The Best Electric Brewing Systems for 2023 – Top 4 Compared
Craft beer on demand? Count me in.
There’s nothing quite like homemade beer, but it can become a hassle to make. If you’ve ever tried making beer at home, you already know what I’m talking about.
Fortunately -or not- in 2020 I’ve had way too much time at home, and at some point I heard about electric brewing, and decided to try it.
What is an electric brewing system? In short, these are at-home brewing systems that use an electric heating element to brew beer without the need for any gas.
After some research on my next electric unit, I decided to put all the information together and I’ve made a list with the best options I could find.
In all honesty, there are not many worthy options out there, but the following list contains what I believe are the best in the market right now.
I hope it helps!
Top 4 Best Electric Brewing Systems Compared
The following table shows our top picks with the estimated price range and our final rating. There is also a link placed on each option so it will be easier for you to find the product (Amazon links).
The table is ranked from the most affordable product first to the most premium choice at the bottom.
| Name | Price Range | Homebrew Rating |
| 1. Klarstein Maischfest, Beer Brewing Device 30 Liter / 7.9 Gallon | $ | 4/5 |
| 2. Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil | $$ | 4,5/5 |
| 3. Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil with Pump | $$ | 4,5/5 |
| 4. Clawhammer Supply: Digital, Electric, Semi-automated, BIAB, All Grain | $$$ | 4,75/5 |
My #1 Pick
Clawhammer Supply: Digital, Electric, Semi-automated, BIAB, All Grain
Premium unit only for brewers who want to take the craft to the next level.
Now, we are going to explain what is an electric brewing system, and what factors should be considered before choosing your own unit. You can also skip it and jump to the products review at the end of the post.
Cheers!
What You Should Know Before Buying an Electric Brewing System
Though simple, there are some things you should know before purchasing your own electric brewing system. Coming up, I’ll tell you everything you need to know so that you can get the perfect brewing system.
Keep reading to find out more about how to make brewing easier with an electric system!
What Is Electric Brewing?
If you’re tired of using gas or propane to brew your homemade beer, electric brewing offers a safe, modern option.
Electric brewing harnesses the power of electricity, channeled through heating elements, to boil your brew and enhance the alcohol content of your beer.
While both gas and electricity can be used to complete the boiling process of beer creation, electric brewing offers added benefits.
Coming up, we’ll examine the key differences between electric brewing and more traditional brewing systems.
Electric Brewing Systems vs Traditional Brewing System
What are the key differences between the two brewing systems? Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of electric brewing systems to see how they stack up to more traditional options:
PROS
There’s a lot to love about electric brewing systems, starting with:
Safety
One major knock on traditional brewing systems is the potential risk associated with its use of flames and gasses. Put together, these two can make a dangerous combination, particularly with propane-powered options. That’s why an increasing number of consumers have turned electric.
With no open flames and no potential for gas leaks, electric options provide enhanced brewing safety.
Year-Round Brewing
Electric brewing systems can also be used year-round.
Gas-powered options are particularly dangerous indoors, and, unless you’re an Eskimo, it’s likely that you aren’t going to brew outdoors during the winter months, especially if you live in a cold region. With an electric brewing system, brewing beer is as simple as plugging your device in and going.
CONS
Not everything about electric brewing systems is perfect, however. Before you purchase yours, keep the following in mind:
Cost
Though electric brewing systems may be cheaper than propane-powered models, traditional natural gas brewing systems are generally the cheapest around. This means you may have to spend more to change over your brewing system.
Three Things You Should Know Before Buying an Electric Brewing System
With that being said, let’s take a look at some other things you should know before buying an electric brewing system.
#1 Fully Submerge the Element
Before it’s turned on, your heating element should be fully submerged in the liquid or you risk burning it out. Simply put, the element isn’t designed for direct exposure to oxygen, so you’ll want to be careful before you burn out the element in short order.
#2 Don’t Just Plug Your System into the Wall
Making the best batch of craft beer is all about getting the little things. This includes the temperature on your device. Unfortunately, plugging your brewing system directly into the wall won’t give you much flexibility in terms of temperature control. That’s why you should first invest in an electric controller that will allow you to adjust the power that’s coming to your machine.
