Grounded Brewing Technologies - 240V eBIAB System

[zeptrey]

In a comment on the Instagram pic of the GBT kettle, Rex confirms that the upper tangental port is used for recirc, not a lid-mount.

Nice. I really don't see why couldn't move the High Gravity recirc port especially if you are going to add a whirlpool arm anyway. I'm ready to see what this ends up being price and product specifics wise.

 

[hezagenius]

In a comment on the Instagram pic of the GBT kettle, Rex confirms that the upper tangental port is used for recirc, not a lid-mount

I wonder how that upper port will work with the basket.
Will the basket attach to that port so the recirc wort goes back into the basket?
Or will the upper port just create a whirlpool effect during the mash to move the wort around?
Or will there be some attachment like an inverted "U" that lifts the recirc wort over the top of the basket?

 

[zeptrey]

I wonder how that upper port will work with the basket.
Will the basket attach to that port so the recirc wort goes back into the basket?
Or will the upper port just create a whirlpool effect during the mash to move the wort around?
Or will there be some attachment like an inverted "U" that lifts the recirc wort over the top of the basket?

Loc-line maybe?

 

[hezagenius]

Loc-line maybe?

I asked them on IG and they said the recirculated wort will push into the side of the basket.

They also said there is a little less than 2" between the top of the basket and the top of the kettle so maybe you could rig up a return that carries it over the top and then use a loc-line if you want the recirculation more dispersed. I don't know what the interior of the kettle looks like. Do tangential ports normally have threading on the inside of the kettle?

 

[emr25]

I asked them on IG and they said the recirculated wort will push into the side of the basket.

They also said there is a little less than 2" between the top of the basket and the top of the kettle so maybe you could rig up a return that carries it over the top and then use a loc-line if you want the recirculation more dispersed. I don't know what the interior of the kettle looks like. Do tangential ports normally have threading on the inside of the kettle?

Probably nothing on the inside of the kettle, just a hole.

You could use a TC tube fitting between the kettle TC and the butterfly valve if you wanted to connect a LocLine or other sparge dispersion device.

https://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/Tri-Clover-Compression-Tube-1.5-Inch-x-1.5-Inch.html

 

[hezagenius]

@emr25 So that's what those pieces are for! I always wondered what purpose those fittings served.

 

[Quadrider]

Had some emails with Rex over the weekend, and they have pricing finalized:

“So what we are going to do is the kit with everything as followed with be priced at $1,800.00. Then we will be doing the optional upgrade of the tube heat exchanger for $1,950. The gasket style heat exchanger will be an optional purchase at a later date through our site as well.
- 300 Micron Basket
- 15 gallon all TC kettle
- Pump with TC adapters
- All TC fittings (12 gaskets, 12 clamps, 12 TC to 1/2” hose barbs, hose clamps)
- 4 butterfly valves (3 for the kettle and 1 for the pump)
- 12’ Silicone tubing
- 30a 1 element eBIAB control panel
- TC temp probe
- TC Tee fitting for temp probe while recirculating the mash
- 5500 watt TC element with 6’ power cord and L6-30 twist lock connectors

The optional controller table top mount will run $30.

The optional 48” stainless table will run $175.”

In a previous email, he spoke about the heat exchanger: “There is going to be a delay though on the (Optional) gasket style heat exchanger as we are having a bit of trouble with the supplier, but have a new tubular style heat exchanger that will be included in the kit.”

$1,800.00 base is definitely more then I budgeted. Especially without a chiller. Thought for sure they’d be closer to the $1,250.00-$1,500.00 mark. Then again, it looks to be top tier equipment. I Still have a lot of questions on the specifics, and hopefully we’ll be seeing some pics very soon. Still strongly considering pulling the trigger.....

