Grainfather 70L Price, Release Date & more

[Clint]

Hmmm...they would.. eventually, as they have components that degrade over time... probably a long time though.
Ah!...it may be "later" rather than "sooner"...

 

[David Heath]

The BM element is £60 the system costs £1300 so i guess that's about where i would have expected it to be priced, i haven't seen any reports of them failing so maybe its not an issue, i cannot find the Brewdevil replacement body (with element) anywhere so cannot compare the price of the part to the purchase price of the BD.

 

[David Heath]

The kettle body and element are all one piece, and so as I stated you can change the element. The BM element is an exposed low density element so not cheap. As I said in another post there isn't much can go wrong with the elements in Brew Devil they have a double trip protection, in the later models. that's why it carries a 3 year manufacturers warranty.

I think it is fairly clear that having to replace the entire body is not quite the same as being able to unbolt an element and replace it though :) Sure I imagine most manufacturers "could" sell you a new body and element, if it is still a system they make but the cost is going to be pretty high as you are essentially almost buying the system again.

 

[David Heath]

I was aware of the price David, i was stating the how much, as an astonished price. Its a ridiculous price. I could build 3 systems that do the same at a fraction of the price, and it dont make better beer.

Ahh I see, no worries :) Yes I have to agree.

 

[foxy]

The BM element is £60 the system costs £1300 so i guess that's about where i would have expected it to be priced, i haven't seen any reports of them failing so maybe its not an issue, i cannot find the Brewdevil replacement body (with element) anywhere so cannot compare the price of the part to the purchase price of the BD.

As I said the budget Chinese multiple monikered unit has 2 safety fuses protecting the elements in the later models. Even in the original the only replacement I have ever heard of was Magical Pancakes.
I think that retailers carrying spares of elements speaks for itself though it would be no fault of the BM design just user error if the elements carked it.
Just for curiosity sake I will write to ZJM and inquire about any reports of element failure.

 

[foxy]

I think it is fairly clear that having to replace the entire body is not quite the same as being able to unbolt an element and replace it though :) Sure I imagine most manufacturers "could" sell you a new body and element, if it is still a system they make but the cost is going to be pretty high as you are essentially almost buying the system again.

Of course it isn't the same as unbolting the element, but all you get in the exchange is the kettle shell and elements, the circuit board, screen, pump etc are still good. My guess would be cheaper than 60 quid. Giving a three year warranty would give a good indication of the manufacturers confidence.

 

[Clint]

What sort of warranty do the most expensive ones carry?

 

[foxy]

What sort of warranty do the most expensive ones carry?

BM carries a four year warranty.

The BM element is £60 the system costs £1300 so i guess that's about where i would have expected it to be priced, i haven't seen any reports of them failing so maybe its not an issue, i cannot find the Brewdevil replacement body (with element) anywhere so cannot compare the price of the part to the purchase price of the BD.

Received a reply back from Sandy at Zhongshan Jincha Manufacturing Co Ltd, she informs me they have never had any call for a replacement of the elements in the latest model which has been on the market for around 2 years. The cost of the replacement in British pounds would be 31.50 for the 40 litre and for the 50 litre 61.5 GBP. so far cheaper than the BM replacement. But for both the BM or Hopcat, Brew Devil, Klarstein etc etc if used in a practical way as designed they will not have a problem. I did come close to losing my BM element when giving it a clean with sodium perc it came very close to boiling dry it did scorch the element but I got it back all shiny and bright using emery paper and elbow grease.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Postage is going to be expensive for something that size and weight and this still leaves all the other budget systems that may not have an option to change the body but I will leave it there.

 

[David Heath]

Postage is going to be expensive for something that size and weight and this still leaves all the other budget systems that may not have an option to change the body but I will leave it there.

It is clearly outrageously unrealistic :)

 

[foxy]

I think knowing the way 'Choice' operates their reviews is you have 2 units as in say BM and Brew Devil
both do exactly the same thing, one doesn't produce wort any better than the other, one is almost 4 times more expensive than the other then the budget unit would get the tick of approval.

From Sandy at ZJM

Regarding the element, we didn't have problem with it. Actually what we faced is our distributor instead of end user, I am not sure if end user meet the element problem, but I didn't receive feedback on element from our distributor for long time. They didn't ask for replacement for element, so I think they works well.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I agree they both do the same thing but from what I have read (and it isn't much to be honest) the BM does it with a lot less input from the brewer (as Hoddy mentioned when discussing his)

 

[foxy]

I have both, same input same result. They both have an alarm when each cycle is finished, the budget even has alarm/reminder for up to 9 hop additions, memory for 9 recipes. Even though I would never get rid of my BM, my opinion is the budget is very good value for money.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

In that case why would anyone spend £1300 on something when a £700 one will do exactly the same?

Our recent poll had an option for both systems and they were both popular.

You earlier said choice, some people like to own a German car when most will do the same job because its a status symbol but a brewing machine is never seen by anyone and seldom discussed.

 

[foxy]

In that case why would anyone spend £1300 on something when a £700 one will do exactly the same?

Our recent poll had an option for both systems and they were both popular.

You earlier said choice, some people like to own a German car when most will do the same job because its a status symbol but a brewing machine is never seen by anyone and seldom discussed.

Choice is a re-known magazine, so in your own experience of say the Brew Devil and the Braumeister which would you prefer?

 

[Clint]

We buy a lot of things that no one "sees". But they do...

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Choice is a re-known magazine, so in your own experience of say the Brew Devil and the Braumeister which would you prefer?

I don't know enough about either to be able to make that call but i cannot get my head around why one system is over twice the price of the other.

So as not to keep taking this off topic i have opened this can we move the discusion to it, thanks - https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/braumeister-v-brew-devil-or-other-budget-system.84396/

 

[David Heath]

Hmm. Its like anything else, cars for example. Some may be happy with something budget. It will take you from A to B. But for those that can afford more they can choose for a better experience. It is fair to say that buying a more expensive system will not brew better beer than a cheaper one but those that are really cheap tend to not be great solutions either. Plenty of rubbish out there with a pretend CE approval marking for example. Note I am not naming any brewing system that falls into these categories, good or bad.

 

[peebee]

Cheers David. Didn't quite grasp the car analogy 'cos I'm not allowed to drive one. But as you're saying it doesn't necessarily follow in brewing gear, which my partner is always saying I spend too much time and money with, I'm all in favour! Think I'll print out your post to put in front of her?

BTW, anyone struggling with cash for new brewing kit, dump the car! Amazing to learn how expensive those things are.

 

[David Heath]

Cheers David. Didn't quite grasp the car analogy 'cos I'm not allowed to drive one. But as you're saying it doesn't necessarily follow in brewing gear, which my partner is always saying I spend too much time and money with, I'm all in favour! Think I'll print out your post to put in front of her?

BTW, anyone struggling with cash for new brewing kit, dump the car! Amazing to learn how expensive those things are.

Haha no problem, if you think it will help your case :)