Brewing room ideas

[HB2112]

If the water heater would be electric, even a 10kW on demand will only supply ~0.65gpm at 160F*. Might as well heat it in a vessel, IMO. A little dedicated AIO and 30A circuit would cost less than the EWH.

*also most potable water heaters are limited to 140F AFAIK

Thanks Mashdar

 

[HB2112]

In theory, a super powerful, unregulated on demand unit (likely gas fired) could shorten your brew day. But a timer works for many electric brewers - their strike water is hot when they get out of bed.

Thanks Sibelman

 

[HB2112]

OK guys thank you for all of your suggestions. Now for the big question. What electric brewing system would you recommend? Mostly 5 gallon batches I don't drink a lot.

 

[Whisky River]

Oh boy

 

[mashdar]

Electric AIOs, my very uninformed take:

Cheapest: Vevor
Largest malt capacity: Brewzilla
Premium-est? Braumeister, runner up Grain Father.
120/240V in one kettle: Anvil
People I Like: Clawhammer

edit: I use a brewzilla gen 4 and enjoy it, but have no experience with other AIOs.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Stripper pole! You know... Future ready and whatever.

 

[Deadalus]

...

I used to use the Brewsmith app on my phone on brew day a lot but lately I have been bringing my laptop down since I need to copy in my EZ Boil program. A swing out arm for either is something I would find useful as my garage is pretty full without much available counterspace.
You said mancave but didn't mention entertainment. Like a stripp couch, big screen tv, bar. Fancy brewroom is 100% cool too just need to be sure about the intial parameters.

Stripper pole! You know... Future ready and whatever.

Finally a +2!

 

[sibelman]

What electric brewing system would you recommend?

Today, I'd probably go for one of these.

 

[Brockness Monster]

Today, I'd probably go for one of these.

yeah, I'm currently saving for that get tanked edition spike kettle.

 

[mashdar]

Oh, yes, I should have mentioned Bobby's (brewhardware.com) equipment. Eventually my plan is to upgrade to that. When I hear "AIO" I think of the metal baskets and soldered bottom heating elements.

Bobby's gear is a step above those IMO. I'd call his an "electric BIAB" setup, in contrast to AIO. But functionally there's basically no difference other than basket vs bag. A lot of people even use bags in the AIOs.

 

[Brockness Monster]

OP only asked for a recommendation on an electric brew system, no AIO specified. All recs are still OT

 

[sibelman]

AIO almost always uses a proprietary controller and/or pump. Replacement is likely expensive if when failure occurs, and impossible if the maker has cratered.

Modular approaches like @Bobby_M 's offer long term maintainability, with minimal connections/setup (in contrast with the complexity of three vessel rigs like mine).

 

[Bobby_M]

OP only asked for a recommendation on an electric brew system, no AIO specified. All recs are still OT

I don't think it's an easy delineation these days. AIO is probably referring to full integration where none of the components can be swapped out with industry standard parts and maybe none of the components could be harvested for use in a new system. If that's what an AIO is, then I agree the integrated nature is the major "con" though the price per feature is a pretty big pro also.

All brewing systems and methods lay out on a Venn diagram. My eBIAB system would be this:

x Single Vessel
Double Vessel
Triple Vessel

x Electric
Gas

x Recirculating

x Bag
Basket
False Bottom

x No Sparge/Full Volume Mash
Fly Sparge
Batch Sparge

 

[Deadalus]

Something I wanted to include but forgot was in regards to canning, the stove, and brewing system. I had a stray thought once -well I have lots of those- but this one was that if I had the right canning rack, I could water bath can in my 240V boil kettle. It's a keggle though, and the rim isn't fully cut, so this is more a wild idea as it would need a specific size rack and support above the element. But since you are in the planning stage, perhaps some idea might work out. On my electric stove, the water bath takes time to get up to speed and also it's difficult to run two canners as I think I mentioned. I don't know if you can get away from stove involvement completely when canning but maybe a set of burners, either gas or electric might have a smaller footprint. There are 3 vessel natural gas systems, you could use 3 burners, or BIAB. Temperature controllers are possible there. You might not get every bell and whistle out of the most advanced ones. If you are canning, you are going to need a hood anyway too. I don't know if you mentioned having natural gas available. Propane may not be as efficient.

 

[mashdar]

I wish I had a pressure canning rig big enough for 1/2 gallon jars for sterile starters.

I do 3x quart jars with 750g water, 75g DME, but bigger jars would be great. Sterilizing the 2L flask would be nice, too.

Some day I'll spring for something like this https://www.allamerican1930.com/products/the-941-pressure-cooker