All in one - vs - 3v?

[Hudson1984]

Ok, so I’d imagine this largely down to space and opinion but I wondered.
if you emptied your current setup - what would you replace it with? All in one - I.e grainfather etc or 3v?

 

[JonathanMSE]

I can totally see the advantages of an all in one system.

But the hobby aspect of brewing makes me want to do as much as I can myself. Especially if I'm bodging bits of equipment together.

 

[West wind]

I'm watching this one as I'm going to invest next year when I move my brewing into an outhouse.

 

[Buffers brewery]

My brew kit has evolved over the past couple of years and is at a stage where I know how it works and brewdays are enjoyable with little drama resulting in an almost 80% Brewhouse efficiency. If I were to chuck it all away I’d just replace it with what I’ve got now, albeit perhaps a bit more refined. Don’t get me wrong, I like off-the-shelf stuff but for me, more than half the pleasure of brewing is designing and making the stuff to brew with.

+3 vessels

 

[AnimatedGIF]

I've recently started doing 5L AG batches on the hob and am looking to start doing larger batches. To me, the 3 vessel (or rather 2 vessel) is the way I want to go. I like the look of the all-in-one systems, but I also like the idea of the somewhat more raw hands-on approach with more basic equipment that can be modified as and when I wish.
I too shall watch this thread with interest as I am open minded. Currently thinking of a 50L pot on a propane burner and coolbox-style mash tun.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

If you buy an all in one don’t you need a sparge water heater and a fermentation vessel. I’ll do the maths that is 3 vessels. My 3 vessels are a boiler, mash tun and FV.

 

[NPi]

I BIAB for 24ish litre batches, with a 50l kettle and induction hob. I mash and boil in the kettle and get great efficiency. For me, it's the best balance between a simple and fun brewday (all in one pot), and a system I can modify and upgrade as I want. I could always increase my batch sizes if I wanted.

Only considerations you may want to make are the physical requirements for BIAB (lifting wet grain etc). Have you tried AG before? Might be worth exploring a 5l batch on you're stove top before pitching for either system.

 

[marshbrewer]

I went 3V (or more accurately, initially 2V but now 3V). I can see the attractions of an all in one, and as I spend more and more on my 3V improving it, the all in one doesn't look as expensive as it might initially appear. In the end, though, I brew because I like the process, including tinkering and improving my 3V set-up, so I don't think I would switch.

 

[Clint]

I've said it before...I like the look and the convenience of the all in one stuff..but if I got one it would break...
I got 2 X 32 litre pits and a picnic igloo cooler mash tun. Bomb proof,dead easy to use...you need a powerful burner though...and a shed to keep it in..or a big house or no Mrs...my brew day takes about 5 hours or so,I've fettled the tun by making a copper manifold...this has boosted my efficiency. The whole lot is real easy to clean too.

 

[marshbrewer]

I got 2 X 32 litre pits

You must get through a fair amount of roll on deodorant?

 

[Clint]

Ha...I edited once too! I think I'll leave it....they're actually very small coal mines in the front lawn...

 

[Gerryjo]

Fortunately I have a few ways I can brew from stove top to all in one including a 3 vessel system.
The 3 vessel I have modified all myself and get about 75% efficency using pre crushed grain and great clarity with the added benefit of large grain bills as the mashtun is 52l.
The Brewzilla I like though only used twice so far and its great for ease but I don't like the overflow pipe plus escaping grains.
I also have a few large pots where I can do BIAB if I need too but again clarity can be an issue.
There are pros and cons for all the setup which I shall keep but will use each when the need arises and as I'll be using up the last of my pre crushed grain I'll be milling my own to see what the difference shall be.

 

[simon12]

3v for sure, or 2 using the HLT for a boiler as well and using a bucket or the FV to store the wort in between. I never liked all in ones its just an expensive BIAB, the pump is an extra thing to go wrong and passive insulation is fine to maintain mash temps. Also I don't like the control panel I can just turn everything on and off when needed and time hop additions without 1. But others seem to love them so each to there own.

 

[An Ankoù]

3V unquestionably. I don't use a bread-making machine, either.
There was a time when I lived in a space too small to merit getting all the kit out. I didn't make beer during that 18 months. I enjoyed going to the pub (when I lived near a pub) and I enjoyed the beer. But I enjoy making it even more.
BUT and it's a big but. I can also see why some enjoy fine-tuning the automation as much as the brewing.

 

[ChilledGecko]

I'm (still) in the process of constructing a 3V (HERMS) system in my man shed.
I've had to divert to replace the roof which has taken time and I also plan to insulate and line the inside.
If I'm honest with myself It'll not be used in anger this side of Christmas, though I have filled it and run up the heaters and pumps.

I'm using the excuse that AG ingredients are 'hard' to come by and I expect to place a reasonably big order to make it worthwhile.

I looked at All in One systems and was very interested, but space is not a problem for me (luckily) and I managed to build a DIY HERMS system for probably only twice the price of an All in One (sigh!)
It's the fun of the build for me, plus I have plenty of free time.

 

[Hanglow]

I did BIAB a couple of times and much preferred moving to 3v. I did look into the all in one systems which are better than what I was doing, but I still think they looked a bit limiting . I.ve now gone to 2v and like that even more than when I was using 3v.

 

[Hudson1984]

Hmmm food for thought then...being as you’ve all suggested 3v/2v being the way to go....certainly putting me off the proposed brewzilla route.... I’d hate to spend the money then regret it down the line.

 

[Clint]

It's what suits you...

 

[Hudson1984]

Oh certainly, it’s what I hinted at in my op - largely opinion.

I mean forme, I’ll be brewing in my garage, it’s insulated etc and pretty comfy but I don’t really want a gas burner or anything like that. I could probably put a roof extractor in if I needed too but my main concern is getting an all in one and regretting it - but then I guess the same is true if I went 3v and regretted it!

I like the idea of 3v,but it’s also a scary start

 

[marshbrewer]

I think it's exactly as @Clint says, it's whatever suits you. I appreciate that isn't much help.

Keep in mind that most 3V systems in this country at least, are electric. And as regards brewing in your garage, you're going to need ventilation either way in my experience, because of the amount of steam given off by any all grain system.