PicoBrew Pico users

[Lbarouf]

Ohhhhh the prototype shows two step filters. Nice. Ok, I really need to make room up for upgrading my hobby. Argh.

 

[jrb03]

Ohhhhh the prototype shows two step filters. Nice. Ok, I really need to make room up for upgrading my hobby. Argh.

2 step filters is 5 gallons. Oh geez what’s it gonna look like with 4 step filters lol.

 

[Lbarouf]

Here’s what I am looking at...

 

[Lbarouf]

2 step filters is 5 gallons. Oh geez what’s it gonna look like with 4 step filters lol.

There must be more to it. I can’t imagine that it’s sinply stacking current Z’s step filters. Expansion via more step filter modules, that’s just it? Does not sound right to me. Diving your bill of grain in 3 or 4, your hops.... nah.

 

[jrb03]

That’s exactly what’s going on in that picture.

 

[Dilbert Fizzwinkle]

Actually, that kinda looks like they combined the Zymatic and the Pico Pro.
Of course, I am dumb as a cinder block because I can't figure out WHY?

 

[macgyuver]

Seems to me this is where the “series” comes in. Multiple step filters of multiple sizes. Meaning if you buy the 5-10 gal unit it will not be able to use the step filters from the 1-5 gallon unit. 1-5 gal unit has two step filters for up 10lbs of grain. The 5-10 gal unit uses step filters for up to 20lbs of grain or so. Just my take.

 

[jrb03]

Seems to me this is where the “series” comes in. Multiple step filters of multiple sizes. Meaning if you buy the 5-10 gal unit it will not be able to use the step filters from the 1-5 gallon unit. 1-5 gal unit has two step filters for up 10lbs of grain. The 5-10 gal unit uses step filters for up to 20lbs of grain or so. Just my take.

The more I think about it the more I don’t know. I own a Zymatic, and a step filter for 10 gallon batches has to be impossible. I never thought the plastic step filter would be part of this new Z capable of 10 gallons, maybe just the smaller unit. These pictures showing plastic step filters stacked is not what I was expecting. Doing a batch this weekend I realized a step filter twice the size of the current, needed for a 5 galllon batch, would also be very large and hard to manage. I can’t see the step filter getting much bigger than it is now, especially with all the cracking it’s prone to. I don’t know what to expect anymore!

 

[Dilbert Fizzwinkle]

Go back and look at that image again. The lower clear plastic bin looks like a Zymatic grain bin and the upper clear plastic bin is smaller. Just like a PicoPak bin.

 

[jrb03]

Go back and look at that image again. The lower clear plastic bin looks like a Zymatic grain bin and the upper clear plastic bin is smaller. Just like a PicoPak bin.

Nope. The upper bin is definitely a Zymatic step filter. You can see the stainless screen. The lower one may be a bit bigger hard to tell from the angle if it’s just pulled out more etc.

 

[Dilbert Fizzwinkle]

Nope. The upper bin is definitely a Zymatic step filter. You can see the stainless screen. The lower one may be a bit bigger hard to tell from the angle if it’s just pulled out more etc.

I bow to your obviously superior knowledge!

 

[jrb03]

I bow to your obviously superior knowledge!

I just happen to own both
Here’s a pic for comparison.

 

[macgyuver]

Guess it really doesn’t matter seeing it will be revealed in 12 hours. [emoji12]

 

[jrb03]

Just revealed. Definitely 4 Zymatic step filters stacked.

https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/12/picobrew-z-series-homebrew-beer/

 

[macgyuver]

WOW! Hopefully the deep discounts are true.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

So (if those numbers are accurate) $2500-$1000 for a new 2.5 gallon, less $100 launch day offer, and $600 if I wanted to trade in my current Z... = $800 to get the new one. (Less if I can sell it for more than $600 on the open market with 2x step filter setups.)

I just had mine in for it's second HEX air bubble/leak repair in the time I've owned it. They've been incredible about Zymatic hardware support, though I doubt software will be revisited... Not sure it's worth the out of pocket cost for the upgrade. Will lookout for more details tomorrow.

 

[macgyuver]

2500 - 1000 for launch day
1500 - 600 for trade in
900 - 250 if you got 10 emails signed up....

