attaching bag to rope

[Krazykripple]

I’m getting ready to do my first AG BIAB. I’ve done some PM batches in the past but now I’ve got a big kettle i can go full scale. I’ve set up a pulley and made a bag, but i can’t work out how to attach the bag to the rope. There aren't any loops sewn on my bag so a hook won’t work. Do i just tie the rope round the bag? Or would sewing loops onto the bag be better? Thanks in advance

 

[ODI3]

bags usually have webbing sewed in with loops to attach rope to. But the alternative is just using something like a slipped constrictor knot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constrictor_knot#Slipped_constrictor_knot

 

[dave1226]

Tie the rope around the bag. I did one batch BIAB and I had hold the bag up by myself while it drained. It sucked so I just bought some coolers and went that route. IMO, BIAB sucks because of that problem other than that BIAB is cool.

 

[Trail]

I just hold the bag up. Usually by the time the mash is over I'm drunk enough that I don't care, but then I hurry stuff along by squeezing the bag.

 

[Leithoa]

The slipped constrictor above, a noose, or a Sheet Bend would all work. Personally I'd go with a sheet bend using the bag as the 'simple'/U/red end. You could also tie the bag in a loose overhand knot and trace through it the opposite direction with your haul line, as in the Water knot.

 

[wilserbrewer]

You can gather the top of the bag and wrap a piece of light cord or a strap around the cinched and gathered bag...very simple and is very strong.

If your bag has a drawstring, that can be used as well. I posted on this subject a while ago...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f244/biab-hoisting-w-ratchet-pulley-416419/

Here is another thread that shows a strap wrapped and tied around the top of a bag.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/biab-polyester-voile-strength-test-384445/

FWIW, I feel it is more secure to cinch the bag with a rope or strap, then having handles stitched to the bag.

 

[reverendj1]

Just use a pizza pan and forget the whole pulley thing. I just lift it up, and slide a pizza pan between the bag and kettle. You can then use your pot lid to squeeze all the delicious wort out. Seems way easier than a pulley, rope, etc.

 

[IL1kebeer]

Just use a pizza pan and forget the whole pulley thing. I just lift it up, and slide a pizza pan between the bag and kettle. You can then use your pot lid to squeeze all the delicious wort out. Seems way easier than a pulley, rope, etc.

This ^^^^^^ I use a pizza pan as well. It's easy and cheap and gets the job done!

 

[wilserbrewer]

Just use a pizza pan and forget the whole pulley thing.

Thanks, but I think I'll keep my pulley. With large batches over 35 lb grain bills a ratchet locking pulley is key IMO. Perhaps for 10 lbs of grain, a pizza screen works well.

 

[reverendj1]

Thanks, but I think I'll keep my pulley. With large batches over 35 lb grain bills a pulley is key IMO. Perhaps for 10 lbs of grain, a pizza screen works well.

Right, I'm talking about a 5gal system. With 10+ then you have to start thinking of other options.

 

[1MadScientist]

Just a hangman's noose knot works perfect. You can look at my set of photos.


2/16/2013 by Mad Scientist Brewhaus, on Flickr

 

[Trail]

Thanks, but I think I'll keep my pulley. With large batches over 35 lb grain bills a pulley is key IMO. Perhaps for 10 lbs of grain, a pizza screen works well.

Ah, yeah. When I say I just hold the bag, I do six-gallon batches, tops. Ignore me, fellas.

 

[Krazykripple]

thanks for the advice. i think i'll go with the noose option and see how that goes.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Yes agreed, any tight knot on a gathered bag seems to work well, I like to make a few wraps around the bag prior to knotting. I like the 1MadScientists 4-part pulley hoist as it likely makes easy work reducing the lifting load, but a ratchet or locking mechanism is handy and reduces stress, as at any time you can let go of the rope and the bag remains hanging.

 

[brewmcq]

I've used the "lift and slide something under the bag" method before... but since I'm moving to 10 gallon batches, I will definitely be adding a pulley system of some sort... and, of course, utilizing the awesomely modified steamer basket that came with my new kettle..

 

[Leithoa]

Question for all you large-batch BIABers: What's the draw of still using BIAB over standard MLT practices when you're making +10 gallons( or to a lesser extent +5)?

It seems to me that any equipment savings are negated when you're buying steamer baskets and/or sizable block and tackle or gantry systems to hoist the grains. At these large grist weights aren't you losing a noticable amount of sugars, even with squeezing the bag?

