Keg King ROBOBREW 35L SINGLE VESSEL BREWERY

[panzerd18]

Any point in getting a Crown or Birko Urn, when this comes in at $449? Seriously tempting. Was surprised there was not already a post on this.

More than half the price of a grainfather too.

$449


http://kegking.com.au/35l-all-in-one-single-vessel-brewery.html

 

[panzerd18]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KJzSAEIlpY

 

[crowmanz]

Only missing a pump and has an immersion chiller, compared to the grainfather.

But the price is pretty spot on. If i didnt have a DIY 1V or urn I would go for this.

 

[Coodgee]

how would it maintain the mash temperature though if it doesn't recirculate the wort and has no insulation? wouldn't it be hot on the bottom and cold on the top?

 

[panzerd18]

how would it maintain the mash temperature though if it doesn't recirculate the wort and has no insulation? wouldn't it be hot on the bottom and cold on the top?

Because the malt is inside the malt pipe surrounded by water?

 

[Yob]

the thing that gets me about these, and no offense intended.. is the limiting size of the damn things.. theyre feckin tiny!!

I NEED to get 75L minimum from a brewday, 100 is better..

lucky I like to tinker and build **** is all I can say..

Looks like a good alternative though, we really are spoiled for choice these days :icon_chickcheers:

 

[fcmcg]

Hope the elements aren't like the stick elements

 

[dropbear85]

I've ordered one of these to have a play with. I reckon I could turn it into something very similar to a grainfather without too much trouble.
pretty good price for what you get, just have to wait and see when it turns up

 

[takai]

Add the $79 pump and some hosing and you will have a Grainfather essentially. Look to be reasonable.

 

[dropbear85]

yeah I've already got the pump from my current 1v setup. I'm just going to grab some ss tube for the sparge arm and then I've just got to sort out the overflow. easiest thing to do would be cut a couple of half inch holes in the top of the malt basket and use a bag. that's what I've done with my current setup but I was thinking this one I might go for a telescoping pipe like the grain father

 

[buckerooni]

+1 for the size thing. I've outgrown my 40L urn and looking for something like this but around 80L+

 

[Fylp]

The first thing the fella says is that this is the first of a few they are bringing out. I guess there will also be a bigger size or two. Possibly a deluxe model

 

[primusbrew]

That price is attractive. $700 less than the grainfather and the only thing missing seems to be a pump. Of course there could be some big differences in build quality, durability etc.

If someone gets one of these, I would be very appreciative of a review.

 

[Coldspace]

Hard to tell, but it does look a little flimsy compared to the grain father.

 

[Elz]

Bought one today ($449). Plan to use it as the vessel to move from from extract to all grain. As a means of cleaning, put it through some basic steps, 40C, 50C, 65C, 75c and boil. All temps same as my two other thermometers. Appeared to reach temperature quickly, although not timed Feels sturdy enough, only drawback is reading the temperature gauge at floor level.

Advised that the other new models includes one with a pump. i will buy a pump one later if required. Also advised new video should be out soon.
Cheers and heres to starting all grain (albiet after i use the robobrew for my next two extract which l have already purchased).
Elz

 

[pcmfisher]

Not sure about lifting 5 or 6kg of wet grain up in the basket and trying to get that trivet thing underneath by yourself.

 

[SimoB]

i'll stick to the grainfather. but I can see a lot of people going for the price point. heaaappps cheaper.

 

[Diesel80]

Not sure about lifting 5 or 6kg of wet grain up in the basket and trying to get that trivet thing underneath by yourself.

Nearly everyone here could lift an esky full of Ice and Beer, but mention wet grain and everyone seems to go to water!
Biceps FTW!

Cheers,
D80

 

[takai]

Looked at it today when i was down there. Seems reasonable, although the trivet would be a little fiddly with how the legs on it work. Would be easily replaceable with a IKEA stainless trivet though.

Oh yeah, it feels tiny.

