Anvil Foundry vs. BrewZilla: Which Brewing System Is Better?

For homebrewers looking to step up their setup, the Anvil Foundry and the BrewZilla are two of the most popular electric all-in-one brewing systems on the market. Both offer increased batch sizes, precise temperature control, and shiny stainless steel construction that is perfect for Instagrammable brew days. But with different price points and feature sets, choosing between these two one-vessel wonders can take time. In this comparison, we’ll look at efficiency, ease of use, cleanup, and more to help determine which system is best for your homebrewing needs and budget. Let the battle commence!

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Executive Summary

Regarding all-in-one electric brewing systems, the Anvil Foundry and the BrewZilla are two of the most popular options. The Foundry is praised for its sturdy stainless steel construction and precise PID temperature control. It’s a bit more expensive but offers 10-gallon batch sizes. The BrewZilla is more affordable and can do 5-6 gallon batches. It’s also easy to use with its electric pump. For larger batch sizes and advanced features, go with the Foundry. If budget is vital, BrewZilla gets the job done. Ultimately, it depends on your brewing needs and goals.

Overview of the Anvil Foundry and BrewZilla

The Anvil Foundry and BrewZilla are two of the most popular electric all-in-one brewing systems on the market today. Both provide homebrewers with an automated brewing setup perfect for producing high-quality craft beer right at home. In this overview, we’ll take a look at the key features and differences between these two great systems.

The Anvil Foundry is a stainless steel electric brewing system that includes a built-in malt pipe, recirculating pump, and PID temperature controller. It is available in both 10-gallon and 6.5-gallon batch sizes.

Some of the Foundry’s notable features include:

All stainless steel construction: The entire unit, including the internal malt pipe, is stainless steel for easy cleaning and durability.
Precision temperature control: The PID controller allows you to dial in temperatures to within 0.1°F accuracy.
Extensive batch capability: The 10-gallon Foundry has the size needed for huge batches.
Quality components: Anvil uses professional-grade tri-clover fittings, stainless valves, and a Blichmann heating element.
Price: The Foundry costs around $1300 for the 10-gallon model.

BrewZilla Overview

The BrewZilla is an electric brew-in-a-box system made by Brewer’s Edge. It comes in 65L and 35L sizes, corresponding to 6.5 and 3.5-gallon batches.

Key BrewZilla features:

Affordable price: The BrewZilla costs just $500-600, depending on size.
Electric pump: The built-in pump simplifies sparging and transfers.
Removable parts: The malt pipe and pump detach for quick cleaning.
High wattage: The 3200W heating element brings wort to a boil rapidly.
Beginner-friendly: Simple controls and processes make it great for new brewers.

Notable Differences

While both systems aim to provide an all-in-one brewing appliance, there are some apparent differences:

The Foundry has a larger max batch size and is all stainless compared to BrewZilla’s plastic components.
However, the BrewZilla costs significantly less at just $500-600.
The Foundry boasts superior temperature precision thanks to its PID controller.
The BrewZilla’s electric pump simplifies the brewing workflow slightly.

In summary, the Foundry aims for maximum quality and control, while the BrewZilla focuses on simplicity and affordability. Deciding between the two depends on your budget and needs as a homebrewer. Both are excellent systems that will provide automated brewing capabilities far beyond traditional kits.

Pros and Cons of the Anvil Foundry

The Anvil Foundry is one of the most popular electric all-in-one brewing systems for homebrewers looking to step up their setup. This stainless steel system makes brewing 10-gallon batches easy and convenient. But before purchasing a Foundry, it’s essential to understand both the advantages and potential downsides.

Pros of the Anvil Foundry

Here are some of the critical benefits and positives of using an Anvil Foundry brewing system:

All-in-one convenience: The Foundry combines a boiler, malt pipe, and pump into one electric appliance. This simplifies the brewing process.
Precision temperature control: The PID controller allows you to dial in mash and boil temperatures precisely.
Durable stainless construction: The entire unit is crafted from stainless steel for easy cleaning and longevity.
Large batch capacity: The standard Foundry has a 10-gallon ability for huge batches.
Compact footprint: Despite its batch size, the Foundry takes up minimal space on brew day and for storage.
Automated features: The Foundry automates heating, pumping, and temperature control to make brewing easier.

