The Grainfather and the Spiedel Braumeister are two of the main all-in-one electrical brewing techniques at present accessible.
One was the primary ever commercially produced all-in-one electrical brewing system, remains to be made in Germany, and retails for practically thrice as a lot as its nearest rivals. The opposite is the Grainfather.
However can the Grainfather meet the excessive requirements that had been set by the Spiedel Braumeister? Does the Grainfather make good beer and is it value shopping for a Grainfather?
For a few of my extra DIY-orientated brewing buddies, designing and constructing their very own all-grain brewing setup is half the enjoyment of their all-grain brewing journey. They’ll spend hours on the weekend trawling native {hardware} shops for big kettles, metal pipework, spigots, and all of the interconnects after which spend much more hours fixing and welding all of them collectively.
On the finish of the method, a lot of them have constructed a formidable mini-brew system worthy of a spot in most craft microbreweries.
Typically business brew kits simply don’t supply every part you want on your residence brew setup. Even I’ve been recognized to indulge within the odd spot of DIY. Nonetheless, I’d quite spend my weekends designing and brewing my subsequent IPA beer recipes quite than welding two massive brewing vessels collectively.
Fortuitously for the typical homebrewer, there at the moment are some superb all-in-one electrical brew techniques like The Grainfather and the Speidel Braumeister at the moment are accessible at costs that received’t break the financial institution (effectively, the Grainfather at the very least received’t push your finances too far!).
On this put up, I’ll be evaluating the 2 standard brewing techniques: the Grainfather and the Braumeister. I’ll discover the options, advantages, and disadvantages of every system that can assist you determine which one is best for you.
Grainfather vs Braumeister at a Look
The Grainfather Join
- SIMPLE AND USER FRIENDLY: The Grainfather is electrically powered and designed for use indoors; No want for burners or sizzling plates; simply plug in and go; Heating from mash to boil takes as little as 20 minutes; Directions included; Tutorial movies accessible on producer web site
- HIGHEST QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: The Grainfather is comprised of top quality 304 grade stainless-steel with a 8 gallon capability; designed to supply as much as 6 gallons of beer from one brew
- INTUITIVE DESIGN: Programmable step mashing; delayed heating; waterproof digital show in Celsius and Fahrenheit
Speidel Braumeister V2-20L
- Multi function all grain brewing system
- Digital controller shops as much as 10 recipes
- 220 Volts
| Grainfather Join G30 | Speidel Braumeister V2-20L | |
|---|---|---|
| Capability | 30 L (8 Gallons) | 20 L (5 Gallons) |
| Most Wort | 25 L | 15 L |
| Most Grain | 8 KG (20 lbs) | 5 KG (13 lbs) |
| Energy | 110 – 120 V | 220 V |
| Controller | Absolutely Programmable Brew Schedule | Absolutely Programmable Brew Schedule |
| Wi-fi Connectivity | Smartphone Connectivity through Bluetooth | Wifi for Software program Updates and Recipe Sync |
| Heating Factor | 500 & 2000 Watts | 2000 Watts |
| Pump | 6 Watt 1800 RPM | 27 Watt adjustable velocity |
| Chiller | Counterflow Chiller Included | Cooling Jacket Welded on |
| Building | 304 grade stainless-steel | Stainless-steel |
Grainfather vs Braumeister – The Price
The largest distinction between the Grainfather all-in-one brewing system and the Braumeister is the sheer price of the unit. Whereas you will see the Grainfather sells for below a thousand bucks, that you must multiply that by at the very least two to get a comparable measurement all-in-one brewing system from Braumeister.
The Speidel Braumeister is definitely designed and in-built Germany quite than being manufactured in China like a lot of its rivals such because the Grainfather. The standard of German engineering shines by, it’s usually known as the “Mercedes” of All-In-One Brewing techniques, and the Speidel web site proudly boasts it’s designed to German Purity legal guidelines.
On the finish of the day, the all-grain brewing course of is concerning the completed beer you produce quite than how good the tools appears to be like. Though the standard of workmanship of the Braumeister might last more, if correctly maintained and brought care of, the Grainfather ought to final simply as a few years.
