Clawhammer or Unibrau

[Bwood1377]

So I've been brewing for a couple of years now. Currently have a blichmann top tier that I'm trying to sell as I want a smaller more compact system and something that I have to baby sit a little less. Been looking at ebiab systems and have narrowed it down to the new Unibrau and Clawhammer systems. I know people will say you can build one cheaper but I'm really not looking to do that. I like the fact that with these two systems if anything breaks it can be replaced. So if anyone has experience with either or both systems I would appreciate your input. Thanks!

 

[NewJersey]

I have experience with neither, but have been looking at them both as well as the new ss brewtexch stuff. i just can't decide yet either.
Like you, I want a simpler and smaller setup and don't want to piece it together. (augiedoggy will be in here anyways to tell you that you can build it yourself for less money, lol)
I am personally leaning towards the Unibrau 240v 5500 watt syetem. It looks to be the most complete, simple, and fastest kit.

 

[Bwood1377]

I have experience with neither, but have been looking at them both as well as the new ss brewtexch stuff. i just can't decide yet either.
Like you, I want a simpler and smaller setup and don't want to piece it together. (augiedoggy will be in here anyways to tell you that you can build it yourself for less money, lol)
I am personally leaning towards the Unibrau 240v 5500 watt syetem. It looks to be the most complete, simple, and fastest kit.

Yeah I saw the ss brewtech and it looks really nice but I was looking at 120v systems only because I already have the hook up for it and one less thing to have to worry about, although I'm not completely ruling out a 240v system. I know it will take a bit while longer to boil but I could be doing other stuff plus the unibrau has that optional second element which is nice if needed.

 

[NewJersey]

Yeah I saw the ss brewtech and it looks really nice but I was looking at 120v systems only because I already have the hook up for it and one less thing to have to worry about, although I'm not completely ruling out a 240v system. I know it will take a bit while longer to boil but I could be doing other stuff plus the unibrau has that optional second element which is nice if needed.

Agreed, generally. 240v is dramatically faster though. Speed might be more of a priority for me than you tho.

 

[Andrew Hodgson]

Yeah I saw the ss brewtech and it looks really nice but I was looking at 120v systems only because I already have the hook up for it and one less thing to have to worry about, although I'm not completely ruling out a 240v system. I know it will take a bit while longer to boil but I could be doing other stuff plus the unibrau has that optional second element which is nice if needed.

I have a 120v Clawhammer system and I like it a lot. NewJersey's comment about heating speed is the number one factor and pain point to consider when looking at the Clawhammer IMO. It is slow to heat. I use insulation and a sleeping bag when heating to a boil and still find it often takes over an hour.

For me the number one factor that I have to keep in mind when I brew is space constraints. I simply cannot do 240v in my situation as well (As soon as I am able to use it I will get a 240v). The secondary factors are as you stated. Completeness of setup, ease of use, and simplicity. For me that checks enough boxes where the long brew day is a minor inconvenience. And as you said while heating I do other things brewing and non-brewing related. So maybe if I start my pre-boil at 10AM the brew day completes around 6PM but in that time I accomplish other things. Also note I do not have children and weekend obligations other than drinking homebrew usually.

That being said, if the Unibrau has the capability of using two elements I think that is a viable middle-ground between the CH and a 240v system and should be something you consider strongly. If you have the ability to run 120v but could run two elements I would suggest that system, though I have not used it. The Clawhammer was my introduction to eBIAB and my first brewing system, with my restraints it isn't the best. But it is easy to use, the customer service has been good so far, and the equipment seems to be of high quality. YMMV.

 

[Bwood1377]

I have a 120v Clawhammer system and I like it a lot. NewJersey's comment about heating speed is the number one factor and pain point to consider when looking at the Clawhammer IMO. It is slow to heat. I use insulation and a sleeping bag when heating to a boil and still find it often takes over an hour.

