BIAB Brewing (with pics)

[mtnagel]

So I did my first BIAB brew this weekend. Things went reasonably well especially considering I did a 5 gallon batch with a 17 lb grain bill and I also brewed a 10 gal extract batch at the same time.

The only thing is that my BIAB that I had a friend sew from voile fabric, got a few small tears in it. I didn't notice till I went to wash it, so I don't think any grain got in the batch. But I was hoping to reuse this several times before needing another. I do think it may have happened because I used a metal vegetable strainer, that has a metal rod with keychain ring on it - like this one. Of course, now that I search, I see they have ones without that post. Anyway, I already figure for my next batch I will use something else.

So basically I'm asking, how many uses do you normally get out of your BIAB bag?

 

[eulipion2]

So basically I'm asking, how many uses do you normally get out of your BIAB bag?

I usually can get around 10 uses per bag or more, but I've never used a homemade bag.

 

[wilserbrewer]

So basically I'm asking, how many uses do you normally get out of your BIAB bag?

Some voile material is heavier and sturdier than others. A bag properly made with the corrrect material should exhibit almost no wear after proper use, and last a long time, guessing 30 batches or more. I have had people report 30 batches and looking to replace the bag, not because it couldn't be used, but just to replace it cause they thought it was "time".

Of course, sharp edges like a cut keggle that hasn't been properly dressed and smoothed, could damage a bag immediately.

I also wouldn't twist and squeeze a bag like a sumo wrestler.

mtnagel,
I have seen people break off the center post on that type of strainer prior to use for BIAB.

 

[solbes]

I'm up to ~25 uses with my paint strainer bag inner, voile outer. No wear that I can really see, although the voile bag has a slight stain to it and a wonderful smell.

 

[NivekD]

I do think it may have happened because I used a metal vegetable strainer, that has a metal rod with keychain ring on it - like this one. Of course, now that I search, I see they have ones without that post.

I think that post is just screwed on and can be removed, at least mine does.

 

[mtnagel]

Thanks for the responses. Basically I paid $12.50 for 1 use of 1 bag because my co-worker screwed up the sizing of the first bag and then I ripped the second

I'm leaning towards buying one from you wilserbrewer if it will last longer. I guess sometimes it's not worth it to try to save some money.

I usually can get around 10 uses per bag or more, but I've never used a homemade bag.

Where did you get your bag?

 

[trainwreck]

wilserbrewer did my bag and I havent had any issues.. its a giant pot too. 20 gallons (and the bag fits over the top edges)

Since it is such a big pot, its hard for me to brew 5 gallons , so we mainly brew larger 10 gallon batches, so each time we BIAB its 20 plus lbs of grain.. I've done it 5 plus times and still looking good.


I'd imagine it'd last a really long time going smaller grain batches... but I like heavy beers

 

[Mysticmead]

I have 40 batches out of my first bag that my wife sewed for me and it's still in great shape and can be used today as if it were a new bag. I also have 10 batches on the bag I got from CustomBIAB.com. It looks just like new and will serve me for many more batches. I do spin and squeeze the bags to get every drop out that I can and it has had no adverse effect on either bag.

you might wonder why I have a second bag if the initial bag my wife made me is still going strong. Simple. my first bag is made to fit my 10 gallon pot, the one from Custombiab.com is made to fit my keggle. I can now 2 do BIAB sessions at the same time

 

[eulipion2]

Where did you get your bag?

Midwest Supplies. 2' wide x 3' high, fits my steamer basket perfectly. I probably get more than 10 uses out of it, but occasionally it'll snag on the equipment and need replacing.

 

[BPhad]

Thanks for the responses. Basically I paid $12.50 for 1 use of 1 bag because my co-worker screwed up the sizing of the first bag and then I ripped the second

I'm leaning towards buying one from you wilserbrewer if it will last longer. I guess sometimes it's not worth it to try to save some money.

Where did you get your bag?

+1 for wilserbrewer bags. I'm on at least 25 uses and no issues. I just rinse out grain then run thru gentle cycle with a scoop of oxyclean after every use. I can't see why it wouldn't last indefinitely.

