Best Mashing/Brew System

[denny]

@BrewBama

That list is outdated. They don’t list GF G40 or S40 or S70

[kramerog]

A very useful table, but it is missing the 18-gallon Foundry.

[profitt_chartermi.net (Kevin)]

@kramerog

A very useful table, but it is missing the 18-gallon Foundry.

Agreed. Even the Foundry 10.5 has had some new improvements made just within the past few months.

[Lazy_Ant_Brewing]

@richard

@fredthecat

absolutely nothing wrong with it. however you need to either stand there and hold a fairly hot bag up high while it drains for ~15-20 minutes or rig some thing to hold it up. i did that for several batches and it definitely works.

There are other solutions. I have used a large colander that fits into the top of the kettle. Lift the bag, slip the colander under it and set the bag back down. Eventually the handles on the colander broke. Now I have two nested buckets, with the bottom of the inner one drilled full of holes. I lift the bag out of the kettle and into the buckets. The bag drains through the holes in the inner bucket and I can pour from the outer bucket back into the kettle.

I position a large stepladder over my BIAB kettle and use a small pulley setup to hoist and hold the bag while it’s draining. FWIW, I also squeeze the heck out of the bag to collect more sugar water while wearing brewer’s gloves to protect my hands from the hot liquid.

[hoursmoggy]

@majorvices

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on an “all-in-one” system to make great beers.

From what I understand you are saying that only the necessary parts of the system should be purchased, right?
redactle

[majorvices]

I love my BrewZilla but didn’t love the “BIAB” function as much. I added a second electric kettle (DigiBoil) and use the BZ as a functioning heat-controlled MT and then, leaving the mash-basket in place, lauter into the DigiBoil kettle. For me, it works perfectly.

That said, I used the “DennyBrew” batch sparge method for a good 10-15 years before that. Hard to beat the eased simplicity.

[denny]

@hoursmoggy

@majorvices

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on an “all-in-one” system to make great beers.

From what I understand you are saying that only the necessary parts of the system should be purchased, right?
redactle

Take a look at dennybrew.com for an alternative

[Fresh_Hopped_9 (Mashin_Outloud)]

@denny

@hoursmoggy

@majorvices

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on an “all-in-one” system to make great beers.

From what I understand you are saying that only the necessary parts of the system should be purchased, right?
redactle

Take a look at dennybrew.com for an alternative

I second the alternative!That’s what my mash tun is modeled after. Denny’s the man!

Lately though because it’s been cold I’ve been doing half batches in the kitchen with a 5 gallon pot and a brew bag.

[Cliff (Cliffs)]

I have a Clawhammer EBIAB and love it. Great customer service and no proprietary parts so replacement parts are easy to get if need be

[chinaski]

@denny

I have brewed on a number of systems, from old fashioned 3 vessel to high tech all in ones.  The Grainfather G40 is dead and shoulders above anything else I’ve ever used.  The build quality and functionality is superb, and cleanup is dead easy. If you don’t need connectivity, the S40 is the same great design for 1/3 the price of the G40.

Denny- I’ve heard you sing the praises of Grainfather many many times- no doubt it’s a good system.  I also remember you mentioning on your postcast that Grainfather loaned you systems to evaluate & they sponsor your podcast.  Did they give you a permanent loan?  Just curious- nothing wrong with getting stuff for free in my book.

[denny]

@chinaski

@denny

I have brewed on a number of systems, from old fashioned 3 vessel to high tech all in ones.  The Grainfather G40 is dead and shoulders above anything else I’ve ever used.  The build quality and functionality is superb, and cleanup is dead easy. If you don’t need connectivity, the S40 is the same great design for 1/3 the price of the G40.

Denny- I’ve heard you sing the praises of Grainfather many many times- no doubt it’s a good system.  I also remember you mentioning on your postcast that Grainfather loaned you systems to evaluate & they sponsor your podcast.  Did they give you a permanent loan?  Just curious- nothing wrong with getting stuff for free in my book.

I guess you’d call it long term. I have it until they ask for it back.  And I need to make it clear that the fact that we were loaned this equipment has nothing to do with my review. If that was the case, you’d hear me speaking positively about other equipment we’ve been loaned, too.

[chinaski]

@denny

@chinaski

@denny

I have brewed on a number of systems, from old fashioned 3 vessel to high tech all in ones.  The Grainfather G40 is dead and shoulders above anything else I’ve ever used.  The build quality and functionality is superb, and cleanup is dead easy. If you don’t need connectivity, the S40 is the same great design for 1/3 the price of the G40.

Denny- I’ve heard you sing the praises of Grainfather many many times- no doubt it’s a good system.  I also remember you mentioning on your postcast that Grainfather loaned you systems to evaluate & they sponsor your podcast.  Did they give you a permanent loan?  Just curious- nothing wrong with getting stuff for free in my book.

I guess you’d call it long term. I have it until they ask for it back.  And I need to make it clear that the fact that we were loaned this equipment has nothing to do with my review. If that was the case, you’d hear me speaking positively about other equipment we’ve been loaned, too.

Fair enough- both you and Drew seem to sing it’s praises- sounds like a good relationship you have with them.

[Drewch (Drew C.)]

@BrewBama

The trouble with this list is there’s still a gap in the ~10L batch size range. I would love something with a, say, 16L capacity geared towards 8-12L batches.  IME, Gigawort only holds ±5°F and tends to scorch, but I can’t really justify $2700 for a 10L Braumeister.

[ynotbrusum]

For smaller batch sizes, the Anvil Foundry 6.5 gallon size would work from 10 liters up to around 4 gallons….

[majorvices]

@denny

@hoursmoggy

@majorvices

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on an “all-in-one” system to make great beers.

From what I understand you are saying that only the necessary parts of the system should be purchased, right?
redactle

Take a look at dennybrew.com for an alternative

Ha! I didn’t realize this was an old post I had already responded to.

[Ashmore.za]

Hello,

I’m looking for my next step in brewing. I have been homebrewing for a few years now, but I have done very little all-grain brewing. The all-grain I have done has been brew in a bag, which is a pain. I’m highly interested in the science behind brewing and looking for a system that requires me to be closely involved in the brewing process.

I was wondering about getting something like the Grainfather, BrewZilla, or anything like that, as recommended by a friend who also brews. For the longest time I was set on converting a cooler into a mash-tun, but these all mashing systems seem great. I want something that has me involved in the brewing process and that is highly efficient. Please let me know the pros and cons of the systems you guys have any recommendations.

Electric SS brewtech series with 2V or 3V controller. IMO 3V. If money isn’t an issue.