All in One advice

[gavp1979]

346 according to mine

 

[YeastFace]

I also get 9 pages, 40 posts per page.

 

[YeastFace]

I wonder how many posts per page that is showing, on my PC its one page and 18 posts.

Ahhh, I assume GavP means the link to the homebrewtalk thread, rather than this thread.

 

[gavp1979]

Ahhh, I assume GavP means the link to the homebrewtalk thread, rather than this thread.

Yeah I meant the link, @RoomWithABrew said there were a lot of reports of problems with the gen 4 so I was interested in what they were (without reading 300+ posts) so that I was aware what to look out for with my own system and also give @Brewelder any required info to make his choice. I never meant to hijack the thread

 

[Brewelder]

If you are that tech savvy, why don't you have a look on Dark Farm's brewing systems?
If they're on deal it'll fit into your budget, fully customisable, and maybe you can use parts from your current setup. It looks very good quality as well. I'd definitely consider one if I'm on the market for one.
Regarding brewzillas, the issues with the tem probe could mess up your brews, and they doesn't come with a decent chiller. If you take these 2 into account, they're not cheap at all in my opinion.

Looks like nice kit mate, but a bit more than what i wanted to spend if I’m honest.

 

[Brewelder]

@Brewelder
I remember your thread about building / sourcing a mesh malt pipe. Plenty of mods you can do to the klarstein to turn it into a brewzilla. Bargains will turn up.

My only issues with the Klarstein are that it’s very basic, that said it is only a mash kettle and it does that well. Plus it’s only 30ltrs so I’m very close the limits pre boil just to get a 23 ltr batch. Also the analogue temperature dial seems to be either just under or just over the ideal boil rate. Like either not quite boiling or too vigorous, but I’m going to try running it through my Inkbird today to see if that helps.

I finished the malt pipe yesterday so just have the Recirculation pump to plumb in today, have a clean down and a dummy run then tomorrow or maybe saturday i will get a brew on.

All that said, I’d still like the simplicity of a purpose built all in one system and so far I’m leaning towards the Brewzilla .

 

[RoomWithABrew]

@gavp1979
The current last post number 348 for info @Chippy_Tea seems to summarize some of the issues/ concerns.
Post in thread 'Brewzilla Gen4 Discussion/Tips Talk' Brewzilla Gen4 Discussion/Tips Talk

 

[Rodcx500z]

Were he mentions wort dripping down the side when you take the recirculation arm off, leave the tap open then turn the pump off the liquid will drain back through the pump then undo the camlock and close the tap, what i do when cleaning down is i open the tap and run water back through the pump to clear any grain, hope this helps

 

[Brewelder]

My only issues with the Klarstein are that it’s very basic, that said it is only a mash kettle and it does that well. Plus it’s only 30ltrs so I’m very close the limits pre boil just to get a 23 ltr batch. Also the analogue temperature dial seems to be either just under or just over the ideal boil rate. Like either not quite boiling or too vigorous, but I’m going to try running it through my Inkbird today to see if that helps.

I finished the malt pipe yesterday so just have the Recirculation pump to plumb in today, have a clean down and a dummy run then tomorrow or maybe saturday i will get a brew on.

All that said, I’d still like the simplicity of a purpose built all in one system and so far I’m leaning towards the Brewzilla .

Here’s a few p[hoto’s showing the latest set up going through a trial run, more to clean everything really.. I was surprised at the flow rat of the Recirculation pump, not sure how long it will last mind and i need to fit it with a sprinkler head or something similar, but otherwise I’m more or less good to go either tomorrow or Saturday.

 

[Zee]

I’m thinking of stepping up my all grain brewing with the addition of an “All in One” style system, but never having used one before i wouldn’t know which one to get.

Budget wise, I’m on a shoestring so would be sub £500. Capacity would ideally be around 35 litres.

As always, any advice is greatly appreciated.

