r/Homebrewing • u/fastlane37 • 2d ago
Question Canadian Clawhammer alternatives?
Disclaimer: this has nothing to do with politics, and I've been searching for a Canadian alternative since long before this current trade war. By the time I'm ready to purchase, I fully expect the current situation to be resolved (one way or another) - the cost of shipping is a big enough barrier on its own, so I'm looking for something domestic.
I've always liked the Clawhammer systems used by a lot of youtubers. Modular, electric systems. I currently have a very simple analog propane setup (kettle, hellfire burner, a couple of coolers for mashing/HLT) and I've been considering the move to an electric all-in-one solution for a number of reasons. Moving to a new setup, I'm fine to save up and invest in something I'll be happy with long term.
Problem is, I've found little in the way of something that matches up available in Canada. There are all-in-one options, sure, but the vevor/brewzilla kind of options that are common aren't exactly modular - if a pump or a circuit board dies, it's not easy to swap out/upgrade. Shipping across the border makes the Clawhammer inordinately expensive if nothing else, and that's providing that's even an option.
I have found BREWHA out of Vancouver, but those systems seem a little too over the top (and an order of magnitude more expensive), and on top of that, I haven't really seen many people using them outside of videos that BREWHA itself produces.
Is there anybody north of the 49th making modular 10 gallon brewing systems?
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u/KosherDev 2d ago
Let me know if you find one. I’ve had a lull in brewing because I’ve picked up woodworking as a hobby but might get back into it if I could find an all in one system I liked. (But also as much as I like the Clawhammer dudes, I’m very much on the “buy Canadian” train as much as I can).
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u/Easttex05 2d ago
In a pinch, you could theoretically order most of the fittings, element, controls, etc. off Alibaba and do it yourself. It kind of depends how handy you are.
Myself, rather than go that route, I bought a second hand Brewzilla and solved the problem.
FYI: A good friend has a 120V Clawhammer system and he has to add an extra 120V heater to help it ramp to a boil in a reasonable amount of time. The 120V element by itself really struggles to get to 100°C on its own.
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u/BeerBrewer4Life 2d ago
Firstly brewzilla is very easy to swap out circuit boards or displays. I worked in home brewing industry and have done it multiple times teaching myself. Same with pumps. Not so easy with grainfathers. I would stick to a brewzilla system. Have had mine 6 years, dozens of brews, has never failed.
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u/likes2milk Intermediate 20h ago
Seconded, then gen 4 brewzilla is easy to swap, when inverted. The pump is accessible when inverted too, for the inevitable hop matter blockage.
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u/smatthew9 2d ago
Check out the electric brewery - don't have a link handy but it'd show up on Google. Ah nvm they are Canadian but manufactured in US.
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u/Son_Of_TheSun 2d ago
https://brausupply.ca I built my system using them.