High Gravity BIAB Electric Brewing System

[ScrewyBrewer]

Well I ended up ordering the High Gravity 62 quart BIAB system and it arrived the other day. There's a lot of parts that need to be assembled yet probably changing the orientation of the chugger pump's head will be the first thing I'll have to do. It's easy enough just remove the four screws holding the stainless steel head, give it a quarter turn and screw it down again. I'm copying the layout in the High Gravity Brewing video to get started and that's how they've done it.

I did get a nice 780 cfm range hood that has three speeds, a couple of bright led lights and carbon filters that I'll be using to exhaust the boil vapors from the garage. Once the hole's been cut in the wall and the hood mounted I'll have to figure out a way to setup a lift of some sort to hold the wet grains. Life would be easier if I mounted the lifting pulleys directly over the kettle and rigged the exhaust hood so it moved out of the way when lifting the grains.

 

[redwing_al]

Well I ended up ordering the High Gravity 62 quart BIAB system and it arrived the other day. There's a lot of parts that need to be assembled yet probably changing the orientation of the chugger pump's head will be the first thing I'll have to do. It's easy enough just remove the four screws holding the stainless steel head, give it a quarter turn and screw it down again. I'm copying the layout in the High Gravity Brewing video to get started and that's how they've done it.

I did get a nice 780 cfm range hood that has three speeds, a couple of bright led lights and carbon filters that I'll be using to exhaust the boil vapors from the garage. Once the hole's been cut in the wall and the hood mounted I'll have to figure out a way to setup a lift of some sort to hold the wet grains. Life would be easier if I mounted the lifting pulleys directly over the kettle and rigged the exhaust hood so it moved out of the way when lifting the grains.

I'd like to see pictures of your build out and hear how well your first brew day goes! I'm interested in builds something with an e-biab system of some sort. Do you have any opinions on the Speidel Braumesiter?

 

[FloridaSon]

I like my HB BIAB electric system and have used it for over a year. I found if I use a squeeze type clamp on the pot rim, I can tilt the internal grain basket to drain without danger of it splashing back in. Tricky to get it up and add the clamp solo but easy with one more pair of hands.

I recently added a second stage to my internal cooler and used it this week to brew an Ardley Brown Ale. Post boil temps got below 80 in under 30 minutes and that is outside in south Florida in August.

Enjoy!

 

[singybrue]

Life would be easier if I mounted the lifting pulleys directly over the kettle and rigged the exhaust hood so it moved out of the way when lifting the grains.

It'll be way easier to move the pot than the exhaust hood. Put the pot on a wheeled cart of some sort and move it over a couple of feet under the pulley, then slide it back under the hood for the boil.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

It'll be way easier to move the pot than the exhaust hood. Put the pot on a wheeled cart of some sort and move it over a couple of feet under the pulley, then slide it back under the hood for the boil.

To me anything worth doing is always worth overdoing so I went with mounting the hood on a swivel mount and connecting it with flex duct to the wall vent. Details for the build can be found in an article I published here this week titled Indoor Brewing - Clearing The Air, its working perfectly to solve the issue.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

I brewed my first 10 gallon batch using the High Gravity eBIAB system this Saturday and it was a joy to use. Everything worked out exactly as I had planned and I was so happy to finally have answers to the questions that came up throughout the design phase.

The biggest concern was lifting the 60 something pounds of wet grains out of the kettle but using the grain hoist turned out to be a great idea. I brewed solo this first time because I wanted to stay focused on all the new processes involved and I was able to hoist the wet grains out of the wort and then tie them off to the wall cleat as they drained. To make things even better the garbage trucks here use a mechanical lift to empty the trash cans so now grain disposal is one less huge headache too.

 

[Chris7687]

Glad to hear your brewing went well on the new system. I recently moved too, so having to wait to close on the house before wiring back up my electrical system. Back to the old propane BIAB style for the time being!

Just a thought, I trade my grain with local chicken farmers for fresh eggs. They get happy, drunk chickens and I get fresh farm raised eggs! I had chickens at my old place, but here the quarters are a little closer and the neighbors a little nosier.

