iamwhatiseem
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I just bought mine from arborfab.com (unfortunately, it hasn't arrived yet.) Chad is a very easy guy to speak to and will be happy to take specific measurements and make recommendations. I chose a 600 micron mesh, figuring I didn't need as fine as 400. I think they also manufacture for utahbiodiesel since the hop basket I ordered from them actually came from Arborfab. Here's an interesting blog article that finally convinced me to buy mine since I had the same problems with recirculating. I already used a stainless hop basket, so I figured, why not a grain basket too? Yes, a bag will work and last a long time (mine has,) but this just seems so much easier. Another benefit is that mine will have 3" legs that will stand over the heating element, so absolutely no chance of burned or scorched bag when heating to mash out.
A great solution to a non-problem. Unless you are doing a fly sparge which should take 45 to 60 minutes, you don't need a mash out. Without heating for a mash out, no scorching.
Your perceived benefit from having the 3" legs is actually a detriment as you exclude the water that is below the screen from interacting with the grain. You end up with a situation much like "topping off" where you add water to the wort, thus diluting it. If you are recirculating, you avoid this but then you will have problems with the screen clogging unless you have grain that is milled more coarsely and then you negate the advantage of BIAB's ability to use finely milled grain. You'll end up like the dog chasing its tail.
While some have touted the longevity of the screened basket, the payback of the funds invested is too many years. You'd have been much farther ahead to replace the bag periodically and spend the extra money on ingredients. You may not live long enough to have a payback on the screened basket.
@RM-MN. I respectfully disagree. The screen basket will be more than fine enough to allow a finer crush and give me the efficiency I want. The 3" standoff should give it plenty of room for the wort to flow through without contacting the element. The whole reason I went with the basket was because my bag would get clogged, mimicking a stuck sparge, and I could no longer recirculate. As for mashing out, you may be correct in that it's unnecessary, but it doesn't hurt either. I constantly find the dogma of the brewing process set on it's ear by newer, better, more efficient procedures and I'm often quick to adjust. That goes hand-in-hand with your comment about payback. I'm doing this for me as a hobby, not as a business, so ROI is not a big deal. The pleasure I derive from the activity is. I could just as easily drop $900 on a Grainfather instead of building my brewery one piece at a time (starting years ago with a turkey fryer on sale at Walmart,) so that would be a good investment, right? Maybe one day I will buy one (subject of course to SWMBO's approval,) but until then, i think I'm doing okay.
I just bought mine from arborfab.com (unfortunately, it hasn't arrived yet.) Chad is a very easy guy to speak to and will be happy to take specific measurements and make recommendations. I chose a 600 micron mesh, figuring I didn't need as fine as 400. I think they also manufacture for utahbiodiesel since the hop basket I ordered from them actually came from Arborfab. Here's an interesting blog article that finally convinced me to buy mine since I had the same problems with recirculating. I already used a stainless hop basket, so I figured, why not a grain basket too? Yes, a bag will work and last a long time (mine has,) but this just seems so much easier. Another benefit is that mine will have 3" legs that will stand over the heating element, so absolutely no chance of burned or scorched bag when heating to mash out.
Mine is approx 12wx16h incl 3"legs, 600 micron mesh was $160.00 shipped to Memphis, Tn area.
Thanks, I know specifics will vary but at least i have a general idea.
Interesting! I'm not sure why it would be easier to use than a bag though.
Im done with bags. Cant tell you how many Ive burned and torn. Stepping up to a mesh basket.:rockin:
I've been talking with Chad about modifying my steamer basket. I have a BC 1044 with basket. I like that the BC basket has a ridge around the top that sits on an indention near the top of the pot. The original basket does not get very good flow through the grains when used with a bag so I have to stir a lot. I'm pretty excited to try it out.
Have you tried simply modifying the steamer basket? I used a big punch to enlarge the holes in mine. Worked great.
I bought one of these baskets recently and used it for the first time on Saturday. I've done 10+ batches using a bag, and the main problem I had was while lifting the bag out, there were a couple seconds where wort would spill out over the sides of the kettle. Not a big deal, but something I wanted to avoid.
The new basket worked great. I had them weld hooks near the bottom, that in conjunction with a bracket allows me to drain right over the kettle.
As for cleaning - it was super easy - easier than the bag certainly. The only tricky part was some grain was stuck in the crevice between the base and the sides.
Whats better, 300 or 600 micron, what are most people using?
Whats better, 300 or 600 micron, what are most people using?
Thanks! I used to run gas, now it's electric (only 120V, hence the insulation.) Just a comment on your pics (BTW, also nice setup,) be careful of your thermometer's readings. I did the exact same thing to get the probe out of the way of the basket and found that it was off by about -25⁰ (reads lower than actually is) when I was mashing. Now, I always use a digital thermometer to check the mash temp, and I'd recommend you double check yours JIC you don't have the same problem.Nice setup! Do you run a bayou burner with it wrapped in reflective bubble wrap or is it electric?
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