jaginger

Recipes 

I've just started AG and after reading a bit decided to go BIAB for a little less equipment up front. I've been doing it a little bit modified though, since my 7.5 gallon kettle isn't quite large enough for a full 5.5 gallon BIAB batch.

So what I do is mash in the bag with 5.5 gallons (and the grain takes up the rest of the volume in the kettle.) After 60 mins I pull out the bag and dunk it in another bucket with 2.5 - gallons of water, then pour that water into the kettle as well.

My first 2 batches both produced over 85% efficiency. It would have been about 67% efficiency with the initial volume alone. The bag dunk got me another 18-20%. I am pretty happy with that, and it is really no trouble to do either.

samc

Recipes 

The dunk was your sparge. Good idea, great results.

alcibiades

Recipes 

that is EXACTLY what I've been doing. I, too, regularly get efficiencies in the 80s. Just curious though, what is your water to grain ratio in the initial mash dunk?

jaginger

Recipes 

My 2 grain bills have been 12 and 13 lbs, and I went with 5.5 gallons just b/c that's about all i can fit in the kettle. So 22 qts/12 lbs is almost 2 qts/lb.

My OGs are getting too high though (i expected more like 70-75%), so I can drop down to more like 10-11 lbs of grain and then I'll be over 2 qts/lb.

Gardenhead

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Man, I can't wait to start AG brewing. I know that I want to start with BIAB since it is the easiest equipment upgrade from extract, and I keep reading great posts like this making me think it is a good idea. I just hope I don't forget all this information...

Is there any way to subscribe to threads? I see people talking about doing it, but I can't seem to find the button...

alcibiades

Recipes 

yeah, im atleast 1.5 qt/lb in all my BIAB. The high ratio might be the cause of the good efficiency. People will neighsay about how a high ratio extracts all kinds of unwanted flavors from the grain, but my beer tastes good, thats all that matters.

Retarded_Penguin_Brewing

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at the top of the thread there's a drop down menu that says thread tools. just click on that and then there's an option that says subscribe to thread

Gardenhead

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Thank you! I totally missed that entire menu

Saccharomyces

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Nice! This BIAB thing is becoming my recommendation for beginner all grain brewing, it's cheap, easy and it works!

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cheesecake

Recipes 

Yes i did 1 brew in the bag batch and im thinking about doing more..cleanup is a breeze

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