Category Archives: Brew Systems

Hands on Review: Kegland BrewZilla Electric Brewing System

Updated: July 24, 2024

This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert.  Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer.  Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.

Hands on Review BrewZilla Gen4

I’ve brewed on several different all-in-one units. Like any brew system, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. I did a hands-on review of the Robobrew when it first came out in late 2016. It has since changed its name to BrewZilla and is on the 4th generation of the brew unit. As you’d expect with repeated generations, they’ve been able to focus on fixing deficiencies in their previous models and also introduce new features.

The basic premise of an all-in-one brewing system is that your mash and boil kettle are in the

same vessel. So just like Brew In A Bag, after mashing, you pull the grains out and the wort stays behind to be boiled. They use electricity for heat, so they can be used outdoors where you can reach power or indoors where you have a venting system that can take care of all the steam you make during your boil.

BrewZilla Without Jacket

Stamped Volume Markings

Here are some basic stats on the Gen4 BrewZilla. It’s available in a 35-Liter form (for 5-6 gallon batches) with either a 110V setup, or 220V. There is also a larger 65-Liter that is only 220V (targeted to 10-12 gallon batches). The 35L unit holds 9.25 gallons, the mash basket can hold up to 23.5 lbs. of grain, and its electric heating elements can output up to 1500W of power (110V system) or 2400W of power (220V system). The 65L unit holds 17.1 gallons, the mash basket holds 41.5 lbs. of grain, and 3500W of heating power. All the Gen4 units have a pump bolted into the base. The pump can be used not only for wort recirculation during the mash, but also to pump beer through your wort chiller apparatus (should you choose to not use the immersion chiller coil included with the BrewZilla). The pump is more modular and accessible than previous Gen models. To protect the pump from clogging with hop debris during the boil or whirlpool, there is a filter screen (a perforated stainless disc that sits at the bottom of the unit) that sits at the bottom of the kettle. The small magnetic drive pump has a pump head rating of 1.5 – 2.1 m (4.9 – 6.9 ft) and a max flow rate of 11-12 L/min (2.9 – 3.2 gal/min).

Control Panel Notification During Mash Profile

One of the key upgraded features of the Gen4 BrewZilla is the controller. RAPT Is Kegland’s line of wireless connected brewing devices. The BrewZilla now has a RAPT controller so it adds a lot of features that can be monitored and controlled over Wi-Fi. This includes basic things like monitoring temperature from your laptop/cell phone, but also allows you to program complex mash programs online and then download to your BrewZilla. You can also adjust control parameters on the fly such as pump output duty cycle and heater output level. If you get the optional Bluetooth thermometer, you can stick the temperature probe into the middle of your grain bed, and then have the controller use that as its control signal in combination with the built-in temperature sensor that sits on the floor of the unit.

Bluetooth Temp Probe in Middle of Mash

Although All-in-One units are essentially BIAB, they use a stainless steel basket with holes in the bottom of it instead of a bag, and call it a “malt pipe”. These provide functional improvements over a nylon bag. The obvious one is they are way easier to clean. But they also allow you to ensure you get full flow through your grain bed by having holes only on the bottom. This means recirculating wort has no sneak paths out the side. The other benefit is malt pipes have simple brackets/feet welded onto the outside that allow you to lift your wet grains up and prop the malt pipe on the brew rig to drain or sparge. The BrewZilla has 2 sets of feet for this. One set is halfway up, allowing you to do the deadlift of grain & wort halfway and then let the liquid level drain down. Then when you lift it the full height, it’s not as heavy. It’s simple, but makes the process much better.

Welded-on Carry Handle (top) and Tip Handle (bottom)

There is a cool feature in the BrewZilla which normally only comes on much higher end systems, and that’s the central drain. With a concave bottom with a drain at the lowest point in the center, you don’t have to leave wort behind or goof around with tilting it to get the last drops of wort out at the end. This also enables the malt pipe to extend down lower and thus you can hold more grain (30% more than their Gen3). If you compared to other All-in-one units in the “5 gallon batch” size range, the 23.5 lbs. grain capacity is 30 – 50% more. This of course only matters if you’re trying to make high gravity brews. The drain in the floor is plumbed to the inlet of the pump below, and then you can direct pump output either to an external spigot for fast/easy transfer of wort out after brewing, or up the recirculation pipe for wort to get directed down on top of the mash.

Polished Bottom with Center Drain and Built-in Temp Sensor to Side

Bottom Side of Pump Filter Plate

To help with mash efficiency and mash temperature uniformity, they offer a Heat Exchanger Dish, which is just a stainless dish/plate that sits below your malt pipe and above the central drain. Without this dish in place, the flow of recirculating wort tends to go through the center of your grain bed, and straight out the drain. With the dish there, it directs the flow around the full circumference before it gets to the drain, which helps ensure a broader portion of the grist sees the flow.

Compare Prices, Review Continues Below:

Related: BrewZilla Gen 4 Temperature Control and Programming Tips and Tricks

Continue reading →

Hands on Review: Anvil Foundry Brewing System

anvil brewing equipment foundry review

July 7,2024

This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert.  Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer.  Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.

Anvil Brewing Equipment Foundry

There are a lot of all-in-one electric brew rigs on the market. The entry to all-grain for most was through a converted cooler 3-vessel system. It was the cheapest way to get into all-grain, and why so many of us came that way. Precision control and/or electric heating convenience came at a premium that you would upgrade to later. Well, those are now relegated to “old timer stories”. At the all-grain entry level price point, you can now get an all-in-one electric unit from Anvil for the price you’d pay for an Igloo cooler kit with a burner and pot. So now those getting into all-grain can start with the precision of digital temperature control, and the weather-proof convenience of an electric heat source.

