Some of what you guys are saying is not correct. EVERYTHING on the Brewtools systems can be replaced!
Sure it can. Provided BrewTools stays in business and keeps selling the parts. What happens when they don't ?
Is that control IP67 rated ? How much is it to replace when it fails ?
There is nothing that can’t be pulled out and replaced or pulled apart and cleaned including the pump and center valve. The pump does not pull from the center of the kettle. It pulls from an adjustable dip tube inside the kettle.
Yipee.
The pump is an off-the-shelf and non-proprietary Topsflo 24VDC. These pumps are used in a lot of systems.
Good to know. What's the temperature under the boiler where the pump sits ? Why is there a kit to move the pump out from beneath the boiler ?
The pictures that Brewman ! has posted are of a pretty extreme setup that is far from the norm. IMO that’s part of what drew me to the Brewtools is the modularity of their systems. If someone was worried about the controller being in harms way, it can be detached and moved to a different location. The chiller is an add-on accessory (like it is on a lot of systems out there) so you can integrate whatever you like. The drip trays are also add on accessories. I personally think they are a nice addition.
So if everything is off the shelf and modular, why do people buy a BrewTools system ? Why not just buy the parts (for a lot less) and assemble a system ? It's not like there is anything proprietary or complicated about what they have done.
For starters, if you built a system yourself, you could use 1.5" TCs instead of 34mm TCs. That alone would open a world of compatibility with other brew systems in the US.
As far as the TC fittings subject: yes the fittings are a bit of a head scratcher on the surface when it comes to the size. But, like I said before, I believe it was a decision that was made to optimize the performance of the system. But I really don’t know for sure.
Using 34mm TCs versus 1.5" TCs has *nothing* to do with system performance.
This comment leads me to think that the genetic makeup of homebrewers has changed over the years. Homebrewers used to be very, very technical and some still are. We knew BTUs, flow rates, sizes, etc. We had to, because we build our own systems, from scratch. These days there are a lot of brewers that have never assembled a system from scratch and just look at how shiny the equipment is.
As far as TC fittings on the hot side of things; I personally would take TC over NPT any day! I have taken apart threaded hot side fittings before and have been amazed at what I have found.
1) How do you clean your equipment post brewing ?
2) Have you ever seen what is in newly harvested grain ?
3) Which exact fitting are you speaking of ? Let's not forget that the water supply you drink from is assembled from NPT fittings, not triclamps. And your water isn't boiled before you drink it.
4) If you want to see grunge, pull the spool out of a ball valve. You do take your ball valves apart after every brewing session, right ?
5) Of course you want TCs over NPT. But there are these things called cam locks that work just as well or evern better for some connections. And let's not forget that that a 3 way "NPT" valve with camlocks costs ~ $45 versus $100 for a custom TC version. And the BrewTools set up uses 4 of them. And there appears to be an issue with O Rings in them.
And I’m a little anal when it comes to cleaning so it isn’t as if I neglected the process. Hot side or not, I don’t think it’s a good thing. There is a reason Breweries use them pretty much exclusively.
1) So that means home brewers should use triclamp connections everywhere ?
2) How else should breweries connect large hard piping that frequently need to be taken apart ? NPT unions ?
3) What scientific evidence do you have that NPT fittings on the hot side result in better beer ? I've been home brewing with NPT fittings for 24 years and have never had a spoiled beer. Why do I need TCs on all my hot side connections ? What leads you to think that TCs are a "good thing" ?