You can boil in aluminum. Just don't scrub off the aluminum oxide layer inside (it should NOT be shiny). My kettle is a commercial grade 60 qt aluminum pot that I got from a caterer that was going out of business.
Question. Is it ok to cook your mash in an aluminum pot? Just as long as your not fermenting in an aluminum pot right??
iceman190 said:Question. Is it ok to cook your mash in an aluminum pot? Just as long as your not fermenting in an aluminum pot right??
did my first 3.5 gallon BIAB batch the other day and I'm kinda hooked on all grain. wanna try another batch but don't want to have to go as small as 3 gallon batches again (just as much effort for only 60% the beer). I have a 5 gallon pot and a 7.5 gallon pot. which isn't a big deal for doing 5 gallon batches, the REAL issue is that my stove DOES NOT like to boil above 4.5 MAX 5 gallons of liquid at a time... and even then it's not the greatest boil.
I was thinking. if I split the grains evenly into TWO BIAB bags and did a 2.5 gallon BIAB in each pot simultaneously THEN combined them in the ale pail and pitch my yeast like normal I could do a full 5 gallon batch without having to go out and buy a burner, and propane re-fill to do it outside on the burner. Does that sound like it will work ok?
Yes, you can absolutely do a two pot mash and boil...just plan on a lot of boil-off given two pots. Just think of it as two small batches simultaneously. OH, and FWIW IMHO don't feel yoiu have to split everything to the micron...I would just divvy up between the pots and brew...little more, little less won't matter in that you are combining it all in the end anyways....cheers.
did my first 3.5 gallon BIAB batch the other day and I'm kinda hooked on all grain. wanna try another batch but don't want to have to go as small as 3 gallon batches again (just as much effort for only 60% the beer). I have a 5 gallon pot and a 7.5 gallon pot. which isn't a big deal for doing 5 gallon batches, the REAL issue is that my stove DOES NOT like to boil above 4.5 MAX 5 gallons of liquid at a time... and even then it's not the greatest boil.
I was thinking. if I split the grains evenly into TWO BIAB bags and did a 2.5 gallon BIAB in each pot simultaneously THEN combined them in the ale pail and pitch my yeast like normal I could do a full 5 gallon batch without having to go out and buy a burner, and propane re-fill to do it outside on the burner. Does that sound like it will work ok?
What's the take on recirculating the wort back through the bag during mash out before lifting out the bag and squeezing? Would this help clear up the wort or help efficiencies or just a useless step?
I made the decision to switch to all grain this year using this method, thanks for all the great info!
I had to upgrade to a bigger pot and propane burner, while I was at it, fitted my new pot with a whirlpool pickup, ball vavle, thermometer, and gauge glass. As of right now, planning to use a large paint strainer bag, my pot came with the boil basket so I won't have to rely on the strength of the bag to hold the grains once removed, is this ok, or should I use something with a tighter mesh?
My first recipe will be EdWorts Haus Pale Ale, probably this Saturday, really looking forward to it! I ordered my grains from NB and asked for a double crush, they said they would attach a note to my order but couldn't guarantee it due to the way the orders are processed. I ordered an extra lb of 2-row incase I only get the single crush.
Thanks again
I talked with my guy at the LHBS the other day and mentioned BIAB. I asked him about efficiency and he respond with 45 percent. I was a bit taken back by this, and I know he has brewed more beer then I have, so there is a certain amount of respect there. Then I went on to tell him about the crush and he came back with a finer crush would result in astringency problems. So is it true that astringency comes into play in a finer crush?
Any ideas or comments about this? Thanks in advance
I talked with my guy at the LHBS the other day and mentioned BIAB. I asked him about efficiency and he respond with 45 percent. I was a bit taken back by this, and I know he has brewed more beer then I have, so there is a certain amount of respect there. Then I went on to tell him about the crush and he came back with a finer crush would result in astringency problems. So is it true that astringency comes into play in a finer crush?
