BeerSmith - How To Add Batch Sparge To BIAB

[Culln5]

Hey Guys,
How do I add a batch sparge step to the BIAB profile in Beersmith?


George

 

[Oginme]

I used the standard single infusion profile and modified it for a thinner mash. I set the sparge for 100% of volume and have the grain to water ratio for the mash set a little higher to give me approximately equal volume yield from both mash and sparge. The first several times you use the new profile, measure your volumes carefully and watch the efficiency. You can then adjust the profile to reflect your actual results.

I was getting mid to upper 70's for efficiency the first couple of full volume BIAB brews that I did. When I switched to splitting the water and doing the batch sparge, my efficiency jumped to between 85% and 86% (very consistent results over 6 to 8 brews). When you do the batch sparge, I recommend squeezing the bag after lifting it from the mash before putting it into the sparge. Stir well to break up the grains into the sparge water and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring about every five minutes.

 

[Culln5]

I used the standard single infusion profile and modified it for a thinner mash. I set the sparge for 100% of volume and have the grain to water ratio for the mash set a little higher to give me approximately equal volume yield from both mash and sparge. The first several times you use the new profile, measure your volumes carefully and watch the efficiency. You can then adjust the profile to reflect your actual results.

I was getting mid to upper 70's for efficiency the first couple of full volume BIAB brews that I did. When I switched to splitting the water and doing the batch sparge, my efficiency jumped to between 85% and 86% (very consistent results over 6 to 8 brews). When you do the batch sparge, I recommend squeezing the bag after lifting it from the mash before putting it into the sparge. Stir well to break up the grains into the sparge water and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring about every five minutes.

Ok.... .So if I follow correctly.....

My California Common calls for 9.01 (gal) total volume for the BIAB Full Body Mash. If I divide that by 2 (4.5 gallons/18 qts) and substitute that in the Single Infusion, Full Body, Batch Sparge, that will give me a water/grain ratio of 1.674 qts/lb and a batch sparge of 5.01 gallons. That makes my total volume 9.51, so if I add the difference to my mash (1 qt), both the mash and the sparge will be 4.75 gallons..... Sound right?

George

 

[Oginme]

Your calculation will work just fine.

The way I configured it from in the mash profile was to take the total water for a recipe, for your example it is 9.01 gal and subtract the water loss to the grain. Divide that number by half and add back to the mash volume the water absorbed by the grain. For simplicity sake, let's say that the grain absorbs 1 gal of water. The math goes: 9 gal - 1 gal gives 8 gal of water. Divide that by 2 and the sparge volume will be 4 gal. The mash volume would be 4 gal plus the 1 gal which will get absorbed by the grain. The goal for better efficiency is to try and get equal running from both the mash and the sparge steps. It does not need be be exact, but pretty close will do. Check out Denny Conn's batch sparging information at www.dennybrew.com for more information on this.

 

[mbbransc]

I use the single infusion profile as well. I calculate 1.33gal per lb on the first mash, then just use what BS tells me for the sparge. It's generally more than I need and I'll just add the batch sparge to the boil kettle until I get the amount I need for boil. There is usually more sparge leftover. My efficiency is around 73-75%.

 

[Culln5]

So what I wound up doing was creating a "BIAB, Full Body, Batch Sparge" mash profile by starting with the Single Infusion, Full Body, Batch Sparge.

I changed the "Batch Sparge using batches that fill" to 100% and unchecked the "Use equal batch sizes". That made the Mash Step @ 156 to 2.00 qts/lb.

So with my equipment and a 5.45 gallon batch, I mashed 5 gallons at 156 and batch sparged 4.5 gallons at 168.

I was:

• Over my estimated pre-boil gravity by .003
• Over my starting gravity by .003 also
• My mash efficiency was 95.8%
• My Brewhouse efficiency was 74.2%

So I was pleased with that.

Tony: I double milled the Briess and stayed away from the local grains this time.