Z or M and B ?

[Banjo-guy]

I brewed a Pilsner on my Zymatic 2 days ago. I used the Mash and Boil for my previous 3 brews and it was interesting to compare the two experiences.

I had already prepared the ingredients to be brewed on the MB when I had to cancel my brew day to go into the city with my mother. I didn’t have another free day to brew for 7 days. I decided to dust of the Zymatic and let the beer brew while I taught a few guitar lessons, picked up my daughter at the train station and made dinner. That list is one of the best things about the Z.

One of the bad things about the Z is everything has to be set up perfectly or you will trigger a “ Fatal 1 error” That means there is an air leak somewhere in the fluid path. Usually it’s a poppet that isn’t perfectly seated, a loose grain in one of the 4 connections or a washer that’s not seated properly. It drives me crazy because I seem to get a Fatal 1 error 40% of the time that use the Z. I got one during my first guitar lesson and didn’t know until I was done teaching because I couldn’t hear the alarm beep from the Z. I checked all of the connections and was good to go but I was 2 hours delayed on the brew. Once it’s brewing you can go about your life for 4 hours until chill down. Clean up takes about 30 minutes and involves taking apart the poppets and running 5 gallons of water through the Z. After dumping the grains and hops brew basket ( called the step filter ) it and all of the screens go in the dishwasher.
Here is my incomplete list of both machine’s attributes.

Z
1. All in all it works pretty well and the convenience can’t be denied.
2. You do have to alter the hop and grain amounts to account for hop utilization and lower efficiency.
3. I was also able to brew in my badly ventilated garage on a rainy day.
4. Perfect consistentancy from batch to batch.
5. Programmable step mashing.

MB
1. I enjoy brewing more on the M and B because it’s more hands on.
2. The hop utilization lines up with what I expect from any recipes I find.
3. Clean up on the M and B is easier.
4. I can brew outside (weather permitting).
5. No moving parts to break down.
6. Chilling is for me is faster on the M B because I am right next to a spigot.
7. I will ever see a Fatal 1 error on the MB

Both system have a delayed start. With the M and B you can wake up and have your mash water ready to go. With the Z the entire process up until knock out is automatic.
The M and B is 300.00 the Z was 1800.00! ( That one speaks for itself.) My price is 725.00 after rebates and trade in.
I’ll buy the new Z when it comes out because I can easily resell it for more than I paid. If it wows me I’ll keep it.
I really like he MB.
Both system can make great beer.

[Beer-lord]

The great thing is that we have choices. For me, I love the hands on and don't care if it takes me 4-5 hours. I plan for it but I want to be involved in everything and in control and that's how I am with many things so it's the same with beer.
I don't ever see me going that route but who knows what I'll do as I age and want to brew more easily. For now, the only thing I'd want is to go electric and that would cost about $1000. Should have done that when I 're-started' brewing as I've spent more than that on my hardware but back then, there was only crap. I already know what I'd get but it would be the same BIAB for me just that I'd switch to electric other than propane.

To each his own! Do what works best for you.