Brewie

[Nate R]

Am I the only one who, when seeing the word "Brewie", thinks of some kind of sex act occurring during brewing?

Yes.
Seek Therapy.
For me Beer, and all things related to Beer, is the ONLY time I can escape thinking about sex.
Then I drink Beer, and it is all bad again... sigh... let me know if you find a good therapist, please.

 

[Blazinlow86]

Is that listing for the +, I thought it was the regular B20?

Good catch it appears to be the original model. Still seems at this point another all in one would be the wise choice however. Cheers

 

[c06u]

Ouch hate to burst your bubble but you can buy brand new units straight from the manufacturer in China for 599.00. in all seriousness since the company is now bust and there is no real fix for the machines going forward and no hope they will ever be recalled and fixed with updated newly designed parts and there's no warranty why not just buy a grainfather or any other of the all-in-one electric Brew systems? I get the people that bought the brewie originally liked the fact that it was supposed to be hands off but now that that out the window what's the point? Cheers

$599 PLUS SHIPPING from CHINA another 4-500 bucks?? Grainfather lol are you kidding that modified coffee maker, the last thing any of those things are is all in one, your still dragging equipment all over the place and working outside unless you have taken over the kitchen! I will stick with my Brewie but then again my generation learned how to use tools and fix things unlike the Mr. Mom guys of today...

 

[Ajes]

Yeah, I wouldn't have bought it from China either - wouldn't be sure I could trust it to even arrive.
But for buying two kettles with pumps and valves etc. I don't think the price is too bad.
I'm going to try it out as is first, and if things go south, it's still gonna be a nice platform to hack into my own system, running on a pi or esp32 or the like.

 

[Ajes]

By the way, I'm looking at the basket that several people have got from Arborfab.
I wonder if it would be an idea to make the sides of it solid plates, so it would be more of a regular malt-pipe like in the grainfather, and then connect a hose to the outlet of the mash kettle - going up over the grainbasket/maltpipe...?
What are your thoughts on that idea?

 

[Blazinlow86]

$599 PLUS SHIPPING from CHINA another 4-500 bucks?? Grainfather lol are you kidding that modified coffee maker, the last thing any of those things are is all in one, your still dragging equipment all over the place and working outside unless you have taken over the kitchen! I will stick with my Brewie but then again my generation learned how to use tools and fix things unlike the Mr. Mom guys of today...

Imho the grainfather has turned out to be a much bigger success than the brewie but we can agree to disagree on that one. What additional equipment needs to be dragged around with the grainfather that you don't need with the brewie? Ive never used one as I chose to build my own system and was under the impression it was just the unit and a cfc chiller that sits on the top? I dont understand your comment about having to brew outside or take over the kitchen? Couldn't you just put a grainfather were the brewie is? It's about half the size so in that regard it might even be better? I did get a good laugh at the comment about not being a Mr mom's of today that can't fix things yet you bought a brewing machines thats only selling point was not having to use tools and fix things....... Cheers

 

[Nate R]

I would say to all new potential buyers... get the B20 original!!! All you *may* need is a software upgrade and a new fuse! No need to mess with wires and heating elements.
Just my 0.02 as a 100% biased og original b20 owner.

 

[HarkinBanks]

By the way, I'm looking at the basket that several people have got from Arborfab.
I wonder if it would be an idea to make the sides of it solid plates, so it would be more of a regular malt-pipe like in the grainfather, and then connect a hose to the outlet of the mash kettle - going up over the grainbasket/maltpipe...?
What are your thoughts on that idea?

It doesn’t work as well with solid sides and can cause an overflow. Stick with the open side basket.

 

[Nate R]

It doesn’t work as well with solid sides and can cause an overflow. Stick with the open side basket.

Yeah. Plus one. Basket is great as-is from arbor. 600. No need for lid.

 

[Ajes]

Ok. Thanks for your input guys.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Got my $250 B20 last night, really fast shipping. The machine looks like it hasn’t had a single brew in it. Fired up and running 3.0 software. Ran a short clean that worked so I decided to tear in it and check the wiring before testing the burners. The two wires from the SSRs to the main board were disconnected. Will reconnect them tonight and give it a go.

Nate-3.0 is the latest software for the B20 correct? Any issues?

 

[macgyuver]

Got my $250 B20 last night, really fast shipping. The machine looks like it hasn’t had a single brew in it. Fired up and running 3.0 software. Ran a short clean that worked so I decided to tear in it and check the wiring before testing the burners. The two wires from the SSRs to the main board were disconnected. Will reconnect them tonight and give it a go.

Nate-3.0 is the latest software for the B20 correct? Any issues?

