iGulu Master Mode Explained: What It Is & Why You Need It

The iGulu machines are designed with simplicity in mind. But if you’re already a seasoned brewer, you might not want things to be that simple.

After all, the thrill of home brewing lies in tweaking recipes to create your perfect pint! And this is where the iGulu Master Mode comes into the picture.

So, what exactly is Master Mode, and do you need one?

Let’s dive in to find out.

What is Master Mode?

Master Mode is for users who want to use their own ingredients and create their own recipes. The Master Mode card can be purchased separately for $100 to unlock this feature.

Any beverage that goes through a fermentation process – cider, mead, kombucha, even wine – you can make using the Master Mode on your iGulu machine.

However, even without Master Mode, users can still use their own ingredients for DIY brewing by following a limited number of built-in machine recipes.

Users without brewing experience can start with iGulu's brew kits to gain hands-on experience.

What does Master Mode do?

In short, Master Mode allows you to customize the brewing process.

But what does that mean exactly?

Well, brewing beer involves several stages:

Malting
Mashing
Wort brewing
Fermentation
Conditioning and packaging

Obviously, if you’re using malt extract, you don’t have to go through the first three steps. Regardless, you’ll need your iGulu brewer for the last two.

Without the premium feature, the brewer makes the job as simple as possible. You simply scan the RFID card that comes with the beer kit you’re using, and the iGulu will automatically adjust the brewing process for the particular beer style you’re making.

But when you upgrade to Master Mode, you gain access to a bunch of different options, accessible both on the brewer (via touchscreen) and the phone app.

Most importantly, Master Mode allows you to change important brew parameters, such as fermentation temperature and length in days. While the RFID card you got with the brew kit automatically adjusts these parameters, this mode allows you to change them to your liking.

In fact, you can be as meticulous as you want with the brewing process, as the iGulu allows you to make different stages.

You can adjust the duration and temperature for each stage. For instance, you can ferment your ale at 69°F for four days and then raise the temperature by a couple of degrees for the remaining fermenting time. Of course, you’re free to play around with different settings to find what works best for your beer.

The S1 model allows you to adjust the fermentation pressure range from 2 to 22 psi, while the F1 doesn’t. However, the F1 makes such adjustments automatically, ensuring pressure can’t build up too much inside the keg during fermentation.

While the iGulu touchscreen allows you to adjust some parameters, you’ll need a phone app to create different fermentation stages.

With that being said, there are other options that you can access directly on the iGulu machine.

When in serving mode, the iGulu allows you to choose between CO2 and the air pump. If you’re going through the whole batch of beer you just made within 1-2 days, then air pump is the way to go. However, the CO2 option is absolutely necessary if you want your brew to last you for weeks.

Furthermore, you can also adjust the pressure in serving mode, which will affect how carbonated your beer is when poured.

Next, we have the Cooler option, which is what you’ll use when dispensing beer.

Then, there is a Gas-Free mode, along with CO2 and air pump options. As we already established, you should choose between CO2 and air depending on how long you want your batch to last. But since iGulu can be used as a regular beer dispenser, the Gas-Free mode is what you want to use with different kinds of kegs (such as store-bought mini kegs).

With Master Mode, you’re not limited to just beer. Thanks to Sparkling Water mode, you can turn whatever you want into a carbonated drink.

Finally, it’s also worth noting that there’s a History option, which gives you a rundown of your actions.

How Much does Master Mode Cost and How to Get It?

Master Mode costs $100 and it can be purchased directly from our website. It comes in the shape of a card, which provides lifetime access to premium options on your F1/S1 brewer.

How does that work, you might ask?

It’s pretty simple. Here’s what you need to do:

Place the Master Mode Card on the RFID card scanning area on your iGulu machine.
Click the screen to confirm.
Place the Master Mode Card on the scanning area again.
Your Master Mode has been activated successfully.

Before activating Master Mode, please ensure that your machine has been upgraded to version V2.4.7 or above. Furthermore, make sure your mobile app is synchronized and updated to app version 1.9.0 or higher, and reconnect the brewer to the app.

And that’s it! Now all that’s left for you to do is play around with fine-tuning parameters to get the perfect sip.

Is Master Mode Worth It?

This depends on the user preference; however, here is the value Master Mode brings to those who have made the purchase:

It transforms your F1 or S1 into a highly customizable smart fermenter.
You can brew not only beer but also cider, wine, mead, kombucha — all with your own recipes.
You gain access to temperature, time, and (on S1) pressure settings.
It’s a one-time purchase that unlocks lifetime access.

Brewers who like to have a more hands-on approach and/or who are interested in tweaking their recipes are ideal candidates for purchasing Master Mode.

Master Mode Video Reviews

Here are a few examples of how different brewers used Master Mode to achieve just that:

The BeardyMan Craft Beers - Make any beer style with the iGulu F1: This video by BeardyMan Craft Beers shows how you can make different beer styles at home. From using just the ingredients from iGulu beer kits to creating your own hop extract, this video shows that there are no limits on what you can do with the iGulu brewer.

Dr. Hans Brewery - Brewing an All-Grain Beer: Dr. Hans Brewery explains in detail how to use Master Mode to brew all-grain beer at home. Starting with a five-step fermentation process, the video covers all the bases, including how to switch between the metric and imperial systems!

Benham Brewing - New England IPA Recipe: If you’re not that fond of beer, you can make other fermented drinks with the iGulu. Brian from Benham Brewing channel does a great job at showing how to make ginger beer with your F1, from scratch!

Bitter Reality Brewing - Wild Spirit IPA: While iGulu offers a variety of brew kits, you’re not restricted to using just them. In this video, Mike from Bitter Reality Brewing shows how you can use different beer kits and further modify the ingredients to achieve the perfect brew.

FAQ

Is iGulu Master Mode compatible with all iGulu brewers?

Yes! iGulu Master Mode is available for all iGulu brewers.

Can I upgrade my current iGulu brewer to access Master Mode?

Yes, Master Mode is available for purchase here.

What are the technical requirements to activate Master Mode?

There are no technical requirements to activate Master Mode. You just simply scan your Master Mode card on the side of your brewer and you're all set.