Looking to pull the trigger on electric AIO system

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Merlyn, Oct 11, 2022.

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  1. Merlyn

    Merlyn Aspirant (261) Jan 17, 2021 Michigan

    Grainfather vs Anvil vs Clawhammer

    Braumeister if someone can convince me it's actually worth $3k to be limited to a 13# batch

    Any feedback on these systems? Which do you guys use?

    Sorry to just pop in and post a question after being gone for a year or more. A coworker passed away and my workload has been nuts this year. Getting back into brewing after taking a few months off.
     
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  2. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,915) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I am putting together my new setup and wanted to simplify as well. I wanted to buy one system I could stick with for the long haul and didn't like the proprietary nature and lack of modularity with generically available parts of many of the AIO systems out there. I also wanted to move to a 240V system to reduce temperature ramp up times.

    I don't have experience with the ones you listed but it seems like the Clawhammer is likely to closest to what I am describing. I went with another system but have not gone through a full brew day with it yet.
     
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  3. skleice

    skleice Maven (1,271) Aug 6, 2015 Connecticut

    I would recommend checking out some videos from David Hearh and Short Circuit Brewing. Both channels have extensive reviews and comparisons of most of the AIOs. It really comes down to your budget, preferences, voltage, etc.

    Welcome back!
     
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  4. JoeSpartaNJ

    JoeSpartaNJ Zealot (691) Feb 5, 2008 New Jersey

    I have had the Anvil for about 2 years now. I'm still running it on 120V, which I guess is slow, but the delay timer is a plus, and my average brew day is about 5 hours start to finish. I actually get better efficiency (albeit 65% to 72%) then I did with a cooler and pot outside. The 120V also does not throw off a lot of steam, so brewing in the basement isn't that big of a deal. I always have a dehumidifier running anyway and also a whole house exhaust fan system too which helps.

    I love the simplicity of it. I'll plan on going over to 240V when we have our electrical panel upgraded. I decided to go with the bag in the malt pipe option, so I can grind my grain finer and its much easier to clean. I also went with my existing chugger pump in stead of the Anvil one. That pump recently died, so I got the Pumpzilla from Great Fermentations.

    I like the clawhammer system from what I have seen, except for those brackets you have to put in while trying to hoist the grain basket. hurts my back every time I see it on video.
     
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  5. grahamp33

    grahamp33 Aspirant (210) Feb 27, 2019 Indiana
    Trader

    I own the 10 gal Anvil and liked it better than a cooler due to ability to control temps. I got it setup for 240vac which is a nice feature that I can change with flipping a switch (make a cord that can convert your 120v plug to 240v and don’t alter the original cord). I do not like the fact that there is so much liquid that sits outside the mash pipe. So I ended up ditching the mash pipe and used a biab bag with a SS shelf underneath so the bag didn’t touch the heat coil. Results using this eBiab system was a bit messy and made decent beer. If I had the option I would have gone with the 18gal version because the 10g version is limiting at 16 lbs of grain max. So it depends on how big of batches you make but >8% abv 5gal batch might be around the limit of pure all grain mashing (results may vary of course if your efficiency is better than mine). I use it as my boil kettle and strike water heater now which it is great for that. BUT, I’ve had it for 2 years and when I start it up sometimes the system doesn’t actually turn main power on. I haven’t gone that deep into troubleshooting because if I turn power off then on or unplug and replug it in, it turns on. Someday I feel it will not start up though.

    If I was looking at AIO again (I converted my system over to a 3 vessel HERMs and love it), I would be looking at the Spike Solo. Their stuff I own has all been incredible quality and pretty modular.
     
    Merlyn likes this.
  6. Merlyn

    Merlyn Aspirant (261) Jan 17, 2021 Michigan

    Thanks for the responses, all.

    @OddNotion What did you end up going with? I hear you on the proprietary thing. That's a general pet peeve of mine.
    @skleice Thanks! I will check them out. :slight_smile:
    @JoeSpartaNJ Thanks for the feedback. 5 hours is about where I am stovetop electric burner now, but yeah just going for simplicity and space savings.
    @grahamp33 Thank you for the feedback as well. Sorry to hear about the power issues but at least you can work around them and you worked it into a better system. HERMS is the way to go if you've got the room!
     
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  7. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,915) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I wound up ordering the customized setup from Brewhardware with the Auber Cube as the controller and added the Steam Slayer. Bobby is very responsive and willing to discuss everything and customize parts of the build further if you want to, which I wound up doing a few small things. https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/biabpackagepremium.htm

    Edit: I went with a 20 gallon kettle and already had a riptide pump but if I were either going for a smaller system or didn't have a pump yet I would have strongly considered the Topsflo pump option. I saw his setup in action and was very impressed with how quiet it was and seemingly strong for such a small, kettle mounted, pump.
     
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  8. Merlyn

    Merlyn Aspirant (261) Jan 17, 2021 Michigan

    Wow that looks perfect. I like the fact that it can become a larger system by just replacing a brew kettle, not the whole shebang.
     
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  9. Merlyn

    Merlyn Aspirant (261) Jan 17, 2021 Michigan

    I got this in the 15 gal size. Just arrived yesterday.. I make 5 gal batches and I figured if I want to do a 10 gal batch and not be limited by OG I can just add DME.

    Do you have a BeerSmith profile you would be willing to share? BeerHardware is saying strike 8-9 gal of water, BeerSmith's BIAB profile has it at 10 gal, and Spike's solo system plugin has it at 7 gal. Not sure what to put in for mash tun weight either.. there's a pump attached but it shouldn't be part of that weight, right?
     
  10. YourBeerRunner

    YourBeerRunner Aspirant (212) May 3, 2022

    Congrats on the purchase, Merlyn. It's an exciting upgrade. I went for the 10 gallon 120V Digiboil. It's comes in 220V, and bigger sizes. But staying "humble" for the time being. Now that I've got it set up with a mash recirculator pump, mid-mash lautering method, pickup tube, imitation false bottom, and layers of external insulation, this thing is a total beast! It's really good at what it does, which is heat and keep liquids to a certain temperature.
     
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  11. Merlyn

    Merlyn Aspirant (261) Jan 17, 2021 Michigan

    Thanks! I'm super excited. It was time to upgrade from the stovetop and igloo coolers. Today is first brew day on it. Hoping all goes well!
     
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  12. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,915) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner! I use Vikeman's BrewCipher so probably wouldn't have been much help with your question anyway. I didn't get around to brewing on it until yesterday but really loved how much my brew day was simplified. How have you been liking it so far?
     
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