Automatic Controls or Manual

[Lars]

I'm still designing my sculpture systems. Despite the fact that the stand is welded. I have my opinions about controls and manual brewing, but wanted to get your opinions. Do you have automatic controls on your sculpture? What do you like/dislike about it?

[SunkenBier]

I am a firm believer in the repatability of my procedures. By automating systems you have more control of the system and can repeat the procedures more closely. This also gives you more time to concentrate on other things.

[BDawg]

I'd love to automate everything.
I don't have the time nor money, though, hence no pants.

[hopbumpingbrewer]

I really like the automation of my B3-1550.

I can really focus on the details of brewing while my system is doing some of the thinking.

For example:
1) I can clean during the sparge. The automatic float switch on the mash tun does everything for me.
2) I never have to watch my HLT temperature. I just set it and forget it.
3) Recirculation temp is always maintained by the temperature control.

I can focus on the other things that take a human hand. I really love it.

Bump

[baltobrewer]

Automation all the way. It allows you to consolidate operations by being able to focus on other things.

For me, I can brew more if my brewday is less. By automating the strike water heating, mash temp and sparge, I can shorten the brewday and clean while the day is in progress. My brewday is normally 4 1/2 hours for a 10 gallon AG batch, including cleanup. That allows me to do it in the morning and not impinge on "family time"...so I can brew more often.

Which is the whole point.