Brewie

[HarkinBanks]

Just got my UPS tracking info for my B+ It will be here tomorrow, but an adult needs to sit around my house and sign for it. It's rather annoying that you cannot pre-sign for the unit.

Pish, posh:

"We previously sent you a delivery alert for the package(s) shown below. This package(s) will not be delivered as originally scheduled. We will provide you with updated delivery information as soon as we can and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

So I wait again.....

 

[BrunDog]

Same old dog, same old tricks. Sorry man!

 

[zymotik]

Pish, posh:

"We previously sent you a delivery alert for the package(s) shown below. This package(s) will not be delivered as originally scheduled. We will provide you with updated delivery information as soon as we can and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

So I wait again.....

I've never heard of this before?!

 

[HarkinBanks]

I've never heard of this before?!

Kind of like ordering anything from China these days. They send a fake tracker, go get the product and then send it a week later under the same tracker. I’ve seen it on Alibaba recently.

 

[CObrewLefor]

Just to update, I received the B20+ on Tuesday and unboxed it while taking pictures at each step as suggested on this thread. There was some small cosmetic damage to the box but the machine was in great shape, the boil lid was slightly askew but no blemishes or anything else. Turned on the machine hooked up to wifi and it downloaded the latest software and then asked for a restart, power button doesn't work at this point so unplugged and plugged back in and then the same message. Googled the issue and this thread is the top hit, unplugged for 1 minute and issue was fixed. I went through the water calibration again with no issue. I didn't do any research prior to entering my custom recipe into the machine, going from BIAB to Brewie I tried to wing it and just started entering stuff... For the mash I put 45 mins @ 150 and then a 15 minute sparge @150, having never sparged I didn't think of it until later that this should have been 170 or so.

On Wednesday I got home, put the 13.25 lbs of grain in the bag and hit start. Quite a wonderful experience, this thing is beautiful and does exactly what it says it will. It being my first beer on the machine I hovered close for most of the time, water heated up quickly and it got to a simmering boil here in Denver and held it for the duration of the boil. Once the brew was finished the cooling was very quick and it transferred 20L of wort into the fermenter.

I was optimistically hoping for 70% efficiency as I stirred around and moved the bag 3-4 times and ended up with 47%, I know that part of this is my fault for the cold sparge and not doing a mashout but it hurts my heart being used to 75-80% efficiency and only getting barely over half of that... I will continue to tweak and try to maximize efficiency but that part was a bit of a disappointment. Hopefully I created a fine session beer!

 

[kh54s10]

CObrewLefor, I doubt that the temperature of the sparge is an issue at all. I have done cold sparges when I forgot to heat the water in time on my traditional cooler mash tun with batch sparging system. If it changed the efficiency at all it was only a couple percentage points. So at best your 47% might have risen to 49-50%

 

[doug293cz]

CObrewLefor, I doubt that the temperature of the sparge is an issue at all. I have done cold sparges when I forgot to heat the water in time on my traditional cooler mash tun with batch sparging system. If it changed the efficiency at all it was only a couple percentage points. So at best your 47% might have risen to 49-50%

I agree. I think your best bet is to extend your mash time. You likely have very incomplete conversion. You might also try crushing finer if it won't plug up your system.

Brew on

 

[CObrewLefor]

I agree. I think your best bet is to extend your mash time. You likely have very incomplete conversion. You might also try crushing finer if it won't plug up your system.

