rshortt
Well-Known Member
I am thinking about using a electric keggle for BIAB. Like many, I'd prefer to use a stainless "bag" / basket instead of fabric.
I can get my hands on a stainless 5 gallon pot for my basket. I may get two, cut and mate them, to make a taller basket. I would drill holes and cut slits in the bottom of it for its "false bottom". I would make the holes much like the guys are with the cut keg tops as false bottoms. Having the holes in the bottom only (and not the sides) would allow the wort to pass through the entire grain bed vertically; not out the sides like a steamer basket or voile bag. I know the bag guys say to line the inside of the pot with the bag so that is not an issue there.
With holes only in the bottom of the basket there would be a water / wort jacket around the outside of the basket. This would mean a couple of things:
1) The water / wort on the outside of the basket would insulate the temperature of the mash.
2) The water / wort on the outside may be a much thinner dilution of starches, sugars, and enzymes.
I will be recirculating back into the top of the basket and using a bottom drain on the keggle.
I am wondering if the wort on the outside of the basket will mix well enough even with recirculation. I may be over thinking this but do you think it could be an issue?
Thanks,
-Rob
I can get my hands on a stainless 5 gallon pot for my basket. I may get two, cut and mate them, to make a taller basket. I would drill holes and cut slits in the bottom of it for its "false bottom". I would make the holes much like the guys are with the cut keg tops as false bottoms. Having the holes in the bottom only (and not the sides) would allow the wort to pass through the entire grain bed vertically; not out the sides like a steamer basket or voile bag. I know the bag guys say to line the inside of the pot with the bag so that is not an issue there.
With holes only in the bottom of the basket there would be a water / wort jacket around the outside of the basket. This would mean a couple of things:
1) The water / wort on the outside of the basket would insulate the temperature of the mash.
2) The water / wort on the outside may be a much thinner dilution of starches, sugars, and enzymes.
I will be recirculating back into the top of the basket and using a bottom drain on the keggle.
I am wondering if the wort on the outside of the basket will mix well enough even with recirculation. I may be over thinking this but do you think it could be an issue?
Thanks,
-Rob