How to Use Clawhammer Supply's Electric Brewing and Distilling Controller

This blog provides information for educational purposes only. Read our complete summary for more info.




The directions for the 240v and the 120v are the same.

This is a basic overview of the CHS Controller. If you are looking for the full manual you can download it here.

You can purchase this controller here.

 

Adjust Set Point Temperature

  • Press the Up arrow button. This will cause the red light to flash indicating the numbers can be changed.
  • Use the arrow left button to move the cursor to the number you want to change.
  • Use the arrow up or down button to change the value
  • Press the set button to apply the new temperature

Manual Mode

  • Hold down the A/M button
  • An upside down A button will appear in the SV field.
  • Press the set button to apply the settings
  • To adjust the % of power follow the same steps as changing the set point temperature value.
  • Press the Up arrow button. This will cause the red light to flash indicating the numbers can be changed.
  • Use the arrow left button to move the cursor to the number that needs changed.
  • Use the arrow up or down button to change the value
  • Press the set button to apply the new settings

 

Heat & Pump Buttons

  • Heat button: Will turn on/off the heating element
  • Pump Button: Will turn on/off the pump

 

Auto-Tune Process

  • Auto-Tune Process:Fill the kettle with the same amount of water used in a typical brew day. A typical 5.5 gallon batch will be filled with 7.5-8 gallon of water. 
  • Turn the heating element and pump switches on.
  • Change the set value to 150
  • Once the kettle is at 140 it is time to start the auto-tune process
  • Hold the set button for 3 seconds to enter the settings menu
  • Press the set button once to change the sub menu to the oP option
  • Press the A/M button to select the oP option
  • Once inside the oP menu it will display PID
  • Press the UP button which will display the next option which is At. 
  • Press the set button to select At (auto-tune option)
  • Continue to press the set button to exit the submenu.
  • The screen will now flash At -- the auto-tune process will take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour or so. The process is finished when the At no longer flashes on the screen of the controller.

 

Factory Reset Pid Settings

  • Hold the set button for 3 seconds to enter the settings menu
  • Press the set button once to change the sub menu to the oP option
  • Press the A/M button to select the oP option
  • Once entered into the oP menu it will display PID
  • Press the UP button twice which will display r
  • Press the set button to select the r( PID reset)
  • Continue to press the set button to exit the submenu

 

Fahrenheit to Celsius

  • Hold the set button for 3 seconds to enter the settings menu
  • Press the set button and scroll though until you see unit
  • Press the A/M to select the unit menu
  • Press the up button to change from F to C
  • Press set to select C
  • Press the set button again to exit the settings menu

 

Alarm Settings

  • Hold the set button for 3 seconds to enter the settings menu
  • Press the set button a few times until the ALP submenu is displayed
  • Select the ALP menu by pressing the A/M button
  • The first option displayed is node. Change node to 1 (that turns on the audible alarm) 
  • Press set one to continue to HI AL
  • HI AL: If mashing at 150 set the value to 149.9. (Pro tip- if the HI AL is set to 150 it won't alarm until it reaches 150.1)
  • Press set to confirm alarm value set
  • Press and hold set to exit the settings menu
  • One the alarm sounds you can just hit the set button to stop the alarm.

Temperature Offset

  • Insert the temperature probe into the thermowell
  • Bring the kettle up to mash temp (150F).
  • Take the temperature of the water with your trusted thermometer.
  • Hold the set button for 3 seconds for main menu
  • Select the first option 1P
  • Press the A/M button to select the 1P option
  • SC 0.0 will display on the screen (zero offset)
  • The controller can adjust the offset in either direction-- negative or positive.
  • Change the SC to -20 that will adjust the offset 20 deg (if it was reading 130 it will now read 110)
  • Change the SC to +20 that will adjust the offset 20 deg (if it was reading 130 it will now read 150)
  • Once the offset has been adjusted to match the mash temperature press and hold the set button to save and exit
  • The corrected temperature will now be displayed on the PV screen.
Altitude Boiling point of water
(ft) (oF)
-250 212.5
0 (sea level) 212
500 211
1000 210.1
1500 209.1
2000 208.1
2500 207.2
3000 206.2
3500 205.3
4000 204.3
4500 203.4
5000 202.4
5500 201.5
6000 200.6
6500 199.6
7000 198.7
 

 

Portrait of Emmet Leahy

Emmet Leahy is the Chief Operating Officer and lead product developer at Clawhammer Supply, a small scale distillation and brewing equipment company. He loves the process of developing new equipment for making beer at home just as much as he does using it to brew his own beer. He's also passionate about teaching people how to use distillation equipment to produce distilled water, essential oils, and with the proper permits, fuel alcohol and distilled spirits.

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22 Comments

  • T
    Comment Author: Ted

    Can the 240v controller controller maintain 2 X 3000 watt elements instead 5000 and a pump and if not do
    you have this option?
    Thank you

  • B
    Comment Author: Bob

    I’m looking at the 5 gallon copper still. I would like it to be electric. I did not see anything in a video. Do you sell it a a whole complete kit ?? Thankyou

  • J
    Comment Author: Jason

    Hi – I have the 220v controller and I am looking for a wiring diagram for the kit. My electrician wants one to ensure he has proper power and room at the panel. Please advise – J

  • A
    Comment Author: Allan

    Hi :)
    I have been struggling to find All the measurement for the grain basket as well as the kettle, I am referring to the 20 gallon system.
    Would you be so kind to enlighten me.

    B est Regards Allan

  • TF
    Comment Author: Tim Fillinger

    What is the maximum grain capacity of your 20 gallon kettle? Thanks! Cheers!, Prost!, Slainte!