Advice on Colorado Brewing's Single Vessel System

[Kevin79]

So I've been eyeing up the Single Vessel Electric Brew System by Colorado Brewing Systems for several months now and I am looking for some insight before I pull the trigger. For those not familiar with the system here is a link:

http://www.cobrewingsystems.com/collections/complete-brewing-systems/products/single-vessel-electric-brew-system-ebiab

I am interested in the 7.5 gallon 120V system for the following reasons:

I live in a Condo and currently do 3 gallon all grain or 5 gallon partial mash brews on an electric coil stove in a bottom end 5 gallon kettle. I want this system for three main reasons: to upgrade to a slightly bigger kettle that will make handling the boilover easier, to get a ball valve, and to have a PID controller to better maintain mash temperatures.

I do not need a bigger system at the moment. I am not interested in going to 240V as I do not have GFCI at the moment for that voltage and am not interested in going that route. Plus ventilation for a bigger system is a problem. Brewing outside would be a big no no, even for electric as the steam would go right onto my neighbors cars parked outside my door. I'm also really the only beer drinker in my house, and am finding it hard enough to drink 5 gallon batches by myself. I have been doing more reasonably sized 3 gallon batches as of late.

So my questions are:

Does this sound like a good bet for me? Any better systems or routes that I should be looking into? Keep in mind, that I live in a condo and don't reall have access to a garage or tools to do much hands on work to build a system myself.

Is it possible while using the electric element to also have the kettle on an active stove to help achieve a boil faster and then turn the stove off?

Would an immersion chiller or plate chiller be more effective with this system? I'm worried that an immersion chiller poses the potential to hit the heating element? I current just put my kettle in the bath tub for cooling, but I don't think this would be good practice with a ball valve installed.

Thanks in advance! Any input is appreciated fellas!

 

[TexasWine]

I checked out the link you provided. Looks like bottom dollar for the CO system is $783. My opinion, you can get a system you'll be just as happy (maybe happier) with for much cheaper. As an example...

http://brausupply.com/collections/b...-3-gallon-countertop-electric-120v-brew-sytem

$469 gets you a 6 gallon kettle (upgradable to 9 gallon), 1500 watt all stainless element, Ranco controller, pump, basket, bag, valve, everything you need to do a 3 gallon or more batch. The Ranco controller isn't a P&ID and has a +/- 1 degree tolerance when holding mash temp, but the need to control temp to within 1/10th of a degree with a PID is something that has debatable benefit.

I actually own a Brausupply system, but mine is the 2x1500 watt system with a 9 gallon kettle. Got it last April and have been very happy with the purchase.

I've used both an immersion chiller and plate chiller with my set up and have gone back and forth on which one I like the both. Since I have found a really easy way to flush the plate chiller without needing a pump, the plate chiller is my current favorite. I can circulate with the lid completely closed whereas the immersion chiller gets in the way. But no need to worry about the immersion chiller sitting on the elements if you go that route. It doesn't hurt them.

Hope this helps.

 

[Kevin79]

I checked out the link you provided. Looks like bottom dollar for the CO system is $783. My opinion, you can get a system you'll be just as happy (maybe happier) with for much cheaper. As an example...

http://brausupply.com/collections/b...-3-gallon-countertop-electric-120v-brew-sytem

$469 gets you a 6 gallon kettle (upgradable to 9 gallon), 1500 watt all stainless element, Ranco controller, pump, basket, bag, valve, everything you need to do a 3 gallon or more batch. The Ranco controller isn't a P&ID and has a +/- 1 degree tolerance when holding mash temp, but the need to control temp to within 1/10th of a degree with a PID is something that has debatable benefit.

I actually own a Brausupply system, but mine is the 2x1500 watt system with a 9 gallon kettle. Got it last April and have been very happy with the purchase.

I've used both an immersion chiller and plate chiller with my set up and have gone back and forth on which one I like the both. Since I have found a really easy way to flush the plate chiller without needing a pump, the plate chiller is my current favorite. I can circulate with the lid completely closed whereas the immersion chiller gets in the way. But no need to worry about the immersion chiller sitting on the elements if you go that route. It doesn't hurt them.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the input. I would probably go with the 20amp system with the Brausupply to match Colorado Brewing's version which would jump the price up to $669. That still saves me $120 bucks on what seems to be basically the same system. Plus, its looking like their 20amp system, comes with a PID controller! Any idea if it's ok to have this on the stove with the element on to speed up the time between mash and boiling?

 

[TexasWine]

No idea about the electric stove top assistance. Personally I'd be concerned about melting something.

Last thing. If I were considering spending $669 for the small Brau system, I would goo ahead and spend another $100 to get the dual element system that comes with an 11 gallon kettle and the 20 amp controller. You should be able to make a variety of batch sizes on a system like that.

http://brausupply.com/collections/b...120v-5-gallon-brew-boss-automated-brew-system

 

[Kevin79]

No idea about the electric stove top assistance. Personally I'd be concerned about melting something.

Last thing. If I were considering spending $669 for the small Brau system, I would goo ahead and spend another $100 to get the dual element system that comes with an 11 gallon kettle and the 20 amp controller. You should be able to make a variety of batch sizes on a system like that.

http://brausupply.com/collections/b...120v-5-gallon-brew-boss-automated-brew-system

Well it was a tough decision but I ended up pulling the trigger on the 20 amp unibrau mini. Taking into consideration that I need a system that a standard stove range hood can easily handle the steam from the boil, the fact that I'm limited on storage room, and the fact that 5 gallon batches are proving a little large for me at the moment, I thought this was the best system for me. In a few years when I purchase s larger space, I should be able to easily upgrade if need be. Thanks for your help, you really pushed me in a better direction!

 

[TexasWine]

Well it was a tough decision but I ended up pulling the trigger on the 20 amp unibrau mini. Taking into consideration that I need a system that a standard stove range hood can easily handle the steam from the boil, the fact that I'm limited on storage room, and the fact that 5 gallon batches are proving a little large for me at the moment, I thought this was the best system for me. In a few years when I purchase s larger space, I should be able to easily upgrade if need be. Thanks for your help, you really pushed me in a better direction!

Congrats! I have a hunch you're gonna be very happy, and you saved some coin. And yes, it's an easy upgrade should you choose to.

 

[njpatg]

I own a 15 gallon system from Colorado Brew systems and could not be happier . I run mine off a 50 amp spa panel I installed in my utility room

 

[havoc531]

That's a really nice piece of kit at a great price, both the Colorado Brew and the Braumeister. I built my eBIAB and to be honest, knowing what I do now I would just buy it!

 

[BrunDog]

njpatg: How does that hops filter work for you?