bk0
Well-Known Member
So I did my first AG batch yesterday. BIAB-style with no new equipment (5 gallon kettle used as mashtun).
Some observations:
So I did a quick fly sparge with maybe 2.5 gallons of 160 degree water and got about 4 gallons of wort. Efficiency turned out to be about 68% which is decent for the first time I guess.
It was very gratifying to go from a big bag of grain to a finished brew! Cheaper, too.
Some observations:
- BIAB is super easy, there's almost no reason to use extract anymore!
- 5 gallon BK is small for a five gallon batch but it still works
- Sparging is basically mandatory. I wasn't planning on doing it, but the grain absorbed nearly all of my initial mash water (3.5 gallons). When I pulled the bag up there was only maybe an inch or two of wort in the kettle!
- Nylon paint strainer bag ($3.49 for two at Home Depot) worked perfectly. One bag was easily strong enough for 13lbs wet grain).
So I did a quick fly sparge with maybe 2.5 gallons of 160 degree water and got about 4 gallons of wort. Efficiency turned out to be about 68% which is decent for the first time I guess.
It was very gratifying to go from a big bag of grain to a finished brew! Cheaper, too.