650 for the 2.5

Not sure what the discounts are for the larger set except 10gal
8500-4500-600-250=3250, I think that is right

 

[macgyuver]

O and if you don’t have a Z you need to add the 600 back on. Maybe they will do something for Pico trade ins but who knows.

 

[Lbarouf]

Just revealed. Definitely 4 Zymatic step filters stacked.

https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/12/picobrew-z-series-homebrew-beer/

Oh god!
It’s all true.
It does look like a server rack full of Zs stacked on top of each other. I bet each with their own hoses that will connect to 5gal kegs. Can they all brew a different recipe? That would be convinient.

Looks like a beast... if pricing is accurate, it’s not a cheap 10gal system. With the rebate though....

 

[Lbarouf]

View attachment 557936
I just happen to own both
Here’s a pic for comparison.

Since you own both, do you see value in a all in one machine? If you want to run 2,3,4 batches in parallel I can see maybe. But 1 or 2?

 

[jrb03]

Since you own both, do you see value in a all in one machine? If you want to run 2,3,4 batches in parallel I can see maybe. But 1 or 2?

There are so many unanswered questions right now. Like electricity needs, at minimum each module is gonna need it’s own circuit if it’s not 240v, that’s not very convenient. It definitely looks like it can do 4 separate recipes on the full tower, which is pretty slick. If price was no concern I would be all over a double stack, double batch would be awesome. Truthfully I do Pico and Z batches simultaneously pretty easy now though.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

July '18 shipping timeline for the Z1 (retooled Zymatic) according to the FAQ- no notes on Z2-Z4 timeline, but the order page says July 18 as well...

Z2+ get 240V.

 

[Oleary]

O and if you don’t have a Z you need to add the 600 back on. Maybe they will do something for Pico trade ins but who knows.

No trade-in program for pico S/C owners. I asked the question to info@...

Strangely, the answer included "having a Z and Pico on deck would be a great suite of resources to develop your own PicoPaks and earn royalties." If the Z does the Paks also, then it (the pico S/C) seems redundant to me. Am I missing something?

 

[Ewelady]

Well I went for it! I will use the Pico for upstairs brewing of paks when they arrive and the Z I will brew other beers which will then not make me get frustrated with time lags on shipping. Checked the wifi signal in the basement and the Z will be there, which is where I use to brew beer anyway. So glad I never got rid of the 5 gallon kegs! Might have to shift some wiring around to have the outlet where I want it. But that's no big deal.

 

[Oleary]

Well I went for it! I will use the Pico for upstairs brewing of paks when they arrive and the Z I will brew other beers which will then not make me get frustrated with time lags on shipping. Checked the wifi signal in the basement and the Z will be there, which is where I use to brew beer anyway. So glad I never got rid of the 5 gallon kegs! Might have to shift some wiring around to have the outlet where I want it. But that's no big deal.

What size did you get?

I'm on the fence but if I can reuse the 1.75 gallon kegs for smaller batches/paks, I'll probably pull the trigger.

 

[Ewelady]

What size did you get?

I'm on the fence but if I can reuse the 1.75 gallon kegs for smaller batches/paks, I'll probably pull the trigger.

I went for the small one, since 2.5 gallons is perfect, 5 was always too much which is why I had quit brewing. I never wanted to drink 5 gallons of the same beer all the time. But the Pico is too small to share beer with family unless I get a lot brewed ahead.

 

[macgyuver]

I am in line for the Z2. Still wanting more answers about the setup. It will come and I can cancel if I don’t like.

I don’t see why we can’t use the 1.75 kegs we already have.

 

[Oleary]

I am in line for the Z2. Still wanting more answers about the setup. It will come and I can cancel if I don’t like.

I don’t see why we can’t use the 1.75 kegs we already have.

They confirmed we can use the small kegs. I couldn't think of reason either, but just wanted to be sure.

edit: They also confirmed the 2.5 is upgradable. I was afraid the 110 to 240 might prevent it.

 

[macgyuver]

Dry hop basket running low.... 8.84

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...in-20&linkId=03cda13e0949b52d348059f1cd3ff2ab

 

[macgyuver]

They confirmed we can use the small kegs. I couldn't think of reason either, but just wanted to be sure.

edit: They also confirmed the 2.5 is upgradable. I was afraid the 110 to 240 might prevent it.

It has been said that each unit is 120, 5g and up, and just taps one side of the 240. This would make sense seeing it is modular and can be upgraded.