2 step filters is 5 gallons. Oh geez what’s it gonna look like with 4 step filters lol.Ohhhhh the prototype shows two step filters. Nice. Ok, I really need to make room up for upgrading my hobby. Argh.
2 step filters is 5 gallons. Oh geez what’s it gonna look like with 4 step filters lol.
The more I think about it the more I don’t know. I own a Zymatic, and a step filter for 10 gallon batches has to be impossible. I never thought the plastic step filter would be part of this new Z capable of 10 gallons, maybe just the smaller unit. These pictures showing plastic step filters stacked is not what I was expecting. Doing a batch this weekend I realized a step filter twice the size of the current, needed for a 5 galllon batch, would also be very large and hard to manage. I can’t see the step filter getting much bigger than it is now, especially with all the cracking it’s prone to. I don’t know what to expect anymore!Seems to me this is where the “series” comes in. Multiple step filters of multiple sizes. Meaning if you buy the 5-10 gal unit it will not be able to use the step filters from the 1-5 gallon unit. 1-5 gal unit has two step filters for up 10lbs of grain. The 5-10 gal unit uses step filters for up to 20lbs of grain or so. Just my take.
Nope. The upper bin is definitely a Zymatic step filter. You can see the stainless screen. The lower one may be a bit bigger hard to tell from the angle if it’s just pulled out more etc.Go back and look at that image again. The lower clear plastic bin looks like a Zymatic grain bin and the upper clear plastic bin is smaller. Just like a PicoPak bin.
Nope. The upper bin is definitely a Zymatic step filter. You can see the stainless screen. The lower one may be a bit bigger hard to tell from the angle if it’s just pulled out more etc.
I just happen to own bothI bow to your obviously superior knowledge!
Oh god!Just revealed. Definitely 4 Zymatic step filters stacked.
https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/12/picobrew-z-series-homebrew-beer/
Since you own both, do you see value in a all in one machine? If you want to run 2,3,4 batches in parallel I can see maybe. But 1 or 2?
There are so many unanswered questions right now. Like electricity needs, at minimum each module is gonna need it’s own circuit if it’s not 240v, that’s not very convenient. It definitely looks like it can do 4 separate recipes on the full tower, which is pretty slick. If price was no concern I would be all over a double stack, double batch would be awesome. Truthfully I do Pico and Z batches simultaneously pretty easy now though.Since you own both, do you see value in a all in one machine? If you want to run 2,3,4 batches in parallel I can see maybe. But 1 or 2?
O and if you don’t have a Z you need to add the 600 back on. Maybe they will do something for Pico trade ins but who knows.
Well I went for it! I will use the Pico for upstairs brewing of paks when they arrive and the Z I will brew other beers which will then not make me get frustrated with time lags on shipping. Checked the wifi signal in the basement and the Z will be there, which is where I use to brew beer anyway. So glad I never got rid of the 5 gallon kegs! Might have to shift some wiring around to have the outlet where I want it. But that's no big deal.
I went for the small one, since 2.5 gallons is perfect, 5 was always too much which is why I had quit brewing. I never wanted to drink 5 gallons of the same beer all the time. But the Pico is too small to share beer with family unless I get a lot brewed ahead.What size did you get?
I'm on the fence but if I can reuse the 1.75 gallon kegs for smaller batches/paks, I'll probably pull the trigger.
I am in line for the Z2. Still wanting more answers about the setup. It will come and I can cancel if I don’t like.
I don’t see why we can’t use the 1.75 kegs we already have.
They confirmed we can use the small kegs. I couldn't think of reason either, but just wanted to be sure.
edit: They also confirmed the 2.5 is upgradable. I was afraid the 110 to 240 might prevent it.
Yes, at least double the footprint.How much more work does the Zymatic (and I guess the Z) would require to brew when compared to the Pico Pro? Kegging only. Mainly ingredient prepping?
In terms of pricing, if I don't buy large bags of grains, and go in bulk by weight at my local homebrew, how much grain can the step filter take and roughly how much would it run me in ingredients for say, a run of the mill ale?
Counter space... does the Z take more than double the Pico footprint?
Yes, at least double the footprint.
Price per batch, $20 or so for run of mill ale buying grain and hops per pound and oz.
There is a decent amount of time needed for not only ingredient prepping but designing and building your recipe. More importantly to me, is the extra equipment needed and where to store it. I got out of brewing due to all the “stuff”, my spare room became a brewery. When we had kids things had to change. Pico was perfect in that regard and got me back in it. When I got a Zymatic last year, I had to do some major overhauling to get back into all grain brewing. If you have the space no problem, just another expense and more toys. I would estimate about 1-1.25 hours hands on for a Zymatic batch compared to about 15-20 mins for a Pico.
I hear you, and I come from the place. Space is my issue now. As for the recipes, I love tweaking, so I won't mind entering the stuff in it, and for the ingredients, I would bag all the stuff in advance from the store with the right amounts. So they would not take that much more space and would be used pretty much immediately. It's more expensive, but I don't want to store 50 pounders for recipes. Just does not make any sense to me anymore.
Ok, still weighing in on all the aspects. I wonder if it even make sense to get the Z1 if really what I want is a Z3.
Imagining a brew day is over in 5hrs with 3 batches all ready and cooling. Bliss.
Do the Z have to be cleaned like a Pico Pro every 3 batches as well? How's the cleaning, easier, same, faster, longer?
Actually that’s why the zymatic SHOULD be shorter. It’s one outlet that stays stationary, as opposed to 6 outlets the Pico has to cycle through. They Zy slowly heats up to like 180 then just circulates as it slowly chills down to 120 it finishes.The deep clean may be shorter since they did away with the arm and now use valves kinda like the Pico. We can hope right?
Enter your email address to join: