5 Gallon Brew in a Bag?

[bytemyfoot]

I'm considering moving from extract into all grain. I don't have the space or money to go with a standard 2-3 AG setup. I've been doing research on the brew in a bag method, but all the tutorials I've read seem to be for 10 gallon batches. I'm trying to figure out what size pot I'd need in order to do 5 gallon BIAB brewing (I have a 35 quart pot). Does anyone have any advice or experience on this?

 

[pernox]

I have a 35qt pot and a 20qt pot, and with the two of them along with a spare fermenting bucket I was just able to brew an IPA that called for 13.5lbs of grain, and hit 80%+ efficiency on my first shot.

I think you're good to go if you have a spare pot or two!!

Here's the thread you want...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/easy-stovetop-all-grain-brewing-pics-90132/

 

[alcibiades]

ive done 5 gallon BIAB with a 7.5 gallon turkey fryer pot (and another 5 gallon pot for sparge water)

 

[bakins]

I'm trying to figure out what size pot I'd need in order to do 5 gallon BIAB brewing (I have a 35 quart pot). Does anyone have any advice or experience on this?

For nor sparge BIAB, the general rule of thumb is 2 times the batch size. So for 5 gallon batches, you need a 10 gallon pot. I'd go slightly larger, as I used to aim for 5.5 gallons at end of boil (I do larger batches now) and I always boil for 90 minutes, so I would start with 7 gallons of liquid at start of boil.

Something like a 44 quart stick pot or so would be fine. If you can swing it, there's really no harm in just getting around a 15 gallon pot.

 

[Richardwhittaker]

I would second the 2x the size of the batch if you are doing no sparge. When I did my first BIAB in my 15 gallon keggle the mash was only a few cm from over flowing. I made a bit of a mess

 

[ghpeel]

I do biab with normal mash volumes and a sparge. I use a 5 gal mash tun and a 7.5 gal pot so I think your pot is definitely big enough.

 

[jaginger]

I do biab with normal mash volumes and a sparge. I use a 5 gal mash tun and a 7.5 gal pot so I think your pot is definitely big enough.

+1 to this and +1 to no sparge go with 10 gallons+

 

[wcarter1227]

for BIAB i use a 7.5 gallon pot to boil and i mash in a 5 gallon pot. i use a 4 gallon pot to heat sparge water and use a collander. did my first ag a few weeks ago and got 82% effeciency.

Good luck, its a lot of fun, and you can get a lot done with the extra time of mashing and boil times.