Original B20: 3.0 (3.1.1 under beta testing phase)

At least this is my understanding. Of course beta testing may be done with since the company is up and down right now.

 

[nonac75]

Imho the grainfather has turned out to be a much bigger success than the brewie but we can agree to disagree on that one. What additional equipment needs to be dragged around with the grainfather that you don't need with the brewie? Ive never used one as I chose to build my own system and was under the impression it was just the unit and a cfc chiller that sits on the top? I dont understand your comment about having to brew outside or take over the kitchen? Couldn't you just put a grainfather were the brewie is? It's about half the size so in that regard it might even be better? I did get a good laugh at the comment about not being a Mr mom's of today that can't fix things yet you bought a brewing machines thats only selling point was not having to use tools and fix things....... Cheers

I returned my Brewie+ and went to a Grainfather and the only extra piece i have is a Sparge Water heater. I brew in my basement all the time with the Gfather.

 

[Nate R]

Got my $250 B20 last night, really fast shipping. The machine looks like it hasn’t had a single brew in it. Fired up and running 3.0 software. Ran a short clean that worked so I decided to tear in it and check the wiring before testing the burners. The two wires from the SSRs to the main board were disconnected. Will reconnect them tonight and give it a go.

Nate-3.0 is the latest software for the B20 correct? Any issues?

Yes correct for me. 3.0 or maybe 3.1.0?
I love it- no issues i have found.
For me the B20 never has had a wire issue like the B+
I think, iirc, the majority of B20 issues were all software.
I did have a fuse go but that was very easy fix.

 

[kh54s10]

It is interesting those that are saying the Grainfather is the same type all in one that the Brewie is supposed to be. The idea behind the Brewie was that you fill it with water and ingredients, turn it on and go away. The Grainfather has never had that capability. They are two very different machines. But given all the problems with the Brewie and now it seems that the company is defunct or taken over by the manufacturer I would stay as far away from it as possible. At least until it is run by a company that will continue to improve it and service all the defective ones they already sent out.. I would consider the Grainfather.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Yes correct for me. 3.0 or maybe 3.1.0?
I love it- no issues i have found.
For me the B20 never has had a wire issue like the B+
I think, iirc, the majority of B20 issues were all software.
I did have a fuse go but that was very easy fix.

Thanks Nate. My B20s all had software issues for sure, sounds like that has been sorted with 3.0 software. There are definitely a few design features that I saw in the B20 last night that I wish were in the B+. The most obvious one is a protective cage on the temp cutoff switch. On the B20, they put a plastic cage on the temp cutoff switch and sleeved the mounts so it would not contact the power wires. On the B+ the switch is unprotected and led to my B+ failing and blowing my SSR. While the B+ was touted as a better version, I think there were certain reductions to simply save production and assembly costs.

Nate-Did your B20 have a warranty one time break sticker on the bottom? I am trying to figure out if someone has been inside this B20 unit. The time was set to Edmonton, so I am guessing it was a Canadian unit. And the person who sent it back was definitely a homebrewer; they plugged the ports with small rubber stoppers that only a true homebrewer would have.

 

[Nate R]

Thanks Nate. My B20s all had software issues for sure, sounds like that has been sorted with 3.0 software. There are definitely a few design features that I saw in the B20 last night that I wish were in the B+. The most obvious one is a protective cage on the temp cutoff switch. On the B20, they put a plastic cage on the temp cutoff switch and sleeved the mounts so it would not contact the power wires. On the B+ the switch is unprotected and led to my B+ failing and blowing my SSR. While the B+ was touted as a better version, I think there were certain reductions to simply save production and assembly costs.

Nate-Did your B20 have a warranty one time break sticker on the bottom? I am trying to figure out if someone has been inside this B20 unit. The time was set to Edmonton, so I am guessing it was a Canadian unit. And the person who sent it back was definitely a homebrewer; they plugged the ports with small rubber stoppers that only a true homebrewer would have.

Oh wow... i cant remember! Sorry. If i had to guess i would say NO since there is no sticker there now. Or residue from a sticker.
But i do remember the little rubber stoppers. I actually kept mine! The machine came shipped with thoose in the water inlets/outlets and in the drain holes of the mash tun and boil tank.
That may be a shipping spec for the B20??

As far as your unit... bump into and if says "excuse me, eh" the it is for sure Canadian.

Good to know about the wires. I know the B+ is much lighter but i appreciate my old heavy machine

 

[Blazinlow86]

It is interesting those that are saying the Grainfather is the same type all in one that the Brewie is supposed to be. The idea behind the Brewie was that you fill it with water and ingredients, turn it on and go away. The Grainfather has never had that capability. They are two very different machines. But given all the problems with the Brewie and now it seems that the company is defunct or taken over by the manufacturer I would stay as far away from it as possible. At least until it is run by a company that will continue to improve it and service all the defective ones they already sent out.. I would consider the Grainfather.

