I have a Grainfather. I love it. I like that I can brew 3 or 5 gallon batches. I like the recirculating mash. I like automated step mashes. I like that it is mash and boil in one system. I like that it’s shiny and new (I admit it.)
However, I agree with above. Automation is limited with GF. It heats your water. It manages your mash. It can do a step mash for you. The rest of brew day requires your participation.
While it heats my water, I measure and add water salts and lactic acid. I also measure and crush grains. Usually, when I finish these things it is time to add the grain.
During mash, I get the sparge water heating. Then I mostly sit around.
After mash you sparge. That it is easy, but, you manually pour water into the raised basket.
During the boil, I measure hops and add those (along with other boil additions). I connect the chiller and sanitize it. I clean and sanitize my fermenter. Easy stuff, but, that stuff keeps me around for most of the boil.
After the boil, I start the chiller and hang out a few minutes (not too long) until it is time to transfer to the fermenter. After the transfer is complete, it is time to clean.
Cleaning is fairly easy with GF. First, I dump and clean with a sponge and water to get the big debris out. Next, I heat cleaning solution (oxidizing cleaner+water) then recirculate through the pump and two attachments (chiller and mash recirculation arm). Next, I rinse everything with cold water. After that quick rinse, I fill with clean water and heat. I pump the hot water through the two attachments to rinse those. Next, I dump the water and blow out the CFC with a compressor.
Finally, I put everything thing away.
So, not automated. But, I want to be involved. Brewing and and even cleaning is an escape for me. It’s a chance to relax. During the latter steps, I also drink beer. That’s also part of the fun.
I think brewing with GF is a bit slower than just BIAB in pot without a pump. That’s because cleaning the pump and it’s hoses adds cleaning time. That’s okay by me, but, it doesn’t make your brew day faster.
I am intrigued by PicoBrew and the Brewie. But, you still have to set up (get out the brewing system and other equipment, mill grain, measure water and other ingredients). You get to walk away during the middle part of the process (mash and boil) which is 2-3 hours. You have to come back to chill, transfer to the fermenter (optional), clean up, and put everything away. So, those systems are automated, but, you still have to work. They are not Keurig of beer. They are more like bread makers.
PS. Brewie may automate a bit more than PicoBrew, but, it has a bad reputation from reading forums.