Compare Models, Prices and Availability, Review Continues Below:

These are affiliate links, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at these links

Anvil Foundry 6.5...image
Anvil Foundry 6.5 Gallon All-In-One Brewing System - No Pump
Foundry 10.5 Gallon...image
Foundry 10.5 Gallon All-In-One Brewing System With Pump
$590.00
ANVIL FOUNDRY™ 6.5...image
ANVIL FOUNDRY™ 6.5 Gallon Electric Boiler Kettle For All Grain Brewing T500 Ready Includes Recirculation Pump Kit and Wort Chiller
$489.95
Foundry 10.5 Gallon...image
Foundry 10.5 Gallon All-in-One Brewing System - No Pump
$494.95
All-in-One Electric Brewing...image
All-in-One Electric Brewing System, Anvil Foundry™, Home Beer Brewer, Delayed Start Timer, 240V or 120 Option, Easy Clean False Bottom, Sous Vide Machine (10.5 Gallon)
$467.99

Comparing Anvil Foundry Versions

The Anvil Foundry comes in two sizes, a 10.5 gallon and a 6.5 gallon. They share most all of the same features, but the 10.5 is targeted at 4-5 gallon batches, and the 6.5 for 2.5 gallon batches. There’s also an accessory you can order for the 10.5 to insert in the mash basket and then go as low as 2 gallon batches. Both of these units come with the option to add on a recirculation kit, which provides a pump and some other hardware bits to allow you to recirculate wort during the mash. Every unit also has a simple switch you can change to run on 120V or 240V. However, the unit comes with a 3-prong 120V plug, so if you do opt for the 240V setting, you have to cut the plug off and attach the appropriate 240V plug type.

Continue reading →

Ends TODAY: Grainfather Sale at MoreBeer!

From MoreBeer:

We have an incredible offer just for you! For a limited time, enjoy 20% off select Grainfather All Grain Brewing Systems. Whether you’re a seasoned brewer or just starting, the Grainfather system is perfect for crafting your favorite brews with ease and precision.

But that’s not all! Use coupon code FREEHS at checkout, and we’ll automatically add a Grainfather Hop Spider to your order— ($50 value completely FREE!)

Don’t miss out on this amazing deal that is part of our Dad’s & Grads SALE. Shop now and elevate your brewing game & SAVE!

Grainfather Sale!

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This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.

BrewZilla Gen 4 on Sale at William’s Brewing + In Depth Hands on Review

Brewzilla 35 Liter Gen 4 110 volt

Brewzilla 35 Liter Gen 4 via William’s Brewing

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

The Brewzilla Gen 4 features a RAPT compatible controller, which means you can track, record, and monitor your beers online through the RAPT portal at https://app.rapt.io. It SHIPS FREE to lower 48.

• Recirculation Pump

• Mash & Boil, and Chill

• Mash up to 20 pounds

• Distilling Options

• Free Wort Chiller Tubing Connection Kit Included

• Runs on 110 volts, plugs in anywhere

New Detachable RAPT WIFI Controller

The RAPT portal has many features: you can see a record of your previous brews, remotely control the unit and turn it on to preheat from your phone, alter temperature settings from your phone, and more. Custom mash temperature profiles can be created and stored, alarms can be set if you want it to remind you when to add hop stages, or tell you when the strike water is heated and it is time to mash. All functions go through the RAPT controller; there are no longer toggle switches to control things like wattage and the pump.

New Concave Draining Base

The new base is dished towards the center so it drains all the wort. No need to tilt the unit to extract every drop of wort.

Larger Capacity Malt Pipe with Two Positions

The new high flow malt pipe is 20% larger than the old, meaning the 35 Liter Brewzilla can now mash up to 20 pounds of crushed malt per batch. This is great for high gravity beers, and enabled by the new concave base drain, which gave the designers more room for a malt pipe. The malt pipe also now has two positions, so you can lift it halfway up and twist for smaller batches, or lift it all the way like before for full batches. This is the latest version, with side perforations in addition to bottom of the basket perforations.

Easy Access Pump

The bottom cover has been reduced in size to only house the sensitive electrical components. This leave the pump easily accessible in case you need to clear a clog or replace a drain hose.

The Gen 4 Brewzilla with Pump from KegLand features a recirculation pump, as well as a false bottom and grain pipe to both protect the pump from clogging, and hold the crushed grain above the bottom for good wort circulation. The Unit holds 9 gallons, although we do not recommend boiling more than 6½ gallons (perfect for 5-6 gallon batches). The grain pipe (basket) holds up to 20 pounds of crushed malt, and a pipe with included silicone hose on top feeds the recirculated wort from the pump evenly on top of the grain bed. Runs on any GFCI protected 110 volt plug with at least 15 amps. Includes a free Chiller Tubing Connection Kit with 15’ of tubing. Dimensions: 12” by 12” by 25” with the grain pipe removed.

 

  • For a short time William’s Brewing has this on for $509.99
  • Shipping is free or reasonably priced flat rate to addresses in the contiguous US depending on your order size for most items.

