BIAB Basket sits too high... how to retain heat?
 

Hey guys,
So my thread name describes my problem. I made a custom kettle with a Bayou Classic 20.5 gallon kettle, installed a ball valve and sight glass (electric element to come), and have put feet on the basket to give it clearance. The problem I have is the basket now sits above the top of the kettle, which now is giving me a problem of keeping the heat enclosed during the mash. I have a temporary fix of wrapping the space between the lid and the top of the kettle with tinfoil and then wrapping a fleece blanket around that, but I am looking for a permanent fix. I am open to any and all solutions. I can't not use the basket as 1) I will have an element in there soon so I can't have the voile bag with a 25lb grain bill sitting directly on the element and 2) I paid $$ for the basket, so I need to use it! Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I don't have pictures currently, but if I need them to explain it better please let me know.

Cheers,
Chris

Sell the basket on eBay.

And how to resolve the issue of the 25+ lb grain bag on top of the element?

How many inches of clearance do you have between the bottom of the basket and the bottom of the kettle?

I think the kettle and the basket must have several inches of clearance new. Am I right? DO you have any pictures?

The grain and bag flow around the element and do not sit or push down on the element. More like a fluid. The bag should be oversized to allow this. It is not like 25 lbs sitting on the element at all, the grain and water combine to make a slurry that flows where it wants...not like a solid that sits heavy on the element. Also the grain has bouyancy...and weighs very little while submerged due to the water it has displaced...cheers!

I have seen some elements with shields around them, either solid or punched full of holes. The elements were straight.

Stainless Steel Stock Pot: 18.75 D x 17 H
Stainless: 0.8 mm / 20 Gauge
Full Size Perforated Boiling Basket
Vented Lid
Perforated stainless steel basket – 17.5 D x 13.25 H
Basket stainless steel – 0.6 mm / 22 gauge
There should be more then enough room. 17 inches hight minus 13.25 is less tehn 4 inches and should be more then enough room for your attachments. Maybe take off the feet and everything should fit swimmingly.

Hey guys,
Here are some pictures.
http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc99c9430.jpg
http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/a...psaa0fec81.jpg

I would say that the feet for the basket are too long for the kettle. How long are the feet? Can we see a picture of the feet with the tape measure?

I will put a picture of the feet up tonight. After re-reading wislerbrewer, the grain bouancy makes sense, but still would require some type of shielding from the bag as I am going to leave the element on during mashing with a recirculating pump to properly distribute the mash temp among the grain bed.