 

[TKH]

After a year of using the High Gravity BIAB system, how do you like it? Is there anything you would do differently?

You've got an awesome setup and I really enjoyed reading about the process. Thanks for sharing!

 

[brew-in]

Take a look at post #23 in this thread:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=542320&page=3

slams the High Gracity Brewing system pretty hard..

 

[augiedoggy]

Take a look at post #23 in this thread:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=542320&page=3

slams the High Gracity Brewing system pretty hard..

yup.... still waiting for someone else whos brave enough to take the cover off theirs and take pics to post here.... So far I go by one owners claims who did take theirs apart. He claims they didnt even use Solid state relays.
That and the fact that you can easily price all the parts out (I have everything in their system including the 50cent switches and $12 home depot enclosure... The only thing I dont have laying around is the pump they use ($120) and the auber pid ($50)

Theres maybe 3 hours of labor for assembly so they are getting what $200 /hr to assemble.... Chances are they pump these out in an hour by now.

That said if your happy thats all thats important right? HG sure is.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

I've had mine for a year, last month was a year since it was delivered. At times I wish I had gone bigger than the 62 liter kettle though. Had I waited the detachable Blichmann elements would be what I definitely would get.

Other than that I couldn't be any happier with the ease of automation it's added to my brewing. I'm drinking an IPA that I brewed on the system 4 weeks ago and I'm very happy with how it turned out. It tastes exactly like to two previous batches I've brewed this summer.

Then there was those quick disconnects with the plastic cross to block the worth flow, since replacing them I haven't had a clogged line yet.

 

[TKH]

Thanks!

 

[IowaHomeBrewer]

I also have a high gravity system, but only for a couple of months. My brew day is about 3 hours now. I love it and would recommend it. I didn't have the skill set to build my own. I know alot of people say it is t a great value based on cost of parts, but it is a great value compared to eBIAB systems out there that come pre packaged and ready to go.

 

[Frostbrewer]

Absolutely love mine. This was also my switch to all grain and I'm never looking back. My beers are so freaking good lately.

 

[steveoatley]

To yous guys that Have a High Gravity Control panel

I am looking to buy the EBC III

http://www.highgravitybrew.com/store/pc/EBC-III-with-Infinite-Power-Control-158p3858.htm

How big is it?

I am looking to get something to mount it on the wall
Like a LCD monitor mount or something.

Anyone NOT happy with the EBC III?

Thanks
S

 

[augiedoggy]

To yous guys that Have a High Gravity Control panel

I am looking to buy the EBC III

http://www.highgravitybrew.com/store/pc/EBC-III-with-Infinite-Power-Control-158p3858.htm

How big is it?

I am looking to get something to mount it on the wall
Like a LCD monitor mount or something.

Anyone NOT happy with the EBC III?

Thanks
S

as far as build quality and value you may want to look at something like this...it have a built in breaker, support for a second pump and added indicator lights for hundreds less$ .

http://brumatic.com/BRU-matic-DBC-2PM30-DBC-2PM30.htm

many have purchased from him and he is a long time member here...

There has to be good reason no one will post photos of the inside of the high gravity setups...

There is a thread here if you do a search where someone had isues with theirs. so they opened the cover and found the components had been installed with a hot glue gun and speaker wire.... NOT GOOD You wont likely have issue Until you have a meltdown.

 

[steveoatley]

as far as build quality and value you may want to look at something like this...it have a built in breaker, support for a second pump and added indicator lights for hundreds less$ .

http://brumatic.com/BRU-matic-DBC-2PM30-DBC-2PM30.htm

many have purchased from him and he is a long time member here...

There has to be good reason no one will post photos of the inside of the high gravity setups...

There is a thread here if you do a search where someone had isues with theirs. so they opened the cover and found the components had been installed with a hot glue gun and speaker wire.... NOT GOOD You wont likely have issue Until you have a meltdown.

Augiedoggy

You have continued to promote Brumatics work - are you Brumatic ?? ( brother in law?)