Brewzilla 35 Liter Gen 4 110 volt

Learn More!  See our Hands on Review and Tips and Tricks Resource

Hands on Review: BrewZilla Gen 4 All Grain Brewing System

BrewZilla Gen 4 Temperature Control and Programming Tips and Tricks

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Visit William’s Brewing – Web Only Clearance Sale

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Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. tag:lnksfxd rpu:wmsbrewzilla:rpu

Inkbird PID Temperature Controller Kit – Includes Sensor, Relay and Heat Sink

Inkbird PID Temperature Controller Kit, High Voltage 100ACV to 240ACV, Comes with SSR 40DA Solid State Relay, K Type Thermocouple, and White Heat Sink

Inkbird PID Temperature Controller Kit, High Voltage 100ACV to 240ACV, Comes with SSR 40DA Solid State Relay, K Type Thermocouple, and White Heat Sink by Inkbird

More Info


Highlighted Features
  • Alarm Output: With 1 alarm relay output, AC250 V, 3 A (Resistive load), ON or NC, you can wire a buzzer
  • Supports 3-Wire Sensor: a 3-wire sensor or 2-wire sensor, like the K type thermocouple and Cu500, is supported by this PID temperature controller
  • SSR Output: With 1 relay output for external SSR, an SSR or relay is a must for this temperature controller; A 40DA SSR is included
  • Digital Display Celsius or Fahrenheit: It’s a digital PID controller but also supports Centigrade or Fahrenheit reading
  • 2 Temp Displaying Windows: The real-time temperature and the setpoint are shown at the same time
Learn More

 

PID Temperature Controllers can be used in conjunction with a relay and a temperature probe to control the your kegerator and fermentation temps. You can also integrate a PID controller into your brew system to control mash temps and more.

Inkbird PID Temperature Controller Kit, High Voltage 100ACV to 240ACV, Comes with SSR 40DA Solid State Relay, K Type Thermocouple, and White Heat Sink – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link


This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Hands on Review: BrewZilla Gen 4

Updated: July 24, 2024

This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert.  Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer.  Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.

Hands on Review BrewZilla Gen4

I’ve brewed on several different all-in-one units. Like any brew system, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. I did a hands-on review of the Robobrew when it first came out in late 2016. It has since changed its name to BrewZilla and is on the 4th generation of the brew unit. As you’d expect with repeated generations, they’ve been able to focus on fixing deficiencies in their previous models and also introduce new features.

The basic premise of an all-in-one brewing system is that your mash and boil kettle are in the

same vessel. So just like Brew In A Bag, after mashing, you pull the grains out and the wort stays behind to be boiled. They use electricity for heat, so they can be used outdoors where you can reach power or indoors where you have a venting system that can take care of all the steam you make during your boil.

BrewZilla Without Jacket

Stamped Volume Markings

Here are some basic stats on the Gen4 BrewZilla. It’s available in a 35-Liter form (for 5-6 gallon batches) with either a 110V setup, or 220V. There is also a larger 65-Liter that is only 220V (targeted to 10-12 gallon batches). The 35L unit holds 9.25 gallons, the mash basket can hold up to 23.5 lbs. of grain, and its electric heating elements can output up to 1500W of power (110V system) or 2400W of power (220V system). The 65L unit holds 17.1 gallons, the mash basket holds 41.5 lbs. of grain, and 3500W of heating power. All the Gen4 units have a pump bolted into the base. The pump can be used not only for wort recirculation during the mash, but also to pump beer through your wort chiller apparatus (should you choose to not use the immersion chiller coil included with the BrewZilla). The pump is more modular and accessible than previous Gen models. To protect the pump from clogging with hop debris during the boil or whirlpool, there is a filter screen (a perforated stainless disc that sits at the bottom of the unit) that sits at the bottom of the kettle. The small magnetic drive pump has a pump head rating of 1.5 – 2.1 m (4.9 – 6.9 ft) and a max flow rate of 11-12 L/min (2.9 – 3.2 gal/min).

Control Panel Notification During Mash Profile

One of the key upgraded features of the Gen4 BrewZilla is the controller. RAPT Is Kegland’s line of wireless connected brewing devices. The BrewZilla now has a RAPT controller so it adds a lot of features that can be monitored and controlled over Wi-Fi. This includes basic things like monitoring temperature from your laptop/cell phone, but also allows you to program complex mash programs online and then download to your BrewZilla. You can also adjust control parameters on the fly such as pump output duty cycle and heater output level. If you get the optional Bluetooth thermometer, you can stick the temperature probe into the middle of your grain bed, and then have the controller use that as its control signal in combination with the built-in temperature sensor that sits on the floor of the unit.

Bluetooth Temp Probe in Middle of Mash

Although All-in-One units are essentially BIAB, they use a stainless steel basket with holes in the bottom of it instead of a bag, and call it a “malt pipe”. These provide functional improvements over a nylon bag. The obvious one is they are way easier to clean. But they also allow you to ensure you get full flow through your grain bed by having holes only on the bottom. This means recirculating wort has no sneak paths out the side. The other benefit is malt pipes have simple brackets/feet welded onto the outside that allow you to lift your wet grains up and prop the malt pipe on the brew rig to drain or sparge. The BrewZilla has 2 sets of feet for this. One set is halfway up, allowing you to do the deadlift of grain & wort halfway and then let the liquid level drain down. Then when you lift it the full height, it’s not as heavy. It’s simple, but makes the process much better.

Welded-on Carry Handle (top) and Tip Handle (bottom)

There is a cool feature in the BrewZilla which normally only comes on much higher end systems, and that’s the central drain. With a concave bottom with a drain at the lowest point in the center, you don’t have to leave wort behind or goof around with tilting it to get the last drops of wort out at the end. This also enables the malt pipe to extend down lower and thus you can hold more grain (30% more than their Gen3). If you compared to other All-in-one units in the “5 gallon batch” size range, the 23.5 lbs. grain capacity is 30 – 50% more. This of course only matters if you’re trying to make high gravity brews. The drain in the floor is plumbed to the inlet of the pump below, and then you can direct pump output either to an external spigot for fast/easy transfer of wort out after brewing, or up the recirculation pipe for wort to get directed down on top of the mash.

Polished Bottom with Center Drain and Built-in Temp Sensor to Side

Bottom Side of Pump Filter Plate

To help with mash efficiency and mash temperature uniformity, they offer a Heat Exchanger Dish, which is just a stainless dish/plate that sits below your malt pipe and above the central drain. Without this dish in place, the flow of recirculating wort tends to go through the center of your grain bed, and straight out the drain. With the dish there, it directs the flow around the full circumference before it gets to the drain, which helps ensure a broader portion of the grist sees the flow.

