DaveSeattle
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I've been trying to get a fully automated BrewTroller system working for 2 years now, and just keep having one problem after another. I'm looking for off-the-shelf options, and not finding as much as I expected. It looks like the only turnkey option aimed at homebrewers is the PicoBrew Zymatic. The BrewBoss, the Braumeister and the Blichmann BrewEasy all look like they can be almost automated but still require you to remove the grain and start and stop the chiller yourself, and only the BrewBoss does automatic hop additions (I have my own hop dropper that could be wired in if the controller can handle it). I'd like something I can start remotely before I leave work and come back to ready-to-pitch wort. I have 20 amps of 240v and two 15A 120v circuits. I am willing to do a limited amount of plumbing and wiring, but that's what I've been doing for two years and it hasn't quite worked according to plan... I would just get a Zymatic but they don't have the best reputation for reliability and they only brew 2.5 gallons at a time while I want to brew 5-7 gallon batches.
Do you think I've assessed the available options well, or am I missing something? Cost is not a big consideration but I'd like to stay under $3000 if possible. My reason for wanting this is that I have a young daughter and fairly time consuming job, but I also love to brew and have been brewing about 2-3x a month and want to continue doing so.
I've been trying to get a fully automated BrewTroller system working for 2 years now, and just keep having one problem after another. I'm looking for off-the-shelf options, and not finding as much as I expected. It looks like the only turnkey option aimed at homebrewers is the PicoBrew Zymatic. The BrewBoss, the Braumeister and the Blichmann BrewEasy all look like they can be almost automated but still require you to remove the grain and start and stop the chiller yourself, and only the BrewBoss does automatic hop additions (I have my own hop dropper that could be wired in if the controller can handle it). I'd like something I can start remotely before I leave work and come back to ready-to-pitch wort. I have 20 amps of 240v and two 15A 120v circuits. I am willing to do a limited amount of plumbing and wiring, but that's what I've been doing for two years and it hasn't quite worked according to plan... I would just get a Zymatic but they don't have the best reputation for reliability and they only brew 2.5 gallons at a time while I want to brew 5-7 gallon batches.
Do you think I've assessed the available options well, or am I missing something? Cost is not a big consideration but I'd like to stay under $3000 if possible. My reason for wanting this is that I have a young daughter and fairly time consuming job, but I also love to brew and have been brewing about 2-3x a month and want to continue doing so.