Having used each techniques, I’d at all times suggest shopping for the Grainfather on the cheaper price and utilizing the leftover cash for buying some extras like a conical fermentation chamber. But when cash is not any object then the Braumeister could be the technique to go, you possibly can even purchase bigger variations such because the 50 liter for an additional price.
WINNER – Grainfather
Grainfather vs Braumeister – Ease of Use
The All-in-One electrical brewing techniques supply a brand new strategy to brewing which simplifies the artwork of brewing for each newbie homebrewers and extra skilled all-grain brewers alike.
Each the Braumeister and the Grainfather include digital controllers which make correct temperature management of your wort from boil to fermentation temperature simpler.
One of many causes the Grainfather has such a cult following within the homebrewing world is the Bluetooth connectivity and integration with a cell app it makes use of. A Join Management field is connected to the aspect of the Grainfather and there’s an app for each iPhone and Android which permits for full management of the brewing course of out of your smartphone.
The precise PID controller on the aspect of the Grainfather is much less automated than the app and requires you to regulate the temperature manually with massive brew buttons, which generally is a ache when in comparison with the absolutely automated controller of the Braumeister.
However the app means that you can fill the Grainfather with water the night earlier than an early brew day and set the timer to robotically begin heating up the strike water earlier than you even get up.
The Join app permits for programmable step mashing and the logarithms of the PID keep a extra secure heating with energy output management. Regardless of all of the superior options, the app has a simple-to-use, pleasant interface for constant mash temperatures.
The Speidel Braumeister, in its newest variations, has shortly tailored a lot of the user-friendliness of the Grainfather and its management field now encompasses a clear, easy-to-use, touchscreen interface that’s absolutely programmable for computerized step mashes.
Though there isn’t any smartphone app as of but, wifi and Bluetooth connectivity enable for updating of the brewing software program, and you’ll join through a wifi community and a house laptop or laptop computer working Home windows.
The extra subtle interface of the Speidel Braumeister electrical brewery is probably extra suited to the extra superior all-grain homebrewer because it permits for extra flexibility together with smaller batches of beer.
WINNER – Grainfather
Grainfather vs Braumeister – Options
The Grainfather is a well-liked all-in-one brewing system from New Zealand that means that you can brew your individual beer at residence with ease. It’s a compact and moveable system that features a mash tun, a boiler, and a pump, multi function unit. The Grainfather is designed to be simple to make use of and clear, with the detachable grain basket making it a preferred alternative for residence brewers of all ability ranges.
Grainfather Options
The Grainfather is an all-in-one brewing system that features a mash tun, a boiler, and a pump, multi function unit. Its stainless-steel physique and digital controller make it a sturdy and easy-to-use system.
Listed here are a number of the key options of the Grainfather:
- Compact and moveable design: The Grainfather’s compact measurement makes it simple to retailer and transport, making it a perfect alternative for residence brewers with restricted area or who prefer to brew on the go.
- Constructed-in pump: The Grainfather’s built-in pump for recirculation makes it simple to maneuver the wort from the mash tun to the boiler.
- Digital controller: The digital controller with wifi connectivity means that you can simply monitor the brewing standing and modify the temperature of the mash and the boil.
- Appropriate with the Graincoat insulation jacket: The Graincoat insulation jacket helps to take care of the temperature of the mash throughout the brewing course of.
- Counterflow wort chiller offered as normal is extra hygienic than many different techniques which embody immersion wort chillers (these make extra contact with the boiling wort and might result in contamination).
- Expandable grain basket permits for larger quantities of grains to be added for prime gravity wort manufacturing and better ABV beers.
- Two unbiased heating parts. The five hundred-watt component is used at sure levels to keep away from minimizing the chance of scorching when a gentler warmth is required, whereas a second 2000-watt component can shortly ramp up the temperature to boil after the mash. Cleverley switching between the 2 parts means the heating from mash to boil can take as little as 20 minutes.
- Runs from normal 110v family energy.
Grainfather Drawbacks
Whereas the Grainfather is a well-liked brewing system, it does have some potential drawbacks. Listed here are just a few to think about:
- Restricted capability: The Grainfather’s capability of as much as 8 gallons is probably not sufficient for some residence brewers who prefer to brew in bigger batches.
