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Grainfather G30 vs Anvil Foundry: 120V all-in-ones compared

Same wattage on a household outlet, very different approaches: a compact app-driven system with a counterflow chiller against an insulated dual-voltage kettle.

Updated November 2026 · 7 min read

Wort recirculating through a hose inside an electric all-in-one brewer
Grainfather G30³ 110V All-in-One Brewing SystemGrainfather G30³ All-in-One Electric Brewing SystemGrainfather Counterflow Copper Wort ChillerAnvil Foundry 10.5 Gal All-in-One with PumpAnvil Foundry 10.5 Gal All-in-One Electric Brewing SystemAnvil Stainless Immersion Chiller with Hose and Fittings
Photo: zigazou76, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
The short version
  • On a 120V outlet both draw 1600 W, per Grainfather's help center and the Foundry 10.5 listing. Only the Foundry can switch to 240V (2800 W).
  • The Grainfather G30³ has a built-in pump, wireless app control and, on the 110V bundle, a counterflow chiller. The newer 11403US listing ships without the chiller.
  • Grainfather lists a grain basket that expands to about 9 kg (20 lb); the Foundry 10.5 lists 16 lb. Both are built for 5–6 gallon batches.
  • The Grainfather G40 is 240V only (NEMA 6-20P plug) and isn't in our catalogue; we mention it for context only.

Grainfather G30 vs Anvil Foundry is the matchup for brewers who want all-grain on a normal 120V outlet. Both run at 1600 W on 120V, both handle a 5-gallon (19 L) batch, and both use a lifting grain basket. The differences are in automation, chilling and what happens if you later add a 240V circuit.

We built this comparison from each brand's listings and maker material: Grainfather's technical specifications and help-center articles, and the Anvil Foundry listings and retailer spec sheets. Figures a listing doesn't give are marked "not listed". For more systems and brands, start at the brewing systems hub.

Grainfather

G30³: 8 gal body, up to 9 kg grain, app control, counterflow chiller on the 110V bundle

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vs

Anvil Brewing Equipment

Foundry: 1600 W on 120V or 2800 W on 240V, double-wall insulation

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Picks from each side

Grainfather

Anvil Brewing Equipment

Grainfather G30 vs Anvil Foundry: specs side by side

Listed specs

Grainfather G30³ 110VAnvil Foundry 10.5Anvil Foundry 6.5
Total volume8 US gal (30 L)10.5 gal6.5 gal
Finished beerUp to about 6 gal (maker)About 5 gal (maker Q&A)2.5–3 gal
Power on 120V1600 W (Grainfather help center)1600 W, 13 A (listing)Not on the listing; check the manual
240V option✗ Not on the 110V model✓ 2800 W, 12 A✓ 240V with 120V adapter cable
Grain capacityUp to about 9 kg / 20 lb (expandable basket)16 lb8 lb
PumpBuilt-in magnetic drive pumpOn the pump bundle or as a kitOn the pump bundle
ChillerCounterflow on the 110V bundle; not with 11403USStainless immersion on the pump bundleWort chiller on the bundle
ControllerWireless app connectivity, auto reset switchTouch screen, delayed startDelay start 1–24 h
Body304 stainlessStainless, double-wall insulatedDouble-wall insulated

Source: Grainfather G30 technical specifications; Anvil Foundry listings and Northern Brewer spec pages

Note the two Grainfather listings. B0CJ2L8DHG is the US 110V G30³ and its bullets include a counterflow wort chiller. B0DLHCQ6BT (model 11403US) is described as the latest model and says it does not include a counterflow chiller, and its listing doesn't state the voltage, so confirm the plug before you order.

Is 1600 W on 120V enough?

Both systems give you the same heat on a household outlet, which means similar heat-up and boil times at the same volume. The Foundry's double-wall insulation helps it hold mash temperature and keeps more of that 1600 W in the wort; Grainfather lists its own temperature control system but no insulation figure.