 

[Spiesy]

Looked at it today when i was down there. Seems reasonable, although the trivet would be a little fiddly with how the legs on it work. Would be easily replaceable with a IKEA stainless trivet though.

Oh yeah, it feels tiny.

Is there any day that you're not "down there"?

 

[user 25501]

How much without the wort chiller, also drop the malt pipe, they could get this below the price of a crown urn? Being Aussie, they should of known to make them options. Exciting times ahead, I'm waiting for someone to beef up the German jam maker.

 

[takai]

Is there any day that you're not "down there"?

Lol, i have to drive past regularly for work. Plus they were the closest place with camlock seals in stock.

 

[Fylp]

Not sure about lifting 5 or 6kg of wet grain up in the basket and trying to get that trivet thing underneath by yourself.

A lot of us I guess do that with a bag of grain anyway.

 

[Drick]

Hi Folks, just been on to Keg King and they're working on a 60L version which we should see in the near future.

 

[takai]

A lot of us I guess do that with a bag of grain anyway.

Yeah, the weight isnt the issue. The trivet has little posts that centre it around the top of the urn and then other little posts that centre the pipe. That sort of thing just gets fiddly when you are lifting/holding 6-8kg of wet grain one handed. A flat trivet is much easier here where you can just put it under and if its off centre you can shift it later.

 

[kaiserben]

Looks great for the price.

Me and my mates bought a Grainfather together (and love it). We've been wanting to get another. We might get one of these instead and then modify it to be more like the GF.

A couple of issues (easily solved) with this KK one:

I don't agree (with the KK video) that recirc isn't important at this volume. From experience using the GF I know for sure that it is - and, if not recircing, temps at the bottom near the element can be very different than temps at the top of the grain bed. I'd definitely modify this KK model to include recirc. (Not recircing can also cause scorching near the element particularly in grain bills including rye etc. I know from due to my own stupid mistakes and forgetfulness).
Also that immersion chiller would be rubbish (residual heat in the stainless steel would make chilling it a long, tedious process. I'd solve that by either buying a counterflow chiller or no-chill.
Other than that it looks good. And the fact they're bringing out bigger volume versions is great!

Can anyone who has bought one tell me what controller it uses?

EDIT: Also, wouldn't that controller get too hot?

 

[Alex.Tas]

Also that immersion chiller would be rubbish (residual heat in the stainless steel would make chilling it a long, tedious process. I'd solve that by either buying a counterflow chiller or no-chill.

I've got a stainless IC and it works well. It doesn't work as quickly as a copper one of similar length does, but that doesn't mean it is an inferior product.

You are right about a pump though for mash temps. I reckon a pump would make the chilling efficiency much better too by recirculating the wort whilst chilling.

 

[indica86]

Any point in getting a Crown or Birko Urn, when this comes in at $449? Seriously tempting. Was surprised there was not already a post on this.

Yep, I don't want a chiller or a pipe.
I like the BIAB and the no chill.

I also regularly boil 35 litres so how will have this little urn help?

 

[kaiserben]

I've got a stainless IC and it works well. It doesn't work as quickly as a copper one of similar length does, but that doesn't mean it is an inferior product.

You are right about a pump though for mash temps. I reckon a pump would make the chilling efficiency much better too by recirculating the wort whilst chilling.

I think the bigger difference is between IC and CFC rather than copper or stainless. (admittedly I've never used an IC)

One common GF mistake (I've done it myself) sees people rercircing through their counterflow chiller back into the GF. It's inefficient and a waste of time and water. You're basically chilling your wort only to have it heat back up again. Residual heat in the stainless/kettle makes it worse. (the only reason you'd chill back into the GF is a quick 5 mins to get the pump filter working at it's best and/or if you want to do a hop stand at a particular temp).

 

[panzerd18]

Yep, I don't want a chiller or a pipe.
I like the BIAB and the no chill.

I also regularly boil 35 litres so how will have this little urn help?

I forgot the Crown Urn is 40 litres.