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Brewing systems, kettles and chillers

Electric all-in-ones on 120V or 240V, stainless kettles, outdoor propane burners, BIAB bags and wort chillers, compared by maker specs.

Best all-in-one systemsAnvil Foundry vs BrewZillaBest brew kettlesBest wort chillersElectric brewing safetyStrike water calculator
Domed stainless brew kettles in a modern brewhouse
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Strike water calculatorStrike and infusion water temperatures (Palmer).Dilution and boil-off calculatorPre-boil volume from your boil-off rate.
Electric brewing: GFCI and a licensed electricianPlug 120V and 240V systems only into a GFCI-protected circuit of the type the manual calls for, with no extension cords. A 1600 W system on 120V draws about 13.3 A (W ÷ V), close to a 15 A circuit’s limit. Have a licensed electrician install any new circuit, 120V or 240V.Source: Anvil Foundry manual (GFCI protection for 240V hookups); W ÷ V arithmetic
Propane burners: outdoors onlyRun jet burners in open air, away from the house. CPSC says to keep fryer-style propane burners out of the garage, off the deck and away from the house; a garage, porch or carport with the door open is still not outdoors. Burning propane makes carbon monoxide. Leak-check fittings with soapy water and never leave a boil unattended.Source: CPSC holiday cooking safety

Choosing an all-in-one brewing system: 120V or 240V?

An all-in-one brewing system mashes, boils and often chills in one electric vessel, which is why it is the usual upgrade for garage and apartment brewers. The first question is your outlet. A 120V system plugs into a normal outlet but heats slower; a 240V system heats faster and needs a dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician.

The amps come from simple arithmetic: watts ÷ volts. Anvil lists the Foundry 10.5 at 1600 W on 120V, which is about 13.3 A, close to the limit of a 15 A circuit. That is why makers ask for a GFCI-protected circuit and no extension cords.

Electric all-in-ones (listing specs)

SystemVolumePower120V?
Anvil Foundry 10.5 with pump10.5 gal120V 1600 W or 240V 2800 W✓ Switchable
Grainfather G30³ 110V8 US gal110V (US model)✓
KegLand BrewZilla Gen 4 35L35 L (9.24 gal)110V✓
KegLand DigiBoil 35L kettle35 L (9.25 gal)110V / 15A, 1500 W✓
KegLand BrewZilla Gen 4 65L65 L (17.1 gal)220V✗ 240V circuit

Source: Product listings and maker specs

Kettles and outdoor propane burners

If you boil on propane, the burner goes outdoors, in open air and away from the house. CPSC says to keep jet burners out of the garage, off the deck and away from the house; an open garage door does not make a garage outdoors. Listed burner outputs vary widely:

Listed burner output

Maker or listing figures, outdoor use only

Bayou Classic SS50Bayou Classic SS50: 41000 BTU41000 BTUBayou Classic SP10Bayou Classic SP10: 59000 BTU59000 BTUNorthern Brewer Dark StarNorthern Brewer Dark Star: 65000 BTU65000 BTUConcord Block BurnerConcord Block Burner: 100000 BTU100000 BTUBayou Classic SP1Bayou Classic SP1: 106000 BTU106000 BTUGas One B-5450Gas One B-5450: 200000 BTU200000 BTU
Source: Product listings

More BTU is not always better: a high-output jet burner wastes gas on a 5-gallon batch. Match the burner to your kettle size and use the regulator it ships with.

Wort chillers: immersion, counterflow or plate

An immersion chiller (copper or stainless coil in the kettle) is the simplest and easiest to sanitize. Counterflow and plate chillers cool faster but need a pump or gravity flow and careful flushing; a brazed plate chiller cannot be taken apart.

Dilution and boil-off calculatorWork out pre-boil volume from your kettle's boil-off rate.

Who should choose what

  • Kitchen or garage, no 240V: a 120V all-in-one or electric kettle on a GFCI-protected circuit.
  • A 240V circuit already installed (or planned with an electrician): a switchable system such as the Foundry 10.5, or a 220V model like the BrewZilla 65L for 10-gallon batches.
  • Brewing outdoors with a kettle you own: a propane burner sized to the pot, plus an immersion chiller.
  • Upgrading a cooler mash tun setup: a pump, false bottom and plate or counterflow chiller.

Read the manual's circuit requirement before buying any electric system. Never run one from an extension cord.

Related reading: Anvil Foundry 10.5 review (with the 6.5), Grainfather G30v3 review (110V), KegLand BrewZilla Gen 4 review and best propane burners for brewing (outdoors).

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Brewing systems & chillers: questions

Is a 120V or 240V all-in-one brewing system better?
120V plugs into a normal GFCI-protected outlet but heats slower. 240V heats faster but needs a dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician. Several systems, like the Anvil Foundry, can run either way.
How many amps does a 1600 W brewing system draw on 120V?
About 13.3 A (1600 ÷ 120). That is close to a 15 A circuit's limit, so use a dedicated GFCI-protected circuit and no extension cord, as the manual requires.
Can I use a propane burner in my garage?
No. CPSC says to keep these burners out of the garage, off the deck and away from the house; an open garage door doesn't change that. Brew on propane outdoors, away from the house, or switch to electric indoors.
What size kettle do I need for 5 gallons?
For extract batches with a partial boil, 5 gal (19 L) can work. For full-volume boils or BIAB, most brewers use 8–10 gal (30–38 L) to leave room for boil-off and foam.
Copper or stainless immersion chiller?
Copper transfers heat faster; stainless resists corrosion and is easier to keep shiny. Both work for 5-gallon batches; length and coil diameter matter more than the metal.