Single vessel electric systems

If I only wanted to knock out 20-25L of wort then I'd probably stick to BIAB like you - however as I generally want to maximise the yield on brew days the larger 1V units made more sense for me.

Before buying a robo65 I was using an 82L pot with BIAB and then a 56L malt pipe.  This worked ok, although the malleability of the hot bag with 25+kg of sodden grain in it meant it really wasn't safe and the risk of scorching on stick elements was something I only realised once but constantly had to manage.  Even with an overhead winch the bag is less contained than a solid malt pipe.

A few other niceties about the robo vs my DIY unit - the dimensions of the old pot made it a lot less efficient and having to clean stick elements is a royal PITA compared to the concealed based with the robo.  Also, the integrated pump and additional bottom screen make for more even mash temps and an additional point of filtering as the trub mostly piles up on top of the bottom screen when whirlpooling (not that this is unique to the robo65, but it's not something I could have added to my BIAB without significant expense).

Of course, if I'm doing a very small batch (e.g. to use home-grown hops) that's less than 10L, I'll happily BIAB on the stove!

I've just put myself down for an "Other BIAB DIY" as I have a 40 litre Crown urn, and (although I've not used it) a grain bag to suit.

I can see a comparison brew-day coming up - BIAB vs BM. But the BM just HAS to make better beer, yeah, 'cos it cost so much more...

Hey Andrew, there are a few variations I've seen.

There's this one where they've fitted a two-way valve on the outlet side of one of the pumps, so the pump can either (a) function as normal, or (b) the outlet flow can be re-directed for use as required.

For mine, I inserted a t-piece on the inlet side of one of the pumps, which makes draining the trub at the end of the brewday, a breeze. I did use it on a few brews to drain the wort as well, but now use the Prochem 90 degree bend with o-rings as a dip tube from the normal outlet.

It was a fiddle to get the heights correct, but by cutting off part of the s/s nipple and using the correct amount of teflon tape, it all worked out well.



There is an alternative (and probably better) way to mount the t-piece. Use the original 90 degree bend onto the inlet (where it comes out of the main vessel), then mount your t-piece on that. You might have to modify the nipple which connects the t-piece to the pump inlet, but at least the levels will be correct.

Hope it all makes sense.

I got one of those 2400w immersion water heaters from ebay and hey presto - gas BIAB pot now a single vessel system of sorts. Quite impressed with the maiden brew (10L batch size) - slower for sure but nice and quiet. I will try it on a 20L batch next but if that works ok I'll keep the gas burner for bigger batches or when I'm in hurrry.

Brewtools B40pro! Magnificent beast.

Review from first brewday here

I have a 35L 'zilla. Only done one brew in it so far but that's ticking along well. It went pretty painlessly. No leaks. Recirc worked well. I had to really limit the recirc flow rate though. It's just the right height that a 450mm high coffee table/bench is perfect for getting the fermenter under the tap and also so I can see into it and stir it easily.

I only just upgraded from a BigW pot. I'd suffered through a few full brews in it, but my stove (3.5kw, induction) struggled to heat it with a full load. It'd keep up a rolling boil well enough once it got there though. So now the pot has been relegated to a bucket for filling the 'zilla and heating sparge water because the 'zilla doesn't fit under the filter tap.

My only complaint is that cleanup isn't just a high pressure hose on the lawn - gotta keep the water out of those electronics.

I have the 70L, works well. I haven't tried a triple batch yet, but I've done a double batch with no sparge.
The only thing I have done is remove the centre overflow pipe as it has broken twice.
I use a helix as well.

I have a mate with a 70L Guten, first brew day he bravely tried to do a triple batch and had all sorts of problems with volumes and then lifting the malt pipe.  Has had some problems with the pump and had either a replacement or repair and it seems fine since.

It sounds like doing no-sparge (or small-sparge BIAB style) double batches is a sweet spot for it compared to the double-batch systems, noting the logistical challenges.


I bought a pair of the first helixes off weal and although it is an interesting concept that can work in some vessels the effectiveness is heavily dependent on the curvature of the helix (influenced by the shape of the kettle). 

For example it works well in a small 30L urn that i have used for BIAB ksours - but in wider vessels the spring doesn't open enough to cater for very large hop additions; and if you're cubing then it can introduce air bubbles and a vacuum if you're not careful with "burping" the tap. 

Running the pair of the helixes worked ok in an 82L short fat pot and a but honestly I wouldn't bother if you have a 1V appliance with a bottom screen to whirlpool on to, and set your tap to draw from the side.  

The helix works well if you do a good whirlpool.
Worst case, get your metal mash paddle and poke it between a coil to open it up.

I cube everything now, haven't even unwrapped the chiller or hop spider.

finally got around to grabbing some pics of my robo65 malt pipe overflow/return mod

I whinged at the other place when my unit arrived a few years ago that the overflow pipe should have been threaded and 1/2" because the narrower diameter gets knocked around too much and the clip spring arrangement is just asking to be disengaged when slinging around a mash paddle...

So anyway it took about 2mins to do the mod thanks to the insane amount of 1/2" stainless piping and adaptors I have from previous DIY brewhouse builds and trades. Worked a treat, and I also found the top screen fits perfectly over the end cap of a threaded 1/2"->1/4" reducer (last pic)

Yep. I have had one for a few months. Works well with both the 35L & 65L.

I started with a 3V setup in 2004. Was fine, then BIAB came along and was instantly sold on the setup. After a few years off, got a robo in December. Easiest brew day yet. Got the 35L but wouldn’t rule out ending up with a 65. Love it and no issues so far ( 20 batches )

Love my 35l robo but wish I went to 65L. I need a power point for my water tank pump so I’m tempted to put in a 15amp point as well and upgrade. 40+ brews in 12 months and hasn’t missed a beat