Brew-Boss Opinions

[Conodor]

Humm, i didn't see the show mode and 30 minute time max. good catch. I guess mabye the link below might be the better one. and it's even cheaper.(no cradle)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J6RPGKG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Mike Howard]

I have a couple 8 inch knock-off tablets lying around I was going to try until I get get my hands on a 10 inch tablet. Saw this tablet come through on Walmart.com black friday listing.

I sent Darin a note asking about tablet specs so I could look at all the black friday sales.

 

[Lax coach]

Humm, i didn't see the show mode and 30 minute time max. good catch. I guess mabye the link below might be the better one. and it's even cheaper.(no cradle)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J6RPGKG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

You actually want that one, but without ads:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J6RPDWC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Lax coach]

I have a couple 8 inch knock-off tablets lying around I was going to try until I get get my hands on a 10 inch tablet. Saw this tablet come through on Walmart.com black friday listing.

I sent Darin a note asking about tablet specs so I could look at all the black friday sales.

That's an interesting option. It runs Android Go, which is a stripped-down version of Android designed to run faster on low-end smartphones. Assuming the hardware is up to par, I would think this would actually be a plus for BB use. Android Go comes with fewer built-in services than full Android, and the ones that are there are streamlined to consume fewer resources. It is also more aggressive about shutting down backgrounded apps. All of these sound like good things in light of Darin's requirements.

 

[Conodor]

Mike,

When tablets first came out i had a knock off. I also over the years bought an expensive toshiba. A decent samsung... and honestly the best one i've owned is the cheap amazon ones. The one you posted is $70. i'd say spend the extra $30($45 with no ads) and get the amazon one. Just my 2 bits.


Lax, you are correct, i forgot to togle the no ad option on. That is the one i am buying.

 

[Mike Howard]

Just got a response from Darin (great response time btw).

When asked about specs he says "Android 10" tablet. Many are using the Amazon Fire 10 inch. If you get that one don't get the one that has advertisements. They interfere with brewing. Samsungs are the best but costly. You can also get cheap ones on amazon for around $80, they work too."

When asked if the tablets need anything special he says "No any new android tablet will work. Android 6 or higher is best, stay away from older versions but they will work."

@Conodor yea, I was just trying to get something without a lot of bloatware. My wife has a Fire 8 and likes it, I've always ran with the knock offs.

 

[Conodor]

oh, i got ya. there's a ton of crap on it, that's for sure. i've never tried to remove most of it.

 

[Mike Howard]

Since most folks are apparently using the Amazon 10 without issue....I'll probably go that route also.

 

[Conodor]

So mike, you say early on in this thread that you are going with the 20 gallon system. What's your typical batch size? I know it says you CAN do 5 gallon batches in the 20 gallon system. But you are limited to grain bills that are lower.

I just wonder if someone is going to do 95% 5 gallon batches if they would be better off going with a 15 gallon system.

 

[Mike Howard]

So mike, you say early on in this thread that you are going with the 20 gallon system. What's your typical batch size? I know it says you CAN do 5 gallon batches in the 20 gallon system. But you are limited to grain bills that are lower. I just wonder if someone is going to do 95% 5 gallon batches if they would be better off going with a 15 gallon system.

I own a Zymatic, so my batch sizes right now are 5 gallons (I brew a double batch every time I brew and I brew 5 days a week). I currently use the Zymatic for experimental batches at the brewery, however, we are ramping up next year and need to brew 15 gallon batches for our pilot line. That will let us produce 3 slims that we can take out to customers as samples of our new product lines, as well as put on in our taproom.

So for us, we really need the 20 gallon system and will probably never produce anything less than 15 gallons on it. The Brew-Boss seemed the best way to go, of the current systems out there, that make 20 gallons due to price and how it fits our production schedule. We will still have the Zymatic around for personal use and when we want to create new seasonal releases prior to full production.

 

[Lax coach]

I just wonder if someone is going to do 95% 5 gallon batches if they would be better off going with a 15 gallon system.

This describes me, and is why I’m likely going with the 15 gallon. It was set, but then Spike went and announced a 25% sale on kettles next Monday, which makes the decision process that much harder.

 

[jturman35]

I have done 2.5 gallon beers using the 15gall system. Granted they were big beers, but it worked.

 

[Lax coach]

Hmm, as of this morning the BF2018FREESHIP code for free shipping is working, but the BF2018FREEFASTFERMENTER code for the free fermenter still says its invalid.

 

[Lax coach]

Order placed:

15 Gallon Preconfigured, includes COFI, pump, element, pick-up tube, swirl-boss and trivets
90 degree pump mount
Exchillerator
Accu-Fill
Lift hoist
CIP ball
Hops spider

In lieu of the condenser-boss, I bought a Steam Slayer, TC/MNPT, and a CAM D from Brewhardware. Seems like a more elegant, compact setup for about the same cost. Also grabbed some garden hose camlock adapters at the same time to make it easier to fill the kettle or hook up the steam slayer or chiller to water.

Hopefully will come in the next few weeks, super excited to get going!

 

[Conodor]

so no luck with the fermentator?

 

[Lax coach]

so no luck with the fermentator?

Nope. Sent Darin a note asking if he could add it manually or provide an equivalent discount. I'd honestly prefer the latter, since I just ordered 2 SS Brewbuckets along with a pair each of refrigerators/heating mats/inkbird controllers to host them.

