Would anyone buy the Robobrew over the Brewer's Edge Mash & Boil?

[noiz2]

Jeez three from the same area in a row!

If either of you wants to try out the RB drop me a line.

 

[augiedoggy]

Haven't tried either, but going by the title of your post I figured I'd reply. Currently I'm planning on going with the Robobrew v3 and the reasoning is primarily due to slightly more kettle volume and the recirculating pump. The kettle volume I care about mostly for headspace and boil over prevention. I use a cold water spray bottle to combat any foam up but the more room the easier the foaming is to manage. The pump advantage is self explanatory really. Double walled would certainly be nicer but I am planning to use a layer of Relfectix in addition to the Robobrew jacket (which is about $20). Figuring that should more than suffice to maintain temps and help aide in a good stable rolling boil. The price difference is $180 so to me the advantages are worth it, and yeah it comes with the chiller though I'd much prefer copper. Sorry if responding to this isn't very helpful. Hopefully someone who's tried both can weigh in.


Rev.

I dont think you even have to worry about a boilover on these since the boil is so weak it never reaches a rolling boil to begin with.

 

[Jag75]

I have the Grainfather. However if it was between the M&B or RB I'm going M&B. Just too many negs on the RB. With the new version of MB it should be interesting.

 

[Rev2010]

I dont think you even have to worry about a boilover on these since the boil is so weak it never reaches a rolling boil to begin with.

Well now that I own one and have used it on several brews yes, that is very true. It's actually kind of nice to not have to worry about boil overs but the boil off rate is too darn low. That's why I'm making the move to a heatstick with gas assist on stovetop, just waiting for my heatstick to arrive so I can test it with my current MegaPot. If all goes good I'm going to order a Spike v3 kettle (the Megapot is for my sparge water).


Rev.

 

[noiz2]

I dont think you even have to worry about a boilover on these since the boil is so weak it never reaches a rolling boil to begin with.

You do, or at least can, get a rolling boil. You are not going to get a crazy fierce rolling boil but I don't really want one anyway. And you can get a boil over. Probably less likely with RB since it has a larger capacity. You don't get the boil over from a fierce boil but when the boil is just starting because all the pre hot break gives you a lot of surface tension. Once you are into a serious boil you are past the hot break and the surface tension has dropped back to "normal".

It's actually kind of nice to not have to worry about boil overs but the boil off rate is too darn low.

I would say that is more personal opinion. In that you like a lot of boil off for some reason. Not saying your wrong but unless I'm trying to boil down for a higher ABV there is not a lot of reason for a lot of boil off. At least it's certainly not required to make good beer.
The point that I think you have there, and I agree, is that the workflow for these pots is not the same as for a propane system. You really need to play with things to get volumes to where you want them and then note what you need to change to keep things where you want them. But this is also true for any difference in the brewing system. A mash tun and BIAB won't produce identical results from the same recipe.

But it's a good point that if you really have a need to stick to whatever workflow you have been using then you probably need to stick with a system that is close to the one you are used to.

If you need a big boil off then you can add this (to the RB) by drilling one hole and get a crazy fierce boil, for $40.

 

[Rev2010]

I would say that is more personal opinion. In that you like a lot of boil off for some reason. Not saying your wrong but unless I'm trying to boil down for a higher ABV there is not a lot of reason for a lot of boil off.

There is a reason - such a low boil off means I have to use less sparge water since my preboil volume is a gallon, sometimes a little more, less than when I boiled on propane. Less sparge water means less efficiency. Granted I've only gone down 3-5 points but it still require adjustment when all my recipes are done around my older efficiency of 86% average. It's not the end of the world of course, but being I typically do double batch sparges I appreciate the extra sparge water volume.


Rev.

 

[SanPancho]

I was browsing alibaba for these and had 2 supplers start messaging me after they somehow recorded my browsing history (got to love the whole lack of privacy) anyway... The factory that makes the mash and boil quoted me $78 for the unit which I believe came without the accessories
i

You have the name of the vender?

 

[augiedoggy]

You have the name of the vender?

I will have to look throug and see if I still have the emails they sent me.

 

[SanPancho]

I will have to look throug and see if I still have the emails they sent me.