I have tried to contact Brumatic 4 times - got no reply
twice threw HBT - here with private messages
twice threw eBay - were he sells the controllers

I have gotten No Replies.

I got a reply from Dave Knot at High Gravity with in 1/2 hour of my email.

So, Dave wins on Customer Service.

I have not ordered yet - my decision will be soon, but

HGB - only 15 days to build, ship
Bruamtic - states it may be 3 months until ship

For the record the EBC III is 8 x 8 x 4 inches - the 4 being the depth measure.
I am looking to get a LCD Monitor mount to fly my controller away from the wall, that why in need to know.

my 2 cents
Steve

 

[augiedoggy]

Augiedoggy

You have continued to promote Brumatics work - are you Brumatic ?? ( brother in law?)

I have tried to contact Brumatic 4 times - got no reply
twice threw HBT - here with private messages
twice threw eBay - were he sells the controllers

I have gotten No Replies.

I got a reply from Dave Knot at High Gravity with in 1/2 hour of my email.

So, Dave wins on Customer Service.

I have not ordered yet - my decision will be soon, but

HGB - only 15 days to build, ship
Bruamtic - states it may be 3 months until ship

For the record the EBC III is 8 x 8 x 4 inches - the 4 being the depth measure.
I am looking to get a LCD Monitor mount to fly my controller away from the wall, that why in need to know.

my 2 cents
Steve

No I dont know him nor have I ever bought from him..I just think his products are better built than many for a much better pricepoint.
You can always purchase one he already has built here from his ebay store?

The HGB unit is likely so small because its built to be compact and disposable with glued in components. I also read they use regular relays instead of ssr units but I would be suprised if thats true with people using them for over a year without issue. I believe the pids themselves are 4" deep so im even suprised it fits... look at all the others with as much functionality. They are larger for a reason. if you want to be able to remove components and do repairs you need space. the 50 cent switches he uses are also much smaller than others usually use... I have used those same switches but only trust them for smaller dc loads.

the HGB uses home depot electric boxes... so does brumatic only he uses the next size up (12x12x6 )because there is more functionality and safety features in his equivilent unit from what I can see... I used a few of the same enclosures in my builds.

I cant even find the second 240v element plug on the $800 HGB unit you linked? or does it only control one 240v element and the other being 120v 15a only? in that case there are even cheaper options out there since you can built that for about $125 in parts.

If I was making $ 5-600 in profit on every unit I sold I would be all over replying to inquiries quickly too! think about it... just like a salesman at a car lot that stands to make more easy money off you.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brumatic-DB...ff4950e&pid=100009&rk=1&rkt=1&sd=221425538910

there are many others... I cant find the link to the other one I liked but

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

Not having to know whats inside of the EBC-SV controller is the main reason I decided to purchase one in the first place. When the 220v heating element turns on or off its silent, there is no 'clicking' sound like you would expect to hear on a mechanical relay.

I have seen drywall and plywood fastened using an adhesive in houses so using hot glue or epoxy to fasten a few small electronic parts isn't a concern. After brewing with mine for over a year now I still love the system's ease of use, reliability and High Gravity's level of customer service. I guess I am what is known as a satisfied customer.

 

[augiedoggy]

Not having to know what's inside of the EBC-SV controller is the main reason I decided to purchase one in the first place. When the 220v heating element turns on or off its silent, there is no 'clicking' sound like you would expect to hear on a mechanical relay.

I have seen drywall and plywood fastened using an adhesive in houses so using hot glue to fasten a few small electronic parts isn't a concern. After brewing with mine for over a year now I still love system's the ease of use, reliability and level of customer service. I guess I am what is known as a satisfied customer.

So ignorance it bliss then Eh? I like the disclaimer they used to have (and may still do?) on High gravities site stating this is sold as a DIY kit and they take no responsibility for problems that it may cause (like your house going up in flames)... Doesnt give me warm fuzzies... this was the reason they didnt use to install the plugs on the end so technically they didnt finish it and absolve themselves of legal responsibility...

