iGulu F1 Fermenter Review: A Complete Homebrewing System with Master Mode

Introduction

As a homebrewer, I’ve experimented with various brewing systems, but the iGulu F1 fermenter is one that has really caught my attention—and it’s no surprise that it’s turning heads in the homebrewing community. iGulu sent me this fermenter to try out in a video sponsored by them. I’ll be walking you through my full experience, from setup to brewing a Bavarian wheat beer, and why upgrading to master mode can elevate your brewing. I’ll also touch on the only major downside: the F1 produces just one gallon of beer at a time. But if that’s not an issue for you, this might just be your next favorite brewing gadget.

And if you’re interested in picking up your own iGulu F1, you can use my affiliate link to get 20% off, or apply the code DRHAN20 at checkout!

Unboxing and Setup

Right out of the box, the iGulu F1 made a good impression. I didn’t do an unboxing video because, let’s face it, unboxing videos suck. However, I gave it a spin on my Lazy Susan so you could get a 360° view of this sleek black machine. It comes in black, white, and mint, but I waited for the black version—because it just looks cooler, in my opinion.

Setting it up was easy, especially with the iGulu app. The machine connects to Wi-Fi after being hooked up via Bluetooth on your phone, and once I got past the small hurdle of remembering my Wi-Fi password, everything went smoothly. While most of the brewing functions can be controlled on the machine itself, some features and updates are easier to manage via the app. I like that balance of digital and manual control, especially for those who enjoy hands-on brewing but appreciate a bit of automation.

Brewing Bavarian Wheat Beer

For my first brew, I decided to go with iGulu’s Bavarian wheat beer kit, which comes with everything you need: dry malt extract (DME), yeast, and natural hop extract. What sets this system apart is how simple the process is—just scan the RFID code from the kit, and the machine takes care of the rest. The app automatically sets the brewing schedule based on the recipe.

The process for the Bavarian wheat beer was divided into three stages:

• 1 day at 16°C
• 8 days at 18°C
• 2 days at 2°C (cold crash)

It’s all done with minimal input. I added water, poured in the hop extract, sprinkled the yeast, and added the DME. There’s no need to stir, and the machine handles temperature regulation throughout the process. The whole brew was ready in 12 days.

Pressurized Fermentation and Cooling Features

The iGulu F1 has several standout features, but the pressurized fermentation and cooling system are the real game-changers. With both heating and cooling capabilities, this fermenter keeps your brew at the perfect temperature without needing a separate fridge or heating system. It’s also insulated, which helps maintain a consistent environment.

Additionally, the F1 allows for pressurized fermentation, which speeds up the brewing process. You don’t even need a spunding valve. The machine is designed to be a complete brewing system—you can even dispense the beer directly from the fermenter, making it the perfect all-in-one solution for homebrewing parties.

The fermenter also takes standard commercial kegs, so you can use it to serve not only your own beer but also any store-bought kegs.

Why Upgrade to Master Mode?

While the iGulu F1 is great right out of the box, upgrading to master mode unlocks additional control over your brewing process. In master mode, you can adjust every parameter, from temperature to fermentation times, giving advanced brewers the flexibility to fine-tune their recipes.

For example, while the default brewing schedule for my Bavarian wheat beer was on the cooler side, I prefer to ferment under higher pressure and at higher temperatures to speed things up. Master mode allows me to make those changes. You can even create entirely custom fermentation schedules to suit your personal taste or experiment with different styles.

Final Thoughts and Tasting

After 12 days, the Bavarian wheat beer was ready to taste. It poured beautifully with a thick, frothy head and a bright golden color. On the nose, I got banana notes—a hallmark of the yeast used in wheat beers. The beer itself was fresh, slightly sweet, and well-balanced with bitterness. The carbonation was perfect, giving the beer a crisp finish. Honestly, it’s hard to find a wheat beer in stores as good as this one—one of the big benefits of brewing your own beer at home.

One of the only downsides I’ve noticed with the iGulu F1 is the capacity—it brews just one gallon at a time. For small-batch brewers, this is ideal, but for those who prefer brewing in larger quantities, this might be a limitation. Personally, as someone who loves experimenting and doing split batches, I can see this being handy. However, a 2-gallon version would have been even better.

Overall, the iGulu F1 exceeded my expectations, especially with its pressurized fermentation and built-in serving system. If you’re a homebrewer looking to experiment and take your brewing to the next level, the master mode upgrade is definitely worth considering.

Conclusion

The iGulu F1 fermenter is a versatile and efficient brewing system for both beginners and seasoned homebrewers. Its ability to ferment, cool, and dispense beer all from one device is a significant innovation. While it only produces one gallon at a time, the quality and convenience it offers more than make up for it.

If you’re thinking of upgrading your homebrewing setup, the iGulu F1 is a fantastic option. Plus, don’t forget to use the code DRHAN20 at checkout to get 20% off your purchase!

Stay tuned for more brewing experiments with this system, and feel free to leave any questions or comments below!

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