Looking to move to BIAB, any pointers?

Cool, good to know. I might have to try it with my next batch. Although, the simplicity was definitely nice.

 

I just realized something: BeerSmith is telling me to use 8.25 gallons of mash water for 13.75 pounds of grain. I only have a 9 gallon pot. Once you account for the displacement of the grains, I just don't see that working.

It's assuming 1 gallon lost to absorption, leaving me with a 7.25 gallon of wort (which is about right, I boil off ~1.25 gallons per hour and will lose maybe half a gallon to trub). I guess my question is, how do I make this work?

 

Mash in a smaller volume of water. Once the mash is done, add water to get the desired pre-boil volume, then boil. The mash will be thicker, but I think 14# of grain in 7gal of water is still a very good ratio.

I think it's best to mash in less water than calculated, this gives you some buffer room and allows you to add water during the mash to heat/cool, and add water after the mash to get the desired pre-boil volume.

You can always add water, but you can't remove it without removing sugars. Yes you can boil it longer to drive off water but then you're IBU calcs go to crap assuming you have already added hops.