Compare Prices, Review Continues Below:

Related: BrewZilla Gen 4 Temperature Control and Programming Tips and Tricks

Continue reading →

BrewZilla Gen 4 on Sale at William’s Brewing + In Depth Hands on Review

Brewzilla 35 Liter Gen 4 110 volt

Brewzilla 35 Liter Gen 4 via William’s Brewing

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

The Brewzilla Gen 4 features a RAPT compatible controller, which means you can track, record, and monitor your beers online through the RAPT portal at https://app.rapt.io. It SHIPS FREE to lower 48.

• Recirculation Pump

• Mash & Boil, and Chill

• Mash up to 20 pounds

• Distilling Options

• Free Wort Chiller Tubing Connection Kit Included

• Runs on 110 volts, plugs in anywhere

New Detachable RAPT WIFI Controller

The RAPT portal has many features: you can see a record of your previous brews, remotely control the unit and turn it on to preheat from your phone, alter temperature settings from your phone, and more. Custom mash temperature profiles can be created and stored, alarms can be set if you want it to remind you when to add hop stages, or tell you when the strike water is heated and it is time to mash. All functions go through the RAPT controller; there are no longer toggle switches to control things like wattage and the pump.

New Concave Draining Base

The new base is dished towards the center so it drains all the wort. No need to tilt the unit to extract every drop of wort.

Larger Capacity Malt Pipe with Two Positions

The new high flow malt pipe is 20% larger than the old, meaning the 35 Liter Brewzilla can now mash up to 20 pounds of crushed malt per batch. This is great for high gravity beers, and enabled by the new concave base drain, which gave the designers more room for a malt pipe. The malt pipe also now has two positions, so you can lift it halfway up and twist for smaller batches, or lift it all the way like before for full batches. This is the latest version, with side perforations in addition to bottom of the basket perforations.

Easy Access Pump

The bottom cover has been reduced in size to only house the sensitive electrical components. This leave the pump easily accessible in case you need to clear a clog or replace a drain hose.

The Gen 4 Brewzilla with Pump from KegLand features a recirculation pump, as well as a false bottom and grain pipe to both protect the pump from clogging, and hold the crushed grain above the bottom for good wort circulation. The Unit holds 9 gallons, although we do not recommend boiling more than 6½ gallons (perfect for 5-6 gallon batches). The grain pipe (basket) holds up to 20 pounds of crushed malt, and a pipe with included silicone hose on top feeds the recirculated wort from the pump evenly on top of the grain bed. Runs on any GFCI protected 110 volt plug with at least 15 amps. Includes a free Chiller Tubing Connection Kit with 15’ of tubing. Dimensions: 12” by 12” by 25” with the grain pipe removed.

 

  • For a short time William’s Brewing has this on for $509.99
  • Shipping is free or reasonably priced flat rate to addresses in the contiguous US depending on your order size for most items.

Brewzilla 35 Liter Gen 4 110 volt

Learn More!  See our Hands on Review and Tips and Tricks Resource

Hands on Review: BrewZilla Gen 4 All Grain Brewing System

BrewZilla Gen 4 Temperature Control and Programming Tips and Tricks

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Visit William’s Brewing – Web Only Clearance Sale

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Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. tag:lnksfxd rpu:wmsbrewzilla:rpu

Massive Savings on 17 Gallon BrewZilla System!

BrewZilla All Grain Brewing System | Gen 3.1.1 | 65L/17.1G | Built-in pump | Wort chiller included | 220V

BrewZilla All Grain Brewing System | Gen 3.1.1 | 65L/17.1G | Built-in pump | Wort chiller included | 220V

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

The 65L/17.1G 220V BrewZilla is the ultimate all-in-one system for homebrewers seeking more volume, power, precision, convenience, and the gold standard in brewing, repeatability!

17.1 gallon total capacity with a finished beer output of 10-12 gallons
220V power to ramp up temperatures faster and provide a more vigorous boil.
Digital controller capable of programmed mash steps, boil addition timers and delayed start
Built-in pump for constant recirculation during mash or whirlpooling
Wort chiller included!
We’ve seen a lot of all-in-one systems over the years, but none are as feature-packed and affordable as the BrewZilla. While other units simply maintain your set temperature, the BrewZilla features a sophisticated digital controller which can be programmed with a full mash schedule, executing each step automatically. The built-in pump will continuously recirculate wort during the mash for more even heat distribution and higher efficiency, but thanks to the integrated camlock fitting, it has even more functionality. Add the optional whirlpool arm to make your late hop additions pop and speed up chilling time, or connect a camlock fitting and tubing to transfer wort to your fermenter. These are just a couple of reasons why MoreBeer! loves the BrewZilla, but there are so many More!

Our Top 10 Favorite Features:

Sophisticated digital controller capable of programmed mash steps, boil addition timers and delayed start
Built-in pump for constant recirculation during mash or whirlpooling and transferring with optional accessories
Full depth malt pipe for higher mash efficiency and capable of running small batches without a pricey adapter
Multiple power modes to cover each step of the brew day – low power to gently heat your mash up to full power for a rolling boil
Wort chiller included! Perfectly sized for this system and adds even more value to your purchase of the BrewZilla
High capacity brewhouse – with a volume of over 17 gallons, you can fit more grain and more wort to make MoreBeer!
Single wall design doesn’t trap in heat – chill your wort quickly after the boil!
Super convenient bottom handle makes lifting/pouring a breeze
Rubber feet keep the boiler lifted off the ground and safely above any spills that may occur
Affordable! This is the best price for an all-in-one brewing system you’ll find, period.
Are you looking for an awesome, easy-to-use, single vessel system to brew 10-gallon batches? The BrewZilla features built-in elements for heating and boiling, programmable mash schedule and delayed start, a built-in pump for recirculation, an onboard water-resistant control panel for setting and monitoring temperatures, a removable grain basket, and a built-in spigot for transferring. The compact design makes this unit easy to store when not in use. Not brewing 10-gallon batches every brew day? No problem! The BrewZilla works just as well for 5-gallon batches, and with so much power, you’ll get your temperatures up even faster.