Coold. Might also want to get info on your 3bbl vendor. A friend whos a pretty good brewer in baja is ready to leave wheres hes at now and go out on his own. As always, cash is tight so im sure hed love a referral on nano system.

 

[augiedoggy]

Bought the kettles directly from Gavin at sungood.they are a sponsor on probrewer but yeah I can give him the email.

 

[SanPancho]

no worries, we've gotten quotes from him on tanks. just didnt remember he makes brewhouses too.

 

[augiedoggy]

no worries, we've gotten quotes from him on tanks. just didnt remember he makes brewhouses too.

They make them for stout.

 

[Bane]

Which one of these Alibaba options is the grainfather equivalent?

 

[amccune]

So, I realize this is on older question, but I've actually owned both and have some insight.

I bought the robobrew originally because it looked awesome to have everything in one. I paid the extra money essentially for the pump and that was a pro for me, even though I own a pump. Originally, this was only going to be used for brewing in the winter, as I live in the north and the propane setup isn't fun to use when it's cold out.

I got 12 brews into the Robo and it burned up. (Version 3, purchased in May 2018, died January 1st, 2019) Literally it burned up. It was heating water overnight (before you say that was the reason, it has this as a feature in it's marketing and in it's user manual.) Was totally paranoid (for good reason!) and checked it FOUR times during the night. My wife woke me up and said the basement stinks like plastic burning. Sure enough - it was the robobrew. Burned right through plastic and died. In fact, there were singe marks everywhere. I'm certain there was actually a small fire for a bit. I'm lucky it didn't kill us, to be honest.

So, I was still under warranty, but I wasn't able to get my money back. That was ok, because I was given store credit and bought a mash and boil.

Now - I haven't used the M&B as of yet, so I can't speak to performance. So far, it's best feature is that it hasn't tried to burn my house down.

Seriously though - here's why you should get a M&B OVER the Robobrew to begin with. Perhaps they fixed the issues with 3.1 - fine. Their customer service was great. Super. BUT. The Mash and Boil feels better built. It's sturdier, the screen seems a little more basic, but that's not really a bad thing. It's actually got built in double-walled insulation, which I love.

Originally, I wanted to have the pump included. That was a issue for the RB that isn't discussed enough. It has a false bottom. There's the "malt pipe" and such....but I had to disassemble it three times to unclog the pump. And it's a BITCH to clean because it's tiny.

In a system like this, modular is better. If I had the cash, I would skip past the Grainfather and go to something more like the Unibrau or Clawhammer setup. WHY? Because when a part goes out, I don't want to have to replace everything, I'd rather replace that part. When the elements die on my Mash and Boil, I'll be left with an expensive urn that doesn't work. Right now, if my pump has an issue, then I can deal with that as it's own issue. No biggie. If it dies, I can get a replacement fairly cheap. Some people use those $20 solar pumps on amazon.

That's my 2 cents. I think it's a better product. There haven't been nearly the amount of issues with this product like the RB, and having an external pump is actually a much BETTER setup.

 

[micraftbeer]

Well, I guess count myself lucky. My V2 had a control panel issue that just caused me to lose function, I didn't have any meltdowns.

 

[augiedoggy]

With the manufacturer trying to sell me them on alibaba for less than $80 im really not all that shocked at the high failure rate. there cant be a whole lot of quality going on with that much for that price and them still making a profit...

 

[jaysquared2]

With the manufacturer trying to sell me them on alibaba for less than $80 im really not all that shocked at the high failure rate. there cant be a whole lot of quality going on with that much for that price and them still making a profit...

Any chance you remembered who sells these at this price on alibaba? Only one I've seen for $80 is with no pump, no grain basket. Pretty much just a kettle with a heating element. Also, even those $80ish ones become like $800 plus after shipping quote due to customs bonds and stuff.

 

[augiedoggy]

Any chance you remembered who sells these at this price on alibaba? Only one I've seen for $80 is with no pump, no grain basket. Pretty much just a kettle with a heating element. Also, even those $80ish ones become like $800 plus after shipping quote due to customs bonds and stuff.

hmm that shouldnt be right customs and shipping from china on my 3bbl brewhouse from china was only $1,600. That was before Trumps tariffs though.

