Grainfather Connect
Complete All-In-One
Brewing System Review
The Grainfather Connect Complete All-In-One Brewing System will take your all-grain brewing to the next level.
This fully electric system will make up to 6-gallons of your favorite homebrew, while you mash, sparge, boil, and cool from just one piece of equipment.
Just so you are aware, some of the links below are affiliate links. With no additional cost to you, AtHomeBrewer may earn a commission if you click through and a purchase is made.
The Grainfather enables you to take your beer brewing efforts up a few notches by making it easier than ever to brew all-grain, which is why so many homebrewers choose this piece of equipment.
If you’ve ever looked into brewing all-grain, you’ll know that it’s a bit more complicated than brewing with extract, and you will typically need to upgrade your equipment to include things like a larger kettle, mash tun, and hot liquor tank into your brewing setup.
The Grainfather combines much of the equipment you require into an all-in-one system that is more automated, while still allowing you to get hands-on, thus saving your time, space, and money. That’s why it is the perfect system for anyone who’s looking to make the jump from beginner to intermediate and advanced home brewing.
Table of Contents
The Grainfather All-In-One Home Beer Brewing System Review
The Grainfather brewing system offers a straightforward way to create and brew up to 6-gallons of your own homebrew. Consisting of a 8-gallon, 304 stainless steel unit with a copper chiller, it’s got a solid feel and looks like it could last a lifetime. Weighing in at around 43 pounds, it’s not going to be the lightest option out there. However, once you’ve got it situated in your own home brewing area, you won’t notice how heavy it feels.
The 2000-watt heating element is well-concealed, as is the internal pipe for draining and sparging. As an all-in-one unit, you won’t need any extras when you buy the Grainfather. In fact, the unit itself is capable of doing everything needed to create the perfect homebrew.
While earlier versions of the Grainfather didn’t offer Bluetooth connectivity or app-controlled features, the advanced technology of the Grainfather Connect means you’ll more control over the brewing process than ever before. If you want to enhance your brew and receive timely reminders when you’re ready to proceed with the next stage, this is a feature that’s definitely worth having.
Ideal for novice brewers and experienced crafters, the Grainfather Connect Complete All In One Home Beer Brewing System is ideal for anyone who wants to try their hand at brewing their own beer. The enhanced flavor of all-grain brewing combined with the simplicity of an all-in-one system means that anyone can enjoy the process of home-brewing – and the end result!
Pros
- Built with high-quality materials
- Designed to be simple and easy to use
- Complete control over the entire brewing process
Cons
- More expensive than other similar all-in-one systems
- The counterflow wort chiller can clog
- The 110 volt heating element takes much longer to boil than the 220 volt model
Grainfather Connect Complete
All-In-One Electric Brewing System
This electric all in one beer brewing system is easy to use. The Grainfather is highly automated, while still giving the homebrewer complete control over the entire brewing system.
Grainfather Features & Benefits
When you’re reading a Grainfather Connect review, chances are you want to know more about the features and benefits. To give you a clearer idea about how the product works and to help you decide if it’s right for you, here are a few of the core features below:
Connect Controller
The Connect controller is where you’ll input your instructions and how you’ll go about crafting your perfect beer, so it’s one part of the system you’ll need to be extremely familiar with. If you’re worried about the tech-side of the brewing process, there’s no need to be. The Connect controller is remarkably simple to use, once you’ve got the hang of it.
With the ability to adjust and monitor the pump and temperatures, there really isn’t much that can go wrong. In addition to this, the LCD display is clear and easy to read and waterproof.
Dual Heating Element
This model comes with a dual heating element that will serve two purposes. The 600-watt element will let you maintain a steady temperature, while switching to the 1600-watt element will allow you to rapidly boil the wort.
Counterflow Wort Chiller
No matter what system you are using, or what type of beer you are brewing, you must get your wort cooled down to the correct yeast pitching temperature as quickly as possible.
The included circulation pump and wort chiller will take the boiling wort and cool it down to less than 68°F in less than 20 minutes. Gone are the days of using a sink full of ice water to lower the temperature of the wort.
When using the counterflow chiller, you will be able to transfer your wort directly from the vessel to your chosen ferementer at the desired temperature.
Durability
If you’re treating yourself to a new piece of homebrewing equipment, you’ll want to be confident that it will last for many brews and many years. The Grainfather Connect is definitely not the cheapest option out there, but you can be sure that you’ll be using it for years to come. Once in place, it is sturdy and solid, so you won’t worry about it toppling over when it’s in use.
As the unit is constructed from 304 Stainless Steel, it’s clearly built to withstand regular use, and the internal components are well-constructed and made of high quality materials.
Self-Cleaning
If you’ve ever tried your hand at homebrewing before, you’ll know just how tedious and time-consuming the cleanup process can be. If there’s one task that most homebrewers despise and want to avoid, this is it!
