Automation: How far would you go?

[Travisty]

I have automated temp control and I use an auto-sparge so I don't have to constantly monitor the water level in my mash tun. I love the level of automation I currently have!

[Cliff]

My build is coming together with automatic controls for temperature and time of the mash and the boil and the ferment. Beyond that I prolly won't go because I like to have hands on.

I want to control the valves and control the flow and add my ingredients, test for starch, watch the voorlauf, observe the clarity, smell the hops, smell the grains, feel the heat.

[foomench]

I have the electronics for mash temp control and HLT temp control. I did have my mash tun overfloweth one day, and that has me thinking about a float switch for my pump or a Blichmann AutoSparge. I've also overchilled once or twice, which makes me think about installing a temp probe in my BK to stop the chiller, or at least beep an alarm. But the consequences of overchilling are much less than overflowing a mash tun.