Potential Downsides of the Foundry

Despite its many benefits, here are some of the potential disadvantages of the Anvil Foundry system:

Expensive price: The Foundry costs over $1000, a significant homebrewing investment.
Manual transfers: Unlike some systems, the Foundry requires manually moving wort between steps.
Learning curve: There is a learning curve to mastering the Foundry’s more advanced features.
Possible quality issues: Some users report minor fitting leaks or other quality problems.
Electric power required: You need a 220V outlet to run the heating element.
Limited batch size: While 10 gallons is significant for a homebrew system, it’s small for huge batches.

The Anvil Foundry provides an excellent balance of advanced features and an automated brewing appliance perfect for intermediate or advanced homebrewers. The Foundry is a top choice for those seeking high-quality stainless steel construction and precise temperature control despite some potential downsides.

Pros and Cons of the BrewZilla

The BrewZilla from Brewer’s Edge is a popular electric all-in-one brewing system known for its affordability and easy brewing workflow. But is it the right system for your home brewery? Here, we’ll examine the key pros and cons of the BrewZilla.

Pros of the BrewZilla

Here are some of the standout benefits of the BrewZilla system:

Budget-friendly price: The BrewZilla costs just $500-600, making it one of the most affordable all-in-one systems.
6-7 gallon capacity: The BrewZilla can handle entire 5-gallon batches with room to spare.
Electric pump included: The built-in pump simplifies sparging and transferring wort.
Fast heating: The 3200W heating element brings wort to a boil rapidly.
Removable parts: The malt pipe and pump detach for quick and easy cleanup.
Beginner-friendly: With its simple controls, the BrewZilla is excellent for new all-grain brewers.

Potential Downsides of the BrewZilla

Despite its advantages, the BrewZilla has some potential limitations to consider:

Plastic components: The pump and malt pipe are plastic rather than stainless steel.
Analog temperature control: Temperature precision is less accurate than a PID system.
Max batch size: Capacity maxes out at around 6.5 gallons.
Learning curve: The system may present a slight learning curve for complete beginners.
Durability concerns: There are some reports of pumps failing prematurely.

For an affordable electric brewing system perfect for 5-gallon batches, the BrewZilla hits the mark. Just be aware of its few limitations compared to pricier systems. Overall, it’s an excellent way to upgrade to all-grain brewing without breaking the bank.

Comparison of the Anvil Foundry and BrewZilla

The Anvil Foundry and BrewZilla are two of the most popular electric brew-in-a-box systems on the market. Both aim to provide homebrewers with an automated, all-in-one brewing appliance. However, there are some notable differences between these two systems.

Feature Comparison

When it comes to features, the Anvil Foundry edges out the BrewZilla in a few key areas:

All stainless construction: The Foundry uses stainless steel for the entire unit, including its pump and internal basket. The BrewZilla has some plastic components.
Precision temperature control: The Foundry has an advanced PID controller. The BrewZilla uses a more straightforward analog dial controller.
Batch size: The Foundry can handle full 10-gallon batches while the BrewZilla maxes out at 6.5 gallons.

However, the BrewZilla does have a built-in electric pump for simplified transfers and sparging. The Foundry requires manually moving the wort.

Performance Comparison

In terms of actual brewing performance, the Foundry generally edges out the BrewZilla again thanks to its PID controller, providing precision temperature control for the mash and boil. This allows better efficiency and repeatability.

The BrewZilla’s direct fire heating element does boil wort slightly faster. But the Foundry ultimately provides a more customizable brewing process for advanced homebrewers.

Specifications Comparison

Here is a side-by-side look at some key specifications:

Capacity: 10 gal (Foundry) vs 6.5 gal (BrewZilla)
Construction: Stainless (Foundry) vs Plastic/Stainless (BrewZilla)
Heating Element: 2300W (Foundry) vs 3200W (BrewZilla)
Temperature Control: PID (Foundry) vs. Analog dial (BrewZilla)
Pump: Manual (Foundry) vs Electric (BrewZilla)

Value Comparison

Regarding price and overall value, the BrewZilla has a clear advantage. Depending on size, the BrewZilla costs just $500-600, compared to $1300 for the 10-gallon Foundry.