The V3.1.1 unit features an upgraded main circuit board that changes how the automatic step mashing functions. Now when moving from step to step, the timer for each step will not begin counting down until the programmed temperature is reached. This means more accurate mash schedules than ever before! The new board also introduces boil addition timers so you’ll never miss the mark for hop additions.

To get the Wort Chiller Connection Kit for free, add the item to your cart along with the BrewZilla and use code ZILLAKIT at checkout.

New accessory! Check out the BrewZilla Whirlpool Arm, which uses the unit’s internal pump to recirculate and spin the wort, improving hop extraction and chill times. No more stirring!

Automatic Step Mashing!
One of the coolest features of the BrewZilla is the ability to program the unit with up to 6 individual temperatures and durations so you can step mash precisely how you desire. Simply press the “S1-S6” button to select the stage you want to adjust, and use the temp, time and +/- buttons to program the stage. If you have less than 6 stages in your mash schedule, program the stages you want to skip with 00:00 as the time and the controller will automatically move on to the next step. When all the stages are complete, the BrewZilla will sound an alarm and hold the last set temperature.

The programmable stages can also be used to set a delayed start of up to 23 hours in advance so that you can have your water hot and ready to go when you get home from work or wake up in the morning. In order to do this, fill the unit with strike water and program the controller with two steps. Step 1 should be programmed at a temperature lower than the unheated strike water (so the elements will remain off), and the duration should be programmed for however long you want the delay. Then program Step 2 with your desired strike water temperature and a duration of 1-2 hours, giving the BrewZilla ample time to heat up and giving you a margin of error in case you hit the snooze button the morning of brew day.

Recirculating Mash with Full Depth Malt Pipe
The built-in magnetic drive pump easily recirculates wort during the mash. We recommend getting some silicone tubing to go with the recirculation arm. This allows you more control over the recirculation and you can then use the pump to transfer your wort to your fermenter. As with any mash, be sure to stir your grain very thoroughly after mashing-in so you start out with an even temperature throughout the grain bed.

Some competing models advertise their perforated malt pipes as “high flow”, but what they don’t mention is how this affects efficiency. When recirculating the mash, wort will escape through the side perforations rather than passing through the grain at the bottom-most end of the malt pipe which can lead to lower efficiency. The BrewZilla’s malt pipe is designed so that recirculating wort must pass through the entire grain bed before escaping through the false bottom and being pumped over the top of the grain bed again. If you’re worried about the flow rate, simply add a pound or two of rice hulls to your grain bill. This is especially recommended when brewing with a high level of wheat, oat, or flaked grains.

Power & Heating Control
This very capable 15amp brewery has over 3 kilowatts of power so you can get up to boil in no time. 220V outlet required! The BrewZilla has been made with ultra-low watt density elements, which means less caramelization and also makes this unit capable of producing very light beers with very little maillard effect. This is also particularly useful for high gravity beers that can get some degree of scorching in other electric breweries with higher watt density.

Triple heating elements run off of a single 220 volt plug and have individual switches allowing for more control over the heating process. The elements are 2000, 1000 and 500 watts for a combined 3500 watts! Use all three elements when you need to ramp up the temperature quickly, either to quickly get to your mash temp or to rapidly go from your mash temp to boiling. Use only one of the elements when you want to hold a desired temperature.

We highly recommend adding the optional BrewZilla Neoprene Jacket to help reduce heating times and maintain a more vigorous boil. The extra thick neoprene jacket is custom designed to insulate the entire kettle portion of the BrewZilla while staying out of the way of the ball valve and handles. The jacket can help you acheive up to 10% faster heat up times and cut heat loss from the boiler in half.

Built-in magnetic drive pump to easily recirculate the wort during the mash. We recommend getting some silicone tubing to go with the recirculation arm. This allows you more control over the recirculation and you can then use the pump to transfer your wort to your fermenter. As with any mash, be sure to stir your grain very thoroughly after mashing-in so you start out with an even temperature throughout the grain bed.

The digital control panel makes it easy to see the current temperature and set the temperature you want. You can also set a delayed start of up to 23 hours in advance so that you can have your water hot and ready to go when you get home from work or get up in the morning. The digital controller is also water resistant so don’t worry about spills or some water dripping down the side. This controller is built for brewing!

The brewery also includes a stainless steel malt pipe with false bottom allowing you to easily shift from mash tun to boil kettle during your brew day. The malt pipe includes a handle to lift it from the BrewZilla and tabs at the base so you can set the malt pipe over the system to let the wort drain out. It also has feet at its base to raise the malt pipe slightly off the base and help prevent clogging.

The included stainless wort chiller is shipped with bare ends so you can set it up for your situation. We list below the most common tubing and fittings to connect to a hose, hose bib, or faucet.

What MoreBeer! loves about this product: Homebrewing is trending in the direction of all-in-one, all-grain brewing systems, but there are few options when it comes to brewing 10-gallon batches. The BrewZilla not only allows for 10-gallon batches, but the cost is half of the next comparable system. We’ve brewed on all the systems and we can truly say the BrewZilla series is the easiest to use. We feel confident that a lot of first-time brewers could buy this and use it with ease. At the same time, quite a few of our experienced, all-grain brewing staff are buying these units to brew at home. The BrewZilla is considerably compact for a 10-gallon system because the pump is built-in at the bottom of the unit. When not in use, the system can be packed up into a box that is 24″ x 24″ x 34″ tall and moved around with ease, which makes it perfect for guys and gals that have space constraints. All in all a great buy and highly recommended. Please note you will need a few extra pieces of hardware to connect the wort chiller and at least 2′ of silicone tubing for the sparge arm.