#3 Consider Voltage
Electric home brewers generally come in two voltage options: 120v or 240v. While the former allows for better brewing throughout the house (you may need to upgrade your plugins to handle 240v), the latter is a better option for serious brewers, as it heats up quicker and allows for bigger batches to be made.
Now that we know which aspects are relevant before buying a brewing system, let’s jump onto the top 4:
List of 4 Best Electric Brewing Systems
#1 ON A BUDGET
Price Range: $
Homebrew Rating: 4/5
Main features:
- Product dimensions 14.2 x 17 x 27.5 inches
- Weight 23,7 pounds
- Capacity: available in 25,30,35 L.
- 1500/3000 Watts
- Fast cooling system
- Stainless steel boiler
- LCD display, control panel
- Programmable mashing steps
For the price, this is an excellent addition to a home brewery.
This electric brewer is well worth the money. It has digital thermostat and timer display twin elements for boil. Then, you can switch to lower powered one for simmering, and it holds the set temperature well.
Comes with hop strainer and cooling coil, the lid fits securely with four metal clips and a ring that sits on top to allow the strainer to sit on top and drain back in.
Whether you are a beginner or experienced hobby brewer, the mash kettle provides a simple, 5-piece complete package for brewing. Up to 7.9 Gallon of brewing contents can be boiled in the large double-walled stainless steel kettle.
A clearly arranged touch panel with LCD display makes it possible to set the temperature, cooking time and power on the device manually.
The range of accessories is very practical: the filter insert and the drip ring make it very easy to remove the spent grains from the wort without any loss of beer.
I’d consider this option if you are on a budget and want to be practical.
PROS
– Price
– Complete set
– LCD display
CONS
– No clear instructions
– Safety catch that keeps the tap shut
Klarstein Maischfest, Beer Brewing Device 30 Liter / 7.9 Gallon
Good option on a budget.
#2 GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY
Price Range: $$
Homebrew Rating: 4,5/5
Main features:
- Mash up to 16lb of Malt
- Maximum Capacity of 7.5 Gallons
- Double Wall, Stainless Steel Construction
- External Stainless Steel 1/2in Valve
- Plugs Into Standard Wall Outlet
- Dimensions: 14 x 14 x 28 inches
- Weight 20.6 pounds
- 5′ power cord is included.
This unit is well rounded, in terms of price and overall quality.
The Mash and Boil’s double wall stainless construction conserves heat to achieve a rolling boil with only 110 volts and 1600 watts, and its precise thermostat and internal sparging basket lets you mash and boil in the same vessel.
The Mash & Boil features an adjustable thermostat (switchable from Fahrenheit to Centigrade) with an adjustable run time preset at 3½ hours for safety.
It also features a delayed start timer, so you can program the Mash and Boil to turn on up to 24 hours after setting. For example, load it with strike water, and have it set to be hot when you come home from work to save time.
PROS
– Pre heat timer
– Easy to clean
CONS
– Slow reaching boiling temperature
– Grain tube false bottom can let a bit too much through
Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil
Well rounded unit at an attractive price.
#3 POPULAR CHOICE
Price Range: $$
Homebrew Rating: 4,5/5
Main features:
- Mash up to 16lb of Malt
- Maximum Capacity of 7.5 Gallons
- Double Wall, Stainless Steel Construction
- External Stainless Steel 1/2in Valve
- Plugs Into Standard Wall Outlet
- Dimensions: 29 x 15.15 x 14.8 inches
- Weight 24.1 pounds
- 5′ power cord is included.
- Recirculation pump.
Basically, this unit is the same as the one before, but with extra equipment.
In my opinion, for the difference in price is worth it, as it is quite convenient. Other than having the pump, I’d say that this unit is the same as her sister, also from the same brand.
PROS
– Extra equipment -pump-
– Easy to clean
CONS
– Not relevant
Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil with Pump
Well rounded unit with little extra in equipment.
