I'm from Lancaster (City) and heading up tonight. If anyone from Lancaster wants me to pick up for them (and you're not splitting sacks up) email me at [email protected] and I'll see what I can do to help.
Excellent! I use the same procedure. Mill the grains fine and run them twice. I don't have a turkey fryer basket so I use a pie stand in the pot so the bag doesn't sit on the bottom and burn when I mash out. I don't press the grains just let them drip in a separate pot while I'm heating up...
In my experience, the key to bringing that chocolate taste forward is the use of lactose. Use at least a half pound and up to a full pound in the secondary or at bottling. A tiny addition of pure vanilla extract helps too. A teaspoon should work.
After I lift the back slightly, I tie a string to one side of the bag and lift the one end so all the wort drains out the other end. I point that end in the kettle. Works great!
I've been brewing for 16 years and have most processes under my belt. For the past two years it's been BIAB exclusively. I love it. It's easy and quick. I won't go back. A couple of quick points: Find a water ratio that works for your system. Mine is about 2.5 to 2.6 quarts per pound of...