Thinking about my next brew rig...

[jtrainer]

I've been doing some thinking about replacing my 18 yr old brew system comprised of 3 keggles, 2 burners and a metal stand. I am planning to move to an electric setup, most likely running on CraftBeerPi. My new setup will be built most likely with new kettles etc so I can either pass on/sell the keggles but keep them running until everything is complete. That said, I stumbled on a 2 vessel brewery video and was slightly intrigued. (Wort Hog).

What are the disadvantages of using a 2 vessel brewery?
What challenges are there with larger batches?

I like the reduced space footprint, but feel there is something I'm overlooking as to why I shouldn't continue with the 3 vessel HERMs setup I was planning on. It will all be 100% DIY.

thx

The video I saw here:
I think it's similar to this system which is the 10 Gal: Wort Hog 10 gallon 2-Vessel

 

[Sammy86]

The biggest disadvantage that is thrown around the brewing community about two vessel systems is the hit to efficiency. While that is easily made up with a few more pounds of grain here and there.

The Brutus 20 setup does save space and personally I think a great way to go.

here's an old time write up from a guy building his own Brutus 20 about 11 years ago.

Countertop Brutus 20

 

[jtrainer]

Thx, back to my original 3 vessel setup and eHERMs conversion ideas then.

 

[d3track]

I'm biased because it's what I decided on, but at the homebrew scale I think that a 2V RIMS is a great solution. Limits are more on the boil kettle size than anything. My brewhouse efficiency usually comes in around 77%, and to be honest I have focused on consistency and not maximizing efficiency. Batch volume is only limited by my 15g kettle, for maximizing gravity (over 1.100 for 5 gallons) I just batch sparge with "cold" water.
TBH, the only quote-unquote disadvantage I can think of is having to scale recipes you've done previously. All the other stuff, to me, is adjusting your process to your equipment.

 

[Sammy86]

Thx, back to my original 3 vessel setup and eHERMs conversion ideas then.

Well that didn't take long...

 

[jtrainer]

Well that didn't take long...

Nope, it was a whim of a post and only posted because of the single video. If no one had any negatives, I would have stayed the course and probably built it. The 3 Vessel system is what I was taught so many years ago, 3 vessel is what I know. Heck, I still use buckets. I'm quite happy with my rig, I am just changing it up to dabble with an electric system. But thanks for playing.