Brewer's Edge Mash & Boil

[bigern26]

You do not. Some people are, but it is not necessary.

Thanks

 

[owmatooth]

just got the email for robobrew from williams. at $499 looks like nearly the same vessel with all the upgrades we've been discussing. oh well, good to be a guinea pig sometimes.

 

[bford]

https://www.williamsbrewing.com/KEG-KING-ROBOBREW-P4338.aspx

Looks pretty sweet.

 

[mhochman]

Robo brew is single wall. Temp is also set to 5-degree for adjustments. Both pieces of information taken from the Q&A on the product page.

 

[mhochman]

I like the price point of the M&B, but also I like the features of the robobrew. I may start a thread that compares the two units. I'll link here if I do.

 

[mhochman]

I created the comparison thread:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?p=8015229#post8015229

 

[Blackmuse]

just got the email for robobrew from williams. at $499 looks like nearly the same vessel with all the upgrades we've been discussing. oh well, good to be a guinea pig sometimes.

I just read this entire thread, thinking the whole time "Surely, these guys must have seen the robobrew!" Must be newer than I thought. The guy in one of their videos runs you through the three models they've made/improved upon. He compares the new model to a slightly older model w/o the pump etc. and mentions the perks of the older models simplicity - no pump to clean and maintain. lol

I'm itching to get the Mash and Boil (I want to keep it simple as I find that the more steps/equipment I add the less consistent my beers are). I think that the Mash & Boil will help bring me back to the basics and the simplicity I used to once enjoy. The only thing I'm worried about is the E4 code that seems pretty common...

I suppose I'll go peak at the comparison thread that was recently started just for some more reading

BTW - The sleeping bag has NEVER let me down! Best wrap I've ever used - sleeping bag around the kettle and a hoody over the lid. I use bungie cords to hold the sleeping bag in place.

 

[owmatooth]

The only thing I'm worried about is the E4 code that seems pretty common...

I've done about 8 5 gal batches on my mash and boil, and the only time i got the E4 code is when i left it unattended and had a massive boil over. I use it for biab with a wilserbrewer bag and am happy with the mash and boil. The robobrew would be better for a non-biab all grain, but I don't see a huge upside for biab. I definately strive to keep it simple and try not to sweat the small stuff. Works great for me.

 

[mhochman]

I just ordered the RoboBrew with pump. $479 from Williams. Looking forward to reporting back while incorporating some of the advice picked up here.

 

[mhochman]

*(Sorry for the cross post with the comparison thread. I'm not sure everyone is following that thread in addition to this one).

I brewed my first batch on the Robobrew on Thursday. The session took longer than I expected (almost 5 hours), but I assume it will speed up as I get more familiar with the equipment. The process went very smoothly and I hit my numbers absolutely perfectly, both pre and post boil. The false bottom that goes in place for the boil did an excellent job keeping most of the trub from getting into the fermenter, and clean up was as easy as a spray nozzle and a little 1-step.

There were a few little things that will either be easy to adjust or remain minor annoyances, but for now I am very happy with the purchase. I'll write a more detailed review after my second batch (hopefully next week), but in the meantime, if anyone has any questions, I'm happy to help.

 

[Jeff_T]

I've done about 8 5 gal batches on my mash and boil, and the only time i got the E4 code is when i left it unattended and had a massive boil over. I use it for biab with a wilserbrewer bag and am happy with the mash and boil. The robobrew would be better for a non-biab all grain, but I don't see a huge upside for biab. I definately strive to keep it simple and try not to sweat the small stuff. Works great for me.

