Show your BIAB Stand/Set up

ranchonodinero · Jul 25, 2015

Mine is bases on a rolling metal shelf. It's OK, but I need a little more room and will be moving to a stainless table after I weld up a lift of sorts. This was the first brew session and electric brewing is quiet! The road runner in the picture got to within 6 feet or so.

Just-a-sip · Jul 25, 2015

How was recirculating with the mesh basket. I'm buying one this week and wondered how well it strained and if it had the same effect as a bag and gets clogged

ranchonodinero · Jul 25, 2015

I've never brewed with a bag. But I brewed the popular cream of three crops. I added a pound of rice hulls to the grain bill. Didn't clog. Coming from a three vessel rims setup this was a piece of cake. The basket worked great. Easy cleanup. It will be interesting to see how it does with a larger grain bill.

wilserbrewer · Jul 26, 2015

Just-a-sip said:
How was recirculating with the mesh basket. I'm buying one this week and wondered how well it strained and if it had the same effect as a bag and gets clogged

I believe what happens with a basket, either a SS basket, or a basket lined with a bag, the wort can flow out the sides of the basket above the grain as needed, sort of like a relief or bypass. With a bag and a FB, if flow slows you can actually suck the pump dry and best to throttle the flow down with a valve after the pump.

MerlinWerks · Jul 26, 2015

Just-a-sip said:
How was recirculating with the mesh basket. I'm buying one this week and wondered how well it strained and if it had the same effect as a bag and gets clogged

Are you buying just the basket for an existing system? Or a complete new system?

MerlinWerks · Jul 26, 2015

When using a mesh filter basket the temp sensor is in the mash liquor only, with a bag it is at least contacting some grain, although it is one small area relative the total mash volume. I'm curious if there is any difference in mash temperature between the two systems. Has anyone with a COFI style filter measured the mash temp inside the filter at various points?

Just-a-sip · Jul 26, 2015

MerlinWerks said:
Are you buying just the basket for an existing system? Or a complete new system?

I'm building a basket... I work in a fabrication shop. The issue I had with traditional voile bags was even in my steam basket with feet, if I ran the pump it clogged the bag and turned it into a waterballoon. I eventually had to switch to a more course material similar to a paint strainer bag, but I get a bunch more drain matter in my wort then I would like. Just wondering how the baskets prevail.

ranchonodinero · Jul 26, 2015

When using the COFI filter, you do have to monitor flow. I had to watch and close the valve on the pump output in order to keep it from pulling too much liquid out.

hafmpty · Jul 26, 2015

ranchonodinero said:
When using the COFI filter, you do have to monitor flow. I had to watch and close the pump a little in order to make sure it wasn't too dry.

What "it" are you referring to? The mash or the pump?

IowaHomeBrewer · Jul 26, 2015

Sorry for shaky pictures.. still getting used to the camera on my phone.

So here is my set-up. All ready to stay nice and warm inside when the winter comes.

At first I had just a single pulley, but man those grains are crazy heavy and on my first batch with this system I made a huge mess. Changed it up a little bit and used a 4 pulley system. Nice and light now, and much easier to let it drain. Once it has dripped enough I move my kettle over and lower it onto a rubber mat.

Ventilation was a pain. At first I was using the same vent as my dyer to go outside, but when the dryer was on it just blew the hot air out of my fan. And when I was brewing it just blew all the steam into the dryer. I cut some plywood to fit my window and I just pop it in the window frame and hold it in place with 2x4s and a bracket.

And I can't stand how long it takes to bottle, so it all goes right to kegs.

10351649_10204254148701211_7033346018423063033_n_zps171be2dc.jpg

Next step is to get a grain mill and stock up on the grains my recipes use.

MerlinWerks · Jul 27, 2015

Just-a-sip said:
I'm building a basket... I work in a fabrication shop. The issue I had with traditional voile bags was even in my steam basket with feet, if I ran the pump it clogged the bag and turned it into a waterballoon. I eventually had to switch to a more course material similar to a paint strainer bag, but I get a bunch more drain matter in my wort then I would like. Just wondering how the baskets prevail.