 

[msa8967]

+1 for wilserbrewer bags. I'm on at least 25 uses and no issues. I just rinse out grain then run thru gentle cycle with a scoop of oxyclean after every use. I can't see why it wouldn't last indefinitely.

What temperature setting do you wash the bags at? I would have thought that there could be some residue oxyclean left in the fibers of the bags but now with your post I am wanting to give this a try.

 

[Antler]

What temperature setting do you wash the bags at? I would have thought that there could be some residue oxyclean left in the fibers of the bags but now with your post I am wanting to give this a try.

I just toss mine in with any laundry load. No I'll effects here.

 

[thughes]

I got my bag from Jeff 3 years ago. Never put mine in the washing machine, just toss it over the chain-link fence in the backyard and hose it off when I get done brewing. 500+ gallons and it's holding up fine. YMMV.

 

[BPhad]

What temperature setting do you wash the bags at? I would have thought that there could be some residue oxyclean left in the fibers of the bags but now with your post I am wanting to give this a try.

Warm wash and rinse. You could even just run it thru with water just to rinse out the sugars. I only use about a tablespoon of oxy.

 

[trainwreck]

i just wash mine with a hose then soak in sanitizer.. then let it hang dry.. i've never machine wasxhed / dried it..

 

[mathin]

A friend and I brewed a barley wine yesterday. The recipe had 19.5 pounds of grain ... we really didn't want to lift that by hand, so I built a tripod out of 2x4's and hooked up a block and tackle to hoist the bag out of the mash. It worked like a charm.

Getting ready to lift:



Draining:

 

[cliffhanger1821]

A friend and I brewed a barley wine yesterday. The recipe had 19.5 pounds of grain ... we really didn't want to lift that by hand, so I built a tripod out of 2x4's and hooked up a block and tackle to hoist the bag out of the mash. It worked like a charm.

Nice! How big is your pot/bag?

 

[mathin]

The pot is 15 gallons; approximate 18" wide and tall. The bag is big enough for the pot to fit inside.

The brew day went great up until the transfer to the fermenter. First time trying the ball valve and it clogged. Switched to the auto siphon ... it clogged. Had a hell of a time getting the wort into the carboy. Think I'll be investigating the hop spider threads though I wonder how that would work with an immersion chiller (which I usually put in the kettle with 15 minutes to go in the boil). Also may look at some sort of filter on the inside. Have heard mixed things about bazooka tubes.

 

[wilserbrewer]

View attachment 112255

Hahaha classic sign of a bag tooo wide....looks like a full moon, or more impolitely a set af dogs [email protected]

Nice work on the lifting apparatus, that thing could pull a V-8 out of a 69 Chevy.

 

[mathin]

Thanks, and yes, many jokes about squeezing balls were made

If anyone is thinking about making a similar contraption and wants to learn from my experience ...

- 10 foot 2x4's are about right lengthwise, at least for the setup I have

- 2 inch holes for the bolt are bigger than you need, but work (I haven't drilled the other end of the 2x4's yet, but I think 1 inch holes will be about right

- Get a cleat to tie off the rope and attach it to one of the 2x4's (I got this right the first time ... I knew sailing experience would come in handy brewing someday)

- this is the block and tackle I bought. Not the highest quality, but the price was right and I don't think I'll need to replace it anytime soon: http://amzn.com/B001BXJVNC

- lift slowly, you may need to adjust the legs to get the bag centered so you don't loose any wort. If you are brewing solo, you'll really appreciate that cleat about now

Dan.

 

[TheJasonT]

Anyone ever had the grain bag rip open on them?


I had that happen while I was brewing a Chocolate Banana Stout last night. I was able to get the grain that floated, but come cooling time, there was an easy 1-2 pounds of grain in the bottom.

I still hit all my numbers and the only off thing I noticed was a bit more roasty flavor. I'm going to let it sit for a couple weeks in primary before I secondary and adding cacao nibs and more bananas.

Just make sure your bag doesn't sit on the bottom, folks.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Anyone ever had the grain bag rip open on them?

