Know Your Brews: We Review The Best Electric Brewing Kits

If you have ever tried brewing beer in the comfort of your own home, then you’ll know what a hassle it can be. You’ll often be struggling to get the temperature just right, especially if you are trying to heat your wort using gas or propane. This is where an electric brewing kit will really become invaluable to your beer-making process. These devices control the temperature electronically without you having to fiddle with the heat source.

An electric brewer, with its automated heat control system, will make the difficult job of controlling the temperature when brewing super easy. So where can you find the best brewing systems? What materials and features should these items be made from to give you the best performance?

What design specifications should you be looking for in a really great home brewing kit? How much should one of these brewing kits set you back in terms of price? Well, if you are keen on brewing your own beer at home, then we would recommend that you keep reading this article. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best electronic home brewing kits that you can currently find on the market.

We also have a list of pros and cons which will help you to decide which is the best brewing system for your needs.

OUR TOP PICK

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Complete Homebrew Beer Brewing System (Amazon)

EDITORS CHOICE

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Klarstein Maischfest, Beer Brewing Device (Amazon)

BEST VALUE

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Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil (Amazon)

OUR TOP PICK

Complete Homebrew Beer Brewing System (Amazon)

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Our first home brewer is one of the best on the market for brewing all-grain beers such as IPAs, pale ales, stouts, and saison.

This comes in a one-piece stainless steel unit that you can be sure will give you everything that you need for very durable cooking and boiling – introducing the Complete Homebrew Beer Brewing System. This comes with a very capacious kettle which you can use to brew enough beer to last you and your guests through until the morning.

If you enjoy a pale ale, this machine will give you everything that you need for a top-notch brewing facility. This has an independent electronic temperature controller, so you can be sure that the mixture in your tank is brewed just to the right level of heat. This is very important as the temperature is the one thing that will affect the proteins and the hops that are in your beer.

This system really is a one-stop-shop for brewing quality beer. A lot of specialist brewers have illustrated the fact that this machine is relatively simple to use, yet it also has all the basic features that you’ll need for your brewing setup.

We would certainly recommend this to newbie brewers who want simple instructions on how to make their own unique beer.

Pros

• This machine is industrial strength, with a very durable stainless steel outer casing that you can be sure will give you everything that you need for a thorough cook.
• You have temperature controls and independent monitoring devices on this machine, so you can adjust the heat inside your drum to within a fraction of a degree.
• This brewer is very easy to use, all you have to do is lift the lid on the drum and add your ingredients. This even comes with a side sieve for the grains.
• The price – this is a very reasonable price for what is a very solid bit of kit. We would certainly recommend this one for pro brewers who like to experiment.

Cons

• Some users have complained that the hop basket isn’t that sturdy when you put it into the main drum.

EDITORS CHOICE

Klarstein Maischfest, Beer Brewing Device (Amazon)

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This next electric brewing unit has been commended for its durability and its very reasonable price tag. You can mash up to 7.5 gallons of beer in this one, making it perfect for you and a small party of people.

The weight is hefty and will be able to handle a lot of your ingredients in one batch – introducing the Klarstein Maischfest Beer Brewing Device. This comes with a double-walled stainless steel construction that will be sure to keep your grains, hops, and yeast on an even boil.

The double-wall will trap any heat that is often prone to leaking out of the top layer. It has a temperature gauge that will really help you to control the environment inside your tank.

This also comes with a timer, so if you want to remove human error from your brewing, then just set this one to adjust the temperature at certain times in the brewing process. This device is also very easy to clean, with a stainless steel composition that will cause even stubborn stains to slide right off.

When it comes to design and heat retention, you won’t get a better model than this. This is made with steel, from the top of the barrel right the way through to the electronic temperature dial. You can be sure that if you set this one up properly, you can have everything that you need for a decent beer.

Pros

• The double-walled design will make sure that there is no heat loss, which is very important for a consistent beer.
• This is a very hefty unit, which is not that portable but you can be sure that it will be able to survive even the toughest of knocks.
• The timing system should certainly attract the attention of professional brewers. This will ensure that your brewing mixture is of the highest quality.
• If you want to deliver a solid brew session after session, then we would certainly advise that you go with this unit.

Cons

• The boiler takes a little longer than normal to heat up, so if you want efficiency, then we might suggest that you opt for another unit.

BEST VALUE

Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil (Amazon)

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Our next electric brewer is another one that you can be sure will give you everything that you need for a solid mixture, with timers built into the machine that will guarantee you consistency.

This will plug straight into your wall, so you won’t have to worry about a complicated electrical setup – introducing Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil.

It comes with plenty of extra equipment including a recirculation pump that will ensure that there is plenty of heat getting to your yeast and other elements. This looks not unlike a tea urn, with a slide-out hopper that you can fill with ingredients and then slide in quickly and easily.

It also has a great turning tap that you can use to drain off your unwanted elements or you can simply have it to serve your beers at the end of your brewing session. Having this convenient setup is perfect, especially for new brewers who might be wanting to focus on the brewing itself rather than the serving.

This unit is used by a lot of industry brewers who really boast about the unique features and the design of this tank. This is very simple to use and will definitely appeal to casual brewers who like to wheel out the distiller and the fermenter for a festival or other such special occasion.

