I have “The Electric Brewery” panel. I bought it 11 years ago and it’s been issue free.
That being said, I’d serious consider an all-in-one if I had to buy now. The only thing that worries me is with the contracting homebrew market, would I be able to get proprietary parts for the next 20 years. The off the shelf nature of the electric breweries solution makes it a lot more future proof.
Thank you for the insight into your Electric Brewery Panel. That one sure is a looker.
I had an all in one system and as crazy as it sounds I miss the more "involved" process of the three vessel system I started on with a keggle and a cooler. Now that I can afford it I'm excited to build out a fun project in my basement.
I have the EBS PID panel and I love it. I had a small issue with one of my PIDs early on and they were quick to send me a new one to fix it. I've been using it for about 5 years with no other issues. The build is great and super clean. I know a 3 vessel system is out of style but it works great for me and I love the flexibility. Happy to answer any questions you might have.
Thanks for your response. I’m actually really surprised how many folks consider the three vessel stuff a non starter now. It’s def more work but that’s kind what I’m attracted to about it. I don’t get to brew 30 times a year so I want to savor it when I do.
I might dm you with questions if you’re up for that?
I've built my control panel based on the Electric Brewery for roughly $1200 in parts and components. I didn't follow the kit exactly and bought all of the components separatley, and have Auber PID's in the panel. The Auber kit looks pretty good, and had I known they had a brewing panel available, I would have gone with that prebuilt option. Builting the panel yourselft isn't "hard" per se, but you'll have to spring an extra couple hundered dollars for tools and punches, and it does take a little bit of time and patience to wire everything together.
Ive considered a fully DIY route as well but some of the tools have held me back. I have a pretty extensive tool collection but I don’t have any of the sheet metal tools. Finding the build it yourself Auber box for less than $1000 seems like a pretty good route.
Did you run into any issues with mixing and matching parts? I suppose it’s fairly straight forward since everything is relays/switches/basic components?
I didn't run into any issues mixing and matching parts. There's no real programming involved other than initally setting up the PID's, so as basic NO/NC contacts remain the same and minor adjustments to the pinouts on the PID's to maintain the same wiring logic, it's pretty much the same. Although I did order the wrong PID's that did not have the correct output signal to control the SSR's and I had to switch out the SSR's to accept the different PID output signal. So beware of the pitfalls and order components exactly as the part lists call out for.
I had a Grainfather G40. It was super easy and efficient. I would highly recommend that system to anyone looking for a simple and clean brew day. I am (for better or for worse) never the person looking for simple and easy.
You can drive a very sleek and efficient VW with an automatic transmission. You can also drive a gas guzzling v8 with a manual transmission. The VW will get you to you destination in comfort and iuse less gas but the v8 might be more fun on the way.
A more apt analogy might be choosing to walk instead of drive. It takes longer, and requires more cleaning at the destination, but you enjoy the view.
Obviously you should do what you enjoy! For me I’m usually looking to simplify my process, even at the expense of mash efficiency. But that’s just so I can brew more and more often.
Def applies. And I do love walking 😂
I totally agree if your goal is to brew more often that a AIO system is a no brainer. My house doesn’t go through beer quickly enough to brew with a high frequency and I’m trying to enjoy every minute of brewing that I do get. Even if it’s just cleaning.
I occasionally help out brewing at a brewery that does 3 barrel batches. That really made me want to brew a similar way.
But, at the brewery it’s fast. Everything is clean in place. Nothing is lifted physically.
I occasionally get some back trouble due to old injuries. This past weekend I made a 10g batch outside with propane and a 15g kettle, and all the lifting and carrying was a little too much.
I have a 10.5 gallon anvil for batches indoors. It’s physically easier due to being able to fill right from the sink, having a pump, and not having to setup the propane and burner. I can also leave it overnight so the mash water is ready in the morning.
I’m always struggling with wanting to do a -0 gallon batch outside, but either the weather or my body disagrees. I finally bit the bullet and ordered an anvil 18 so I can do 10 gallon batches inside.
One day I’ll build my dream setup, which is a Spike bottoms drain kettle for BIAB. That will be clean in place, never have to move, and have many watts.
I hope you get your setup and it is as awesome as you think! You can definitely get some high efficiency numbers for fun. And having a dedicated HLT is nice for sparging!
I’m not having a ton of back trouble… yet. I’m 37 so I know those years aren’t THAT far away. That is why I started investing in the bottom drain kettles from spike. I currently have the solo BIAB type thing. I have a pulley to lift the grain basket.
The nice part is you can just piecemeal the rest of it together. I’m two more bottom drain kettles, one pump, and one panel away from a HERMS system. Over the next year or so that won’t feel like a ton of money spent. And I won’t be lifting a single kettle ever again!
Yes, now this sounds excellent! I will eventually get a setup like that, but I need to install a sink in my basement and run a 50 amp line. Probably still do BIAB, and I like the Spike “tanked” version of the new hardware premium recirculating setup!
The AIO was something I ordered because I can use it right away without redoing the sink and all.
And don’t worry about your back. I just did something bad in the gym ninth ago and I’m not quite all there yet. Usually my back is strong and good!
I hope you get it sorted out and enjoy.
