Newest Threads

Tiroux · 02-15-2013, 01:06 AM

Hey guys!

I recieved my Tap a Draft system with 6L (1.5gal) bottles, and i'm thinking about buying a BIAB to brew 2gal batches, so I can keep session beers on tap to drink when we meet once a month, my collegues and I, to brew big batches of big beers.

I was wondering if I can batch sparge with a BIAB. I explain what I'm thinking.

-Mash with a normal water/grain ratio, as used in All-Grain.
-Heat up to mash out
-Lift and drain the bag
-In another kettle, soak the bag in the sparge water, at sparge temp.
-Blend and boil

Should I expect a better effiency that way? These will be mostly session beer, around 4-5% abv, and I usually use a fine grind, so I was expecting near 70% efficiency. Is it possible?

Thanks a lot!

**chri5** · 02-15-2013, 01:18 AM

I don't see why that wouldn't work.

**lebucheron** · 02-15-2013, 01:21 AM

Yep. Lots of BIAB people do that.
The no sparge method (which I currently do) means you don't need the extra pot, but you need more water in the kettle to begin with.

edit - just grind your grain a bit finer than the non-biab way if you want good effic.

Epimetheus · 02-15-2013, 01:24 AM

I have done it that way because the kettle is not large enough for full volume BIAB.

mb82 · 02-15-2013, 01:24 AM

It is commonly called the dunk sparge. A lot of us BIAB people do it.

MEPNew2Brew · 02-15-2013, 01:25 AM

I BIAB and do something like that. Mash at about 1.3-1.5 and then sparge by hand with the grain sack in a big strainer over a 5 gallon bucket and I just pour the sparge water over somewhat slowly. A bastardized fly sparge, I suppose. I think I will try dunking the grain bag in the sparge water next time and see how it works. I think you will need to actively dunk the bag in and out to rinse the grains for best results.

**chri5** · 02-15-2013, 01:26 AM

I just started biab for small batches and I'm going to start doing that dunk sparge.

The efficiency without a sparge is just terrible. I got around 50% on my BIPA today.

Tiroux · 02-15-2013, 02:05 AM

Thanks for replies! That's the way I'll go. I'll give it a try this weekend if I find a bag at my supplier's store, and we'll see for the efficiency.

Uziyahu · 02-15-2013, 02:09 AM

I just did my first BIAB batch sparge. It took my efficiency from about 65% to about 85%. It made my last brew have a lot higher OG than I anticipated. I use my kettle for the mash and then my bottling bucket for the sparge.

Tiroux · 02-15-2013, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uziyahu

I just did my first BIAB batch sparge. It took my efficiency from about 65% to about 85%. It made my last brew have a lot higher OG than I anticipated. I use my kettle for the mash and then my bottling bucket for the sparge.

85% That's pretty good!!!

I was expecting 70% and maybe a bit more for low ABV beers..but 85%!