Hmmm, I use a Wilser bag with my BB system/false bottom and never had it completely clog. On my very first brew with it, a Rye PA it did pull with enough force to dent the bottom of the kettle where the four silicone feet for the false bottom were, but I never lost flow or pumped it dry. The pump output was throttled back about half.

I'm reasonably certain that the COFI filters are 800 micron, so keep that in mind when comparing notes.

hafmpty · Jul 27, 2015

MerlinWerks said:
I'm reasonably certain that the COFI filters are 800 micron, so keep that in mind when comparing notes.

I'm getting a filter made by Chad at ArborFab (he also does all the work for Utah Biodiesel). It's 400 micron which is what they recommend for BIAB baskets. They do 300 for pellet hops.

MerlinWerks · Jul 28, 2015

He also makes the COFI filters and said they were 800u, per Darrin's spec...

hafmpty · Jul 28, 2015

MerlinWerks said:
He also makes the COFI filters and said they were 800u, per Darrin's spec...

I didn't realize we were talking about a slightly different thing. The COFI filter is like what's used in the Brew Boss...got that. I'm using more of a basket without the lid and all that...it's going to be 400 micron.

Is Darrin the guy the makes the Brew Boss? Or is this Darrin at BrewersHardware.com?

MerlinWerks · Jul 28, 2015

Yes the Brew-Boss COFI basket is a fancier version of what most are discussing here, but they are essentially the same thing, except that the COFI is 800u and most people that get a basket from Chad for BIAB get 400u.

I was just trying to point out the differences for people trying to compare experiences/performance between systems as Just-A-Sip was a few posts earlier. I know when I first started looking at the mesh basket approach I assumed the COFI filters were 400u.

Darrin is the owner of Brew-Boss and I believe he chose the larger mesh to ensure the mash never gets stuck, regardless of the brewer's experience level.

I'm interested in a 400u basket myself, but need more feedback from people who have a 400u basket and recirculate...

hafmpty · Jul 30, 2015

MerlinWerks said:
I'm interested in a 400u basket myself, but need more feedback from people who have a 400u basket and recirculate...

FWIW I contacted Chad at Arbor Fab. After this thread I was having second thoughts about the 400 micron basket I'm having him make. He said the 600 & 800 micron mesh is better for grains.

I'm planning on recirculating with a Blichmann kettle and Tower of Power. I went ahead and told him to use 800 micron mesh to avoid any issues with recirculation. My concerns are wort clarity and temp stability with temp stability being more important. It's still at least a month off from the basket being completed and the first batch being made but I'll report back with my impressions.

I feel good about the 800 seeing as how the Brew Boss uses that and I know those who have them really seem to like them and have little to no issues with it. Thanks for the helpful info.

TimKennard · Aug 5, 2015

I don't post much, but I sure spend a lot of time on this forum ha. I use a 400 mesh basket and recirculate. Works pretty good. I can only run my chugger pump about 1/2 throttle. I crush my grains as tight as I can on my Barley Crusher. My system isn't dialed in all the way yet. I still have some temp issues. I've had the temp sensor in the kettle and in the output in a tee. In the tee seems to work better. There is some temp stratification happening under the basket (I'm assuming here) during the mash though. I want to mess around with a 3-way valve and whirlpool the wort under the basket at the same time as returning wort to the top for recirculation. We'll see how that goes but I'm having a blast brewing on this system. Have brewed 5 times so far on this so there is lots to learn/tweak still.

One thing I didn't care for was the stainless hop spider, 300 micron. Works fine for small amounts of hops but I definitely prefer to let the hops run free in the boil/whirlpool for hoppy beers. This also means my plate chiller has to go. Well it doesn't have to I guess but I don't like it regardless. All good, I don't mind immersion chillers at all and the extra clean up of the kettle is worth the flavor/aroma in my beers. I like to brew hoppy beers 90% of the time.

This is an old network telco rack I made a base for; perfect for this sort of thing. 62 qt bayou kettle, 5500 watt ss element, and brewhardware fittings.

gtmaus · Aug 6, 2015

That looks amazing! Love how clean and streamlined it is. Nicely done!!!

doug293cz · Aug 6, 2015

Very nice! What size batches are you brewing, and is the 5500W element really needed, or would a 4500W be plenty (planning my electric build)?

