Blichmann Boilermaker G2

[rmoody]

I sent a question to Blichmann Engineering regarding G1 20 gal kettle false bottom compatibility. They said the 20 gal G1 false bottom IS NOT compatible with the same capacity G2 kettle but the 20 gal G2 false bottom IS compatible with the same capacity G1 kettle. The G2 must have a smaller diameter.

Um, what? First part, 20 gal G1 not compatible with 20 gal G2. Second part, 20 gal G2 is compatible with 20 gal G1. Scratches head.

Regardless, who's bright idea was it to make nothing compatible? The very least they could do is make sure that things like the false bottoms would still work if they are discontinuing the G1 line. People change their setups, upgrade, downgrade, buy used, etc. Making it so the G1 is now completely cut off from all accessories is a particularly bone headed and quite frankly a back stabbing move to those of us who have a lot of money in Blichmann products.

I have 3 20 gal kettles, and a 20 gal false bottom. My thinking was that if I didn't like the 20 gal for the MLT, that I could trade down to a 15. That's out now. I also have a 10 gal, I went ahead without SWMBO approval and ordered a 10 gal false bottom in case I don't like such a large MLT for 5 gal batches. I just think that dropping the G1 completely was a crappy thing to do. The G1 should be kept in production for at least another year so that those of us that are still building can continue with our current plans.

Another thought, is the dip tube even compatible?

 

[La_Moustachio]

This is what I got back from Nick at Blichmann.

"We plan to discontinue the G1 design. We have a few kettles left for purchase in our facility and some of our larger retailers still have our kettles in stock. They have been instructed to sell these at a discount to make room for new G2 kettles. I would suggest contacting Great Fermentations, MoreBeer, Adventures in Homebrewing for further assistance with ordering or to check if they have G1 kettles in stock. If you have further questions please let me know. Have a great day."





Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[trimixdiver1]

How about smaller retailers? What do we do? No email to us. Don't want to sell below MAP......?

 

[TobyG]

How about smaller retailers? What do we do? No email to us. Don't want to sell below MAP......?

Seems the assumption is that the smaller retailers won't have any in stock, so not an issue in their eyes.

 

[trimixdiver1]

Seems the assumption is that the smaller retailers won't have any in stock, so not an issue in their eyes.

But we do stock these, and the discount would be out of the retailers markup.....which is not much to begin with.

 

[day_trippr]

Blichmann accepted an order for three 20 gallon Gen-1 kettles and a couple of matching false bottoms, with "First Generation Only! Contact <my lhbs> if there are any issues!" splashed across it.

My outer-cynical-pessimist still knows "It ain't ovah 'til it's ovah!" but my inner-optimist-wannabee is hopeful this is going to work out in the end.

"Film at eleven!" (Which day, who knows?)

fwiw, since this thread launched I've talked with three Blichmann retailers and they all dislike the new design...

Cheers!

 

[vash68]

This is what I got back from Nick at Blichmann.

"We plan to discontinue the G1 design. We have a few kettles left for purchase in our facility and some of our larger retailers still have our kettles in stock. They have been instructed to sell these at a discount to make room for new G2 kettles. I would suggest contacting Great Fermentations, MoreBeer, Adventures in Homebrewing for further assistance with ordering or to check if they have G1 kettles in stock. If you have further questions please let me know. Have a great day."

Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

Blichmann really pissed me off with killing G1 ... At least a few month to 1 year warning would be nice about discontinuing G1 kettles line!

I started building my system in February 2014 with a single Blichmann 15 gal mashtun. I was ready to purchase 2 more kettles in June, but my LBHS could not get any info from Blichmann on purchasing kettles WITH brewcoil installed at the factory. So in August LBHS called me and said "Blichmann discontinued G1, best of luck with you system now!". I am now looking online for G1 and not quite following the above info from Blichmann:

1. We have a few kettles left for purchase in our facility and some of our larger retailers still have our kettles in stock.
Really Blichmann? My LBHS could not order it since the beginning of August!

2. They have been instructed to sell these at a discount to make room for new G2 kettles.
Oh yeah?? Can you show me which retailer has them at discount?

3. Above mentioned web retailers only have G1 kettles with COSMETIC DEFECT at 10%, which IMHO is an option, but not for me! I want to get a brand spanking new NO DEFECTS kettle.


If they discontinued G1 kettles without any warning, can they drop all G1 accessories overnight too, such as false bottom for example? So what if it some how break on me 2 years down the road? How would "lifetime warranty" apply in this case? 15 gal false bottoms from G2 is NOT compatible with G1


I am so disappointed that if I can sell my 6 months old G1 mashtun now at a slight loss, I will most likely invest my money into Braumeister 50 liter brewing system - it comes in cheaper then a DIY Blichmann system with 3 vessels and my own control panel.

