I'll have to do another couple batches to compare, but from what it looks like to me I get a similar mash efficiency with no sparge and with equal runnings, however the conversion efficiency appears to be faster and higher in the end with the full volume mash but the "lauter" efficiency is slightly lower which makes them even out. I'll be doing a couple more "equal runnings biab" batches before I have enough space to do a full volume mash.
A key difference to me is the amount of "work" in order to drain the bag, squeeze it slightly, then dunk sparge and batch sparge dough in, then combine runnings, then bring to boil. Adds about 10-15 minutes and if it doesn't help me then I'll most likely be avoiding doing so unless necessary due to size constraints. Although I'm currently leaning more towards lower the batch size rather than raising the sparge volume, noone is going to know you only made 44 bottles instead of 48 bottles.
However I'm currently sitting on 5.5 gallons now, zero empty fermenters, and a severe lack of empty bottles so might be a couple weeks before I get to brew again
That sure does sound like quite a bit extra work. Although "The pot calling the kettle black" springs to mind. I do enjoy some complex mashes
Be interesting to see how your data fits in or relates to the Kaiser's graph.
Is this process aimed at you being able to pimp out your bad-ass BIAB calculator even more than it already is?
Brewing next weekend. Just don't know what yet.
Apologies for my tangental discourse.:cross:
On topic. I've kind of gone full circle on the mash issue. After briefly experimenting with shorter mash-times I find I'm enjoying the process and results I'm getting with step mashes of various types.
These mashes by their very nature take longer than 30 mins of course.
I've also been doing a lot of 90 minute boils. Sorry @psylocide for uttering such blasphemy in your great thread. I'm not pooh-poohing the idea of short mash-times by any means. I definitely think for many styles 30 mins mash is going to be ample.
My thinking is simply that there is more to explore in mashing. A lot of techniques I don't know about and a lot I want to experiment with.
*runs as fast as he can to the hills with two tattered mash bags stuffed in both pockets and dragging a 10 gallon pot behind*