Edit: Already heard back (twice!) from Darin. Apparently the code is BF2018FREEFASTFERMENT, not BF2018FREEFASTFERMENTER.

I just tested and confirmed that the shorter code DOES work. I also confirmed that I got the last counterflow chiller. Sorry everybody.

 

[Conodor]

Lax, thanks for the correct code. I just ordered a 20 gallon system. Darin has been busy today. I sent him a message about my concerns about almost all 5 gallon batches and his response was if you plan on doing 10 gallon batches you won't regret going the 20 gallon system. doing 10 gallons in a 15 gallon system will need a hybrid method. It can be done.

So finally after 13 years of brewing i'll be able to do it in my basement! Thanks everyone posting in this thread, it's been extremely helpful.

And Lax, thanks... now i have to figure out what to do for a chiller.haha

 

[Conodor]

Since Lax took all the remaining chillers. i did some searching and this is the exact same one. Pretty good reviews. Darin sells it as a package deal that includes some fittings and 2 hoses. You might be able to save a couple bucks if you have some of those items.

They also have a thing called" the hangover" pretty interesting tool Similar to brew boss's - "swirl-boss" Similar price but you would probably need a matching connector. But the advantage of the hangover is it seems you can adjust the height so if you do a 5 gallon or a 15 gallon batch. the arm is always at the right height. I haven't done all the research. but looks interesting so far.


https://www.exchilerator.com/shop/wort-chillers/


*brew-boss sells the cam connectors you would need for both. I'm sure you can find the same ones on mcmaster-carr also, maybe granger.

 

[Lax coach]

I did check again later in the day, and the chiller was back in stock (at least I was able to add it to the cart), and it appears to be available now. So I think I just messed up the timing on you.

The one you found is indeed identical to the one in the kit. It probably is cheaper if you don't need at least some of the camlocks, female garden hose fitting or the hoses included in the kit.

Note with the hangover that you can't use a steam condenser, because it prevents you from putting the lid on. It is a cool idea though.

 

[Brewfreedom]

Looks like a solid system. I was very close to pulling on it when I decided to just go old school w the piecemeal 3v e-herms. I have a hosehead though so it will be sort of automated and when you add up the time spent dealing w the Zymatic issues will still be a shorter brew day per gallon since Im using 20 gallon kettles.

 

[Lax coach]

An older generation of the Fire HD 10 is on sale today on Woot for $60:

https://computers.woot.com/offers/amazon-fire-hd-10-1-2015-wifi-tablets-8?ref=w_cnt_wp_0_2

 

[TennBrewer]

Lax, thanks for the correct code. I just ordered a 20 gallon system. Darin has been busy today. I sent him a message about my concerns about almost all 5 gallon batches and his response was if you plan on doing 10 gallon batches you won't regret going the 20 gallon system. doing 10 gallons in a 15 gallon system will need a hybrid method. It can be done.

So finally after 13 years of brewing i'll be able to do it in my basement! Thanks everyone posting in this thread, it's been extremely helpful.

And Lax, thanks... now i have to figure out what to do for a chiller.haha

I got the 20 gallon system last July and have been brewing 5 gallon batches. I will eventually start making 10 gallon batches when I have my processes dialed in. I figure if I screw up something, it would be less waste than dumping a 10 gallon batch. Word of warning. 5 gallon batches may leave grain exposed in the COFI basket. I am not totally sure of this but I have had several batches spoiled and I think it's because all the grains were not totally covered with wort. This can happen if you have a large grain bill and/or the recirculating wort is too fast to keep up and the liquid level drops below the top of the grain bed. So, until I get this worked out, I leave the top of the basket off so I can gently stir the mash a few times and adjust the recirculating flow. When the mash is done, I put the cover on the basket, lock it down and pull it up.

 

[Conodor]

While looking for a table mount, i came across this deal on amazon. this one looks pretty good. anyone see any other better options?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WWR998F/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Lax coach]

Thanks TennBrewer, that makes me sure that the 15 Gallon was the right size for me. I don't anticipate doing any 10-gallon batches in the near future, and if I did, it wouldn't bother me to keep a couple gallons of sparge water in a cooler, or in a pot on an induction burner so that I could hit my volume. Far more important in my case to be able to reliably do 5-gallon batches without incident, regardless of gravity.

In other news, I just got notified that my order shipped, and is scheduled to be here TOMORROW! I fully expected it to be 1-2 weeks. My BrewBuckets and refrigerators should come this week as well, and I've already got the temp controllers and heating pads. So the inaugural brew could conceivably be this weekend.

 

[Conodor]

WOW tomorrow! Great news. Congrats.

Edit:

just got my notice. It should be here in 2 days, Wednesday the 28th. Need to get on the electric work now!

 

[Mike Howard]

Just got my order placed...can't wait to get the system. Ordered the 20 gallon system, hops-boss, CIP, Accu-Fill and Hops Spider.

 

[Conodor]

Congrats mike. If things go for you like they did for Lax and myself. you should have it early next week probably.

 

[Mike Howard]

Darin gave me a Cyber Monday deal because I missed out on Black Friday. He didn't have to, that's for sure, but I greatly appreciated the fact that he did.

 

[Conodor]

that's great mike. Darin seems like a pretty good guy the coupe emails i've dealt with him. Everyone on here seems to have a similar feeling. That's great to have that kind of service for a company. Almost entirely by this thread alone that convinced me to buy one.

 

[Mike Howard]

Yep we will have to post pics of our systems when they get here....new toys are fun