For the past 35 years I’ve been using a three-pot system for mashing and making beer. At 70, moving 6 gallons of hot sparge water is not as easy, or safe, as it used to be. I’m looking at a Brewzilla or Grainfather system to make beer. I’m looking for feedback on both systems. Has anyone used both systems and have pros/cons to help my decision? What do you like/dislike about the systems? Thanks
2 Likes
I have more experience with the GF’s than the BZ’s, but just from a general perspective, I think the GF systems are better built overall.
I have only used GF but with 6 years of experience I whole heartedly endorse the GF line. I started with the G30 and moved up to the G40, added a glycol chiller and conical fermenters. Their customer service has earned an excellent reputation which keeps my brand loyal.
Five years ago, I bought a Brewzilla. The build quality was pretty bad. The metal was flimsy and rickety and didn’t join together well. The pump was underpowered and often simply stopped moving liquid, leading to scorching. Granted, the Brewzilla is a cheaper AIO, but still. After a few brews, I returned it.
If I dabble in the AIO world again, it will be the Grainfather. Buy once, cry once.
I have yet to find a better system than GF. Not only the brewing unit itself, but the integration with the software.
I can certainly identify with you - I’ve been brewing 30+ years, and I’m older than you. Going to a single vessel electric system is the way to go. I’m using the Anvil Foundry, the budget model from Blichmann, converted to a BIAB. I hoist the bag to my garage ceiling with a pulley system and let it drain. No sparging. I transfer all liquids with a pump - no heavy lifting. I’m very pleased. I’m sure all the various electric systems will work out - it’s just a matter of what you can afford to spend. Like so much in life, it comes down to “How much you got?”
2 Likes
All of us kids bought my dad a Foundry for his birthday a few years back - he has absolutely loved it (for all of the reasons you mention). It’s enabled him to keep brewing and brew a little more safely!
A few yrs ago I also became concerned about moving large volumes of hot liquor so I quit sparging on my 3 vessel system. I eliminated the HLT but adding a small HERMS vessel. it was a lot cheaper than buying an AIO and utilized my current equipment.
I plumbed my RO filter outlet close to my kettle, attach a hose to bridge the gap, heat water in the kettle, underlet by pumping it into the MLT, and recirculate during the mash thru a HERMS coil. The HERMS coil is in a small enough pot to handle safely. The HERMS vessel serves double duty as a cooling coil by removing the hot water and replacing it with cold water and then ice.
I have a Brewzilla and have been really quite happy with it over the course of a few years (20 plus batches). I haven’t experienced it being underpowered in terms of moving wort during boiling and have had no scorching. The only issue I’ve had is that the socket for the power cord is prone to burning out. So make absolutely sure it is fully seated at every use (replacing the socket is easy once you find the part, though). Other than that, it is a little slow to come to a boil, being the 120 volt version. One note for either system: you might want to install a block and fall to make lifting the wet grain sleeve after mashing less of a strain.
No side by side comparison on my end but I own a first generation G30 grainfather and really like it. I moved off the cooler/kettle combo. For me I find the recirculation in the mash (although not exclusive to these systems) improved the clarity of wort and batch to batch consistency. I typically do “whirlpool” additions of hops and recirculate wort over the hops. I didn’t have good chilling equipment previously that allowed me to maintain tighter control over whirlpool temperatures. My hoppy beers are much better. I did notice a significant increase in hop utilization and bitterness overall despite keeping hops in a basket which is typically contended to reduce utilization. The website does a good job with recipe creation (although I still use Bru’n Water separately for mineral addition calculations). The unit is well constructed and durable. I know people with Brewzilla units who also seem happy with their choice, FWIW.
Specifically with respect to moving sparge water around–keep in mind that these are essentially brew in a bag systems so you still need a separate heat source for sparge water unless you opt to brew no-sparge. I’ve never tried with the grainfather, so I’m not sure if there’s a meaningful efficiency loss skipping sparging. You can use a water heater with a spigot and drain the heater into an AIO brewer versus pouring in a heavy kettle of hot water but then you might be able to do the same with your current setup and maybe a small inline pump if gravity feed wouldn’t work.
I bought a Brewer’s Edge Mash & Boil about five years ago, and if I had to do it over again I would have bought a Grainfather. I make it work, but the thermostat can be all over the place and is often way off from measured temps, and scorching is an issue. I will say moving to an AIO was a big improvement, and with a hook in the ceiling of a small pavilion next to our garage and a pulley for lifting the malt tube, the system is giving me years more of brewing capacity. I’m thinking about adding a winch in the future, I already have various rolling platforms and carts, and if I need pumps, I have a couple to choose from right in my brewing stash - the submersible pump I already use for my recirculating chiller setup, and a March pump I got a long time ago and never really used. I guess buy the best you can is my advice.
1 Like
I bought my GF six years ago because I have very little room for a brewery and a single-vessel system bit the bill. I love it. The only downside is since I keg in corny kegs I strive for 5 gallons of wort in the end. The FG is not big enough to brew a batch that big without sparging so I after years of heating water on the stove I bought their sparge water heater (on sale). Since I must take car to plug them into different circuits I need to carry the sparge water pot from where it was plugged in to the GF for sparging.
If you are considering the GF have a look at the G40. It is more expensive but has many improvements over the G30.
No financial interest in GF, just a fan.