- Potential pump points: Some customers have reported points with the Grainfather’s pump, which could be vulnerable to clogging or failing over time.
- Can’t be used with malt extract kits because the mash and sparge pipes are prone to get blocked.
- Struggles with particular person recipes below 5-6 gallons because of the design of the mashing system.
- Sparge water needs to be boiled and added individually.
Braumeister Options
The Braumeister options a chrome steel physique, a digital controller, and a tremendous built-in pump. It has a capability of as much as 20 liters (roughly 5-gallon capability), making it appropriate for brewing a spread of various beer types. The system can be designed to be simple to make use of and clear, with a easy consumer interface and a detachable mash tun for straightforward cleansing.
The Braumeister is a German-made all-in-one brewing system that features a mash tun, a boiler with a 2000-watt heating component, a boil kettle, and a pump, multi function unit. Its high-quality development and easy consumer interface make it a preferred alternative for residence brewers.
Listed here are a number of the key options of the Braumeister:
- Stainless-steel development: The Braumeister is product of high-quality stainless-steel, which makes it sturdy and long-lasting.
- Digital controller: The digital controller means that you can simply monitor and modify any temperature fluctuation of the mash and the boil.
- Constructed-in pump: The Braumeister’s built-in 23-watt pump makes it simple to maneuver the wort from the mash tun to the boiler and recirculate to regulate the temperature of the mash.
- Patented malt tubes gently flow into the bottom malt by the wort and cut back the possibility of scorching the grains
- Detachable mash tun: The Braumeister’s mash tun is detachable, making it simple to wash.
Braumeister Drawbacks
Whereas the Braumeister is a well-liked brewing system, it does have some potential drawbacks. Listed here are just a few to think about:
- Worth: The Braumeister is a costlier brewing system than the Grainfather, which can be a consideration for budget-conscious residence brewers.
- The Braumeister doesn’t include a chiller as normal. Though the chiller jacket which is welded onto the newest model of the Braumeister could be efficient on full batch measurement brews, in case you are making a smaller brew measurement it might not successfully cool the wort as shortly as wanted.
- Solely has a 220-240v energy functionality so you have to to put in the next voltage socket in most US households.
WINNER – Draw
Does the Grainfather Make Good Beer?
After many profitable brews, I must say YES! The Grainfather is simply as able to brewing a variety of beers because the Braumeister however is the extra reasonably priced choice.
Extra superior homebrewers might scoff at the usage of a beer brewing system just like the Grainfather, however it makes use of the identical brewing strategies as making your individual brew system, simply multi function unit.
Is It Price Getting a Grainfather?
In case you are strapped for time however nonetheless wish to discover a technique to match some high-quality all-grain brewing into your busy schedule the Grainfather or an identical all-in-one electrical brewing system is unquestionably value contemplating.
Though there are cheaper choices available on the market, many don’t have the extra options of the Grainfather, together with the convenience of use, wifi connectivity, or built-in counterflow wort chiller.
Full techniques just like the Grainfather or Braumeister are greater than only a brew kettle with an electrical heater bolted on. They embody pumps for recirculation of the grains throughout mashing, automated temperature controllers, and might even add pre-programmed recipes to make the entire brewing course of a lot less complicated.
When the quantity of area is proscribed on your brewing tools, the Grainfather can fairly simply sit within the nook of the storage and is even compact sufficient to take over to a buddy’s home for a brew day. The Braumeister 20L is much more compact and might fairly fortunately sit on a kitchen bench high, though it’s not fairly as moveable and straightforward to move because the Grainfather.
Last Ideas
Each the Grainfather and the Braumeister are high-quality brewing techniques which are designed to simplify the brewing course of for residence brewers of all ability ranges. Whereas the Braumeister’s high-quality development might justify its larger value for some customers, the Grainfather’s compact measurement and ease of use might make it a better option for others.
Finally, the selection between the Grainfather and the Braumeister will depend upon quite a lot of components, together with your brewing wants, finances, and private preferences. By weighing the options, advantages, and disadvantages of every brewing system, you can also make an knowledgeable resolution about which one is best for you.
Personally, I’d go for the Grainfather each time because it’s a lot extra reasonably priced (extra money left to spend on the following few batches of beer) and the help service provided by Grainfather is second to none.