#4 OUR PICK -PREMIUM-
Price Range: $$$
Homebrew Rating: 4,75/5
Main features:
- Complete, semi-automated, electric home brewery setup.
- 10.5 gallon, 304 stainless steel brewing (mash and boil) kettle.
- 15 amp PID digital controller.
- 1650 ultra low watt density heating element.
- High volume, high temp, food grade, heavy duty, pump.
- Removable temperature probe communication wire.
- High efficiency flat plate heat exchanger (20 plate wort chiller).
- 304 Stainless steel, removable, self draining grain basket.
- 3 grain basket drain clips.
- 304 Stainless steel, removable hop basket
- Food grade, high temperature, thick walled silicone hoses.
- Quick release sanitary hose fittings.
- All required tri-clamps, valves, hoses, and fittings.
If you want to get really serious into brewing, I couldn’t find a better option. But it comes with a price, too.
This unit is solidly built, with top notch materials and it’s easily noticeable that is made by brewers for brewers.
Is it worth it? It is for me, that I want to take this a bit more serious and maybe even start my own little brewery. If you are going to brew from time to time…I’d go for cheaper options.
Typical brewing systems require 2 or even 3 different vessels (pots, pans, kettles, etc…). This unit from Clawhammer Supply only uses 1.
That’s because they’ve integrated stainless steel grain and hop baskets (instead of nylon bags) into the design, which can be removed after use. This allows mashing, boiling, hop additions, etc. to be done in the same kettle.
For example, once you’re done mashing, simply lift the basket, install basket support clips, and allow the grain to drain into the kettle.
At the heart of this system is a digital controller, featuring automated “set and forget” temp control, and pump operation. You’ll have control of the stainless steel element and heavy duty pump at the tip of your fingers.
The stainless used is 100% food grade, for the entire system.
PROS
– Materials
– Equipment
– Digital controller
– Professional unit
CONS
– Price
Clawhammer Supply: Digital, Electric, Semi-automated, BIAB, All Grain
Premium unit only for brewers who want to take the craft to the next level.
Which Is Better for Brewing: Gas or Electric?
You may still be wondering which option is better for your brewing needs: gas or electric. The answer ultimately depends on you, but it’s hard to beat the convenience of an electric brewing system.
Not only are these options safer for both indoor and outdoor use, but they can be used just about anywhere to whip up a brew of your famous homemade beer.
Unless you have an electric controller, you may find more flexibility with gas-powered options, though you may find these less convenient to use if you’re relegated to outdoor brewing in the winter. Even if you’re satisfied with your current gas brewer, it never hurts to get an electric option as well for those clutch moments.
What Is an “All in One” Brewing System?
Even with electric brewers, there’s a ton of variety in the product offered. Traditional setups require multiple pieces, including a cooler and a kettle, which can be a little inconvenient if you’ve got limited space. Three-vessel systems, in particular, tend to be bulky and unattractive.
Enter “all in one” brewing systems, a streamlined model that allows you to complete the brewing process with one fine piece of machinery.
Specifically, these machines allow you to:
- Mash
- Boil
- Chill
- Ferment
In a single go! It doesn’t get more convenient than that.
Burners, kettles, and gases aren’t needed with these machines, making them safer and easy to use (even for beginners). Consider buying your own to speed up the brewing process and take the hassle out of making homemade beer.
Final Thoughts
Making the perfect batch of homemade beer just got easier. With electric brewing systems, brewing your favorite at-home beer is as simple as plugging and going. These models work without the need for dangerous gases or propane, meaning you can brew year-round indoors (or outdoors, if you choose).
In this guide, I went over some of the most important information you should know before buying an electric brewing system, and I made a list with the best options -in my opinion-, I could find out there.
In my case, I choose the unit from Clawhammer Supply (Amazon link), because I might start brewing professionally, and I think it’s the best option by far.
As we always say, now it’s for you to decide which one fits best your needs. And remember, don’t just buy the fanciest one if you are not going to use it’!
Excited to get started? I don’t blame you! Make sure to use this guide as your ultimate reference for all your electric brewing needs.