Brew on :mug:

TimKennard · Aug 6, 2015

I'm brewing 5 gallon batches almost always. When I need to do a 10 gallon batch I'll probably mash in a cooler or do some sort of sparge through the basket. I've boiled 10 gallons of water fairly easily with 5500 watt. Not sure if 5500 watts is needed, but I'm limited on time (have 3 little ones) and the whole reason for this setup was to save time. I'd rather have 5500 watts over 4500 watts. I can knock out a 5 gallon brew in 3 1/2 hours including cleanup. Probably quicker if I prepped the night before. I am using a BRU-matic DBC1MA controller and it can control or throttle the element whether in manual control mode or PID mode so being overpowered (if there is such a thing ha) on the element isn't a problem. Seems to take about 20-30 minutes to get to strike temp from 60 F water, 10-15 min to reach mash out, and 10-15 min to reach a boil.

virgil1 · Aug 6, 2015

Nothing too fancy. Built a control panel. Will put it on the wall over by the plug soon. Pulley on ceiling.

joe_four_strings · Aug 8, 2015

Simple setup. I rigged a grill from a fryer to rest the basket and the bag on top of the kettle to drain and squeeze. Worked very well fro me last brew day.

wilserbrewer · Aug 8, 2015

Looking good Joe, typically people install the bag up and over the top rim of the kettle, that way any spills out of the basket are contained.

This will also give you more usable volume in your kettle. After the mash, close the bag drawstring and remove basket / mash.

AnOldUR · Aug 9, 2015

I'm so confused! Three vessel BIAB?

Set-up my wilserbrewer hoist this morning. Worked great!

doug293cz · Aug 9, 2015

AnOldUR said:
I'm so confused! Three vessel BIAB?

Because you like cleaning up more than brewing?

Brew on

AnOldUR · Aug 10, 2015

doug293cz said:
Because you like cleaning up more than brewing?

There was a reason for my madness. Trying to finish with 10 gallons of high gravity wort. Two 2qt/lb no-sparge mashes combined to get me there. I forgot to get the BIAB pre-boil gravity, but combining that with the run-off from the conventional mash, my overall mash efficiency was 70%, not the 65% I had planned. My English Barleywine won't mind.

hafmpty · Aug 31, 2015

Here's mine. Had my maiden today...went with two back-to-back batches. First brew was a Nut Brown Ale. Second was a Citra Pale. I've brewed both before, but that was on my 10gal 3V system. Sold all that because of back problems and downgraded to a 2.5g BIAB setup. LOVE IT! The basket is from ArborFab. Control panel is a Blichmann Tower of Power gas module.

SamuraiSam · Sep 2, 2015

What is that black ring your using hafmpty?
I assume its on the grain bed for recirculation, just never seen one like that before.
Also where did you get it?

hafmpty · Sep 2, 2015

SamuraiSam said:
What is that black ring your using hafmpty?
I assume its on the grain bed for recirculation, just never seen one like that before.
Also where did you get it?

Yeah, I use it for recirculation. I bought it here:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/mashspargering.htm

I like it because the end is open allowing larger pieces of grain to flow out while the liquid is more evenly dispensed over the grain bed. Plus it's flexible so you can adjust it if you wanted to mount it.

Buy individual parts/pieces to suit your own attachment method here:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/loclineparts.htm

SamuraiSam · Sep 2, 2015

hafmpty said:
Yeah, I use it for recirculation. I bought it here:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/mashspargering.htm

I like it because the end is open allowing larger pieces of grain to flow out while the liquid is more evenly dispensed over the grain bed. Plus it's flexible so you can adjust it if you wanted to mount it.

Buy individual parts/pieces to suit your own attachment method here:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/loclineparts.htm

Awesome!
Thanks for the links.
I've seen some people use the flexible tubing before but it only had a single output.
Do you see much grain coming through when re-circulating?

I ask only because I have gotten one of those cheap ebay pumps which is much smaller and am concerned about clogs.

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