If maximizing batch size and advanced features is critical, the Foundry may be worth the higher price. But for brewers on a tight budget, the BrewZilla provides plenty of value and functionality at a lower cost.

The Anvil Foundry offers larger batches and superior temperature control, while the BrewZilla provides a more affordable automated brewing alternative. For maxing out homebrew production, the Foundry carries the advantage. But budget-focused beginner and intermediate brewers get plenty of value from the simpler BrewZilla.

FAQ

How does temperature control compare between the two systems?

Temperature control is one area where the Anvil Foundry clearly beats out the BrewZilla, thanks to its advanced PID controller. PID controllers are highly accurate and allow you to dial in an exact mash or boil temperature. The BrewZilla relies on a more straightforward analog controller that will offer a different level of dialed-in precision while it gets the job done. For brewers wanting commercial-level temperature control, the Foundry is the winner here.

Which system has the easier brew day workflow?

Overall, both systems make brewing far less labor-intensive than traditional multivessel brewing. However, the BrewZilla’s electric pump helps simplify the sparge and transfer process slightly compared to the Foundry’s need for manual transfers. The BrewZilla also tends to heat up a bit faster thanks to its higher wattage element (3200W vs. 2300W for the Foundry). For these reasons, the BrewZilla offers more convenience and time savings on brew day. But the Foundry is just a little behind in terms of workflow.

How does cleanup compare between the two?

Cleanup is straightforward on both systems, but the BrewZilla’s removable parts, including its pump and basket, make rinsing out spent grains a bit quicker. The Foundry’s internal malt pipe isn’t removable, so rinses after transferring need an extra shake to dislodge grains. However, the Foundry’s all-stainless construction makes it easier to keep squeaky clean long term. So, the edge goes to the BrewZilla for quick brew day cleanup, but the Foundry wins out for sanitation.

Which system is best for beginner homebrewers?

For first-time homebrewers just getting into all-grain brewing, the BrewZilla is likely the better choice. It costs significantly less than the Foundry while still providing electric conveniences and a simple brewing workflow. Intermediate and expert homebrewers may eventually want to upgrade to the Foundry’s more precise temperature control and larger batches, but the BrewZilla is an ideal starting point to learn the basics of all-grain brewing at a reasonable price.

How much are each of these systems?

The Anvil Foundry 10-gallon system retails for around $1299. That includes the central brew kettle unit, the internal malt pipe, and necessary accessories. Lower wattage models run closer to $1000. Meanwhile, the BrewZilla 65 (for 6.5-gallon batches) costs $529 directly from Brewer’s Edge. So you’re looking at more than double the price for the Foundry system compared to the BrewZilla.

Which electric system is best for advanced homebrewers?

For homebrewers looking to replicate pro-style brewing as closely as possible, the Anvil Foundry is the clear top choice between these two systems. Its PID controller, all stainless steel construction, and 10-gallon capacity give advanced brewers the tools needed for fine-tuned recipes and bigger batches. The only area where the Foundry falls short of a commercial system is its manual transfers rather than automated pumps. But for a homebrew-scale setup, the Foundry hits all the right notes for passionate and experienced brewers.

So, for premium features and 10-gallon capacity, choose the Anvil Foundry. For affordability and more straightforward operation, the BrewZilla is a great pick. It comes down to your budget, batch size needs, and level of passion for homebrewing technology. Both systems will help you make outstanding beer. Cheers!

Final Thoughts

When it comes down to it, both the Anvil Foundry and the BrewZilla are excellent electric all-in-one brewing systems that will help homebrewers step up their game. The Foundry offers larger batch sizes and more advanced features like a PID controller, making it ideal for more experienced brewers looking to replicate commercial-style brewing at home. However, the BrewZilla is no slouch either, providing an affordable and user-friendly option perfect for beginner and intermediate homebrewers. Ultimately, your budget and the batch sizes you want to produce should drive your decision between these two great systems. You’ll be brewing tasty homemade beer with either the Foundry or the BrewZilla in no time. Cheers!

Anvil Foundry vs. BrewZilla: Which Brewing System Is Better?

Executive Summary