If I was spending that kind of money I would expect the manufactuer to stand behind it... Hell for that markup it should be UL certified and listed which its not because it very likely would pass (if they use speaker wire for power cable is certainly voids the safety rules)

 

[steveoatley]

You can always purchase one he already has built here from his ebay store?

Nope, his eBay store specifically says Delivery may be as long as 3 months

Quote
Manufacturing time for this unit can be up to 3 (three) month after payment. Please don't order if it's not acceptable for you.
End Quote

From the Auction where you linked

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brumatic-DBC...3D221425538910


S

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

So ignorance it bliss then Eh? I like the disclaimer they used to have (and may still do?) on High gravities site stating this is sold as a DIY kit and they take no responsibility for problems that it may cause (like your house going up in flames)... Doesnt give me warm fuzzies... this was the reason they didnt use to install the plugs on the end so technically they didnt finish it and absolve themselves of legal responsibility...

If I was spending that kind of money I would expect the manufactuer to stand behind it... Hell for that markup it should be UL certified and listed which its not because it very likely would pass (if they use speaker wire for power cable is certainly voids the safety rules)

I had a neighbor who used to trash talk ride on lawnmowers because according to him they were too heavy to roll over a lawn, even though he never actually owned a ride on mower.

 

[augiedoggy]

I had a neighbor who used to trash talk ride on lawnmowers because according to him they were too heavy to roll over a lawn, even though he never actually owned a ride on mower.

Well I do own an electric brewery...With a panel 3 element /3 speed controlled pump setup that I built actually for $300 instead of buying one.. And Ive built a couple now So yeah it sort of gives me some qualifications to scrutinize things like the components and the way it was built vs the cost. vs an owner who is just trying to justify his purchase and doesnt even want to know how safely the thing is put together "Just because it works" I expect you to be bias and defend your purchase... if you really werent concerned you would just post a picture of the inside already and show us what they $800 really bought you.

Not sure where your going with this , Critics are not allowed only praise you should have mentioned that all you want. I would think this info would be useful to perspective buyers and owners who care about possibly unsafe wiring and shortcuts.... As far as prebuilt electric control panels for the HGB has two things working against it... They are made of the cheapest components compared to others yet sold at the highest premium feature per feature.

I'm sorry but that my opinion and people come here asking for info as well as feedback on the system.

They have great marketing skills and yes its aggravating to me that it appears to be more important than the quality and prices of their "use at your own risk" "diy" products...

This is your thread so out of respect for that I will leave it and you alone.
I was trying to not comment on your comments but the whole "im better off not knowing whats in it because it works" was too much especially when the people that make it sell make YOU the owner solely responsible for it or any issues with it if it fails. hot glue gun glueing components that heat up while being used like relays can cause the glue to melt and things to fall out of place and posts/terminals to short... this could be dangerous if its truely the way its assembled so yeah I'm gonna be vocal about it till someone posts a damn pic to prove me wrong and shut me up.

 

[steveoatley]

Augiedoggy

I simply asked HGB owners what size their unit was
as i am looking for a way to hang it on a wall

And you came right out and bashed High Gravity products

So, it certainly looks like you have an ax to grind.

I have not made my purchase yet, still looking, there are others out there

And i stated that I have received Great Customer service from Dave at HG
While i have not gotten ANY replies to several emails from Brumatic

Brumatics product looks great - and hey i would save $300 vs EBC III
Two elements vs one !

But, i am not going to drop over $500 buck on Ebay
and wait for a delivery that is 3 months out - because he has never replied to an email

I am only pointing out that Brumatic needs to up his Customer Service game
?????

my 2 cents

 

[steveoatley]

Augiedoggy

do you make panels ? ( maybe you should )

How much would you charge for something like the EBC III
or the Brumatic DBC-2PM30 ?

I can not read an electrical diagram like PJ has done over 100 !~

S

 

[augiedoggy]

Augiedoggy

I simply asked HGB owners what size their unit was
as i am looking for a way to hang it on a wall

And you came right out and bashed High Gravity products

So, it certainly looks like you have an ax to grind.

