Brewer's Edge Mash and Boil

[kmarkstevens]

I have a Brewer's Edge Mash and Boil, non-circulating version. My biggest issue with it is it keeps temperature in a +/- 6F temperature range. I typically mash high around 158F to get more mouthfeel for session beers. I'm also trying to clone a few recipes, and that requires getting the mash temp right among a host of other things. Just can't do that with the Brewer's Edge.

BTW, I use a 400 micron BIAB bag made for the Mash and Boil.

For my half batches I've been using a sous vide wand to heat the mash and to dial in the temperature really accurately.

Well, silly me, it was only today that I thought. Hmmm, I could heat up 6 gallons in the Mash and Boil, dump in all the grains, and the sous vide wand can immerse far enough into the mash to keep a steady temperature. And it did. Kept it right at 149 for 90 minutes. There might be some stratification with the temperature cooler at the base than on the top, but should be much improved over the 6F range. Efficiency went up to around 70 (previously was closer to 60). This fixes for me the biggest drawback of the Mash and Boil, and now I can keep a steady mash temp

 

[Dennisusa]

Because I use a plate chiller, I can't afford hops or other stuff getting into it as they would never come out. So this is how I have dealt with the challenge:

• Mash using a 400m Brewbag (inside the mash tube)
• Hop additions using a 200m hop bag (which in turn is inside a stainless hop spider).
• Ultra thin grain/water ratio (4 liters per Kg) similar to what German brewers do (rather than the UK or US) for better efficiency
• Circulation great due to the thin mash and nothing escapes the bag to stick in the recirculation pump or plate chiller
• Chilling wort from boiling to 64F takes just 5 minutes with a plate chiller (Dudadiesel)
• Because I'm paranoid about keeping my plate chiller clean, I still first run the wort through a filter (BrewersHardware) on its way to the plate chiller
• All the bags make clean-up with BrewersEdge almost non-existent (however, I do still have to clean the filter & plate chiller)

Note: there is some great literature discussing the 4L/Kg ratio for mashing

 

[Rick Crane]

Just takes a little ingenuity and help from others who have figured things out the hard way. I have done 3 batches now with my Mash and Boil and this thread has been most helpful. I am going to buy a brew in bag now.
On my last batch i put a temperature probe in the mash to record and log the temp every 1 minute and also writing down the temp shown on the M&B display every so often to chart in Excel and compare. The problem is I forgot to put the SD card in my data logger and temperatures did not get recorded , Doh! Next batch.

 

[micraftbeer]

On my last batch i put a temperature probe in the mash to record and log the temp every 1 minute and also writing down the temp shown on the M&B display every so often to chart in Excel and compare. The problem is I forgot to put the SD card in my data logger and temperatures did not get recorded , Doh!

Funny you should say that... I did a hands-on review a couple years back, and did some experiments with the temperature accuracy. I was curious how it would work with the sensor in the base of the unit, near the heating coil. Attached are my plots I did with different volumes of water, gradually heating it and taking measurements with just still water, and then after stirring it to mix the temperature well. Attached are my temperature plots, and a link to my review if anyone's interested.

https://www.homebrewfinds.com/2017/09/hands-on-review-brewers-edge-mash-boil-electric-brewery.html

 

[Rick Crane]

Funny you should say that... I did a hands-on review a couple years back, and did some experiments with the temperature accuracy. I was curious how it would work with the sensor in the base of the unit, near the heating coil. Attached are my plots I did with different volumes of water, gradually heating it and taking measurements with just still water, and then after stirring it to mix the temperature well. Attached are my temperature plots, and a link to my review if anyone's interested.

https://www.homebrewfinds.com/2017/09/hands-on-review-brewers-edge-mash-boil-electric-brewery.html

Yes, you inspired me to make my own graphs. Will do another batch soon and make more measurements. Logging data and making charts is good fun Gives you something to ponder as well.

 

[Alex4mula]

82 batches on mine by now since Dec 2018. Love this toy. The basic one is so cheap now that sometimes I’m tempted to get a spare one.