Fortunately, the built-in self-cleaning feature on the Grainfather means keeping your unit in tip-top condition couldn’t be easier. By attaching the chiller and re-circulation arm following use, you can ensure that the unit pumps hot water through to keep the unit clean and well-maintained. You will still need to rinse the boiler and grain basket but, all in all, the cleaning is simple and hassle-free.
The “clean in place” (CIP) system ensures that Grainfather cleaning uses water at the right temperature for the system’s components, so you don’t have to worry about causing any damage when you’re packing up your kit.
Compared to many other models out there, the self-cleaning feature of the Grainfather is a welcome addition to what is already an impressive homebrewing system.
User Friendliness
This is a system that is suited for any and all homebrewers, regardless of experience and expertise (or lack thereof!). The Grainfather Connect is certainly recommended it to anyone wanting to brew beer at home.
Some of the other systems are aimed at beginners and are almost completely “hands-off” and automatic, which can be a major drawback for some.
With the Grainfather Connect, you get feeling of being a real brewmaster and control just about every element of the brew, while still finding the system super easy to use.
App-Controlled
Using Bluetooth connectivity, you can link your Grainfather Connect to your smartphone or tablet and access key information regarding your brew.
You will love the app-controlled features of the Grainfather if you don’t feel like standing around all day waiting for it to do its thing. You’ll be alerted when your brew is ready for the next step, so you can combine your brewing with other activities and still be sure of a perfect outcome.
I wasn’t sure how accurate the data from the app would be compared to the actual controller, but was surprised that both displays were in sync with each other, and how useful the app can be.
What's Included In The Box
- 30Liter / 8-Gallon Stainless Steel Tank
- Tempered Glass Lid
- Connect Controller
- Expandable Grain Basket
- (2) Mesh Screens
- Instructions
- Counter Flow Wort Chiller
- Re-circulation Pump
- Handle, Tubing, & Connectors
- Filter
- Cardboard, Cardboard, and More Cardboard
Optional Accessories
There a few things that can be used purchase individually that can make your brew day run smoother, but are certainly not required if you buy the Grainfather.
Insulated Jacket
The Graincoat is a foam insulated jacket that is used to keep a constant temperature in the boiler tank while mashing on brew day, and made especially for the Grainfather All-In-One .
Unless you are brewing in a cooler environment, or in a garage during the winter, it is probably not necessary.
Hop Spider
As we mentioned above in the “cons”, the counterflow wort chiller can sometimes become clogged. This is usually due to the hop material that is clogging the filter in the boiler.
One way to easily fix this problem is to use a hop spider when adding hops to the boil. A hop spider will keep all the hops away from the filter and prevent a stopped or slow wort transfer. This hop spider can fit most brew kettles, including the Grainfather.
Things To Consider Before Buying
Extract brewing can certainly produce a beer you can be proud of, but there is just something about all-grain brewing that can’t be beat. The level of control you get with all-grain brewing far exceeds what you can do with extract brewing.
However, there are pros and cons to this approach.
Although all-grain systems, like the Grainfather Connect Complete All-In-One, give you more control and enable you to make an outstanding brew, it does require more work.
Although beer brewing really isn’t work.
But, if you have the time to spare and you want to craft the perfect beer, then all-grain homebrewing is definitely the best route to take.
The amount of space you’ll need to store your equipment should also play a role in determining which system is right for you. Even though you could brew on a table or the countertop, it would be best if you set-up on the floor. The grain basket can be quite difficult to lift over your head if you are brewing on a raised platform.
If you are looking to streamline your all-grain brewing session with less overall equipment than the traditional methods the Grainfather is the answer. With no need to mash, sparge, boil and cool your brew using different pieces of equipment, the Grainfather brewing system allows you to complete the brewing process using just one vessel.
Alternative All-In-One and Electric Brewing Systems
As is with most beer brewing supplies and equipment, you always have other options to choose from, and an all-in-one brewing machine is no different.
While all of these models are similar to the Grainfather, they all have their own pros and cons. But one thing they do have over the Grainfather is the price. But sometimes less expensive doesn’t always mean a better deal. It’s up to you to see which one suits your brewing needs and budget best.
Final Say On The Grainfather Brewing System
Brewing your own beer is not difficult, but it can be a time-consuming process, especially when you are moving on from extract brewing. It’s no secret that traditional all-grain homebrewing can take about 8 or 9 hours of your day to complete.
But with the Grainfather Complete Connect Brewing System, you can still get the real authentic brewing experience, while saving hours of time. The simplicity of this all-in-one unit and the quality of the Grainfather Connect means it’s hard to go wrong with this homebrewing system.
Yes the Grainfather is on the expensive side, but if you can fit it into your budget, the Grainfather is a piece of brewing equipment that will help you brew a more consistent beer, and something you will be proud to show off to your friends and family.
Happy Brewing!
Grainfather Connect Complete
All-In-One Electric Brewing System
This electric all in one beer brewing system is easy to use. The Grainfather is highly automated, while still giving the homebrewer complete control over the entire brewing system.
