BIAB bags at bed bath

[daksin]

So we did a BIAB with this bag this weekend, and I have to say it worked great. I love that I can now mash the full volume in my MT/BK. The finer mesh does indeed keep more draff out of the boil, and I'd say there's a minor reduction in flour as well, but nothing huge. The bag is definitely sturdier than the paint strainers, and the drawstring is a big big plus. I find the elastic on the paint strainers wears out after a few uses on the paint strainers and I have to buy a new one. That won't happen with this bag. This bag is also easier to clean- the tighter mesh means that any grain that sticks to the bag rinses right off like a sheet of plastic. Overall, a great bag and I'll recommend it to anyone.

A few things to note, cons of the bigger bag- because the bag is so much larger than the diameter of my pot (I have a tall and skinny 7.5 gallon pot), there is some bunching which can make stirring and squeezing tricky if you don't take the time to carefully arrange the bag before you dough in. I didn't do this and definitely will next time and don't think it will be an issue. Also, I occasionally direct-fire my BIAB for a step mash or some other reason just by heating up the BK and holding the bag slightly off the bottom. This works fine for me, but all the extra material and hanging strings makes this a more complicated proposition.

 

[befus]

Awesome. I am using it right now for the first time and have a pic of the bag on a cooler in a post on this forum under semi BIAB brewing.

 

[tre9er]

Also, I occasionally direct-fire my BIAB for a step mash or some other reason just by heating up the BK and holding the bag slightly off the bottom. This works fine for me, but all the extra material and hanging strings makes this a more complicated proposition.

Can you try rolling the bag down so its less long? Might help.

 

[daksin]

Can you try rolling the bag down so its less long? Might help.

Oh, yea, that's definitely necessary, but it's still a handful. Not that you can't do it (I did) but it's just something to consider if that's something you're doing all the time.

 

[LabRatBrewer]

I love my wilserbrewer bag (15 gallon pot). I use a paint strainer for my one gallon batches, but they seem to wear out quickly. I will be ordering 2 more from wilserbrewer but im trying to find a deal on a 5 gallon and a 3 gallon stainless pot. Ive done 5 or 6, 6 to 10 gallon batches with the big bag and it still looks new.

 

[hefehawk]

Here are a few photos. It fits my 9 gallon kettle in circumference, but is too tall. I just doubled it up on the outside of the pot and used the drawstring to keep it in place. I kept the bag just off the bottom of the pot.

 

[Voodoo_Child]

Wow, looks like it would be great for my 9 gallon pot. I went the "lazy" route and used unsewn voile curtain. It would be adventageous to have a drawstring to keep the bag off the bottom instead of a colander, which I accidently left in for the boil, that restricts the grains.

Good find!

 

[tre9er]

Gentlemen, I just acquired a 11.4g European keg. Once cut I will want the option of doing full volume BIAB, so I wonder if this will fit? I may also contact our good friend WilserBrewer though, too., early stages of project!

 

[daksin]

I would say it will probably fit. It's a fair bit wider than my 7.5 gallon pot and about twice as tall.

 

[tre9er]

I would say it will probably fit. It's a fair bit wider than my 7.5 gallon pot and about twice as tall.

Sounds like a fit then. This keg is only slightly taller than a turkey fryer pot and while wider, it tapers on top and bottom.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/help-me-identify-334725/

 

[smyrnaquince]

Checked BB&B yesterday. It looks like that bag was on clearance. The new bags have very large holes. If anybody finds the one pictured at the top of this thread, I'd be happy to reimburse you if you are willing to buy it and mail it to me!

I found the one pictured below and it looks interesting. I have a small pot (half batches) that it should fit in. The handles would make it easy to lift. The questions arewhether the "straps" that go around the bag would absorb too much wort and how well the square shape would work.

The mesh is pretty fine, but the voile is probably finer.

 

[cublue]

Looks like the same bag they have at wal mart for 1.87. In the laundry and plastic tote aisle. Lists materials as 100% polyester.

 

[divrguy]

Looks like the same bag they have at wal mart for 1.87. In the laundry and plastic tote aisle. Lists materials as 100% polyester.

Was the Walmart one the bag above (square one) or the original bag. A couple of buddies here locally noticed that BBB here in town do not stock these any longer. Luckily I bought a couple when I saw them.

