In our 2017 Gear Guide issue (April/May), our editors tested and reviewed a couple of mash tuns (and one mash paddle) and the Ruby Street Fusion 25, an integrated brew system. Here are the results.
Ss Brewtech InfuSsion Mash Tun
Better temperature retention and easy to clean
Test lab notes
The Ss Brewtech InfuSsion Mash Tun (top left), a heavily-insulated, stainless-steel-clad infusion unit, is the envy of that plastic cooler you’ve called a mash tun. While Ss Brewtech sent us a 10-gallon unit to test, one of our staffers currently uses a 20-gallon model in his personal brew system, so we’re well versed on the pros and cons of the system.
First, the pros—quick clean and set up, both on the front- and back-end of brew day. Heavy built-in insulation on the sides, bottom, and lid. The riveted handles are smartly located above the spout and thermometer on one side to lessen the risk of bumping and damaging the protruding parts. Gallon/liter markings are etched onto the unit so you can keep track of the water you’ve added. The lid is heavy, secure, and solid, and everything fits together smooth and tight. Attention was paid to every detail in the design.
Temperature remained consistent as we mashed, falling only a scant couple of degrees during the entire mash in. The flat false bottom design allowed for stirring without the fear of knocking it loose.
The cons? Price, but we’ve already purchased one for ourselves, so clearly that’s not a huge concern. We haven’t attempted kettle souring on it yet, but that’s one of the many projects we’re looking forward to.
Scorecard
Easy to Use? X
Easy to Sanitize? X
Build Quality? X
Enjoyment? X
High Value?
Price: $395
Manufacturer: Ss Brewtech
Available from: ssbrewtech.com
Stout MT15TW-RF 15 gal Mash Tun
A well-made direct-fire unit with convenient mash recirculation built in
Test lab notes
The Stout MT15TW-RF 15 gal Mash Tun (bottom left) is designed with a recirculating mash in mind—it’s quick to clean, sanitize, and assemble, with only a handful of stainless-steel parts. The false bottom has a large handle for easy lifting and is domed to avoid scorching grains, but we noticed a bit of play between the edge of the false bottom and the side of the unit, which could allow for grains to slip through if knocked in by an errant mash paddle. A large dial thermometer mounted to the front allows for easy temperature reads if a quick temperature adjustment is needed, and like all Stout gear, it’s polished to a mirror shine. The unit itself is sturdy and well made, and the handles on the unit are thick, to allow for easy transport. The welded sparge arm fitting is fantastic, allowing us to sparge with the lid in place for maximum heat retention. But we would have loved to see a gasket to hold the lid in place without slipping—the fit was a bit loose and detracted from an otherwise well-designed unit.
Scorecard
Easy to Use? X
Easy to Sanitize? X
Build Quality?
Enjoyment? X
High Value?
Price: $453
Manufacturer: Stout Tanks and Kettles
Available from: conical-fermenter.com
Custom Mash Paddle
Paddles are paddles, right? Wrong. This custom-carved version was both ergomically enjoyable and fun to show off to our brewing friends. We’re hard-pressed to find any quantifiable performance differences, but it won big points in enjoyment factor.
Price: $75
Manufacturer: Mashpaddle.com
Ruby Street Fusion 25
This fully integrated brew system considers every detail for consistency and simplicity.
Test lab notes
The beauty of an end-to-end integrated system like the Ruby Street Fusion 25 (right) is that there’s no piecemealing involved. No “wondering if the valves will fit across hardware manufacturers.” And no need to call multiple vendors if something goes wrong. You’re counting on the manufacturer being an experienced brewer with a high standard of quality and a feel for what brewers need to get the job done comfortably and efficiently.
Having brewed on various iterations of the Ruby Street Fusion system, including a recent office brew test of the Fusion 25, we are pleased to give it our seal of approval. From the mobile frame to the parts selection and assembly, everything about this system is thoroughly considered with incredible attention to detail. From heat shields to keep the valves cool to flame sensors that cut the gas if the burners go out, it’s built with safety in mind.
The unit we tested included the digital control package and the plate chiller package, which offer the perfect balance of hands-on brewing and set-it-and-forget-it convenience. The automation is there to keep you from making a mistake, but the system doesn’t do the brewing for you.
Because the system is manufactured in the United States (in Fort Collins, Colorado), they can offer a range of pre-installed options from HERMS coils to an in-line oxygen kit, allowing you to get a professionally built system that meets your exact needs for brewing at home or on your pilot system.
The only issue we’ve had in our 20+ brews on Ruby Street systems is our self-induced problem of remembering to disconnect the temperature sensor cabling from the temperature control unit to our kettle. Our advice would be to order a couple of extra cables just in case you do the same.
All-in-all this system is the best integrated brew system, from function to aesthetic appeal, we’ve ever used on a small-batch scale. You may have a little bit of sticker shock, but this will be the last brew system you will ever need (until you decide that it’s time to go pro).
Scorecard
Easy to Use? X
Easy to Sanitize? X
Build Quality? X
Enjoyment? X
High Value? X
Price: $6,900 with included options
Manufacturer: Ruby Street Brewing
Available from: rubystreetbrewing.com