Brew on

Cool, thank you both for the input, I did look through some of the pre-programmed mash schedules for their beer kits and yes, they are mashing far longer than I did... I will increase my next mash and will also do a finer crush on the next one and see how that turns out.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Got my new B+ “special edition” yesterday. #6 of 150 with a personalized letter thanking me for my patience. Unit was damage free so I plugged it in. Unfortunately, more problems. Brewie sent us an email to do a sanitizing clean first, so I did and it cannot get through a sanitizing clean. The machine updated to 3.0.14 software after a few restarts and had to unplug and plug back in. First try popped my 20 amp breaker at about 140 degrees. Second attempt popped another 20 amp breaker at about 180 degrees. Third try got to 194 degrees and then popped a different 20 amp breaker and continued to boil water even after shutting the machine down but with the plug in. I unplugged for several minutes, turned back on and tried a short clean but the boil element is still on, again after turning the machine off and with the plug still in. I unplugged everything and gave up for the night. Something is not working right for sure. This 1800 watt machine should not be tripping a 20 amp circuit with nothing else connected. And the boil element should not be continuously on! I left water in the machine to make sure it doesn’t dry fire the element the next time I turn it on. Brewie eliminated the main power toggle switch in the new unit. The side power switch is the only switch now. So I must give this warning:

Always unplug your Brewie when not in use. The element can remain on despite the software being turned off! This is a major safety hazard!!!!

 

[brewbama]

North of $2 grand, safety concerns, and expensive ingredient kits. Remind me again of the advantages.

 

[kh54s10]

I am frustrated with the delays and have concerns, but not sure you have the latest information. They are not in development. From the last update:

"We received the DVT units from our manufacturer. DVT stands for Design Validation Test and it is the process where we build various units before finalizing tooling to check if the machines meet all functional and appearance requirements. The machines passed all functional and preliminary certification tests meaning that the process to acquire the required certifications is on track."​

At this point they are ready for pilot production and delayed by a supplier. My biggest gripe is that they want to provide big, formal communications. I think a steady, informal dialogue would help greatly. I'd love to hear more about how the brew process is working on the pilot machines (utilization, hopping techniques, etc.) and what issues they are still trying to improve on. It would also be good to know if there are any upsides to the delays on tooling side- i.e. will that allow any software driven enhancements to be included (probably wishful thinking).

If they are still testing prototypes and have not finalized tooling, they ARE still in development.

If they haven't made the tooling and don't have certifications I can't see this being delivered in less than a couple more months.

Not that I am in the market for one.

I've seen dozens of different version of the product development lifecycle. Some would agree with your definition, others wouldn't so it isn't worth arguing. In this case, what is probably most helpful is to talk in terms of the development process Brewie has shared and the details of where they are in that process.

'm s

I'm sure glad that 1) I wouldn't want one anyway, 2) I couldn't justify the cost it even if I did want one. 2 years and several versions and it seems that they are still in development. IMO with all the problems people are having they don't really have a working product on the market.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Tested again today and the boil element is still on 100% when plugged in but the machine is completely off. I have to assume the SSR failed and the element has a direct feed to the power source. Not cool. Emailed Brewie and will see what they say this week. I think I may be done with this nonsense and ask for my money back. Looking into a Robobrew maybe. Pico seems overpriced for the amount of work that is still needed to brew.

 

[HarkinBanks]

To their credit, Balint, Marcel and my new friend Mate responded over the weekend. My B+ is being recalled back to the NJ repair center. I am waiting for UPS pickup. Mate is visiting the NJ repair center this week and wants to see the machine himself if they can send it back to him in time.

 

[augiedoggy]

Kind of like ordering anything from China these days. They send a fake tracker, go get the product and then send it a week later under the same tracker. I’ve seen it on Alibaba recently.

this is big on ebay lately too... "free gifts" they call them... random junk sent out beforehand like christmas stockings.

 

[augiedoggy]

North of $2 grand, safety concerns, and expensive ingredient kits. Remind me again of the advantages.

bragging rights because it was 2 grand I guess?