Polyester voile material is the answer. Round two 120 lbs no issues.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/biab-polyester-voile-strength-test-384445/

 

[CDGoin]

I just did my first using the directions (and got 2 row double crushed) worked awesome

( https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f36/3-crops-honey-lager-402493/ )

I have to say my pot being thin SS doesnt hold heat real well, and the glass top doesnt transfer heat well.. Which is why it was PERFECT.. It is REAL hard to get 6 gals to boil.. but to get to 152 not too bad.. then once there I left the burner on 2 and it stayed at 152. SO I was able to stir the whole time.. I think I did pretty good at getting most everything out.

Thanks to the OP for the directions.

 

[globe]

Anyone ever had the grain bag rip open on them?


I had that happen while I was brewing a Chocolate Banana Stout last night. I was able to get the grain that floated, but come cooling time, there was an easy 1-2 pounds of grain in the bottom.

I still hit all my numbers and the only off thing I noticed was a bit more roasty flavor. I'm going to let it sit for a couple weeks in primary before I secondary and adding cacao nibs and more bananas.

Just make sure your bag doesn't sit on the bottom, folks.

I have caught my bag on my drain spout and ripped it as i was pulling it out. But a small hole so didn't lose any grain. Voile bags are tough but no match for sharp stainless steel. Im going to have to be more cautious next time and fix the sharp edges.

 

[wobdee]

Anyone ever had the grain bag rip open on them?


I had that happen while I was brewing a Chocolate Banana Stout last night. I was able to get the grain that floated, but come cooling time, there was an easy 1-2 pounds of grain in the bottom.

I still hit all my numbers and the only off thing I noticed was a bit more roasty flavor. I'm going to let it sit for a couple weeks in primary before I secondary and adding cacao nibs and more bananas.

Just make sure your bag doesn't sit on the bottom, folks.

This is one of the reasons I went with a 400 micron stainless steel basket for my BIAB system. So far it's working out great, no chance of ripping, easier to squeeze the grains and easy clean up.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/my-one-vessel-ag-system-380656/

 

[BPhad]

This is one of the reasons I went with a 400 micron stainless steel basket for my BIAB system. So far it's working out great, no chance of ripping, easier to squeeze the grains and easy clean up.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/my-one-vessel-ag-system-380656/

That's awesome , can this be purchased from someone?

 

[wobdee]

That's awesome , can this be purchased from someone?

http://arborfab.com/ocart/

 

[Yambor44]

Tried my very first BIAB today. Got my bag from wilserbrewer's site. Great quality! Brew session itself went very smooth. No problems at all. My only problem was my horrible efficiency. According to BTP I ended up at 65% efficiency or a 3.38% ABV beer. I believe my crush is fine as I am usually at 80% or better on regular all grain with batch sparging. I posted a half dozen mostly short videos about my brew day, I'd appreciate any input I could get about it.

Thanks.

Here is the first one. You can follow long after this one if you don't get too bored!

 

[wilserbrewer]

Very nice system you got there! My only comment would be the large amount of dead space under your beautiful false bottom...this volume of liquid is perhaps not really "participating in the mash". Just my opinion, but I prefer to do full volume BIAB, such that all the water is IN the mash and helping to rinse the grain. I would suggest either trying a batch without the false bottom, or perhaps circulating a few gallons back through the grains to assure that the full water volume has passed through the grain bill. I doubt having the bag on the element would be a problem, even if you need to add a little heat, stir down low and keep the wort moving...someone did a little experiment and tied a piece of poly voile fabric to the element and it didn't scorch the fabric...again just my opinion, but I prefer not to use strainer baskets or false bottoms unless you are pumping and recirculating the wort. Good luck and happy brewing!

Again, great looking system! Crush is nice and fine as well, right?

Honored to see my product being put to use in your awesome rig! Enjoyed the vids as well!

 

[jb1677]

I completed my 3rd or 4th BIAB today. I crushed my grain fairly fine (.30 on barley crusher) and hit 76% efficiency pre boil.

My only issue with the process I have so far is the crazy amount of trub and cloudy wort - does anyone have tips for this? Today for example after cooling I had 5.5 gallons in the kettle, I whirlpooled, let it sit and started to transfer with an autosiphon. The first 2.5 gallons wer nice and clear, from the next 2 were pretty cloude and the last one was thick. I left behind a half gallon of sluge.

Any tips, I know the last 1/2 gallon of pure trub is to be expected but the 2.5 gallons of really cloudy wort bothers me.