Use the Pump for More Than Just Recirculation!
One of the surprisingly handy features of the BrewZilla is that the recirculation pipe features a female camlock. This allows you to hook up other accessories and use the unit’s pump for more than just recirculating wort. With a male camlock and silicone tubing, for example, you can use the internal pump to push wort through a plate chiller or counterflow chiller. Check out our selection of camlock fittings here.

Features:

Gen 3.1.1
Stainless steel construction
17.1 gallon total capacity with a finished beer output of 10-12 gallons
Digital temperature controller
220V power
NEMA 6-30R plug
Triple heating elements for total control (2000, 1000 and 500 watts)
Stainless steel 1/2 in ball valve for draining (don’t have to use the pump)
Immersion wort chiller included
Stainless steel malt pipe/basket
Stamped in volume markers
Glass lid
Magnetic drive pump for recirculation
Recirculation arm
Temperature reads in °F or °C (press and hold temp button for several seconds to adjust)
Approximately 36″ H (with recirculation arm) x 16″ D
AlcoEngine Still ready with the purchase of a Distillation Lid
You will Need:

2′ of H985 1/2″ ID Silicone tubing for sparging and draining
To connect included Chiller: (20′) of D1710 1/2″ ID beverage tubing (or whatever length required, (3) H950 hose clamps and (1) brass hose by thread adaptor (H508).
These items come in the Wort Chiller Connection Kit, add the kit to your cart and use code ZILLAKIT at checkout.

 

  • As of this posting this is on sale for just $349.99. That’s a whopping $300 savings.
  • No coupon code is required, check product page to see if you can get in on this.
  • Shipping is also free to many US addresses.

BrewZilla All Grain Brewing System | Gen 3.1.1 | 65L/17.1G | Built-in pump | Wort chiller included | 220V – remember promo code BZ65A

Check out our Hands on Review of this system!

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This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

morebeer

Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.

BrewZilla Gen 4 Ultimate Combo Pack – on sale for $649 + in depth hands on review

BrewZilla Ultimate Combo Pack | Gen 4 BrewZilla All Grain Brewing System | WiFi/Bluetooth/RAPT Enabled | Neoprene Jacket, Hop Spider & Wort Chiller Connection Kit Included | 9.25G | 35L | 110V

From MoreBeer:

  • The Ultimate BrewZilla Combo Pack! Get the Gen 4 BrewZilla & our most highly recommended accessories at an unbeatable price!
  • Includes all of our favorite accessories for the BrewZilla including the Neoprene Jacket to speed up heating times, Hop Spider to keep vegetal matter out of your wort, and Chilling Connection Kit so you’re ready to use the Immersion Chiller out of the box
  • We think all BrewZilla brewers will eventually upgrade their systems with these accessories, so buy them together and reap the savings!

As of this posting this combo is on sale for $649.99. Shipping is also free to many US addresses. No coupon code is required, check product page for avaiablility.

BrewZilla Ultimate Combo Pack | Gen 4 BrewZilla All Grain Brewing System | WiFi/Bluetooth/RAPT Enabled | Neoprene Jacket, Hop Spider & Wort Chiller Connection Kit Included | 9.25G | 35L | 110V AG581

Hands on Review: BrewZilla Gen 4 All Grain Brewing System

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This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.

Upgrade Your Grainfather… Stainless Steel False Bottom for Grainfather G30 – on sale for $16.99, Nearly Half Off

Grainfather False Bottom

Grainfather False Bottom

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

This type 304 stainless false bottom has been designed to perfectly fit the G30 Grainfather. Includes pictured lifting ring. 11 5/8″ overall diameter (290mm), and the 3 legs are 1 1/2″ high, or 35mm

 

  • As of this posting this is on sale for just $16.99. That’s a whopping 43% discount.
  • Shipping is free or reasonably priced flat rate to addresses in the contiguous US depending on your order size for most items.

Grainfather False Bottom

Also: The Grainfather with Connect Controller

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Visit William’s Brewing – Web Only Clearance Sale

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Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. tag:watchan Announcing: Stainless Steel False Bottom for Grainfather Connect G30 10.24.22

Clawhammer Supply Complete Homebrew Beer Brewing System

Clawhammer Supply Complete Homebrew Beer Brewing System, Digital, Electric, Semi-automated, BIAB

Clawhammer Supply Complete Homebrew Beer Brewing System, Digital, Electric, Semi-automated, BIAB

Clawhammer Supply Complete Homebrew Beer Brewing System, Digital, Electric, Semi-automated, BIAB, All Grain, Extract – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Hands on Review: Brewer’s Edge Mash & Boil Electric Brewery + Limited Time DEAL

This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert.  Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer.  Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.

Brewer’s Edge Mash & Boil

I reviewed a number of electric all-in-one brewing systems a little over a year ago. As a collective group, these systems offer a lot to the homebrewer. They provide the flexibility and control of brewing process of all-grain, and the equipment simplicity of brew-in-a-bag. The fact that they’re electric gives you the ability to brew inside and convenience of not having to chase propane tank fill-ups. The electric systems also have the ability to set a target temperature and control to it, giving you better control of your brew day. All of these combine to create a more streamlined and less stressful brew day.

Each system has its own strengths and they all span a wide price range. The units I tried last year ranged from $470 at the low end to $2,500 at the high end. When I saw the Brewer’s Edge Mash & Boil coming in at $300, I was intrigued to see how this unit would work and if you really could go all-grain with an electric system at such an affordable price point.

