My verdict on the Braumeister is positive, except for the ridiculous way they expect you to update the firmware, along with the fact that they expect you to tip it to empty it, while placing the expensive control stuff right where the machine will rest on it as you tip.
When I was done brewing, I was surprised at how little I had left to do. I put the strainers in the dishwasher, which doesn't count as work. I washed the mashing pipe in the kitchen sink, and after that the BM itself, which fit just fine. I ran the pump with new water to make sure nothing was left in it, and I lifted the BM and turned it to get everything out.
I think I should use hop bags next time.
The only real problem I had was self-inflicted. I put way too little mash water in it. No big deal for a first run.
It has been many years since I brewed with old-fashioned tools, so my recollections are not perfect, but I believe it was a lot more work, and I had to stand by the kettle a lot of the time.
I'm glad I got this thing. Brewing the old way would have been a big mistake.
It would have been more work had I used a chiller, but I put the fermenter in the pool, where the temperature is 65 degrees. The wort was down to about 71 a couple of hours later, so I suppose I could have taken it out after an hour.