 

[crankyx]

Had some emails with Rex over the weekend, and they have pricing finalized:

“So what we are going to do is the kit with everything as followed with be priced at $1,800.00. Then we will be doing the optional upgrade of the tube heat exchanger for $1,950. The gasket style heat exchanger will be an optional purchase at a later date through our site as well.
- 300 Micron Basket
- 15 gallon all TC kettle
- Pump with TC adapters
- All TC fittings (12 gaskets, 12 clamps, 12 TC to 1/2” hose barbs, hose clamps)
- 4 butterfly valves (3 for the kettle and 1 for the pump)
- 12’ Silicone tubing
- 30a 1 element eBIAB control panel
- TC temp probe
- TC Tee fitting for temp probe while recirculating the mash
- 5500 watt TC element with 6’ power cord and L6-30 twist lock connectors

The optional controller table top mount will run $30.

The optional 48” stainless table will run $175.”

In a previous email, he spoke about the heat exchanger: “There is going to be a delay though on the (Optional) gasket style heat exchanger as we are having a bit of trouble with the supplier, but have a new tubular style heat exchanger that will be included in the kit.”

$1,800.00 base is definitely more then I budgeted. Especially without a chiller. Thought for sure they’d be closer to the $1,250.00-$1,500.00 mark. Then again, it looks to be top tier equipment. I Still have a lot of questions on the specifics, and hopefully we’ll be seeing some pics very soon. Still strongly considering pulling the trigger.....

Math Time:

$475.99 - BIAB Panel - Grounded's Price
$350.00 - Kettle - Assuming 2x tangential in, all TC... sure
$200.00 - Basket - Rough amount from comparison to Utah BD
$200.00 - 4x Valves Butterfly - Brewers Hardware
$ 66.00 - 12x Clamps - Brewers Hardware
$ 12.00 - 12x Gaskets - Brewers Hardware
$120.00 - 12x Barb to TC Fittings - Brewers Hardware
$ 32.00 - TC Temp Fitting - Brewers Hardware
$ 32.00 - 12' Silicon - MoreBeer
$109.00 - 5500w TC Element - eBrew Supply
$ ???.00 - Pump of some sort

WITHOUT pump this is $1677, depending on pump $1800 seems pretty reasonable. Like its been said, this appears to be top tier equip, can some things be priced out cheaper? Sure, but this is one click and it's great looking thus far.

Like it's been said, pending specifics, pump, other info it seems like a reasonable value to me.




*****Math Time is sponsored by beer and beer math can be wrong. Amount pulled from the fastest googled website containing the term and pertaining to brewing with some "I've shopped there before" favoritism, yes i'm sure some items can be found cheaper, extreme accuracy was not guaranteed but for beer math, it's close enough.

 

[applescrap]

Scb10 - compliments to short circuited Brewers for the code and review. They said it’ll still work for the BIAB panels when back in stock.

I like that box.

 

[Tommakesbeer]

Math Time:

$475.99 - BIAB Panel - Grounded's Price
$350.00 - Kettle - Assuming 2x tangential in, all TC... sure
$200.00 - Basket - Rough amount from comparison to Utah BD
$200.00 - 4x Valves Butterfly - Brewers Hardware
$ 66.00 - 12x Clamps - Brewers Hardware
$ 12.00 - 12x Gaskets - Brewers Hardware
$120.00 - 12x Barb to TC Fittings - Brewers Hardware
$ 32.00 - TC Temp Fitting - Brewers Hardware
$ 32.00 - 12' Silicon - MoreBeer
$109.00 - 5500w TC Element - eBrew Supply
$ ???.00 - Pump of some sort

WITHOUT pump this is $1677, depending on pump $1800 seems pretty reasonable. Like its been said, this appears to be top tier equip, can some things be priced out cheaper? Sure, but this is one click and it's great looking thus far.

Like it's been said, pending specifics, pump, other info it seems like a reasonable value to me.




*****Math Time is sponsored by beer and beer math can be wrong. Amount pulled from the fastest googled website containing the term and pertaining to brewing with some "I've shopped there before" favoritism, yes i'm sure some items can be found cheaper, extreme accuracy was not guaranteed but for beer math, it's close enough.

Pretty much agree. Is it higher than I was hoping, yeah... But 1 click, no hunting down and ordering components at the lowest price, makings sure it all fits together. All TC and butterfly valve.

I was thinking $2k is where I start to reconsider the BrewEasy. $1800 is under that, so I'm probably going to do it.