Pros

• This machine simply plugs into the wall, which makes it a great unit for anyone who might be new to the brewing business and want something with a simple operation.
• This comes with a brewing tap that you can be sure will give you a nice and smooth pint at the end of a long day of brewing.
• This electronic brewing is precision-controlled by a temperature gauge, which is perfect if you want your brewing to be consistent.
• This comes with only a few settings, which makes it a great choice for people who are new to brewing and might feel overwhelmed by so many temperature dials.

Cons

• The price – this is certainly an expensive unit, considering that it does not have that many dials and high-end functions.

RUNNER UP

Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil with Pump (Amazon)

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Our final brewing system is one that is made by brewers for brewers, with plenty of easy-to-understand functions that will help you to mash and boil all your ingredients for a very smooth beer at the end of a long mashing process.

This comes with a handy mashing basket that will help you to mix your beer to professional standards – introducing Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil with pump.

This has an automated pump operation that the manufacturer has designated ‘set and forget, which means that you can set the what and go off to do something else.

This is one of the best units for a consistent brewing experience. Not only will it remove ll propensity for human error, but it will provide you with smooth and consistent beer with each batch.

You can do various different things in the same kettle with this brewer. You can mash, boil and make hops in the same kettle. This has another double-wall construction that will retain a lot of the heat, which is very important for mixing together and fermenting all the ingredients in your machine.

The pump is made from very solid stainless steel, which will not only mean that it is built to last but will also make it a lot easier to clean. This is probably one of the most durable brewers that you can get on the market. We would certainly recommend it for beginning brewers and professionals who want that real top-level texture.

Pros

• This is one of the simplest brewers that you can use on this list. Not only does it come with simple instructions, but you won’t have to work that many dials or knobs to get it working.
• This is one of the more functional models, with a simple plug-in-and-power system that doesn’t require you to have any tricksy power/voltage setup.
• This comes with a digital controller that you can be sure will give you everything that you need for a very professional brewing experience.
• This is a very durable construction, with plenty of options that will allow you to not only ferment but also condense and carbonize your final mixture.

Cons

• The price – this is a very expensive unit, considering that it is relatively simple to use. If you want to cut back on spending money on the brewing of your beer, you can get a lot of other models that do more or less the same thing for cheaper.

Buying Guide

When it comes to buying your own electronic home brewing equipment, there are a few basic things that you’ll need. This is very much a science, and if you are using faulty equipment, then you can guarantee that you’ll be suffering from some serious beer impurities.

Here are a few things that you’ll be wanting to look out for when you are shopping for an electric brewing system:

What Is It Made From?

Stainless steel is quite simply the material of choice when it comes to having the right brewing system. Simply, there won’t be any other material that will enable you to withstand the intense and long-term pressures that you’ll be exposing your ingredients to.

Stainless steel is also perfect for cleaning. If you are cooking these ingredients at such a high level, then you can expect a lot of staining, which will ultimately compromise the inside casing of your brewer. This will ultimately result in a loss of quality in each subsequent brewing situation.

How Easy Is It To You?

This will definitely be a question that is asked by a lot of amateur brewers. Being able to look through all the settings with very little trouble will be the number one thing that you’ll need to get started.

This is the beauty of having an electric brewing system: it simply does the work for you! You’ll want to acclimate yourself to the automatic temperature gauges first, so be expected to make a few dodgy batches before you get stuck into making your own brew yourself.

How Much Power Does It supply?

One of the main issues with having one of these systems that you can plug into the wall is that they don’t have a lot of power gauges. Having a separate temperature control dial will help you get some semblance of control over your mix.

However, some of the drums listed above do not have temperature control, so you might have to buy one separately.

Does It Have A Fully Submerged Heating Element?

You’ll want to make sure that the heater built into your brewer will need to be completely under the mixture of your beer, otherwise, it will run the risk of burning out.

This element is not meant to be exposed directly to oxygen, so you’ll have to make sure that it is fully submerged before you fire it up.

How Much Voltage Does It Have?

Voltage is very important, especially if you are buying a unit that plugs straight into the wall. Most electric home brewers come with two voltage options: 120v or 240v.

If you have the 120v brewer, then this will be much safer for your house. However, the more powerful 240v option is better for serious brewers.

If you have 240v, then you can expect to brew up much larger batches of beer. This makes it a great unit to have if you are serious about your brewing or perhaps you are selling beer to a few friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Better: Gas Or Electricity?

Electricity is better if you are trying to save money on your electrical brewer. If you have a gas brewer, then you will be spending a lot more money on replacement canisters.

Gas is also far less safe than electricity, as you run the risk of leaks, which could potentially blow up your entire house.

One thing you might have to watch out for with electrical systems is the heater inside the drum. These will often be left heating for a long time, so even if you leave your brewer for a long period, you should come back and check on it intermittently. This way you can be sure that it won’t overheat.

Can You Use Electric Brewers All Year Round?

Yes, you can use these brewers for long-term brewing. As long as you clean out your drum thoroughly after each brew, then you can expect a good quality batch week-in, week-out. You can also brew beer in the colder weather if you live somewhere like Alaska or Canada.

You can also get combination brewers that combine propane heaters with electric heaters. This will give you a lot more versatility and more options if you run out of propane or whatever gas that you happen to be using.

Our Final Say

We hope that our list of electric brewing systems has given you a better understanding of the process of brewing with electricity and whether or not this system is right for you.