??? 2.5 gallon

[bcltoys]

Would mashing with 2.52 gallons of water and sparging with 2 gallons be alright with 8.5 pounds of grain,or should I just go full volume.I have never sparged before.

 

[TexasWine]

You're at 1.17 qts/lb. That's a little thick compared to what most BIABers do and more in the range of multi vessel brewers. Not to say you couldn't go that route, but why would you if you have the capability to mash with the entire volume?

If you wanted to try a sparge I'd set aside 1 gallon for that instead of 2. That'd put you at 1.65 qts/lb.

 

[pricelessbrewing]

Agreed with texas, that's a little thick. I would mash with as much of the water as you can fit. Just make sure you adjust your strike temperature accordingly, or use a good calculator to do so.

Minimize sparging, if you can fit full volume then do so imo.

 

[MaxStout]

Lots of BIAB brewers do "no-sparge" brewing, with good brewhouse efficiency. In fact, sparging isn't even necessary, as it usually doesn't add much to the efficiency. Mash, lift out the grains, drain, boil. It keeps things simple, which is the attraction of BIAB in the first place.

 

[bcltoys]

Thanks for the answers I think in stick with the full volume way its always worked so far.

 

[ArcLight]

For that amount of grain for a small batch you could try mashing in 3 gallons, and do a dunk sparge with the remaining 1.5 gallons.
Or plop the bag in a collander and slowly spinkle in 1 - 1.5 gallons of water.

You will get 10% greater efficiency.
In fact, if you plan to make this beer again, try making it 2 ways.

A - full volume mash (4.5 gallons) no sparge
B - 3 gallon mash, 1.5 dunk or colander sparge

In both cases take a gravity reading and let us know.

 

[bcltoys]

That sounds like a plan to me.