I do not has anything bookmarked or saved but I found that if you look at a bunch of them on alibaba as a registered user, the vendors will contact you with offers like they me.

 

[Brewmakeray]

I've seen a lot of talk about these two systems, and read some really excellent reviews (like Brad at beersnobby.com, here and here). For the time being, let's ignore that the Robobrew comes with an immersion chiller and has an option for a pump*. In terms of the basic functionality, my readings suggest the Mash & Boil may be preferable since it is double-walled stainless with more robust welds. While the Robobrew is single-walled, it has extra false bottoms to help catch crud from scorching on the bottom and shutting the system down.

Has anyone played with both units, and could you share your preference? Please note: I'm not looking for reviews of just one unit--there are plenty of those out there.

*I already have a pump and plate chiller, which is why I'm ignoring them.

I just purchased a Mash and Boil, one because I had a tight budget and two because I wanted to be able to brew inside on bad weather days and I am happily pleased with the decision to buy it. Sure you need some patience when going from burners to electric but now I have a choice and would do it again if I had to.

 

[augiedoggy]

I just purchased a Mash and Boil, one because I had a tight budget and two because I wanted to be able to brew inside on bad weather days and I am happily pleased with the decision to buy it. Sure you need some patience when going from burners to electric but now I have a choice and would do it again if I had to.

To be fair here it really Depends on the setup, patience may only be required when going from gas to 120v electric where its often slower... Many 240v electric setups are in fact faster and easier if you have temp control than gas. But the flip side of that is the ones that has an abundance of "features" which just make it harder for some to use.. Thats why preferences are often so different.
Being able to brew indoors was a huge thing for me as I used to do my brewing almost exclusively in the winter.

 

[noiz2]

...

Now - I haven't used the M&B as of yet, so I can't speak to performance. So far, it's best feature is that it hasn't tried to burn my house down.

Seriously though - here's why you should get a M&B OVER the Robobrew to begin with. Perhaps they fixed the issues with 3.1 - fine. Their customer service was great. Super. BUT. The Mash and Boil feels better built. It's sturdier, the screen seems a little more basic, but that's not really a bad thing. It's actually got built in double-walled insulation, which I love.

Originally, I wanted to have the pump included. That was a issue for the RB that isn't discussed enough. It has a false bottom. There's the "malt pipe" and such....but I had to disassemble it three times to unclog the pump. And it's a BITCH to clean because it's tiny.

In a system like this, modular is better. If I had the cash, I would skip past the Grainfather and go to something more like the Unibrau or Clawhammer setup. WHY? Because when a part goes out, I don't want to have to replace everything, I'd rather replace that part. When the elements die on my Mash and Boil, I'll be left with an expensive urn that doesn't work. Right now, if my pump has an issue, then I can deal with that as it's own issue. No biggie. If it dies, I can get a replacement fairly cheap. Some people use those $20 solar pumps on amazon.

That's my 2 cents. I think it's a better product. There haven't been nearly the amount of issues with this product like the RB, and having an external pump is actually a much BETTER setup.

OK so a couple of points. Your final conclusion is really unfounded as you say above you haven't used the system yet. So since it hasn't been used it of course has not had "nearly the amount of issues", as in no uses = no issues.

The rest I mostly agree with. The pumps in these things are the same small sized ones as the solar circulator pumps and are very susceptible to clogging. That is part of why I got one without a pump, RB also sells a model with no pump. I also agree that with a bigger budget a more modular system is a better deal. Even the Grainfather is more modular. However the RB is actually a touch more repairable than the M&B. Since the RB is single wall you can add things like a second heating element, or add one to replace a broken main one. You could also add a thermowell and use a third party controller. The M&B doesn't allow that because of the double wall. Part of my choice was based on being able to modify/ fix the RB.

I also think the electronics in the RB are a bit more protected from water and stuff getting in, but honestly that is an impression so maybe it isn't.

If mine caught fire I would probably switch brands also! You are the first report I have seen of fire, so I suspect it was more of a one off defect than a design flaw but? These style units are probably coming out of the same factory in China so if there is a QA difference between the two it's probably happening with the importer.

So my 2 cents is that I don't think there is a huge difference between the two. But if you get some brews done on the M&B I would love a real comparison, because I haven't really seen any.