 

[Nate R]

Hello all on Home Brew Talk. I realize the 'danger' of making my first post here- please be kind!
#1- I am a "Real Boy!" I am not spam!
#2- I have been drinking beer for far too long!
#3- I have used this forum, along with others, to build a custom upright Keezer (to heck with kegerators and warm towers!)
#4- I have been reading More Beer, Northwestern, and William Brewing catalogs for years now- just have been hesitant to jump into home brewing as living in California affords me ample opportunities for professional great brew already. Even a good startup extract kit will come in about $300-$500!
#5- Just picked up a Brewie B20 machine for pennies ($399.00 plus shipping- like $450 total) from a More Beer Super Deal (did anyone else catch that maybe mistake on Monday 6/18/18?!?!?)
#6- Any advice here? I just ordered the Blichman Cornical as it seems like the best deal- get a stainless chonical AND keg for $500? Allows for hot wort transfer and only about $175 for a new keg add-on?

I plan to take it slow- turn on the B20, make sure the updates are current, and, start with a brewie pack to ensure all bases are covered. Does anyone have any experience with the new Cornical? How does one dry hop in it? Does the B20 allow for dry hopping? What about adding Oxygen? Do you need to apply CO2, or will the yeast in primary fermentation provide the CO2 pressure?

Thank you all in advance!

Nate R

Hello all!
So update here: fired the Brewie up, made sure the software uodated a few times, ran a clean cycle, then threw in a brewie brew pad and crossed my fingers...
It was Awesome! Full boil (like, a rolling boil!), and so easy! Clean up is an art- i ran a second clean cycle to get it all (the trick is to use a sponge on a stick for the hop ports and use the hot water in the brewie).

I have my fingers crossed all has turned out well. Note- the false bottom was bent a bit! I also noticed a "burn ring" on the mash tun but it came out with a soft sponge.

For my first batch ever and $425 on an electric biab system i am happy so far!

Put the wort into a blichmann cornical... anybody experiment with one of thoose yet? Using a blow off tube to help remove the krausen so when i flip it over its not in the keg. (Did a "call me grainy" pad with Stefon yeast from Imperial Organic.) I am worried about the Oxygen levels... think i may need to add more next time.

 

[HarkinBanks]

@Nate R - what was your efficiency?

I just ordered a robobrew v3, will be here next wed. I am still waiting for Brewie to pick up my broken unit.

 

[Nate R]

@Nate R - what was your efficiency?

I just ordered a robobrew v3, will be here next wed. I am still waiting for Brewie to pick up my broken unit.

I used a Brewie Pad- "Call me Grainy" so I do not know (or do not know where to get) the exact grain bill to determine.
My initial gravity was 1.0465.

Let me know how the roborew works- I looked at those, too- I am just hoping my Brewie hangs on since it is so easy- especially the cleaning!

 

[HarkinBanks]

I used a Brewie Pad- "Call me Grainy" so I do not know (or do not know where to get) the exact grain bill to determine.
My initial gravity was 1.0465.

Let me know how the roborew works- I looked at those, too- I am just hoping my Brewie hangs on since it is so easy- especially the cleaning!

Call me Grainy is 13.875 lbs of grain into a total water volume of 7.2 gallons. Post mash that is 5.54 gallons, factoring in absorption. Assuming you had about a 1.039 or 1.040 pre boil gravity, that means your efficiency was about 42-43%. This recipe targets a 6% ABV beer; you will end up with about a 4.5% ABV beer.

My robobrew comes on Wed from morebeer and I have their Pliny kit coming with it. I'm very excited to test it out next weekend. I built a similar system almost 10 years ago and sold it for brewie, worst brewing decision of my life.

 

[Nate R]

@Nate R - what was your efficiency?

I just ordered a robobrew v3, will be here next wed. I am still waiting for Brewie to pick up my broken unit.

Ok- just did my second batch. Used a MoreBeer Hop Blonde Kit. 8# American Pale, 1# White Wheat, 1#Crystal 10L, and 0.5# Crystal 15L (note- the kit does not come with the 0.5# of Crystal 15L. Let's say this was a "happy accident" for now!)

According to an old grain table I found ( http://beersmith.com/Grains/Grains/GrainList.htm ) I calculated the potential gravity (288+40+35+17.5)/5=72.6. Took my first reading of 1.0445 (adjusted for temp).

Mind you- this is on a $15 brewmaster thermometer, so there is bound to be some rounding errors.