 

[djbradle]

I foolishly bought the more course bag thinking it was the one only to notice when I got home that the holes were huge, enough to let a whole hop through! Well not that big but the husks would certainly enter the boil. I picked the two pack of the square fine mesh ones as well that we're the same fine thread as the original. Oh well, out 12 bucks because of it.

I've heard the square ones drain at the corners which makes it a bit more challenging when draining.

 

[ArcLight]

BBB sells a cotton bag for $8 that is 24x34 or something. It shrinks to 22 x whatever after using once.

It works ok, it not too restrictive, but not as good a the older synthetic bag they used to sell. The new synthetic is woven too tightly, and your work will not drain.

Supposedly paint strainer bags will work. (they are cheap at Home Depot).

I just ordered a wilserbrewer bag.

 

[divrguy]

Ooops wrong link

 

[djbradle]

Guaranteed that's the course one.

 

[divrguy]

Guaranteed that's the course one.

Hmm you saying its probably not the one in my first pic? If not, I'll remove that link. I don't want to steer anyone in the wrong direction

 

[djbradle]

It looks very similar to the one I got. I guess I could save it for 15 more years when my kids are in college!

In anycase I would hate to pay for the shipping just to find out they send the course one.

 

[medic25]

I found the one pictured below and it looks interesting. I have a small pot (half batches) that it should fit in. The handles would make it easy to lift. The questions arewhether the "straps" that go around the bag would absorb too much wort and how well the square shape would work.

The mesh is pretty fine, but the voile is probably finer.

I just used this model today for a brew in a 15 gallon kettle and it worked beautifully. My only complaint would be the solid bottom, which made it a little tough to drain.

 

[divrguy]

They are listed online again now for 4.99 either search for Mesh laundry bag and notice the one that is 24 x 36 or click link below

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?MC=1&sku=10214041&rn=1014&col=0&mesg=Items+were+added+to+your+cart%2E+%3Ca+href%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebedbathandbeyond%2Ecom%2FshowCart%2Easp%3FMC%3D1%26retloc%3D1%26retarg%3DSKU%253D10214041%26%3EProceed+to+checkout%2E+%3Cimg+src%3D%2Fimg%2Fglobalicon%5Fcart%5Foff%2Egif+border%3D0%3E%3C%2Fa%3E&

 

[smyrnaquince]

Hard to tell from the picture, but this looks like the one with the wide mesh, not the fine mesh.

 

[divrguy]

Hard to tell from the picture, but this looks like the one with the wide mesh, not the fine mesh.

No, I don't think so. It's listed as mesh laundry bag which is the one I have and it works perfect. I do know that wife buys stuff online and if it's wrong, she returns it to the store so it would be worth the shot!

 

[hefehawk]

I don't think it is the same bag. If someone orders one, post here to let us know if it is the same bag. I've used the bag from BBB for five brews so far and it works great. Wouldn't mind having a few more in case this one wears out.

 

[divrguy]

I don't think it is the same bag. If someone orders one, post here to let us know if it is the same bag. I've used the bag from BBB for five brews so far and it works great. Wouldn't mind having a few more in case this one wears out.

Hmmm.... The description of the damn handle is throwing me. It doesn't have a handle it has a drawstring.. Man what a mystery bag this is with this description. I went by the store in pleasant hill, ca that said it had this bag in stock and no one could find it in the store ... Anywhere!

 

[djbradle]

That one in the link is a mesh bag, same exact one I picked up from the store. It has a drawstring and very course mesh that will let lot of the husk through, not the "Real Simple" brand as the above poster pictured.

 

[BradleyBrew]

5 gallon paint strainer bags at all hardware stores are 2 for $5 and work perfectly. So why pay double anyways?

 

[djbradle]

Paint strainer bags are good only for small volume kettles or mashing in a bucket, no good for a 50 quart lot : )

 

[divrguy]

5 gallon paint strainer bags at all hardware stores are 2 for $5 and work perfectly. So why pay double anyways?

Yeah the original bag fits my keggle with room. I need to find a new source for it.

 

[jah777]

I went to BBB today and purchased the polyester laundry bag pictured above for $4.99 but when I opened it later I could see that the mesh was too coarse. They had another laundry bag at the store made out of canvas for $9.99 and it had very small holes by comparison and a sturdy rope draw string. Would there be anything wrong with using canvas?