For me the number one factor that I have to keep in mind when I brew is space constraints. I simply cannot do 240v in my situation as well (As soon as I am able to use it I will get a 240v). The secondary factors are as you stated. Completeness of setup, ease of use, and simplicity. For me that checks enough boxes where the long brew day is a minor inconvenience. And as you said while heating I do other things brewing and non-brewing related. So maybe if I start my pre-boil at 10AM the brew day completes around 6PM but in that time I accomplish other things. Also note I do not have children and weekend obligations other than drinking homebrew usually.

That being said, if the Unibrau has the capability of using two elements I think that is a viable middle-ground between the CH and a 240v system and should be something you consider strongly. If you have the ability to run 120v but could run two elements I would suggest that system, though I have not used it. The Clawhammer was my introduction to eBIAB and my first brewing system, with my restraints it isn't the best. But it is easy to use, the customer service has been good so far, and the equipment seems to be of high quality. YMMV.

The one thing was with the dual element on the Unibrau I believe it said if you were going to use 2 elements that they needed to be plugged into 2 different outlets.

 

[Andrew Hodgson]

The one thing was with the dual element on the Unibrau I believe it said if you were going to use 2 elements that they needed to be plugged into 2 different outlets.

Yes you will need to run the second element plug to another outlet so you don't pop the breaker, so depending on your brew space that can be a challenge and I think you need a heavy duty extension if you had to run it far. Another reason why I am stuck with 1500w on 120v

 

[NewJersey]

i continue to waffle. i considered buying a 2250w 120v element from an outside vendor and using it with the the unibrau setup. (2250+1600= 3850w)
for 5 gallons batches it's plenty fast i would think.

 

[Bwood1377]

i continue to waffle. i considered buying a 2250w 120v element from an outside vendor and using it with the the unibrau setup. (2250+1600= 3850w)
for 5 gallons batches it's plenty fast i would think.

I saw on another post that someone used a portable induction cooktop to put under the kettle to help with getting to a boil which I guess could be an option as well. I looked really quickly and it seems that a cooktop could be bought for $50-$60. That being said though the second element I believe costs $110, yes not cheap but not a huge savings over the cooktop.

 

[hezagenius]

i continue to waffle. i considered buying a 2250w 120v element from an outside vendor and using it with the the unibrau setup. (2250+1600= 3850w)
for 5 gallons batches it's plenty fast i would think.

Make sure you have a 20A outlet if you are going to use the 2250W element. That element will blow a 15A breaker. The 1600W element should be fine in a 15A outlet.

 

[hezagenius]

I saw on another post that someone used a portable induction cooktop to put under the kettle to help with getting to a boil which I guess could be an option as well. I looked really quickly and it seems that a cooktop could be bought for $50-$60. That being said though the second element I believe costs $110, yes not cheap but not a huge savings over the cooktop.

If you are brewing in a kitchen, you could use your stovetop as an additional heating source. You could heat your mash water up to about 140F using the oven and element, and then turn off the stove and use your element and controller to get you the rest of the way there and maintain it. For the boil, you would probably need the stovetop and 1650W element to hit a boil (depending on your volume).

If you want an induction burner and you are on 120V service, you want to make sure you stay around 1800W tops for a 15A outlet. If you have a 20A outlet, you can go a little higher. And just like having two elements, you'd need to plug the induction burner and element into outlets on different breakers.

 

[auburntsts]

Don’t forget to factor in the load of other devices, like a pump, room lights, etc on the circuit. Sure they don’t draw much but if you’re close to the limit these cumulative loads can push you over budget.

 

[Bwood1377]

To add to this I've also looked at the grainfather. My opinions against it are that if anything breaks I can't just replace it and I'm concerned with failures of the system but I do like everything else about it, especially the timer to start boiling. Thoughts on the grainfather?

 

[_BullDog_]

Unibrau with 2 elements works pretty good. I run an extension cord to the next room and works fine. A little slow but definitely workable.

 

[JordanP]

I have the Clawhammer 2.0 120v and I've done a few brews on it and I love it. I wrapped it in insulation, it doesn't seem to help it heat up any quicker but once I got a boil I was able to reduce it to 65% power and it was still a rolling boil. I didn't go any lower but I'll try next time.