 

[hezagenius]

@Quadrider
Did GBT give any indication when they'd start taking pre-orders?

 

[enormous13]

$1,800?! Woof...

 

[Quadrider]

@Quadrider
Did GBT give any indication when they'd start taking pre-orders?

From what I gather, sounds like we should see full specs and pics on their website and IG within the next week, and pre-orders within 2 weeks.

 

[emr25]

$1,800 might be too steep for me unless the final parts list and fit/finish blows me away.

 

[emr25]

They posted a few videos on Instagram of the eBIAB kit in action. One of the boil and one of the whirlpool (using lower tangential TC port). Does look like nice equipment!

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I'm not surprised at the $1800 price, but, at that price, it's far from a no-brainer. I suspect there's a significant premium for the TC ports, which I think is overkill for the hot side.

I'm in the process of shopping for an electric brewing system. At this point, I still haven't ruled out 3V HERMS, eBIAB, Kettle RIMS, Counterflow HERMS...so many options with different pros/cons for each. I just can't seem to find a system that meets all my needs at a decent price point.

I'm still hoping Spike will come out with an EBIAB system. It would be so easy to build one around their base kettle with quick connects and simplified control panel and a basket. I exchanged emails with them and they implied they had something coming out, but the only announcement since then was the new TC kettle and system.

I keep coming back to either Kettle RIMS or counterflow HERMS. I like the simplicity of eBIAB, but I have concerns about capacity for high gravity brews. My last stout was 12.5% 5G batch using 25 lbs of grain. I'm not seeing much in the eBIAB world that will do that due to the dead space where the heating element is and kettle size needed.

 

[hezagenius]

I'm still hoping Spike will come out with an EBIAB system. It would be so easy to build one around their base kettle with quick connects and simplified control panel and a basket. I exchanged emails with them and they implied they had something coming out, but the only announcement since then was the new TC kettle and system.

I exchanged a few emails with Spike in June about an eBIAB system and they said "we do not have a time frame for such a product at this time". Doesn't mean they were telling me the truth but that's what they told me. I agree that it shouldn't be too difficult for them to do. The Grounded system checks off almost everything. Obviously the price tag is a hurdle but I think it's probably a fair price for what the system comes with. I would have also liked to see an additional port near the top of the kettle to be able to recirc downward into the basket.

I'm trying to avoid building a custom eBIAB but it seems like that may just ultimately make the most sense. A custom 15g Spike+ kettle will probably run 400-450 maybe? A basket will be another 250-350 depending on the size and features. Now you are at 700-800 for the kettle and basket. That makes the Unibrau kettle and basket seem like a bargain at about 450 for 10 gallons.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I exchanged a few emails with Spike in June about an eBIAB system and they said "we do not have a time frame for such a product at this time". Doesn't mean they were telling me the truth but that's what they told me. I agree that it shouldn't be too difficult for them to do. The Grounded system checks off almost everything. Obviously the price tag is a hurdle but I think it's probably a fair price for what the system comes with. I would have also liked to see an additional port near the top of the kettle to be able to recirc downward into the basket.

I'm trying to avoid building a custom eBIAB but it seems like that may just ultimately make the most sense. A custom 15g Spike+ kettle will probably run 400-450 maybe? A basket will be another 250-350 depending on the size and features. Now you are at 700-800 for the kettle and basket. That makes the Unibrau kettle and basket seem like a bargain at about 450 for 10 gallons.

They have plans for an eBIAB kettle that includes a TC heating element port, WP port, temp port and a drain port. They quoted $350 for the 15G version. If I go custom eBIAB or kettle RIMS, I'll probably get one of those. For kettle RIMS, I can use my current kettle as a mash tun by adding a false bottom and save money that way.

For me, the bottom line is finding the system that works best for me. I could buy a Spike turn key 3V HERMS, but I'm not sold that it's the best option.

 

[tmendick]

I'm not surprised at the $1800 price, but, at that price, it's far from a no-brainer. I suspect there's a significant premium for the TC ports, which I think is overkill for the hot side.