 

[ArcLight]

Question for all you large-batch BIABers: What's the draw of still using BIAB over standard MLT practices when you're making +10 gallons( or to a lesser extent +5)?

It seems to me that any equipment savings are negated when you're buying steamer baskets and/or sizable block and tackle or gantry systems to hoist the grains. At these large grist weights aren't you losing a noticable amount of sugars, even with squeezing the bag?

You don't have to buy any pulley/strainers/baskets for a 5 gallon brew.
I am strong enough to lift the bag.

For 10 gallons you can buy a $12 pulley from Lowes and attach it to a ladder. I use it rarely but I have that option.

You don't need a steamer basket or expensive system to lift the bag.
Some people choose to use a such a system because they want to.
Some people have an $8,000 SABCO system because they want to.
But you don't have to have it to do BIAB.


Using a dunk sparge you can get high efficiency with high gravity BIAB.

 

[brewmcq]

My basket came with the pot. Yes, they sold similar pots that didn't come with a basket, but it was about the same price.

It took me all of 45 minutes to punch the holes... but since I did it at work, I was getting paid, and it kept me occupied.

I may or may not stay with BIAB... I do have a big 10-gallon cooler that I could use for a mash tun. I also have two beer kegs that I could easily convert into keggles.

I'm starting out with BIAB on my new bigger electric setup, because that's what I'm used to. If I get bored or want to experiment, I have pretty much everything I need to make a second electric kettle.

Regardless... the bag is the key to all of this... instead of using a false bottom or a stainless braid, we use a bag. Because of the bag, we only need one pot.

It's not about "saving money". Nothing in this hobby is about "saving money"... this is just another of a million ways to make good beer.

 

[Leithoa]

I guess part of me didn't realize you could get a 450lb rated pulley for $6. I just saw BIAB as useful to get people into AG brewing and great for the small batches I typically do(<6gallons). I was just curious as to why people kept using the technique after progressing on to large batch sizes(+10G). Wilserbrewer in particular does #35 batches(25G?) at that stage it seems like less brewday hassle to use the traditional MLT setup.
Obviously he and others think differently, I just wanted to hear why they stuck with it.

PS sorry OP for dragging the thread so far off-topic

 

[brewmcq]

I guess part of me didn't realize you could get a 450lb rated pulley for $6. I just saw BIAB as useful to get people into AG brewing and great for the small batches I typically do(<6gallons). I was just curious as to why people kept using the technique after progressing on to large batch sizes(+10G). Wilserbrewer in particular does #35 batches(25G?) at that stage it seems like less brewday hassle to use the traditional MLT setup.
Obviously he and others think differently, I just wanted to hear why they stuck with it.

PS sorry OP for dragging the thread so far off-topic

I invite you to check out http://www.biabrewer.info/...

 

[wilserbrewer]

I just wanted to hear why they stuck with it.

BIAB is not something I've "stuck with". Prior to BIAB, I brewed for several years using cooler mash tuns of various sizes, and still use a mash tun at times. Other times I BIAB, both methods have pros and cons, neither is better, I like and do both!

Several times I have needed to brew a 1/2 keg for events, or due to a nonexistent pipeline...since I don't have a mash tun large enough, or the ability to lift 18 gallons of wort...I figured I would try a 15 gal. BIAB w/ my 20 gallon kettle and it worked pretty well!

That's the story

 

[SDJay]

Question for all you large-batch BIABers: What's the draw of still using BIAB over standard MLT practices when you're making +10 gallons( or to a lesser extent +5)?

It seems to me that any equipment savings are negated when you're buying steamer baskets and/or sizable block and tackle or gantry systems to hoist the grains. At these large grist weights aren't you losing a noticable amount of sugars, even with squeezing the bag?

I just use 2 bags, so I don't need pulleys etc..

 

[Jeff_H]

I use the turkey fryer lifter thingee that came with my burner and pot...looks like a coat hanger. I make a simple loop in the bag and slip the hooked part through the loop...then hang the bag under an A frame ladder suspended over a catch pot so I can dump water over / through the grains and do both a pseudo sparge and squeeze. It works great.

 

[Pointyskull]

I do 5 gal BIAB batches, and after mash I just lift my most excellent wilserbrewer bag, let it drain for a few minutes before moving to another kettle with an inverted colander on the bottom.

I let the bag sit on the colandar while pushing down with a kettle lid. Then I dump the wort-y goodness into the brew kettle.

I repeat this a few times as I wait for my burner to get up to boil.