Or will look at different kettle brands and save $$$.

Thanks Blichmann!

 

[Zinc_Saucier]

I was waiting to get my new BK for a E-HERMs system, but wanted it to match my HLT and MT. I ordered one of the "cosmetic defect" kettles from Adventures in Homebrewing at a discount. I've tried to find the defect, and I can't.... It drop-shipped from Blichmann, so I think they are just running out the stock (with or without defects). If they have more, my $.02 would be to try and get one.

 

[day_trippr]

The line formed behind me

I don't think this whole thing rises to the level of "New Coke", but the three retailers I spoke to, aside from their way less than enthusiastic response to the Gen-2 kettles, agreed it might have been managed better.

And with that, let me be the first to predict that the Gen-1 kettles will reappear as a premium-priced product. Because, let's face it, at the end of the day this was a huge manufacturing cost reduction exercise, and if you amortize the die cost at a contract deep draw manufacturer over 30 years, each basic kettle becomes nearly as cheap as the raw material to produce...

Cheers!

 

[TobyG]

3. Above mentioned web retailers only have G1 kettles with COSMETIC DEFECT at 10%, which IMHO is an option, but not for me! I want to get a brand spanking new NO DEFECTS kettle.

Honestly the factory 'blemished' ones are generally indistinguishable from a new one. When I bought my 30, me and the LHBS looked for at least 30 minutes and couldn't find a blemish.

 

[trimixdiver1]

This whole thing about Blichmann telling retailers to discount G 1 pots is crazy: 1. We never got the email 2. Who in their right mind would discount the pot and make even less money on an item with poor margins. Thanks Blichmann for allowing me to make even less on your product! You got your money, the discount comes out of my profit! How dare you!

 

[GoodDogShelby]

The line formed behind me

I don't think this whole thing rises to the level of "New Coke", but the three retailers I spoke to, aside from their way less than enthusiastic response to the Gen-2 kettles, agreed it might have been managed better.


Cheers!

It is funny that you mention New Coke, because that was exactly the analogy that came to mind. They tend to promote their new products well in advance of the roll out. In this case, it was a bit of a surprise. My guess is they knew this wasn't going to be well received.

I was considering matching my 20 gal BK with a MLT, but if they are not going to match, I guess I'll just polish a keggle I already own.

 

[GreatFermentations]

@vash68 - In regards to the false bottoms, Blichmann says they will continue to manufacture the G1 versions (only matters for 15 and 20 gal) as long as there is a demand. Also in terms of other accessories, I know that the dip tube assembly is the same for both models so you'd be good on that front. If in the future you (or anyone for that matter) needed something else that is not cross compatible, they'd do something to help you out because they stand behind their products.

If anyone is interested, we've got all versions (except the 55 gal) of the G1 SD pots up on our site for sale. They would drop ship from Blichmann. PM me with any questions related to this as to not throw this thread off.

Cheers!
Bryan

 

[vash68]

Honestly the factory 'blemished' ones are generally indistinguishable from a new one. When I bought my 30, me and the LHBS looked for at least 30 minutes and couldn't find a blemish.

Toby, I hear lots of positive comments on blemished kettles, and I wish I was that lucky, however, my experience was different.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/these-blichmann-boilermaker-cosmetic-defects-455353/

And purely mentally, after paying $400-500 I should not be looking at a blemished product. These kettles are overpriced to begin with, so they set high expectations. Blichmann needs a serious competition.

However, I may still bite a bullet and play 'blemished' lottery to match my MLT.

 

[rmoody]

All 3 of my cosmetic defect 20 Gallon kettles looked great. Then again, I've never seen a brand new one. My 10 gallon was used and everyone in my Homebrew club that has one has, well, used theirs. It's cosmetic only. Everything functions and I'm going to ding them up I'm sure. To each their own.

Good to know the other false bottoms will still interchange at least. Trying to be positive.

 

[Weezy]

Amen to Kals comment about cleaning, or lack there of, of hot side valves. However, I rather like the design of these, but I can see the size and drastic new outlet config being problematic to many with existing brewstands. And if your hose is kinking, buy better hose. Thinwall silicone at the lhbs is garbage.
The fact that the shapes of these pots were changed such that existing accessories, like the false bottoms and such, do not work with them is a failure in design, imho. I can guess why this is so (constraints of the manufacturer's tools dictating shape and size) but it still hurts.

Induction capable equipment would be nice as well.

 

[tealio]

I ordered a new 30 gal G2 from AIH about a week ago. It will be my first upgrade from a 3-keggle single tier system.

