VERY close to purchasing the High Gravity all in one system

[ZmannR2]

So I sold some guns and instead of reinvesting in more guns I REEAALLLLY want this setup. It's the only 5-10 gal batch setup I've seen that's ready to go as an all-in-one-system. I'm freaking done with 5 gal batches. The videos on it seem awesome. And although I can build my own setup, for the price it seems not a bad deal at alL. By selecting the upgraded SS Brewtech 20 gal pot and using my own pump and can get this set up for about $970 I believe.

I will also upgrade to a 5 kW boilcoil instead of the 4.5.

What do y'all think of a 240V BIAB system? Worth the investment?

Here's some links on it:

http://www.highgravitybrew.com/store/pc/brewing-system-electric-wort-hog-5-10-gallon-biab-240v-p3987.htm?atc=1&idproduct=3987



https://youtu.be/uh3UbLaZjwg

 

[augiedoggy]

It comes up as $999 plus shipping on my browser...(not sure if they charge tax) Whats the assembly and warranty worth to you here? Thats the real question to consider.

Lets look at the facts only and break it down. The bag costs $25. The kettle costs about $275 separately and that exact controller can be built for about $150-160 with the pt100 probe using the same exact components including the enclosure from home depot minus the sticker across the front and the rest of the guts ordered from auberins and amazon. (there are at least two threads where I broke down the cost component by component).

I dont know what the boilcoil costs, but I know the 5500w tc based ripples with the 3 pin nema twist lock plugs can be bought for $75 through brewboss or brewhardware.com or for as little as $31 shipped directly from manufacturers in china but you wont get it as quickly and there wont be the same warranty. These elements are better IMO because they swap out easily and allow easy removal for cleaning.
so if you allocate even $100 extra for the heating element, your looking at about $550 to build that exact same system minus the decal on the front...

I'm only laying out an apples to apples comparison at this point and not even mentioning all the ways you could change or improve the design...

If you did want to improve it, one way would be to ditch the 99 cent switches and go with 22mm switches like you would find in a true control panel used in a commercial environment. and get a non braided stainless sensor cable... Those braided ones kink super easily and catch on everything... because of the stainless braid they use ridiculously thin gauge wires consisting of a few strains of copper which break very easily. I have gone through many of these learning the hard way.... a better quality telfon coated heavier cable pt100 with detachable plug is $20 shipped on ebay.

If the warranty and having someone else build it for you is worth the extra $ 450-500 then great. If this info is not what you wanted to hear then im sorry. But at least now your a better informed consumer when deciding either way.

 

[ZmannR2]

Actually. I started building my own last year. Bought a low watt density ripple coil, probe thermometer, SSR, heat sink, wiring hub, Auber PID the 240V outlet, the cable, and even an old aluminum box I wanted to use. But it got so tedious and the thought of drilling my own large hole into a $275 pot was scary. I was going to use the asssembly from brewhardware he sells for connecting the element.

I even drew out the circuit and purchased a false bottom for my then 10 gal pot.

However I have decided the quick disconnect of the boil coil is worth it. Also the lifetime warranty on the controller from these folks up in Tulsa seem worth it to me. Considering the braumaster and Grainfather are similar in price for a 5 gal batch instead of 10 I think it could be worth it.

 

[pretzelb]

I bought a system from CO Brewing Co a while back because I didn't know how to build my own. I'm happy with that decision but I were to do it over is use my knowledge to change a few things. I think it depends on the type of person you are whether to build or but a complete system. One word of caution is that 10g batches are heavy so plan for a pulley of some kind.

 

[applescrap]

Have talked with those people they're nice. I think if you have the money and you want it done for you all at once this isn't a bad option. Even though it's smaller batches I really love how slick that grainfather seems. With the warranty, there's nothing wrong if you want to get this. You could go cheaper and you could go more expensive that's just how it is.


Edit... if you want to go cheaper just get the kettle and the controller and element, as that's all you need in my opinion.

 

[griffi]

As one who has a couple years brewing under my belt, I moved to eBIAB a year ago when I bought a used high gravity system from a HBT member, I have enjoyed this system. I originally did not have the boil coil but I do now and love it. I only do 5.5 - 6 gal batches in my 11 gal kettle. Still I find the system user friendly and very flexible. My controller could actually run a 3 vessel system but I've only used it in single vessel mode. I appreciate augiedoggy's point but building a controller is not for everybody (and I built my own spa panel)...