It is interesting those that are saying the Grainfather is the same type all in one that the Brewie is supposed to be. The idea behind the Brewie was that you fill it with water and ingredients, turn it on and go away. The Grainfather has never had that capability. They are two very different machines. But given all the problems with the Brewie and now it seems that the company is defunct or taken over by the manufacturer I would stay as far away from it as possible. At least until it is run by a company that will continue to improve it and service all the defective ones they already sent out.. I would consider the Grainfather.

I dont think the grainfather is the same type all in one as the brewie was supposed to be however now that the brewie has failed and is on its way to just a bad memory it seems like a grainfather is a pretty good compromise that most importantly just works without constant repair, has warranty support, takes minimal space, doesn't require dragging equipment around the house etc. Yes you have to manually lift the mash basket out and add hops manually but if you were to time how long that takes I can't see it's more than 10-20 mins? Seems a no brainer at this point considering the dream of fully automated 5g brewing system off the shelf didn't work and I'm not aware of any other options? I'd think most would at some point accept that some hands on time is required to make wort rather than just give up brewing all together. Cheers

 

[kh54s10]

I dont think the grainfather is the same type all in one as the brewie was supposed to be however now that the brewie has failed and is on its way to just a bad memory it seems like a grainfather is a pretty good compromise that most importantly just works without constant repair, has warranty support, takes minimal space, doesn't require dragging equipment around the house etc. Yes you have to manually lift the mash basket out and add hops manually but if you were to time how long that takes I can't see it's more than 10-20 mins? Seems a no brainer at this point considering the dream of fully automated 5g brewing system off the shelf didn't work and I'm not aware of any other options? I'd think most would at some point accept that some hands on time is required to make wort rather than just give up brewing all together. Cheers

You are right and that was my point. The Brewie was intended to be a set and forget type of brewing machine. The Grainfather never was. I don't accept that there will always be the requirement to have "hands on" The Brewie came pretty close to achieving what was intended. It will be accomplished some day.

 

[Blazinlow86]

You are right and that was my point. The Brewie was intended to be a set and forget type of brewing machine. The Grainfather never was. I don't accept that there will always be the requirement to have "hands on" The Brewie came pretty close to achieving what was intended. It will be accomplished some day.

I'm sure at some point in the future someone will successfully make a off the shelf fully automated system that works but until that happens what are the other options? Obviously some will be stubborn and just keep spending the time they saved brewing hands off repairing there brewie until the parts supply dries up or just give up the hobby all together but for the others that still just want to brew 5 gallons with a simple small setup that just works indoors without tinkering what would you suggest as the next best thing off the shelf in the 5g batch size? Cheers

 

[kh54s10]

I'm sure at some point in the future someone will successfully make a off the shelf fully automated system that works but until that happens what are the other options? Obviously some will be stubborn and just keep spending the time they saved brewing hands off repairing there brewie until the parts supply dries up or just give up the hobby all together but for the others that still just want to brew 5 gallons with a simple small setup that just works indoors without tinkering what would you suggest as the next best thing off the shelf in the 5g batch size? Cheers

Not disputing any of that at all. But in answer, if I were to buy an electric system today it would be the Unibrau. I like that there are no proprietary parts. Other than the controller and even that could be replaced with something else.

 

[Still Brewn]

And the person who sent it back was definitely a homebrewer; they plugged the ports with small rubber stoppers that only a true homebrewer would have.

Your machine may have been new, the B+ came with all the ports plugged with rubber stoppers.

 

[Blazinlow86]

Not disputing any of that at all. But in answer, if I were to buy an electric system today it would be the Unibrau. I like that there are no proprietary parts. Other than the controller and even that could be replaced with something else.

I think we're on the same page here. Unibrau is a more powerful grainfather that's easily repaired with readily available parts and I would agree it's a excellent choice as well. I choose a Kal clone specifically because it has no proprietary parts and works every time with minimal hands on time during the brew. My original point was just imho at this point buying a brewie is like buying a hddvd player after bluray won the battle. Regardless how cheap it is what's the point when theres so many other **similar** options that work. Cheers

 

[HarkinBanks]

Auto mashing, auto sparging, auto hopping, auto chilling and clean-in-place. To my knowledge, no other system does all of that and these are the reasons I will continue to use and repair my brewie for as long as I can. I have a back-up robobrew and there is no comparison to a brewie in terms of hands-on time or effort required. If I could guarantee the $250 ebay B20s were in working order, I would buy 10 more and use them for the next 20 years.