This is exactly what I was looking at getting the M&B to do. Could you elaborate a little on your process and setup? Do you full boil no sparge or sparge? Do you mash recirc? With this setup would installing a dip tube work?
Thanks

 

[owmatooth]

I try hard to keep things simple. I set the heat to 154. when it reaches temp I pour my grains into a wilserbrewer bag and stir to remove clumps. then I wrap a sleeping bag over the whole thing and leave it for an hour. It drops a bit and the heater kicks in once or twice over the hour, I'm not worried about it. Then I lift the bag with the collander and set it above the m&b to drain into the kettle while the temp is coming up to boiling. Its designed with little bolts sticking out to rest on the rim. Since I lose a little water with the adsorption of the grains, I add a bit of semi hot water through the bag to rinse the grains. After the 60 minute boil I use an immersion chiller to get the temp down. I use a recirc pump in my old 10 gal pot to push ice water through the chiller. since i'm in florida that will get me down to 70 degrees in about 30 minutes. I pitch the yeast pop the lock on it and set it in a walmart bucket half filled with water and I float 3-4 frozen water bottles to keep the temp down in high 60's. (i gotta get another fridge). Primary for 3 weeks, cold crash and rack to keg. 3 days at 25 psi and it's good to go.

 

[Jeff_T]

I posted in the classies but thought I'd put one in here too, anyone interested in selling their Mash and Boil? Would need to be shipped to AZ.

 

[jlinz]

Anybody know how to fit a stainless steel piece to the back of the spigot of this thing for gathering the wort in the deadspace at the bottom?

 

[Mainer]

I've been looking into getting one, but they're suddenly out of stock for the last month or so. Has this been discontinued?

 

[bleme]

I can't see it being discontinued. I just got the new Williams catalog and it is on the cover.

 

[MHBT]

I purchased a mash and boil and it was leaking during it 1st cleaning, never even got to brew with it..the cheap gasket on the inside was chewed up..idk might have to return it..the only reason i bought this this was to make brew day easier..but so far its just a head ache..its pretty cheap so i guess you get what you pay for

 

[bleme]

A QC issue like that would explain why Mainer is having so much trouble buying one. If a whole batch went through like that, they would have pulled them. I'm sure Williams will make it right though. I have been buying from them for a while and have always gotten impeccable customer service.

 

[MHBT]

upon looking closer at the gaskets..the opening where the ball valve goes in has a crack in it..so its definitely getting returned..williams brewing is a great company this is not a refection on them..things happen but i would advise against the mash and boil..spend the extra couple of bucks and get something of higher quality just my 2 cents

 

[jlinz]

Good to know. Bought a robobrew with the pump.

 

[jlinz]

I talked to Williams, they said the mash and boil will be in in about a week or so. They have been saying that for a few weeks though...

 

[jlinz]

Ignore.

 

[Mainer]

I talked to Williams, they said the mash and boil will be in in about a week or so. They have been saying that for a few weeks though...

They told me via Facebook message they'd be back in stock no later than this Monday. So... we'll see...

 

[MHBT]

Well i ate my words with the mash and boil..i was gonna send it back but i decided to tinker around with it first and threw on a new gasket..the little crack caused no problems..i was shocked how good it performed, held temps,boiled 6.5 gallons no problem and very easy to operate..glad i did not send it back..for 300 you cant go wrong. is it the highest quality? No but did its job ..and williams brewing does have top notch customer service will be shopping there again

 

[Mainer]

Well i ate my words with the mash and boil..i was gonna send it back but i decided to tinker around with it first and threw on a new gasket..the little crack caused no problems..i was shocked how good it performed, held temps,boiled 6.5 gallons no problem and very easy to operate..glad i did not send it back..for 300 you cant go wrong. is it the highest quality? No but did its job ..and williams brewing does have top notch customer service will be shopping there again

Good to know. Yours was the first negative feedback I'd heard about the system. They have a reputation for standing by their products.

 

[Mainer]

They're back in stock. I ordered mine this morning.

 

[jlinz]

Cool. I'm staring at one in my living room right now. Pretty well made for 300 bucks.

 

[soccerdad]

Cool. I'm staring at one in my living room right now. Pretty well made for 300 bucks.

Living room is a strange place to brew, but then again, I've been to Carbondale .. I know what you people are like. ;-)

 

[skraeling]

Living room is a strange place to brew, but then again, I've been to Carbondale .. I know what you people are like. ;-)

They are a strange people for sure.

 

[MHBT]

They are a strange people for sure.

Im about to brew in my spare bedroom with the mash and boil..i got a fan in the window good to go