it should be noted that Kal spares no expense. The Timer, the stainless steel pump heads, the bilchmann kettles. You could easily shave off 1-2 grand if you tried.
True, but I didn't (IMHO) spend money for no reason. When I spent money on something it was a conscious decision of price vs. quality/performance. The Blichmann kettles are a great example of this. Even if you *could* buy bare kettles and add on all the options to get to the same product, it would likely cost you the same amount. Problem is you can't do that. For example, I've yet to see any sight glasses as well designed and protected and easy to clean as the ones Blichmann uses. Had I used different kettles with sight glass added on later, I would have broken then 10x over by now banging around the kettles as every aftermarket solution gives you something completely unprotected. Kettles are heavy!
The control panel parts are another good example. Industrial name brand PIDs start at $200 and go up from there. I used $40 Auber PIDs after weighing the pros and cons. Same with the lights and switches. My lights and switches are $2-4/each. Name brand industrial ones from Allen Bradley or similar are $50+/each.
One thing's sure: When I weighed price vs performance vs safety, price was considered as the least important factor. My criteria was:
- 100% electric for indoor brewing
- Safe, easy, and enjoyable to use
- Not limit the brewer in any way
- Provide for extremely repeatable and consistent results
(Price is not listed).
That is the complete opposite of what most people do when they put together a brewing setup. For most, price is always the overriding priority and sacrifices have to be made. That's completely acceptable of course.
I guess all I'm trying to say is that if you start to change out parts or make changes, I think people need to realize that they'll affect the 4 criteria I mentioned above.
It's been nearly 2 years since I designed and built the setup. I'm happy to report that there's absolutely nothing I'd change if I had to do this all over again. Having brewed with it dozens and dozens of times, there's nothing I look at and go "gee, I should have done that differently...".
Definitely one way to shave costs is to use eBay to buy many of the parts. For example, the timer is $150 from the manufacturer's website. I bought the same one with a socket for $30 from eBay. This is why I always give eBay search links for most of the items or give alternatives for some of the more expensive items. You should always check eBay using the links... you never know!
Kal