Also- guys- gotta say- this thing is pretty awesome!
I "made" my own recipe today- you enter grains, hops, AA%, etc- this thing gives you an approximate IBU! The interface is kind of slow and frustrating, but overall- WOW!

Let's just hope it does not crap out in the next couple of brews!

 

[CrossPike]

@HarkinBanks , I had opted for no upgrade to the B+ and fought for a refund. This was just about the time you also were fighting for your return of the original unit.
When I got my refund, I opted to go with an induction burner of 1800 watts and a 10 gallon SS kettle for sparging water and a Robobrew V3. I have made more batches (10) on this new setup since dumping the Brewie 1.0 (only 3) in the same amount of time of owning the unit before it haywired on me. I am quite satisfied and happy with the Robobrew decision and fine great efficiency and tasty quality beer. I think you will be most pleased with the setup. Also, at a fraction of the Brewie cost!!

 

[HarkinBanks]

@HarkinBanks , I had opted for no upgrade to the B+ and fought for a refund. This was just about the time you also were fighting for your return of the original unit.
When I got my refund, I opted to go with an induction burner of 1800 watts and a 10 gallon SS kettle for sparging water and a Robobrew V3. I have made more batches (10) on this new setup since dumping the Brewie 1.0 (only 3) in the same amount of time of owning the unit before it haywired on me. I am quite satisfied and happy with the Robobrew decision and fine great efficiency and tasty quality beer. I think you will be most pleased with the setup. Also, at a fraction of the Brewie cost!!

Thanks for the info. From the online reviews, it appears Keg King got a lot of things right with the V3. Mine just got delivered today so I will test it out this weekend. What is your boiloff rate? That is the one piece of info I can't seem to find. I think it is .66 gal/hr, but will test it myself before I brew.

Back to Brewie, after another dozen emails, they finally sent me a return UPS label yesterday and I dropped it off last night at the UPS store. UPS tracker today says: "We've incorrectly sorted this package which may cause a delay." I can't win with this thing.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Got word from Brewie that my unit is fixed. The SSR blew and they replaced it. I am waiting for the unit to be shipped back to me now.

Tried the robobrew v3 this past weekend and it is pretty slick. It's not automated brewing by any stretch, but it is probably the best bang for your buck option for a single vessel mash and boil machine. The integrated pump worked flawlessly and made things really easy. I will keep it around even if my Brewie ever works consistently.

 

[Kevin Griffitts]

After 11 months of being with out my Brewie I received my Brewie Plus last week. had time to do my first brew today. Much to my surprise for the most part it worked right all the way through. I did only get 3.5 gallons but I probably just need to calibrate it. (hope I didn't just jinx the next brew)

 

[Hamboner]

After waiting 3+ months for my B20 to be fixed, they finally reached out and offered to send a new B20. I'm not sure why it took 3 months for them to figure out that mine was not salvageable, but whatever. I asked to wait a bit longer for a B+ but they said some ******** about 'fairness.' I figured a new B20 will at least have the full 18 month warranty and wasnt in the mood to fight harder as my unit never failed in a terrible/unsafe way. I have a feeling this one will meet the same fate as so many others and i will likely get a B+ eventually, or maybe even a B++ if it holds out long enough.

The good news is that i ran a batch yesterday and it actually achieved a rolling boil for maybe the first time since my very first run on the old one. It also seemed to do everything else that it should have. The bad news is that the efficiency is still around 51%. Oh well, i suppose now that life is busier these days I have less issue trading a few extra pounds of malt for a few hours of time as long as the beer still tastes delicious.

I'm glad you guys are happy with your new systems and at least have something to brew on these days. Happy brewing!

 

[Nate R]

After waiting 3+ months for my B20 to be fixed, they finally reached out and offered to send a new B20. I'm not sure why it took 3 months for them to figure out that mine was not salvageable, but whatever. I asked to wait a bit longer for a B+ but they said some bullpoopy about 'fairness.' I figured a new B20 will at least have the full 18 month warranty and wasnt in the mood to fight harder as my unit never failed in a terrible/unsafe way. I have a feeling this one will meet the same fate as so many others and i will likely get a B+ eventually, or maybe even a B++ if it holds out long enough.