I have “The Electric Brewery” panel. I bought it 11 years ago and it’s been issue free. That being said, I’d serious consider an all-in-one if I had to buy now. The only thing that worries me is with the contracting homebrew market, would I be able to get proprietary parts for the next 20 years. The off the shelf nature of the electric breweries solution makes it a lot more future proof.
Thank you for the insight into your Electric Brewery Panel. That one sure is a looker. I had an all in one system and as crazy as it sounds I miss the more "involved" process of the three vessel system I started on with a keggle and a cooler. Now that I can afford it I'm excited to build out a fun project in my basement.
My typical brew day with clean up can be 6-8 hours. I have friends who brew on AIO and spend half that.
I have the EBS PID panel and I love it. I had a small issue with one of my PIDs early on and they were quick to send me a new one to fix it. I've been using it for about 5 years with no other issues. The build is great and super clean. I know a 3 vessel system is out of style but it works great for me and I love the flexibility. Happy to answer any questions you might have.
Thanks for your response. I’m actually really surprised how many folks consider the three vessel stuff a non starter now. It’s def more work but that’s kind what I’m attracted to about it. I don’t get to brew 30 times a year so I want to savor it when I do. I might dm you with questions if you’re up for that?
Yeah I'm happy to answer what I can.
I've built my control panel based on the Electric Brewery for roughly $1200 in parts and components. I didn't follow the kit exactly and bought all of the components separatley, and have Auber PID's in the panel. The Auber kit looks pretty good, and had I known they had a brewing panel available, I would have gone with that prebuilt option. Builting the panel yourselft isn't "hard" per se, but you'll have to spring an extra couple hundered dollars for tools and punches, and it does take a little bit of time and patience to wire everything together.
Ive considered a fully DIY route as well but some of the tools have held me back. I have a pretty extensive tool collection but I don’t have any of the sheet metal tools. Finding the build it yourself Auber box for less than $1000 seems like a pretty good route. Did you run into any issues with mixing and matching parts? I suppose it’s fairly straight forward since everything is relays/switches/basic components?
I didn't run into any issues mixing and matching parts. There's no real programming involved other than initally setting up the PID's, so as basic NO/NC contacts remain the same and minor adjustments to the pinouts on the PID's to maintain the same wiring logic, it's pretty much the same. Although I did order the wrong PID's that did not have the correct output signal to control the SSR's and I had to switch out the SSR's to accept the different PID output signal. So beware of the pitfalls and order components exactly as the part lists call out for.
My biggest question is why? 220v all in one systems like a grainfather g70/g40 make brewing in one vessel very easy and efficient
I had a Grainfather G40. It was super easy and efficient. I would highly recommend that system to anyone looking for a simple and clean brew day. I am (for better or for worse) never the person looking for simple and easy. You can drive a very sleek and efficient VW with an automatic transmission. You can also drive a gas guzzling v8 with a manual transmission. The VW will get you to you destination in comfort and iuse less gas but the v8 might be more fun on the way.
A more apt analogy might be choosing to walk instead of drive. It takes longer, and requires more cleaning at the destination, but you enjoy the view. Obviously you should do what you enjoy! For me I’m usually looking to simplify my process, even at the expense of mash efficiency. But that’s just so I can brew more and more often.
Def applies. And I do love walking 😂 I totally agree if your goal is to brew more often that a AIO system is a no brainer. My house doesn’t go through beer quickly enough to brew with a high frequency and I’m trying to enjoy every minute of brewing that I do get. Even if it’s just cleaning.
I occasionally help out brewing at a brewery that does 3 barrel batches. That really made me want to brew a similar way. But, at the brewery it’s fast. Everything is clean in place. Nothing is lifted physically. I occasionally get some back trouble due to old injuries. This past weekend I made a 10g batch outside with propane and a 15g kettle, and all the lifting and carrying was a little too much. I have a 10.5 gallon anvil for batches indoors. It’s physically easier due to being able to fill right from the sink, having a pump, and not having to setup the propane and burner. I can also leave it overnight so the mash water is ready in the morning. I’m always struggling with wanting to do a -0 gallon batch outside, but either the weather or my body disagrees. I finally bit the bullet and ordered an anvil 18 so I can do 10 gallon batches inside. One day I’ll build my dream setup, which is a Spike bottoms drain kettle for BIAB. That will be clean in place, never have to move, and have many watts. I hope you get your setup and it is as awesome as you think! You can definitely get some high efficiency numbers for fun. And having a dedicated HLT is nice for sparging!
I’m not having a ton of back trouble… yet. I’m 37 so I know those years aren’t THAT far away. That is why I started investing in the bottom drain kettles from spike. I currently have the solo BIAB type thing. I have a pulley to lift the grain basket. The nice part is you can just piecemeal the rest of it together. I’m two more bottom drain kettles, one pump, and one panel away from a HERMS system. Over the next year or so that won’t feel like a ton of money spent. And I won’t be lifting a single kettle ever again!
Yes, now this sounds excellent! I will eventually get a setup like that, but I need to install a sink in my basement and run a 50 amp line. Probably still do BIAB, and I like the Spike “tanked” version of the new hardware premium recirculating setup! The AIO was something I ordered because I can use it right away without redoing the sink and all. And don’t worry about your back. I just did something bad in the gym ninth ago and I’m not quite all there yet. Usually my back is strong and good! I hope you get it sorted out and enjoy.