GrainFather v other systems.

[Sadfield]

From limited research and general observation, all of these systems appear to be pretty reliable and people appear to be happy with whichever system they have. I've drunk homebrew from brewers using 5l BIAB to Braumeisters, and can say equipment bares no relation to quality of output. Whatever system takes your fancy and meets your budget, will be the right system.

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[Saisonator]

Agree with that Chippy I have got a Ace and so many GF owners bash it but it is great for me never had any probs done loads of brews and because it is not as automated as the GF it makes you hone your skills better so there is a up side. Got fed up of the Knockers saying it will be scrap if the heater goes but from what I understand when I did my homework was that they have very similar if not identical pumps and the heater system is of the same bonded type so if a GF heater goes you've got a more expensive piece of stainless scrap. But horses for courses and I do agree the GF is better build quality and has more bells and whistles. I watched a youtube vid of one of the major GF posters the other day and he has got his head up his **** re the GF and said " I would rather buy a boiler and mash bag rather than have one of these meaning a Ace, Robobrew etc" I thought we were supposed to be a community and the Ace can't be that bad as their are so many other manufacturers rebranding it which will also hopefully bring further improvements for the automated bunch but me I like it as it is and prefer to improve my skills not letting a machine do it with settings
There rant over
Ps I only paid £290 for mine so less than half the GF

I doubt you got a chiller at that price let alone a CF chiller so that makes the price difference £200. Also if you have the ACE, since the company folded a couple of months ago the warranty will be non existent. Whereas the GF have very good customer services and a 2 year warranty.

 

[chewie]

One advantage the GF has over all other self contained systems is the other attachments that can be fitted to it, if someone wants to use distilled water whether for partial mineral dilution or for there entire mash/sparge liqor then with the GF they have that option.

 

[The Baron]

From limited research and general observation, all of these systems appear to be pretty reliable and people appear to be happy with whichever system they have. I've drunk homebrew from brewers using 5l BIAB to Braumeisters, and can say equipment bares no relation to quality of output. Whatever system takes your fancy and meets your budget, will be the right system.

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Thanks Sadfield
new it my stir one or 2 comments but wont be taking the rise I'm happy with my lot and brew with no chill which I prefer to chilling having done both so a basic system is ideal for me but not for everyone and I don't knock the GF as I know its a good system and so is the Braumeister which in theory should be the best of the lot but they are only as good as the person using it.

 

[The Baron]

One advantage the GF has over all other self contained systems is the other attachments that can be fitted to it, if someone wants to use distilled water whether for partial mineral dilution or for there entire mash/sparge liqor then with the GF they have that option.

I do agree Chewie but I use RO sometimes and just calculate it myself. It is good to have the technology in a system but not everyone wants that and I prefer to learn how to brew so I am learning the old fashioned way and not having to rely on technology. Horses for courses and yes some people love the technology side of it and good on them as it does push the boundaries to help further developement

 

[-Bezza-]

I've never quite got to the bottom of this when doing my own researches - what does the Braumeister bring to the party that the others don't? Interested what double the price gets you.

 

[Saisonator]

I've never quite got to the bottom of this when doing my own researches - what does the Braumeister bring to the party that the others don't? Interested what double the price gets you.

It is the only one that is of a commercial build quality.
Also it is set up a bit different, the grain is mashed from underneath, as in underletting. Also the element wraps around the inside wall of the unit, so it can be replaced, also it means less chance of flour sitting on the element and scorching.
Something I know only too well after pouring away 23litres of badly scorched wheat beer.

 

[Saisonator]

Thanks Sadfield
new it my stir one or 2 comments but wont be taking the rise I'm happy with my lot and brew with no chill which I prefer to chilling having done both so a basic system is ideal for me but not for everyone and I don't knock the GF as I know its a good system and so is the Braumeister which in theory should be the best of the lot but they are only as good as the person using it.

Lol!
I bought mine before the automated controller came out, so I brew the same as you. I prefer paper pen and timer and all my notes in a ring binder.

 

[The Baron]

Lol!
I bought mine before the automated controller came out, so I brew the same as you. I prefer paper pen and timer and all my notes in a ring binder.

Funny you said that I have a ring binder and print off the recipe from Brewers friend with most of the notes typed in then write on with pen any other things that I need Works for me

 

[Saisonator]

I do exactly that.
With Brewers Friend too.

 

[Kman]

What do have as a equipment profile? Not sure what to do for a gf on there


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[Chippy_Tea]

I've never quite got to the bottom of this when doing my own researches - what does the Braumeister bring to the party that the others don't? Interested what double the price gets you.

I think the main thing is a replaceable element and it now comes with built in cooling.



The Speidel Braumeister PLUS.-

 

[AlDaviz]

Bought my GF 6 months ago and brewed 6x times, never made homebrew at all before !
So jumped straight in at deep end.
Lots of advice on here, easy to use and control from your iPad or phone, extras (GF jacket I think helps as I brewed in garage last week and it was 5 deg heated up quickly and soon got upto boil after mash and sparge)

 

[AlDaviz]

I think the main thing is a replaceable element and it now comes with built in cooling.

£1450 though

 

[Chippy_Tea]

£1,450 though

Saisonator posted this earlier in the thread -

It is the only one that is of a commercial build quality.
Also it is set up a bit different, the grain is mashed from underneath, as in underletting. Also the element wraps around the inside wall of the unit, so it can be replaced, also it means less chance of flour sitting on the element and scorching.
Something I know only too well after pouring away 23litres of badly scorched wheat beer.

When the Grainfather hit the shelves there was a lot of discussion about both systems i posted the three videos below so members could decide, the original BM is still twice the price of the Grainfather is it worth the extra you decide.

 

[DrGMc]

Chippy - thanks for posting those back on. I watched them through as I wanted to know the answer too. I must admit that most of the issues he mentions have been fixed with the newer grainfathers so maybe its more a case of gravity mashing vs. reverse flow. The cost is a pain with both but you get what you pay for with the braumeister - its a more solid and better weilded bit of kit; that doesn't mean the GF isn't a fine bit of kit and will last a long time, I just don't think it will survive as well as the BM ut then the spare cash you have would probably buy a second one brand new!
Ah life is never simple but t least both of these look to make mashing fun

 

[Hoddy]

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/grainfather-v-other-systems.76458/page-3#post-805365

Great review god rest his soul.

 

[Hoddy]

I have a Braumeister 20L version and i have now completed 98 gyles on it with absolutely no hitches. I smash my efficiency targets of 80% on a regular basis and i couldn't imagine using anything else as its so good to use and well built.

That and a Fermentasaurus you will be set

 

[Clint]

I've had a brief mooch at the Braumeister...do you not sparge when using it? Some seem to fill it then mash in...ads say you underlet. Is the built in chiller effective as a standard wort chiller?

 

[BarnBrian]

Hi Clint.
Out of close to 40 brews, I've sparged twice and not really noticed any difference. I've got the 2015 model so not got the inbuilt cooling jacket, from the reviews that I've read they don't work very well. I use the normal lift out cooling coil although I've just had a mad splurge and bought a Blichman Therminator, yet to be tested.
I fill it and then mash in. The pump inlet is outside the malt tube and outlet pumps wort up through the mash.
I love it (that must be cos it's Valentines day).