 

[macgyuver]

Auto mashing, auto sparging, auto hopping, auto chilling and clean-in-place. To my knowledge, no other system does all of that and these are the reasons I will continue to use and repair my brewie for as long as I can. I have a back-up robobrew and there is no comparison to a brewie in terms of hands-on time or effort required. If I could guarantee the $250 ebay B20s were in working order, I would buy 10 more and use them for the next 20 years.

Several people have bought the units and they have all had minor issues. Easily fixed and are back up and running. That is pretty convincing reason to pick one up. If you already have a B20 to pick one up for 250 just to have all the parts to repair the one you have is worth it as well. I have decided to pick one up myself just to try it out. I don't have a Brewie but a friend does so if the unit is a bust he will buy the parts.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Several people have bought the units and they have all had minor issues. Easily fixed and are back up and running. That is pretty convincing reason to pick one up. If you already have a B20 to pick one up for 250 just to have all the parts to repair the one you have is worth it as well. I have decided to pick one up myself just to try it out. I don't have a Brewie but a friend does so if the unit is a bust he will buy the parts.

I agree, the parts alone are worth $250 to me and that is why I bought a backup $250 B20 from ebay. Back in the day I paid more than $250 just for a chiller when I built my own system. Throw in the pumps and valves and barbed connections and I could build something with all this stuff.

 

[Ajes]

Did any of you guys have any contact with the seller on ebay?
I wouldn't mind getting B20, if just for parts - but I get a message that the seller dont ship to denmark.
I tried contacting him, but got no response.

 

[Still Brewn]

If I could guarantee the $250 ebay B20s were in working order, I would buy 10 more and use them for the next 20 years.

My B+ works after I did the fan mod and wire replacement so I am good to go for many years. I take very good care of my possessions and unless a circuit board goes out mine should work for 20 years. I wouldn't trade it for anything else on the market today. I might buy a couple and give them for gifts after I make sure they work.

 

[Blazinlow86]

Auto mashing, auto sparging, auto hopping, auto chilling and clean-in-place. To my knowledge, no other system does all of that and these are the reasons I will continue to use and repair my brewie for as long as I can. I have a back-up robobrew and there is no comparison to a brewie in terms of hands-on time or effort required. If I could guarantee the $250 ebay B20s were in working order, I would buy 10 more and use them for the next 20 years.

How much actually hands on time would you say you save on a brewday with the brewie over the robobrew? 15/30/90 minutes? Should the time spent repairing the unit be included in that hand on time? Cheers

 

[Still Brewn]

How much actually hands on time would you say you save on a brewday with the brewie over the robobrew? 15/30/90 minutes? Should the time spent repairing the unit be included in that hand on time? Cheers

Total of a few hours doing repairs /mods almost a year ago and no more repairs needed. Total of 20 minutes or so to grind grains and fill bag while strike water heating, a minute or 2 to fill hop cages, then 5 minutes or so to fill fermenter and finally 10 minutes or so dumping bag in compost, cleaning machine and cages.
Worth the effort? He!! Yes! Takes more time to find a recipe that I want to brew than it does to set up and clean. The added bonus is that since I have a problem with falling asleep while doing things and forgetting what I'm doing I have an automated assistant keeping me and my brew on track. After doing my repairs/mods I feel perfectly comfortable leaving or taking a nap while the machine does the tedious work of temperature monitoring, step mashes, sparging, hop additions, adjunct additions and chilling for me.

 

[HarkinBanks]

My timing is about the same but I set everything up the night before for my brewie. When I wake I hit the start button and monitor the action with my phone. My only hands on time is about 15 mins at the end to transfer and clean in place.

For my robobrew, I really dislike the lift basket sparge process. It is heavy and messy. I also don't like waiting around for the boil and then timing hop additions and then adding a chiller. Then you have to clean everything in the slop sink, which is also messy. I realize this is brewing, but with a family, it is a major time commitment for me. The brewie let's me do so many other things and still brew when I want.

 

[Nate R]

My B+ works after I did the fan mod and wire replacement so I am good to go for many years. I take very good care of my possessions and unless a circuit board goes out mine should work for 20 years. I wouldn't trade it for anything else on the market today. I might buy a couple and give them for gifts after I make sure they work.

My birthday is in January. I will PM you my address. No need to wrap it!

 

[kh54s10]

My timing is about the same but I set everything up the night before for my brewie. When I wake I hit the start button and monitor the action with my phone. My only hands on time is about 15 mins at the end to transfer and clean in place.

