I'm looking to get a Gen4, but haven't done electric brewing before. I see it comes with a lot of options (looking at MoreBeer site as a reference)...any recommendations?
Wort Chiller Connection Kit for Robobrew/BrewZilla
Neoprene jacket
RAPT bluetooth thermometer
Whirlpool arm
double pulley system
Lift-N-Lock pulley
sight glass
silicone tubing (looks like this is required)
My .02
Wort Chiller Connection Kit....it's gonna depend on what your particular setup is. for me, I chill with ice water in a cooler, so the only connection kit I need is hose clamps
Neoprene jacket....if you are brewing in a cold place, probably would be a good idea, if you brew area is inside or heated to room temp, then I would say don't bother. It may may a bit of difference in heating times, but what a PITA to put on (and, if using it, you need to remove it to chill, so therefore need to put it on every time). I brew indoors and mine is collecting dust....it was a waste of money for me (may not be for you)
Rapt bluetooth thermometer...don't know much about it. I'm guessing it is for monitoring mash temps. I use a 3.1.1 and when I check the wort coming out of the recirc hose, it is always about 2 degrees above what the display is telling me (the sensor for the display is in the dead space under the mash pipe), so that tells me that the entire mash has to be somewhere between those two temps, so I don't see the need.
double pulley system....unless you have a disability that will prevent you lifting the mash pipe (or you are getting a 65L(you didn't say), I would say waste of money.
Lift-N-lock pulley....see above
Sight glass.....from reading other posts on this, it would seem that they are prone to leakage/breakage....hard pass
silicone tubing....yep, gonna need more for chilling, etc. Bought mine on Amazon....word to the wise....don't try to save money and buy the thin walled cheap stuff.....spend your money ONCE and buy the good, thick walled tubing
YMMV
Lon
Edit: I missed the whirlpool arm....a must have as far as I am concerned. Keeps the hops moving around in the wort during hopstand and speeds up the chilling. I also let mine whirlpool for ten minutes after I have reached pitching temp, then let it sit and settle for 5 minutes. All the hop debris cones up nicely on the false bottom with very little making it to the fermenter....