Listed heating power

Watts by model and voltage

Grainfather G30³ 110VGrainfather G30³ 110V: 1600 W1600 WFoundry 10.5 on 120VFoundry 10.5 on 120V: 1600 W1600 WFoundry 10.5 on 240VFoundry 10.5 on 240V: 2800 W2800 W
Source: Grainfather help center (G30 110V power); Anvil Foundry 10.5 listing

1600 W ÷ 120V is about 13.3 A for either unit, near the limit of a 15 A circuit. Give the system its own GFCI-protected circuit, keep other loads off it and never use an extension cord. If you want a faster boil later, the Foundry gets it with a 240V circuit; the G30 does not, and Grainfather's 240V model, the G40, ships with a NEMA 6-20P plug and is sold direct rather than in our catalogue.

Electric brewing: GFCI and a licensed electricianPlug 120V and 240V systems only into a GFCI-protected circuit of the type the manual calls for, with no extension cords. A 1600 W system on 120V draws about 13.3 A (W ÷ V), close to a 15 A circuit’s limit. Have a licensed electrician install any new circuit, 120V or 240V.Source: Anvil Foundry manual (GFCI protection for 240V hookups); W ÷ V arithmetic

Grain capacity and batch size

Listed grain capacity

Pounds of grain

Foundry 6.5: 8 lb8 lbFoundry 6.5Foundry 10.5: 16 lb16 lbFoundry 10.5Grainfather G30³: 20 lb20 lbGrainfather G30³
Source: Grainfather (basket expandable to about 9 kg); Foundry retailer spec pages

The G30³ has the smaller pot (8 gal vs 10.5 gal) but a basket Grainfather rates for bigger grain bills, up to about 9 kg (20 lb), and it is rated for up to about 6 gallons of finished beer. The Foundry 10.5 has more headspace for a vigorous boil and lists 16 lb of grain for its 5-gallon target. If you brew big stouts or barleywines at full 5-gallon volume, the G30's basket gives you more room; for typical 1.040–1.065 ales, both are comfortable.

For smaller batches, the Foundry 6.5 (8 lb grain, 2.5–3 gallons) has no Grainfather equivalent in the catalogue. Plan your water with the strike water calculator using its all-in-one mode.

Counterflow vs immersion: the chilling difference

This is the biggest practical difference. The Grainfather counterflow chiller (B0DM9YYZXC) pumps hot wort through a copper tube inside a cold-water jacket, straight into your fermenter. Grainfather lists a water flow of 3 L/min and a minimum cool-and-transfer time of 16 minutes for a 23 L (6 gal) batch. Listings for the wort flow disagree (1.5 L/min in the title, 5 L/min in the bullets), so treat the 16-minute figure as the maker's best case.

An electric all-in-one brewing system next to a counterflow chiller and bucket
An all-in-one with a counterflow chiller.Photo: zigazou76, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

The Anvil pump bundle uses a stainless immersion chiller (3/8 in. × 28 ft on the standalone Anvil chiller, B082S3Q6QT) that sits in the kettle. Immersion is slower to finish but simple to sanitize: you drop it in the boil for the last 10–15 minutes and rinse it after.

Grainfather counterflowAnvil immersion
Wort touchesInside of the copper tubeOutside of the coil
Cleaning~ Flush with hot water and cleaner after use✓ Wipe and rinse
Hop debris~ Can clog without the kettle filter✓ Not affected
Water useListed 3 L/minNot listed
Speed16 min for 23 L (maker)Not listed

Source: Grainfather counterflow chiller listing; Anvil immersion chiller listing

More on chilling in immersion vs plate vs counterflow chillers.

App control, recipes and logging

Grainfather's selling point is software: the G30³ connects to the Grainfather app, which loads a recipe, steps the mash and prompts hop additions. Anvil's controller is a straightforward touch screen with a delayed start; you set temperatures yourself and keep notes on paper or in an app of your choice. If you like a printed record, our brew-day log works with either system.

Neither approach changes the beer; it changes how much you watch the screen. Brewers who enjoy hands-off step mashes lean Grainfather; brewers who prefer fewer electronics and a simpler machine lean Anvil.