I poured over all the major brands: Spike, stout, brugear, etc. and the added cost for the Blichmann G2 wasn't that much considering volume/feature set. I was interested in the BruGear equipment, but I'm tired of waiting for something to ship (not to mention scouring the web finds no real-pictured finished products).

Overall it was about $600 for the 30gal G2 + HopBlocker($59) (free shipping! thanks AIH) and that provided me about $30 in rewards credits from AIH for some accessories.

As someone who is upgrading from keggles, I'm excited for the upgrade.

I can see someone who has invested in the gen 1 pots wanting to match the finish, but most of the other feedback in this thread seems to be just blich-bashing. Being in IT (Macintosh) this also looks a lot like an Android-club bashing the new iPhone or the opposite. No one has the product in hand nor has anyone received and used one yet.

I know I'll be happy with the pot, and I'll also be happy because I love the BrewingNetwork shows Blichmann supports. I'm a lazy Homebrew-talk user, but I'm happy to provide real-use feedback if anyone has specific questions after I receive and brew with the new pot.

Blichmann: If you see this (I know you and your guys read these), hurry up and drop ship my pot! It's been a week already Check my user name and you will recognize my real name on your waiting list.

Worst case scenario, I'm the only one who ordered one... so first to ship!

 

[icebob]

Honestly the factory 'blemished' ones are generally indistinguishable from a new one. When I bought my 30, me and the LHBS looked for at least 30 minutes and couldn't find a blemish.

Agreed, just received 2 20 gallons G1 with supposedly "cosmetic defect" and I'm still trying to find where it is.... got a good deal in my book...

 

[day_trippr]

Speaking with the owner of the largest hbs in New England, he got swamped with G1 kettle orders in the last couple of weeks (a whole bunch of 20g's in the mix). Aaaaand miraculously Blichmann keeps "discovering" more G1 pots in their remaining inventory.

They're supposedly cranked up to get the first wave of G2 kettles out the door so G1 orders may take a back seat during the launch, but it looks like if you got your order in for the "Blichmann Classic" kettle early there's a good chance you won't have to go shopping for an alternative...

Cheers!

 

[vash68]

it looks like if you got your order in for the "Blichmann Classic" kettle early there's a good chance you won't have to go shopping for an alternative...

Cheers!

day_trippr, do you mean there is a way to place an order for G1 NON-blemished kettles at this time? Do tell...

 

[day_trippr]

day_trippr, do you mean there is a way to place an order for G1 NON-blemished kettles at this time? Do tell...

I don't know about "at this time", I got my order in a couple of weeks ago.

The lhbs owner was going hammer and tong with the Blichmann people, it took a few days to confirm that they were sitting on some stock of G1 20g kettles and they'd be assembled and shipped in a couple of weeks. Not a word about "blemished" at any point, the sale was at the regular price for this store (modest discount from msrp) and the lhbs owner knows he'd be dealing with a crazy person if they show up with discernible defects...

Cheers!

 

[icebob]

I don't get it, G2 are what is coming up, can't do anything about it, right now you STILL can get G1 with some "blemish" at a discount price, (look like it's the only easy way to get em) I just got 2 20Gallons AND a false bottom for below 900$ and I'm still trying to spot the blemish...( and yes, I bought brand spanking new, no defects 10 gallons before) so why the flaming, it's look like G2 are a fact, live with it... and Blichmann customer service are second to none, just my 1500$...

 

[day_trippr]

Ummm, yeah.

Let's see...three 20g kettles and a pair of false bottoms, a $1500 expenditure, hanging on a two cent opinion.

What to do, what to do...

Cheers!

 

[TobyG]

Toby, I hear lots of positive comments on blemished kettles, and I wish I was that lucky, however, my experience was different.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/these-blichmann-boilermaker-cosmetic-defects-455353/

And purely mentally, after paying $400-500 I should not be looking at a blemished product. These kettles are overpriced to begin with, so they set high expectations. Blichmann needs a serious competition.

However, I may still bite a bullet and play 'blemished' lottery to match my MLT.

Sorry to hear that, but I did say 'generally'. Some of them are going to be obviously blemished I'm sure, but with the discount I received on mine (I paid less than my new 20 for my blemished 30), it was a hard deal to pass up. And the LHBS was upfront about it the whole time.

 

[icebob]

Ummm, yeah.

Let's see...three 20g kettles and a pair of false bottoms, a $1500 expenditure, hanging on a two cent opinion.

What to do, what to do...