Continue reading →

Hands on Review: Wort Hog Turnkey Electric e-BIAB System

highgravitybrew.com wort hog review

This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert.  Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer.  Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.

Wort Hog 120V eBIAB System

When it comes to electric Brew In A Bag (eBIAB) systems, there are several choices out there. I’ve tried both 240 Volt and 120 Volt systems. While I love the speed of heating water/wort on the 240V systems, I don’t love the constraints/expense of wiring a 240V plug in a convenient place. The 1500 Watt and 1600 Watt eBIAB units out there are good, but they do lack when it comes to speed of heating strike water or getting a really vigorous boil. The Wort Hog 120V system slides into this niche with the convenience of a 120V system, but using a 2250W Blichmann heating element to give a notable boost.

North Mountain Supply...image
North Mountain Supply - FT-05-3 Fermentis SafAle US-05 Beer/Ale Yeast - Pack of 3 - Fresh Yeast
$10.49 ($8.69 / Ounce)
Safale - 2353X6...image
Safale - 2353X6 US-05 (Six Packages, 11.5 g ea)
$19.86 ($3.31 / Count)
Fermentis S-04x3 Safale...image
Fermentis S-04x3 Safale S-04 Multicolor (3 ct.11.5 g Packs)
$6.32 ($5.22 / Ounce)
Safale S-04 (11.5...image
Safale S-04 (11.5 g Packs) 6 Count
$19.83 ($8.16 / Ounce) -$0.04 $19.79 ($8.14 / Ounce)
North Mountain Supply...image
North Mountain Supply - FT-04-3 Fermentis SafAle US-04 Beer/Ale Yeast - Pack of 3 - Fresh Yeast S-33
$12.99

adyeast

Also Consider… BrewZilla!

BrewZilla and DigiBoil at MoreBeer

Hands on Review: BrewZilla Gen 4 All Grain Brewing System

System Overview

The Wort Hog Turn Key System via High Gravity Fermentations Supplies uses a Bayou Classic 11-gallon kettle. I’d never seen a Bayou Classic kettle in person before, and I’ll admit I had a pre-conceived opinion of them. I thought of them as “cheap turkey fryers” based on their low price and marketing, but I found my baseless opinion was completely off. This 11-gallon kettle has a super shiny, polished exterior, but most importantly it was made of a very robust thick gauge stainless steel. With high quality, clean welds, this baby is certainly going to live up to wear and tear for a long time, and cleaned up very easily.

Five Star -...image
Five Star - 91037068620 P.B.W. Cleanser - 4 Pounds
$27.98 ($0.44 / Ounce)

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BrewZilla Ultimate Combo Pack – on sale for $649 + in depth hands on review

BrewZilla Ultimate Combo Pack | Gen 4 BrewZilla All Grain Brewing System | WiFi/Bluetooth/RAPT Enabled | Neoprene Jacket, Hop Spider & Wort Chiller Connection Kit Included | 9.25G | 35L | 110V

From MoreBeer:

  • The Ultimate BrewZilla Combo Pack! Get the Gen 4 BrewZilla & our most highly recommended accessories at an unbeatable price!
  • Includes all of our favorite accessories for the BrewZilla including the Neoprene Jacket to speed up heating times, Hop Spider to keep vegetal matter out of your wort, and Chilling Connection Kit so you’re ready to use the Immersion Chiller out of the box
  • We think all BrewZilla brewers will eventually upgrade their systems with these accessories, so buy them together and reap the savings!

As of this posting this combo is on sale for $649.99. Shipping is also free to many US addresses. No coupon code is required, check product page for avaiablility.

BrewZilla Ultimate Combo Pack | Gen 4 BrewZilla All Grain Brewing System | WiFi/Bluetooth/RAPT Enabled | Neoprene Jacket, Hop Spider & Wort Chiller Connection Kit Included | 9.25G | 35L | 110V AG581

Hands on Review: BrewZilla Gen 4 All Grain Brewing System

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This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

morebeer

Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.

Hands on Review: Blichmann Engineering BrewEasy Classic!

This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert.  Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer.  Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.

Blichmann BrewEasy Classic

Blichmann came out with the BrewEasy in 2014. It was when all-in-one units were starting to pop up in the market everywhere. Blichmann went in a different direction, by building on the strength of their existing kettles, and finding an innovative way to connect them together. They came out with a revised model in 2021 that they call the BrewEasy Compact, but they still offer the original configuration and call it the BrewEasy Classic. This review will focus on the BrewEasy Classic.

Compare Models, Prices and Availability, More Photos Below:

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BrewZilla Gen 4 on Sale at William’s Brewing + In Depth Hands on Review

Brewzilla 35 Liter Gen 4 110 volt

Brewzilla 35 Liter Gen 4 via William’s Brewing

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

The Brewzilla Gen 4 features a RAPT compatible controller, which means you can track, record, and monitor your beers online through the RAPT portal at https://app.rapt.io. It SHIPS FREE to lower 48.

• Recirculation Pump

• Mash & Boil, and Chill

• Mash up to 20 pounds

• Distilling Options

• Free Wort Chiller Tubing Connection Kit Included

• Runs on 110 volts, plugs in anywhere

New Detachable RAPT WIFI Controller

The RAPT portal has many features: you can see a record of your previous brews, remotely control the unit and turn it on to preheat from your phone, alter temperature settings from your phone, and more. Custom mash temperature profiles can be created and stored, alarms can be set if you want it to remind you when to add hop stages, or tell you when the strike water is heated and it is time to mash. All functions go through the RAPT controller; there are no longer toggle switches to control things like wattage and the pump.

