All in one systems.

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Would you buy one.

  • Yes - I would buy one of the top of the range systems.

  • Yes - I would be happy with one of the budget systems.

  • No - I am happy with my current set up.

  • No - I would update my current set up.

Results are only viewable after voting.
Chippy_Tea

Chippy_Tea

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I thought it would be interesting to find members views on these systems as the subject was discussed a while ago (similar poll)
If you came into a little unexpected money would you buy one?
 
I'm not a fan of all in ones, it looks to me there and expensive way of doing BIAB. I don't need a fancy programmable timer to tell me what to do or flick switches for me, I think passive insulation is fine to hold mash temps and having a pump on a small setup it just another thing to go wrong. But many people seem to like them so each to there own.
 
I came from using picnic cool box, make shift boiler (a fermentation bucket with 2 kettle elements) and bough Robobrew. I'm still using my first boiler to heat water etc, but using cool box/picnic box was a bit of pain - taking grain out etc. It is just much easier, circulation pump made my efficiency higher, so far done only 2 brews, but really happy with it.
I don't use any programmes, just on and off and adjust the temp.
 
I think they are boys toys, I've upgraded a few years ago from a Swan non boiler to a Burco, from a picnic cooler toa Powell brewing mash tun and I still have plastic fermenters. I now batch sparge and use a big jug for transferring wort. I strain out hops with a large rectangular sieve. I chill with a homemade copper chiller. I get BHE of 65-68%. Why upgrade?
 
I changed about 3 years ago from a Peco brew in the bag system to a Ace which has just a basic controller and was sub £300 at the time( I needed a compact systemfor space) . I did it because the Peco kept melting the leads every 6 or 7 brews even though they were hot leads which I found are only rated at 10 amps max and 13 amps are not available in the Uk anymore since they did away with the old style plug in kettles for the modern uprights. I would only buy a basic one as I still want to have control of my brewing and therefore do not need to pay a premium for further Auto control although this does seem to come with the cheaper all in one systems now. I think a lot of the initial Grainfather buyers (not all)saw it as a Automated brewing system and I deem this took away from the art and learning of brewing and were well overpriced as the competition as now become so fierce in this market I can not see the point in paying for anything above the robo/brewzilla type at £300 plus mark
 
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I do like the look of the all in ones and the small footprint,reported increases in efficiency,temp control,fast boil etc but like I've said...mine would break. Then I would have a fit and smash it to bits on the yard outside then be in a major sulk for a week at which Mrs Clint would probably hit me with the frying pan...
 
Me,repair something...if I had a local shop (for local people!) I would feel a bit happier if I did consider one then I could get down there like Charles Bronson to sort any issues...and get arrested!
I think a kegerator might be on the horizon though...then a shop would be nice as you can nip in and get stuff under the radar a bit easier..Mrs Clint was fraught enough when I built the brew fridge as she thought I was going to blow the garage up as soon as the wire cutters came out.
 
I have had my BM for 5 years now. Easily over 150 brews and i cant fault it. I can brew and still get jobs done and look after my kids. Its automated enough to help me get consistency, but do not think its fire and forget. Far from it. You are more than capable of cocking a brew day up. But for me it means i can concentrate on recipe formulation and process to brew the best beers possible.
 
I am tempted due to the footprint size and the ability to control the mash temps (that really appeals to me).
I do like the look of the Grainfather, and I think the biggest gain for me would be consistency in batches. I could use my Thermos mash tun for holding the sparge water, so that would be an issue.

The other added benefit would be, we could both use the kitchen as on brew day as currently the kitchen becomes mine. Along with the removal of my Heath Robinson twin element boiler ;)
 
Being really new to brewing they do look quite tempting, but part of me thinks its "cheating" somehow ?!?
 
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I've voted no, I would upgrade my current set up. I have a boiler, plus coolbox mash tun. If I was going to splash the cash, I'd buy another boiler and have a proper 3 tier set up to minimise the lugging of wort around, on a proper stand with wheels so I could move it around outside. My understanding is you ideally need another boiler with an all in one for sparging anyway, so it does seem like a fancy way to do BIAB, as has been said. But you never know, one day I might be convinced - never say never!
 
Think I've said this before but if I had a dedicated brewing space with lots of room I would go for a 'traditional' 3 vessel system and gas. But I don't so I have a budget / mid-priced all in one due to the compact footprint and needing to use the kitchen to brew in.

Someone said it seems a bit like cheating to use an all in one. I understand why people might come to that conclusion, but there is so much control to exercise over the brewing that it doesn't feel like that
 

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