The Unibrau looks awesome but somewhat cumbersome with all those hoses in the lid to manage (I'll be working alone).
Couple of thoughts on this. First, I don't think they sell a model now with the recirc return that goes through the lid. There may be videos on the website of them, but if you look at what's currently being offered, the only lid return I see is a scratch and dent one.
Second, I started out with one of the first lid return models Brau Supply sold. There's nothing cumbersome with that design. I always brew solo and it was very simple to handle. However, the lid return did get in the way should you want to use an immersion chiller. But that's easy enough to fix just by using a longer hose on the pump discharge and going straight back to the kettle, holding it in place on the kettle lip with a little shop clamp.
If you go to Homebrewtalk.com, there is a gigantic Grainfather thread there. Read through some of the comments and you'll get an idea of some of the things that people would change. Some of those things involve set up, break down, cleaning, dead space, reset button placement, the filter plugging on hoppy beers, knocking some magical cap off while stirring, and others.
Just like any off the shelf, all in one system, it's not perfect by any stretch, especially when you start considering each individual's needs or nuanced desires they have for their brew day. For me, I prefer to have something I can easily alter so I can get things just how I like them.
As an example, i just switched to a two vessel approach three batches ago. I can still use the same controller with this set up, and can still single vessel if I want. Also, my mash tun uses a hybrid of the lid return approach. I use a stainless steel cake pan that floats on top of the mash. A "mash cap" if you will. I outfitted this cake pan with a bulkhead. On the top side of the bulkhead is a tee with a QD male and the temp probe. On the bottom side, facing the grain, I have an elbow and a LOCLine distribution header. The hose simply comes up and over the kettle edge.
I hope you rambling helps in your decision.
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