New Concave Draining Base

The new base is dished towards the center so it drains all the wort. No need to tilt the unit to extract every drop of wort.

Larger Capacity Malt Pipe with Two Positions

The new high flow malt pipe is 20% larger than the old, meaning the 35 Liter Brewzilla can now mash up to 20 pounds of crushed malt per batch. This is great for high gravity beers, and enabled by the new concave base drain, which gave the designers more room for a malt pipe. The malt pipe also now has two positions, so you can lift it halfway up and twist for smaller batches, or lift it all the way like before for full batches. This is the latest version, with side perforations in addition to bottom of the basket perforations.

Easy Access Pump

The bottom cover has been reduced in size to only house the sensitive electrical components. This leave the pump easily accessible in case you need to clear a clog or replace a drain hose.

The Gen 4 Brewzilla with Pump from KegLand features a recirculation pump, as well as a false bottom and grain pipe to both protect the pump from clogging, and hold the crushed grain above the bottom for good wort circulation. The Unit holds 9 gallons, although we do not recommend boiling more than 6½ gallons (perfect for 5-6 gallon batches). The grain pipe (basket) holds up to 20 pounds of crushed malt, and a pipe with included silicone hose on top feeds the recirculated wort from the pump evenly on top of the grain bed. Runs on any GFCI protected 110 volt plug with at least 15 amps. Includes a free Chiller Tubing Connection Kit with 15’ of tubing. Dimensions: 12” by 12” by 25” with the grain pipe removed.

 

  • For a short time William’s Brewing has this on for $509.99
  • Shipping is free or reasonably priced flat rate to addresses in the contiguous US depending on your order size for most items.

Brewzilla 35 Liter Gen 4 110 volt

Learn More!  See our Hands on Review and Tips and Tricks Resource

Hands on Review: BrewZilla Gen 4 All Grain Brewing System

BrewZilla Gen 4 Temperature Control and Programming Tips and Tricks

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Visit William’s Brewing – Web Only Clearance Sale

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Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. tag:lnksfxd rpu:wmsbrewzilla:rpu

If you Missed Out… I found one shops that’s still offering Grainfather Deals!

  • Grainfather Discounts are rare.  Why?  Grainfather gear is under a MAP agreement.  MAP = Minimum Advertised Price.  It’s an agreement between sellers and manufacturer’s not to sell an item below a certain price.  Generally speaking, the Grainfather gear is not discounted.
  • Grainfather has authorized a black friday sale. Multiple vendors are running great deals.

The sale includes electric brewing systems, conicals, glycol chillers and more.

Update: Most retailers ended this sale on 11/27. As of this update, MoreBeer still has most Grainfather gear marked down. I have no idea how long this will last so I’d suggest acting sooner rather than later.

Grainfather at MoreBeer!

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This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

greatdeals:watch 

Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. tag:grainfather tag:itsapage

If you Missed Out… I found one shops that’s still offering Grainfather Deals!

  • Grainfather Discounts are rare.  Why?  Grainfather gear is under a MAP agreement.  MAP = Minimum Advertised Price.  It’s an agreement between sellers and manufacturer’s not to sell an item below a certain price.  Generally speaking, the Grainfather gear is not discounted.
  • Grainfather has authorized a black friday sale. Multiple vendors are running great deals.

The sale includes electric brewing systems, conicals, glycol chillers and more.

Update: Most retailers ended this sale on 11/27. As of this update, MoreBeer still has most Grainfather gear marked down. I have no idea how long this will last so I’d suggest acting sooner rather than later.

Grainfather at MoreBeer!

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This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

greatdeals:watch 

Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. tag:grainfather tag:itsapage

Save on Grainfather Electric Systems, Conicals & Glycol Systems – Multiple Shops + My Pick for the Best Deal!

  • Grainfather Discounts are rare.  Why?  Grainfather gear is under a MAP agreement.  MAP = Minimum Advertised Price.  It’s an agreement between sellers and manufacturer’s not to sell an item below a certain price.  Generally speaking, the Grainfather gear is not discounted.
  • Grainfather has authorized a black friday sale. Multiple vendors are running great deals.

The sale includes electric brewing systems, conicals, glycol chillers and more.

Considering the 15% back component… AIH is the best deal happening right now

Check sale or product page for current availability & pricing


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This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

greatdeals:watch 

Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. tag:grainfather tag:itsapage

Hands on Review: Blichmann Engineering BrewEasy Compact

This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert.  Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer.  Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.

Blichmann Engineering BrewEasy Compact

Blichmann came out with the BrewEasy in 2014. It was when all-in-one units were starting to pop up in the market everywhere. Blichmann went in a different direction, by building on the strength of their existing kettles, and finding an innovative way to connect them together. They came out with a revised model in 2021 that they call the BrewEasy Compact, but they still offer the original configuration and call it the BrewEasy Classic. This review will focus on the BrewEasy Compact.

Bottom of Mash Basket

The BrewEasy Compact is a similar layout to other all-in-one brewing units in the market. There’s a kettle with malt basket that sits inside. When mashing, the grain sits in the basket, and a pump is used to continually recirculate wort through the grain. When mashing is finished, you lift the basket of wet grains out, drain them, and then the kettle changes focus to boiling the wort that is left. The Compact comes in both gas and electric power (120V or 240V). The electric version can come with either the Boil Coil heating element inside the kettle, or Blichmann’s new BoilerMaker Surface with the heating element bonded to the underside of the kettle. The Boilermaker Surface has the same kettle up top, but the heating elements are sealed away in their own space, like a basement apartment. This makes the kettle’s overall height about 6” taller (10-gallon Surface is 22” tall, and standard G2 kettle is 16.4”), but makes the kettle interior very uncluttered for ease of cleaning.

Compare Models, Prices and Availability, Review Continues Below:

Continue reading →