I have not made my purchase yet, still looking, there are others out there

And i stated that I have received Great Customer service from Dave at HG
While i have not gotten ANY replies to several emails from Brumatic

Brumatics product looks great - and hey i would save $300 vs EBC III
Two elements vs one !

But, i am not going to drop over $500 buck on Ebay
and wait for a delivery that is 3 months out - because he has never replied to an email

I am only pointing out that Brumatic needs to up his Customer Service game
?????

my 2 cents

I get what your saying... Yeah I stated all the reasons I dont care for the HG units. If what I have been told is true they arent even safe to use so yeah... and I agree sounds like brumatic might need to be more responsive to POTENTIAL customers..

as far as ebay ....If you dont know how ebay works I can share two things that may help.

A, the product shows an expected ship and delivery date. (oct 2-9) you can see from his other feedback from others who have bought them whether he delivers ontime.

B, if you dont receive it by then or arent satisfied with it you can have paypal refund your money...

I have made over 1,000 purchases there with only 2 bad experiences and I got my money back both times.

I really have nothing to gain or lose either way... I simply suggested him because others who have bought from him always seemed to post positive experiences...
I suppose you could start a thread asking about his products and support if you were still considering them.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

@Augiedoggy geez man chill out. I'm just saying you didn't buy the unit that your trashing, like I and the others did, so it seems a bit skeptical as to why you are.

IMHO if you want to make a legitimate point buy the unit, tear it down and then feel free to tear it apart based on your critique.

 

[augiedoggy]

Augiedoggy

do you make panels ? ( maybe you should )

How much would you charge for something like the EBC III
or the Brumatic DBC-2PM30 ?

I can not read an electrical diagram like PJ has done over 100 !~

S

I do but I dont really make them for profit.
I am just finishing a two element (one pid one manual ssvr controlled element as well as two speed controlled DC pumps.)
I am making it for a friend but I can say that even with the two pumps and probes I have less than $160 in the whole build. and thats with 2 digital temp readouts and a volt/amp meter. And the correct type / size wire has been used as well as screws to hold everything in place. all my connectors are also rated for the current they will see too.

these can be a pain to wire up so I dont blame people for buying them. I'm just trying to steer people away from what I strongly see and a bad choice... its their choice though it doesnt change the fact of whether what I said is true or not.

A picture of the inside would really help other make their choices too. What if theguy who told me all the negative stuff about his experiences with his had an agenda and was lying? I dont know all I have it what I can see myself which has Cheap hardware with the Highest gravity pricing written all over it.

 

[augiedoggy]

@Augiedoggy geez man chill out. I'm just saying you didn't buy the unit that your trashing, like I and the others did, so it seems a bit skeptical as to why you are.

IMHO if you want to make a legitimate point buy the unit, tear it down and then feel free to tear it apart based on your critique.

I dont really have to..someone else already did in another thread about them.
I'm on here a lot more so when someone asks I share both what I was told and what I know of them... What I know of them is this. Every component but the pid that I can see from the outside is the cheapest lowest cost option to achieve its goals... It IS a budget built controller but its being sold for what you would expect something Kal built to sell for with all top dollar parts... hearing the comments about speaker wire and hot glued components just added insult to injury...

honestly Id rather be wrong and find the high gravity units are built at least in a safely manner and eat crow in that respect then be right and have someones house burn down from one.

 

[lump42]

I dont really have to..someone else already did in another thread about them.
I'm on here a lot more so when someone asks I share both what I was told and what I know of them... What I know of them is this. Every component but the pid that I can see from the outside is the cheapest lowest cost option to achieve its goals... It IS a budget built controller but its being sold for what you would expect something Kal built to sell for with all top dollar parts... hearing the comments about speaker wire and hot glued components just added insult to injury...

honestly Id rather be wrong and find the high gravity units are built at least in a safely manner and eat crow in that respect then be right and have someones house burn down from one.

I can't find the post where someone tore apart the controller and showed the components. Can you share a link?