have this lid and I regret buying it. The handles are too close to the top tri clamp so it makes securing any attachment difficult. Also, the sight 'plastic' needs to be replaced with a stainless steel blank if you are doing anything other than steam. I also can't get an answer from kegland on what the lid gasket is made from. If it is PTFE then great, but it doesn't feel like PTFE. Sealing doesn't always happen.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Hi Arthur, thanks for your frank account. I cannot speak past anything beer related. I am sure that Kegland would easily be able to tell you what the gasket is made from. Have you spoken to their support team?

[@ArthurAskey-oj2pl]

@@DavidHeathHomebrew I got a reply from kegland support yesterday. They have confirmed that the gasket is silicon unfortunately. So the lid(s) are fine for steam but great care should be taken if anyone is doing more than steam management with them. There is a real risk from chemical leaching.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

I only focus the beer side personally. Distilling is also illegal where I live.

[@feuer-gluat-quoim]

The sight glass opening can't be used with the whirlpool arm doing it's thing with the lid on, right?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

I do not think so 🍻🍻

[@louiej77]

Have you used it? It would be interesting to see it in action.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Sure but there isnt really much to see.

[@lornebrown366]

Is there any chance there will be one of these lids in progress for the G40?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Not that I know of sadly.

[@stevezartman7238]

Will this lid work with the Anvil Foundry?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Sadly this equipment is not available here, so I do not know.

[@atucsa79]

Is the 35L version compatible as lid for Gf Conical fermenter?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

No, sadly not

[@scottdavies2432]

It fits my grainfather conical fermenter

[@atucsa79]

@@scottdavies2432 really? Can you send me a photo for sharing with my friends?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

I find it super tight personally. It will cause much strain on the clips to the point where I dare not secure them. There can be some variation here.

[@A2an]

😊👍

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Cheers Allan.

[@micolo09]

Would either of these lids work with Brewtools B40?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Different sizes I believe. Brewtools do have their own lid though.

[@11Ken]

Do it work with ssbrewtech kettle?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Hi Ken, Sadly not a question I know the answer to. You would need to check sizing.

[@fabbri-k]

Anything similar compatible with grainfather g40?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Not that I know of sadly.

[@fabbri-k]

@@DavidHeathHomebrew thanks for the video btw! one more reason to upgrade to brewzilla 65L then ;-)

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Glad you found it useful 🍻🍻🍻

[@dimash244]

Weird how math works, 2"D pipe vs 4"D the difference is not 2 times bigger but 3.14 times. Because circle area =π*R^2 😊 So 2" is 1^2*π=3.14sqin and π*2^2=12.56 sqin This math is more useful for distillation, to calculate speed and volume of steam at certain energy input

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Yes, for sure. 🍻🍻🍻

[@bjrnarnilsen-ho3ug]

Is this compatible with the GF Conical Fermenter?

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

No, different size.

[@TheBorreA]

My experience is that it is the same size ov gf30 and gf fermenter lids.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

@@TheBorreA It is the same diameter , the problem is the height. I dare not push the clips fully down because it is clearly going to be a tight one and would potentially damage the clips.

[@garrymcgaw4745]

Will the smaller lid fit the Turbo 500 boiler?.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

I believe so but I have not got one to test. I suggest double checking with Kegland 🍻🍻

[@garrymcgaw4745]

@@DavidHeathHomebrew Thanks mate... Will do. Cheers from 🦘.

[@user-nt9pe2vh5z]

На крышке нет уловителя конденсата , можно с легкостью испортить сусло.

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Its design works very well and is similar to other lids.

[@joaacn]

Hi, do you know the dimensions of the lids?😊

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Kegland can confirm this for you, I do not have these where I am right now.

[@juravi6791]

I don't think this lid will be suitable for larger distillation columns and pot stills, alambics etc. The clamping system they use wont hold this stuff anyway. Poor design!

[@DavidHeathHomebrew]

Maybe you should see one and try it before judging. These are built like a tank.

[@juravi6791]

@@DavidHeathHomebrew No matter how tank-like this lid is it will not have any use for distilling anyway as the holding clamps on Brewzilla are total crap. I see no point to buy fairly expensive tank-like lid if it can't be tightly and sturdily fixed when distillation is running.