The good news is that i ran a batch yesterday and it actually achieved a rolling boil for maybe the first time since my very first run on the old one. It also seemed to do everything else that it should have. The bad news is that the efficiency is still around 51%. Oh well, i suppose now that life is busier these days I have less issue trading a few extra pounds of malt for a few hours of time as long as the beer still tastes delicious.

I'm glad you guys are happy with your new systems and at least have something to brew on these days. Happy brewing!

Has anyone had any success with #1- adding some DME to the boil, or #2- picking up the grain bag towards the end of sparge and squeezing some of the liquid out? I will try this #2 on my next brew, and might throw say a half pound of DME in the boil to help. I know this is not "all grain", but if you read some other threads some commercial craft breweries will do that as well to help boost the OG.

 

[Kevin Griffitts]

I have a zymatic and have used DME more than once to fix OG. I usually check at the last 15 min and make a DME addition as needed. I also use a refractometer to make it quick and easy.

 

[codsmith]

I received my brewie+ for morebeer a couple weeks ago and finally tried to use it. Pump won't drain in bottom left of boil side after cleaning. Already tried the unclog countless times, tried bulb thing to fix, but no avail. It drains from side port so figured I'd run a test batch and got 12% into the first step and it popped up with an error asking me to connect the water supply, even though it had already filled with about 2.5gal of water. Had to stop and drain. Not sure what's wrong with this damn thing.

Not sure if I got sent an older version or just a piece of crap. How can you tell the difference between the versions?

 

[HarkinBanks]

I received my brewie+ for morebeer a couple weeks ago and finally tried to use it. Pump won't drain in bottom left of boil side after cleaning. Already tried the unclog countless times, tried bulb thing to fix, but no avail. It drains from side port so figured I'd run a test batch and got 12% into the first step and it popped up with an error asking me to connect the water supply, even though it had already filled with about 2.5gal of water. Had to stop and drain. Not sure what's wrong with this damn thing.

Not sure if I got sent an older version or just a piece of crap. How can you tell the difference between the versions?

Easiest way to tell the difference between the B20 and B+ is whether you have a toggle power switch on the back corner of the unit where the plug is located. If there is no toggle power switch, it is a B+. If there is a toggle power switch, it is the older B20.

Sounds like you have a software problem. What version of the software is it running? My B+ would only update to 3.0.14 when I sent it off to be repaired. I got it back this past weekend and the repair shop updated it to 3.0.16. The unit passed a sanitizing clean and a test recipe (no grains). I will brew with it this weekend and see how it goes.

Have you tried to hard wire the unit to your internet connection? That sometimes forces a software update. The wifi doesn't always push a software update for some reason.

----------------

As for efficiency on my next brew, I plan to pause the unit completely about 10 mins after mash in and grab the bag with my turkey fryer gloves on and give it a good massage for dough balls. I think this will help efficiency quite a bit. The bags are rather tight and compact the grain a lot. After brewing with Robobrew, I think Brewie should move away from the grain bags and design a drop in malt pipe with a handle and screened bottom. This would make stirring possible and clean up a snap.

 

[Blazinlow86]

I received my brewie+ for morebeer a couple weeks ago and finally tried to use it. Pump won't drain in bottom left of boil side after cleaning. Already tried the unclog countless times, tried bulb thing to fix, but no avail. It drains from side port so figured I'd run a test batch and got 12% into the first step and it popped up with an error asking me to connect the water supply, even though it had already filled with about 2.5gal of water. Had to stop and drain. Not sure what's wrong with this damn thing.

Not sure if I got sent an older version or just a piece of crap. How can you tell the difference between the versions?

Return it. And don't look back..... I can't believe there are still people buying these