I'm in the process of shopping for an electric brewing system. At this point, I still haven't ruled out 3V HERMS, eBIAB, Kettle RIMS, Counterflow HERMS...so many options with different pros/cons for each. I just can't seem to find a system that meets all my needs at a decent price point.

I'm still hoping Spike will come out with an EBIAB system. It would be so easy to build one around their base kettle with quick connects and simplified control panel and a basket. I exchanged emails with them and they implied they had something coming out, but the only announcement since then was the new TC kettle and system.

I keep coming back to either Kettle RIMS or counterflow HERMS. I like the simplicity of eBIAB, but I have concerns about capacity for high gravity brews. My last stout was 12.5% 5G batch using 25 lbs of grain. I'm not seeing much in the eBIAB world that will do that due to the dead space where the heating element is and kettle size needed.

I have a 15 gallon pot and sent 11G of DIPA into the fermenter, it took 29# of grain, I did have to pour over about 2 gallons though due to space.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I have a 15 gallon pot and sent 11G of DIPA into the fermenter, it took 29# of grain, I did have to pour over about 2 gallons though due to space.

That's certainly an option, but I don't know if I could pull that off and get 70% BH efficiency on a 1.128 OG stout.

 

[hezagenius]

They have plans for an eBIAB kettle that includes a TC heating element port, WP port, temp port and a drain port. They quoted $350 for the 15G version

When you say "they have plans", do you mean they have a schematic already drawn up for a 15g kettle with those 4 ports and they can build it for 350 anytime you want it? Or that they have plans to offer an eBIAB kettle like that in the future and they plan to charge 350 for it?

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

This is what they sent me. I asked about the price and they said $350:

When you say "they have plans", do you mean they have a schematic already drawn up for a 15g kettle with those 4 ports and they can build it for 350 anytime you want it? Or that they have plans to offer an eBIAB kettle like that in the future and they plan to charge 350 for it?

 

[MX1]

at $1800 I am glad I went with High Gravity....

beer not gear

 

[Quadrider]

Got a surprise awesome email today.....

“So after much consideration with some future products we having coming out in the near future, we have actually decided to include a 20 gallon kettle with the kit and a basket to match! The kit will remain the same price of $1800!”

20G for the same price?? Wow

 

[emr25]

Got a surprise awesome email today.....

“So after much consideration with some future products we having coming out in the near future, we have actually decided to include a 20 gallon kettle with the kit and a basket to match! The kit will remain the same price of $1800!”

20G for the same price?? Wow

Will they offer both size options? I will never brew batches bigger than 6 gallons into fermentor, 5 gallons into keg. Don’t want or need 20 gallons of kettle space!

 

[crankyx]

Got a surprise awesome email today.....

“So after much consideration with some future products we having coming out in the near future, we have actually decided to include a 20 gallon kettle with the kit and a basket to match! The kit will remain the same price of $1800!”

20G for the same price?? Wow

Sweet!

 

[zeptrey]

Will they offer both size options? I will never brew batches bigger than 6 gallons into fermentor, 5 gallons into keg. Don’t want or need 20 gallons of kettle space!

Same here. Hmm.

 

[Quadrider]

Will they offer both size options? I will never brew batches bigger than 6 gallons into fermentor, 5 gallons into keg. Don’t want or need 20 gallons of kettle space!

Same boat. My conical only holds 5g and don’t ever foresee myself doing 10G batches. Asked specifically about this and they responded: “No problem with 5 gallon batches. The element is around the 2 to 3 gallon mark”

 

[Quadrider]

More details....

“I am hoping I can make a formal announcement of all the specs towards the end of this week. Once the announcement is made we should be looking at pre orders the week after if not the following.

1) Kettle thickness is 1.2mm
2) Pump will have a stainless head
3) Yes, there will be hooks for the basket to the kettle
4) No problem with 5 gallon batches. The element is around the 2 to 3 gallon mark
5) Yes, we are definitely planning on doing an instructional video for the kit
6) There will probably be a few months delay on the other heat exchanger, and the price difference will be quite a bit different. We haven’t nailed down the price yet, but it will be quite a bit different.

 

[hezagenius]

Switching from 15g to 20g seems like a big change so close to rollout.