Opinions on All In One systems?

[DrunkenCanuck]

Hey guys,

So, I have made several batches of beer now and had some good success with the whole process. I want to start making larger batches, possibly even pushing myself to do this as a side business down the line. My biggest gripe is all the equipment that I have takes up a lot of space in my apartment. Between my 5 gallon mash tun, 5 gallon bucket plus a carboy, not to mention a bottling bucket, things get a little crowded.

So I was googling around looking at all in one brew systems. My options are to basically either buy a burner, a bigger kettle as well as all the other equipment needed to do what I can do with one unit.

I saw this BIAB system from Brau Supply (based out of Vancouver BC) and it seems to fit within a budget that I could afford. The 45 Litre (11.8 gallons) system with a plate chiller is $880 USD, so I'd be looking at around $1000 most likely.

The system seems to offer all of the things that I have read in guides on BIAB brewing while offering the convenience of a single system to make beer. Has anyone used this or something like this? What are the results like compared to other homebrew methods?

 

[Joe_K]

http://brulosophy.com/2017/05/18/brau-supply-unibrau-120v-biab-electric-brew-system-product-review/

 

[madscientist451]

I don't see how you are going to save any space going to 10 gallon batches with a BIAB system. You'll still need a bottling bucket unless you go to kegs, and place to store 10 gallons of bottled beer while it carbs up. To get any kind of interesting selection, you'll have to have 30-40 gallons of beer on hand, some carbing up, some ready to drink, others aging a bit perhaps. And you'll also need a big collection of bottles.
If you are serious about wanting to go pro someday, you should consider making smaller batches and brewing more often. Can you make room for a small chest freezer? Controlling the temperature of your fermentation will drastically improve your beer. A small chest freezer can hold 2 three gallon Better bottle carboys and a bucket.
Temp. control also gives you the ability to cold crash and brew lagers. The small 2.5 gallon kegs can fit in your regular refrigerator, and never having to bottle again is worth the extra money for the small kegs.
So for the $1000 you are considering spending, you could add temperature control and a kegging setup and still have money left over.