- Joined
- Dec 26, 2013
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Let me start by saying that Im strictly referring here to my own experience, my own process, my own preferences. If what I offer here helps anyone great! If it doesnt, then shake the dust off your sandals, move on, and keep with the process that helps you most.
I have always been a Full Volume Mash person. If I need 8 gallons to make 5, I start with 8. I tend to always hit my numbers and tend to exceed 75% mash efficiency. But on occasion I have a larger grain bill, which means more water displacement and rather than get out the big kettle (and brew outdoors), I will adjust the recipe down slightly, and make 4 gallons instead of 5. All still FVM.
However, when I read here about how you guys sparge with BIAB, and how seemingly easy it is, I figured I would try it today. I knew my grain bill was big enough to overflow the kettle, so I held back 2 gallons in my old 5 gallon kettle, heated it to 170, and was ready to pull the bag on completion of the mash, rinse the grains in the 2 gallons, combine the 2 worts into one and Bobs your uncle!
The initial move from the larger kettle to the smaller was ok. Drips but no spills. Although I was damn glad that I had only used 1.5 of the set aside 2 gallons .. 2 would have overflowed. Then after 10 minutes I pulled the bag again and slipped the colander under the bag. Now we have problems .. larger grain bill in normal colander .. ooze over the side onto the stool onto the floor. Muttering some choice words I stay on task (or try to), and combine the two worts after getting to the sink, mopping the sticky floor, keeping spills to a minimum. Eventually I got things under control, cleaned up any messes, and lost a minimum of precious wort.
But Bob is not my uncle and I doubt that I will do this again. Its not that I want easy, but I do want simple and measured. With FVM I:
Pull the bag once
Understand my water loss more accurately
Focus more on the simple steps of measure, grind, heat, mash, boil done
Here I had to measure water twice, heat water twice, assume what the gravity of two worts would be, and juggle 2 kettlesl
I will stick with FVM for now
I have always been a Full Volume Mash person. If I need 8 gallons to make 5, I start with 8. I tend to always hit my numbers and tend to exceed 75% mash efficiency. But on occasion I have a larger grain bill, which means more water displacement and rather than get out the big kettle (and brew outdoors), I will adjust the recipe down slightly, and make 4 gallons instead of 5. All still FVM.
However, when I read here about how you guys sparge with BIAB, and how seemingly easy it is, I figured I would try it today. I knew my grain bill was big enough to overflow the kettle, so I held back 2 gallons in my old 5 gallon kettle, heated it to 170, and was ready to pull the bag on completion of the mash, rinse the grains in the 2 gallons, combine the 2 worts into one and Bobs your uncle!
The initial move from the larger kettle to the smaller was ok. Drips but no spills. Although I was damn glad that I had only used 1.5 of the set aside 2 gallons .. 2 would have overflowed. Then after 10 minutes I pulled the bag again and slipped the colander under the bag. Now we have problems .. larger grain bill in normal colander .. ooze over the side onto the stool onto the floor. Muttering some choice words I stay on task (or try to), and combine the two worts after getting to the sink, mopping the sticky floor, keeping spills to a minimum. Eventually I got things under control, cleaned up any messes, and lost a minimum of precious wort.
But Bob is not my uncle and I doubt that I will do this again. Its not that I want easy, but I do want simple and measured. With FVM I:
Pull the bag once
Understand my water loss more accurately
Focus more on the simple steps of measure, grind, heat, mash, boil done
Here I had to measure water twice, heat water twice, assume what the gravity of two worts would be, and juggle 2 kettlesl
I will stick with FVM for now