I bought the BrewZilla 3 from Brewkegtap as a secondary to my 3 vessel system. Although I still prefer the 3 vessel, the BrewZilla is easy to use. The downside is brewing stronger beers as I find anything over 5kg of malt the system struggles with. Also the automation is not really automated as the timer starts when the heater starts rather than when it hits temp.

The upside is it’s easy to use on manual, it’s easy to clean and effective at brewing session beers (5% and lower). I think it’s good value for money overall.

 

[gyurmaember]

Here’s a few p[hoto’s showing the latest set up going through a trial run, more to clean everything really.. I was surprised at the flow rat of the Recirculation pump, not sure how long it will last mind and i need to fit it with a sprinkler head or something similar, but otherwise I’m more or less good to go either tomorrow or Saturday.

It's already better than a brewzilla.
Just hook up a controller like grainfather or smartPID, and you're sorted.
If the heating element fails, you can still weld up a tri clamp ferrule, and use an auxiliary element. Don't waste your money if you have the skills.

 

[Brewelder]

It's already better than a brewzilla.
Just hook up a controller like grainfather or smartPID, and you're sorted.
If the heating element fails, you can still weld up a tri clamp ferrule, and use an auxiliary element. Don't waste your money if you have the skills.

I have the skills mate, now worries there as I’ve been fabricating and welding all my working life and as i now work ion a place that makes everything out of stainless, i also have access to equipment and certain “scrap” materials within reason.

I’ve got no issues with the integrity or reliability of the Klarstein, I’m a little intrigued by the pump i just used yesterday as i was cheap and also a bit small but for now I’ll work with it and embellish what’s there. Like hard pipe the pump, fit a sprinkler hose for sparging etc. PID control i already have, i’m using an Inkbird 308 but i need that for my upcoming fermentation fridge build, but i have a suitable replacement that just needs hooking up (probably today) if i can get hold of a suitable enclosure from my local supplier (screw fix).

I’m sort of talking myself out of an all in one here by the sounds of it.

 

[sifty]

I bought the BrewZilla 3 from Brewkegtap as a secondary to my 3 vessel system. Although I still prefer the 3 vessel, the BrewZilla is easy to use. The downside is brewing stronger beers as I find anything over 5kg of malt the system struggles with.

I've done many strong beers on my BZ (version 3.1.1). Recently did an Old Ale that used 7.2kg of grain. No problem...

Just have to feather the flow until you've stirred the mash a bit and things settle in. Then I put top plate back on and can ramp up the pump valve a bit.

Just bought a plate chiller which will improve my process, will try it out in a couple of days...

 

[Rodcx500z]

Looking at those pics, as above i wouldn't bother buying a brewzilla that looks ace

 

[RoomWithABrew]

@sifty
Be interested to hear how the cleaning and use of the plate chiller goes. The coolzilla CFChiller works well on my system and is easy to clean.

 

[sifty]

@RoomWithABrew
Yeah it's a 30 plate Kegland chiller I scored from a mate who has gone commercial/clearing out his small stuff. Been well used so I ran hot PBW through both sides in each direction for some time yesterday. Lots of green gunk came out, and the BZ has never been so clean. Will report back...

 

[Brewelder]

Looking at those pics, as above i wouldn't bother buying a brewzilla that looks ace

It needs a little bit of embellishing such as hard piping the pump and including a sparge-whirlpool arm, which I’ve just ordered the parts for and will collect and fit tomorrow. But, for now i might just run with the current set up and make a few brews to get used to brewing all grain As I’ve only done 2 previously.

 

[starseeker]

You may want to take a look at the for sale section of this site as there may be something of interest to you

 

[Brewelder]

You may want to take a look at the for sale section of this site as there may be something of interest to you

Have you got a link to what you are referring to pls?

 

[RoomWithABrew]

Have you got a link to what you are referring to pls?

I couldn't see anything there of interest.

You might want to have a look at these mods of mine for the future with your kit.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/mash-efficiency.723968/post-10206624