For my robobrew, I really dislike the lift basket sparge process. It is heavy and messy. I also don't like waiting around for the boil and then timing hop additions and then adding a chiller. Then you have to clean everything in the slop sink, which is also messy. I realize this is brewing, but with a family, it is a major time commitment for me. The brewie let's me do so many other things and still brew when I want.

Pray that your expensive boat anchor keeps working... It may be that once these Ebay leftovers are gone you will be out of parts and you MIGHT be able to find something that will work.

 

[Still Brewn]

My birthday is in January. I will PM you my address. No need to wrap it!

Well, I was thinking of all three of my boys and one of my nephews, but.....

 

[Still Brewn]

Pray that your expensive boat anchor keeps working... It may be that once these Ebay leftovers are gone you will be out of parts and you MIGHT be able to find something that will work.

It could and might.... it is just a chance I will have to take. And since I have traced a problem and repaired a circuit board before and have one of them to spare I doubt I will have much problem.

Time for one of my long posts, again.
My new brewie+ MCU Board showed up today. I got my new lower powered fans and connectors installed and my new board installed. For anyone wanting to power their boil kettle fan and mash tun fan that you installed with the switched connections of the case fans the plugs you need are the ones I originally purchased. Micro JST connectors. I'm very sorry if you already ordered the wrong parts. I will correct my post if I can.
All the parts went if almost flawlessly. There is some thread locking material on the bolts of the case fans and it was hard to get the nuts off. I used my impact screwdriver and actually broke one of the bolts. The nuts are 7mm and you will need a good screwdriver to remove them.
Here is a picture of the repair I did on my old board. The object in the lower left is the point of a sewing pin just for reference.
View attachment 616066
Picture of the power supply
View attachment 616067
Labels for reference

View attachment 616068
Wiring completed

View attachment 616069

If anyone needs better picture let me know. I actually remembered to take a few this time. Hope this helps anyone wanting to upgrade their cooling system.

 

[kh54s10]

It could and might.... it is just a chance I will have to take. And since I have traced a problem and repaired a circuit board before and have one of them to spare I doubt I will have much problem.

That is good in your case. But, I am not talking of you personally. Rather, all Brewie owners....

I would bet that 99% of Brewie owners could not diagnose and fix a circuit board. And what about all the other parts. You might be able to replace them. If you have bought the Ebay units for spare parts you should be OK for a while. If not you might be up the creek.

 

[macgyuver]

That is good in your case. But, I am not talking of you personally. Rather, all Brewie owners....

I would bet that 99% of Brewie owners could not diagnose and fix a circuit board. And what about all the other parts. You might be able to replace them. If you have bought the Ebay units for spare parts you should be OK for a while. If not you might be up the creek.

My opinion is that most, not all, people in the home brew hobby have some mechanical ability to be able "Tinker" and fix things. Maybe not repairing traces on a circuit board or replacing components on the board. But Most would be able to diagnosis and replace "swap" bad parts fairly easy. This hobby makes you pick these skills up fairly quickly. There is also a depth of knowledge available to everyone to reference to out there. Example is this forum here.

 

[kh54s10]

My opinion is that most, not all, people in the home brew hobby have some mechanical ability to be able "Tinker" and fix things. Maybe not repairing traces on a circuit board or replacing components on the board. But Most would be able to diagnosis and replace "swap" bad parts fairly easy. This hobby makes you pick these skills up fairly quickly. There is also a depth of knowledge available to everyone to reference to out there. Example is this forum here.

Agreed as long as the parts are available. I don't know how many parts in a Brewie are proprietary. Can they be sourced? I don't know.

Then, unless some software company or geek takes on the project, you are stuck where they got to. And from what I read there are still problems in the software. At least some limiting of what you can do.

 

[cubsfan16]

Has anyone placed an part order from (https://univision-taiwan.wixsite.com/univision/...wer-supply) yet? Fortunately, I haven’t had any issues with my + unit but figured I would pick up some parts when something does fail.

I actually enjoy the tinkering aspect of the hobby and will enjoy breaking the machine down to make repairs. If something happens and the unit becomes a paperweight....I’m not going to cry about it, I knew the risk going into the purchase. It was the same risk that I had buying a Zymatic which for what it’s worth, with mine, had more issues than my Brewie in the same time period.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Not sure this has been posted before, but the 3.0 software has a debug menu similar to dev mode. You punch in !#43373# in the recipe search field and the test menu comes up. You can open and close all valves and test the pumps and heaters independently. Just don't put both heaters on at the same time like I did last night. I am pretty sure I blew the fuse and now I have both tanks full of water! I will sort that mess tonight.