Cheers!

fixed my post for ya

 

[PilotCline]

As per the cosmetic defect kettles. I ordered the 20 Gal back in April or so from AIH. It was flawless. I could not find anything wrong anywhere. I ordered a 15 Gal in the beginning of August. I was hoping that I would have the same luck. Well, not so much. I immediately noticed a large dent below the ball valve. OK, so that's my defect. Cool, I can live with that. I put the lid on and noticed that it slid all over the place. Not cool. I inserted the false bottom and it did not seal all the way around. I contacted the seller and they contacted Blichmann. Well, apparently out of round is considered a cosmetic defect even though it affects the function of the lid. They also said that the false bottom seals on the bottom and not the sides. OK that I am alright with. It is just the fact that the lid does not seat properly and if bumped slides everywhere. So according to Blichmann I have a working pot. Well the store said I could try bending it back myself, which I did. Just didn't want to have to do that with a $377 pot. Also the Auto Sparge hole was punched for my by Blichmann. Well, where they punched the hole it dented the pot, and they left a nice burr that I will have to file out. Luckily I now have my complete matching Breweasy system, so whatever I will live with it. Had I known all of that about the 15 gallon I received I would have just paid 10% more for a new one. Unfortunately that was no longer an option when I ordered.

 

[icebob]

will see how it goes, got my 2 20s and they are perfect, just ordered a 15, hoping for the best....and btw, AIH have free shipping on those and even if drop shipped from Blichmann, usually 4 days after ordering, brown truck knock on the door!

 

[vash68]

As per the cosmetic defect kettles. I ordered the 20 Gal back in April or so from AIH. It was flawless. I could not find anything wrong anywhere. I ordered a 15 Gal in the beginning of August. I was hoping that I would have the same luck. Well, not so much. I immediately noticed a large dent below the ball valve. OK, so that's my defect. Cool, I can live with that. I put the lid on and noticed that it slid all over the place. Not cool. I inserted the false bottom and it did not seal all the way around. I contacted the seller and they contacted Blichmann. Well, apparently out of round is considered a cosmetic defect even though it affects the function of the lid. They also said that the false bottom seals on the bottom and not the sides. OK that I am alright with. It is just the fact that the lid does not seat properly and if bumped slides everywhere. So according to Blichmann I have a working pot. Well the store said I could try bending it back myself, which I did. Just didn't want to have to do that with a $377 pot. Also the Auto Sparge hole was punched for my by Blichmann. Well, where they punched the hole it dented the pot, and they left a nice burr that I will have to file out. Luckily I now have my complete matching Breweasy system, so whatever I will live with it. Had I known all of that about the 15 gallon I received I would have just paid 10% more for a new one. Unfortunately that was no longer an option when I ordered.

That is exactly why I don't want to play "cosmetic defect pot" lottery.
Blichmann has created artificial shortage of G1 pots so that they can sell their remaining inventory of defective kettles that people would not buy otherwise.
In one dick corporate move Blichmann alienated so many consumers.

I was impatiently waiting for Boilcoil to come out for about a year, and was holding out on the G1 pot purchase because of that delay - and now I can not get a (G1 matching) kettle to install one into.

THAT made me think long and hard about whether I want to spend $170 on proprietary immersion heating element with 1 year warranty.
And when it burns out say 2 years later I will have to come back and buy a replacement for $170 or close to that?
Will boilCoil be available 2 years from now for G1 kettles?

Given above considerations, I am going with generic water heater element in my brew pots.


FWIW, I don't really like the way the lid sits on my non-defective 15 gal Blichmann G1 pot - it is relatively easy to slide around and it seems like design "feature".
In contrast the lid on my Megapot seals well and stay in place a lot better because the lid has deeply stamped edge.

 

[jpalarchio]

Blichmann has created artificial shortage of G1 pots so that they can sell their remaining inventory of defective kettles that people would not buy otherwise.

Artificial shortage? How do you figure?

A comment not to you specifically but just this thread as a whole: I don't get all the complaining about a vendor choosing to discontinue one product and introduce another which in their opinion is an improvement. Blichmann is in the business of selling brewing gear, they're obviously making decisions that they think will sell more. Their sales (or lack of) will determine if they made the right decision.

These pots have been around forever, it's not like they have the 8-month lifespan of an iPhone.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]I don't get all the complaining about a vendor choosing to discontinue one product and introduce another which in their opinion is an improvement. Blichmann is in the business of selling brewing gear, they're obviously making decisions that they think will sell more. Their sales (or lack of) will determine if they made the right decision.

These pots have been around forever, it's not like they have the 8-month lifespan of an iPhone.

I don't get why people don't understand that when an iconic product that pretty near any home brewer might aspire to own completely changes that someone's probably going to talk about it, and some people won't be fans of the completely changed product.

Yup...hard to understand why some people don't get it...

Cheers!