I am considering a Grainfather setup since I don't have a lot of space. I am retired, started doing extract kits several months ago with great success. Does anyone have an opinion on the Grainfather?
My suggestion to anyone fairly new to the hobby would be to expose yourself to as many different brewing set ups as possible before making any commitment on your own set up.
First off, welcome to homebrewing!
Grainfather seems to have a lot of fans, and if I decide to go the automated route some day I'll buy one. Unless I strike it rich, in which case I'll be giving Sabco a call.
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I would imagine that the product comes with a good set of instructions. There is a ton of information that one would need to know in order to know everything there is to know about brewing beer. At the same time, you really don't need to know a whole lot to brew a great beer. I don't know a phenol from an alkali. This is a hobby where one can dive in just as deep as he wants to, both knowledge and money wise. I'm sure some great brews have been produced by those who have a "Press button, get beer" mentality. I could never have an in depth discussion with someone at a homebrew meeting, I'm not that knowledgeable. But I like how I brew, and I like what I brew.It's automated so may slow the learning curve.
I actually read the instructions once. If you follow them step by step you will make good beer I'm sure. I understood the process because I'm a brewer I'm just saying it would be nice to know the what and why before you drop your coin. I do biab now but I cut my teeth with a mash tun and glad I did because if you want to go to batches bigger than five or ten gallons you would know how to do it. Plus when you do go to breweries you will understand the equipment. I don't think you need to know all the scientific stuff but you will be a better brewer with some knowledge of the process at least.I would imagine that the product comes with a good set of instructions. There is a ton of information that one would need to know in order to know everything there is to know about brewing beer. At the same time, you really don't need to know a whole lot to brew a great beer. I don't know a phenol from an alkali. This is a hobby where one can dive in just as deep as he wants to, both knowledge and money wise. I'm sure some great brews have been produced by those who have a "Press button, get beer" mentality. I could never have an in depth discussion with someone at a homebrew meeting, I'm not that knowledgeable. But I like how I brew, and I like what I brew.
I guess it comes down to what you want to get from this Homebrewing hobby.