Mash & Boil Review

[@Enmesharra92]

I purchase one and you differently get what you paid for. Meaning lowest price out there at the time. Every time I brewed with it I got wort particle burn on top of the heating elements. There are two heating elements for my 120VAC system,. A 1000 watt and a 600 watt. In 1600 watt mode I never get over 1450 watts total. Both are controlled by on/off relay’s too from factory. So the temps swings are excessive. Eventually I did upgrade to the newest basket version 2 for $90.00. And I also updated the controls to a INKBIRD PID with solid state relay about $45.00 and rewired them to the existing controller and direct to both heating elements. So now the INKBIRD PID and moveable PT100 RTD water sensor operates both heating elements 1600 watts and 600 watts depending on the OEM control switch position. It control’s the water temp like a champ. I use the existing controller as a high-limit now and use it’s temp display just for monitoring bottom temp during mash or boil. So for a few extra bucks, I gave this glorified Tea pot a new life. Works like a champ and no more wort burn.

[@NWsmallbatchBrewing]

@@Enmesharra92 wow you really diy upgraded it:-)

[@Skid-Baxter]

Great, thorough, and honest review. A reminder of why I probably passed on it years ago and chose to keep partial-mashing on the stove top. Like that Reset button, and the location of the pump, the control-unit, which is not only vulnerable during a boil-over, but the spigot is dangerously close to that and the power switches, and of course - the malt pipe. I still don't have an all-in-one, but you're so right about spending the extra dough if you can. And great suggestions for those who can't. On a side note, your audio went out of sync with the video at one point. Noticed that in another of your vids but can't recall which one. By the way, what was that delicious dark beer you were enjoying...or did I miss that? Cheers! 🍺🍻

[@NWsmallbatchBrewing]

www.firestonebeer.com/beer/parabola/ Thanks for the audio feedback. I believe it's my USB repeater that may have caused a framerate issue with the video.

[@connorhulegaard2012]

Are you not recirculating? The water comes from the pump and is then drawn through the entire grain bed. This type of malt pipe is much more efficient than one with extra perforations like you’re suggesting. The companies are adding those on the lower section to help deal with overflow instead of using an overflow pipe. Systems with the mash basket like the clawhammer design get significantly lower mash efficiency when compared to a solid malt pipe with proper recirculation. I think they use the mash basket because they sell plate chillers with their system (could be wrong in that) I think the mash baskets are also readily available and inexpensive which probably made them attractive to clawhammer while piecing together their brewing system. The Brewzilla gen4 is definitely very cool but I actually don’t like the center drain/domed bottom. I whirlpool with my older Brewzilla 65L and leave the trub and hops piled up in the middle of the kettle. With the new design I’m not sure how I would keep that unwanted material out of the fermenter. I guess we all use these things differently. Cheers.

[@NWsmallbatchBrewing]

True it's all how we use them. I'm not using the mash and boil anymore. This is an old video. But yes I did recirculate when i was using it.