Who should choose which

Grainfather vs Anvil by situation

You want…Grainfather G30³Anvil Foundry
A future 240V upgrade on the same unit✗✓
App-guided brew days✓✗
A counterflow chiller in the box✓ 110V bundle✗ Immersion instead
Built-in pump with no add-ons✓~ Pump bundle
Small 2.5–3 gal batches✗✓ Foundry 6.5
Bigger grain bills at 5 gal✓ About 20 lb~ 16 lb
Insulated body for cold garages~ Not listed✓ Double wall
Compact footprint on a counter✓ 8 gal body~ 10.5 gal body

Choose the Grainfather G30³ if you want the app, a built-in pump and a counterflow chiller in one compact box and you'll stay on 120V. Choose the Anvil Foundry if you want a simpler, insulated kettle, a small 6.5-gallon option, or the ability to double your power with a licensed-electrician-installed 240V circuit.

Want a third option? See Anvil Foundry vs BrewZilla, and the going all-grain page for the mill, chiller and water gear that comes next.

Mistakes to avoid

  1. Ordering the G30 listing without the chiller by accident. The 11403US listing says no counterflow chiller is included; budget for one or pick the 110V bundle.
  2. Expecting the G30 to run on 240V. The 110V model doesn't switch. Grainfather's 240V system is the G40 with a NEMA 6-20P plug.
  3. Skipping a hop filter with a counterflow chiller. Hop debris can clog the tube. Use hop bags or a hop spider and flush the chiller right after use with a cleaner used per its label.
  4. Sharing the 120V circuit. At about 13.3 A, a second appliance on the same circuit can trip the breaker mid-boil.
  5. Packing the basket beyond the listed grain capacity. Stuck mashes and slow recirculation follow.
Verdict

Grainfather G30³ suits 120V brewers who want app-guided step mashes, a built-in pump and a counterflow chiller in the box. Anvil Foundry suits brewers who want an insulated, simpler kettle, a small 6.5-gallon size or a 240V upgrade path on the same unit. At 1600 W on 120V, the two heat at the same rate.

How we chose

We compared Grainfather's published technical specifications and help-center articles, the Anvil Foundry listings and retailer spec pages, and the listing data for each ASIN. We did not brew with, install or measure either system.

Strike water calculatorStrike water temperature and volume for your mash with Palmer's infusion equation, plus step infusions and…Printable brew-day log and recipe sheetFree brew-day log: record recipe, water and salts, mash, gravities, yeast, fermentation temperatures,…

Questions

Grainfather G30 vs Anvil Foundry: which heats faster?
On a 120V outlet they are rated the same: 1600 W each, per Grainfather's help center and the Foundry 10.5 listing. The Foundry heats faster only if you run it on a 240V circuit at 2800 W.
Does the Grainfather G30 come with a counterflow chiller?
The US 110V bundle (B0CJ2L8DHG) lists a counterflow wort chiller. The newer 11403US listing (B0DLHCQ6BT) says it does not include one. Grainfather also sells the chiller separately (B0DM9YYZXC).
How much grain can the Grainfather G30 hold?
Grainfather says its basket expands to suit grain bills up to about 9 kg (20 lb), with up to about 6 gallons of finished beer. The Anvil Foundry 10.5 lists 16 lb.
Is the Grainfather G40 better than the G30?
The G40 is a bigger 240V system with a NEMA 6-20P plug, so it won't plug into a normal 120V outlet. It's sold direct and through brewing retailers rather than in our catalogue. For a 120V home, the G30³ or the Foundry is the practical choice.
Can I brew in my garage with an electric all-in-one?
Yes, electric systems are the garage-friendly option (propane burners belong outdoors only). Use a GFCI-protected circuit, no extension cord, open the door for steam and keep cords off a wet floor.
Do I need an app to brew with the Grainfather?
Grainfather's system is built around wireless app control, and the app adds recipe loading and step-mash automation. The Anvil Foundry has no app listed; you set temperatures on its controller.

Sources

  1. Grainfather help center: Technical specifications, G30
  2. Grainfather help center: G30 section
  3. Grainfather: G30v3 counterflow chiller (US/CA)
  4. Northern Brewer: ANVIL Foundry 10.5 Gallon All-In-One Electric Brewing System w/ Pump
  5. Northern Brewer: ANVIL Foundry 6.5 Gallon All-In-One Electric Brewing System w/ Pump