Any ideas or comments about this? Thanks in advance
All false in my opinion. My LHBS makes my crush to the point of nearly flour and my efficiency is nearly 80% No astringency. Sounds like he wants to sell you on a 3 vessel system.
johns said:I talked with my guy at the LHBS the other day and mentioned BIAB. I asked him about efficiency and he respond with 45 percent. I was a bit taken back by this, and I know he has brewed more beer then I have, so there is a certain amount of respect there. Then I went on to tell him about the crush and he came back with a finer crush would result in astringency problems. So is it true that astringency comes into play in a finer crush?
Any ideas or comments about this? Thanks in advance
johns said:I know another guy that use to own his own LHBS and he always made beer using extract. His reasoning was that it was easier and it cost about the same.
On this site there seems to be to ideologies. On that loves BIAB and the other that swears by a tri vessel system. I am almost certain that the guy I spoke with did not brew often using BIAB. Maybe he did once with poor results. Not really sure why he brought up the subject on astringency. I am almost positive he uses the 3v system.
On a side note, I am convinced on BIAB for going AG. If it does not work then I could always use the equipment for a 3v system. Presently, I do a partial mash and look forward to AG. I still have to get the equipment and will let everyone know how it goes.
I talked with my guy at the LHBS the other day and mentioned BIAB. I asked him about efficiency and he respond with 45 percent. I was a bit taken back by this, and I know he has brewed more beer then I have, so there is a certain amount of respect there. Then I went on to tell him about the crush and he came back with a finer crush would result in astringency problems. So is it true that astringency comes into play in a finer crush?
Any ideas or comments about this? Thanks in advance
I talked with my guy at the LHBS the other day and mentioned BIAB. I asked him about efficiency and he respond with 45 percent. I was a bit taken back by this, and I know he has brewed more beer then I have, so there is a certain amount of respect there. Then I went on to tell him about the crush and he came back with a finer crush would result in astringency problems. So is it true that astringency comes into play in a finer crush?
Any ideas or comments about this? Thanks in advance
No astringency noticed with a finer crush. You will get more trub in your primary if you have flour from your crush, but a fine mesh voile bag can help get this back under control.
I see efficiencies between 70-90% depending on grain bill size (most grain to least). No recirc during mash for me. It's a simple system.
johns said:ok I just saw this video and I am now wondering why does this guy say 60 percent efficiency. Its around the 2.48 minute mark. I am thinking that the grain was not milled fine enough. Would there be any other reason for this efficiency?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD8jkMEH0_I&feature=player_embedded#at=221
as a side not the controller seems really expensive. Am I wrong or is it a normal price for a controller of this caliber?
Today is not that bad, just wait till Monday. I would love to see that that file. 17 lbs in a 15.5 keggle? How big was the brewpot?
Forrest-hunters said:Is a 20 gallon pot too big to do 5 gallon batches in still? Worried I wont be able to get the grain all in the strainer if the water is lower? Would like the ability to do both 5 and 10 gallon batches? For 10 gallon batches do i just double grain, hop and yeast amounts? I would probably feremnt in two fermenting buckets still and try different yeast, dry hops, eacking and fruit.
Fordzilla said:Could someone reccomend a good thermometer with a probe? This one just quit on me after about 5 batches. It worked great up until then. I'm not sure if I got the probe wet and didn't realize it or what.
I'd buy a weldless thermometer and install it in the pot.
I have been BIAB brewing for about a year now, and have been double milling my grains, as I crack grains at my LHBS. I have been getting an incredible amount of trub in my Keggle, and have thought about using a different fabric for the bag instead of Voile. When I first started extract brewing, I sewed up some muslin bags for my specialty grains, and they worked as good as the mesh crappers my LHBS sells. I wonder if such a tight weave would be beneficial, or if it would hinder the draining process. Any thoughts/experience here?
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