BIAB max grains

[william_shakes_beer]

What is the max grain bill size that can be mashed comfortably in a 5 gallon paint strainer bag? I'm planning AG in the future and was wondering.... I am looking to get a 15 gallon boilermaker, so the pot won't be the limiting factor for 5 gallon batches.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

i try not to push 10#'s in a five gallon bag, but only because of the weight of the wet grains. i'll double up and use two paint strainers for grain bills over 9 or so #'s. i've done up to ~12 #'s, the bags held up fine, so i'd be willing to push that as long as it fits in the bag.

 

[zacster]

Having first hand experience at this yesterday I'd say that 10lbs would be about max. That was my size yesterday and you'd want more space than that for any more. Also, if you don't use a basket, you will have a hard time grabbing onto the bag with any more in it.

 

[EllisTX]

With that size pot, I wouldn't waste time with worrying over the 5 gal bags. You can get a nylon/polyester curtain panel at Walmart that you can fit all the grain your pot will hold.

 

[RM-MN]

One of the big advantages I see to using the paint strainer bags is they have a nice elastic top and they just fit my 30 qt turkey fryer. I can stretch that elastic around the rim and the bag is supported so I can add grain with one hand while stirring with the other. If your pot is larger diameter that advantage is gone and you should get a custom made one for your pot which may make larger grain bills fit easier.

 

[william_shakes_beer]

With that size pot, I wouldn't waste time with worrying over the 5 gal bags. You can get a nylon/polyester curtain panel at Walmart that you can fit all the grain your pot will hold.

do you sew a bag together or just drape it in the kettle and bunjie the top to the kettle rim?

Yes, I use a 7.5 lb turker fryer pot presently, and it's almost as if the paint strainer was made for it. I was planning on binder clipping the bag to the side of the bigger kettle if it didn't stretch.

 

[Euphist]

I made my own bag to fit my pot (also a 15 gal). Yesterday we did the Creme Brulee Stout...that's a20.5lb grain bill! I was a little nervous when we went to lift the bag out, but it held!

 

[EllisTX]

do you sew a bag together or just drape it in the kettle and bunjie the top to the kettle rim?

Yes, I use a 7.5 lb turker fryer pot presently, and it's almost as if the paint strainer was made for it. I was planning on binder clipping the bag to the side of the bigger kettle if it didn't stretch.

I just drape it over and use a bit of rope to secure it. I've got a pulley taken off of the now pushed aside Bowflex to pull the bag out at the end. I brew close to my fence so I tie it off to that and let it drain, then squeeze.

 

[william_shakes_beer]

I squeezed my extract batch this weekend. Had to work gingerly to keep the skin on my fingers. Can't imagine how squeezing 10 lbs of 165F grains would work without stressing the bag fabric.

 

[Doed]

I have had 10 lbs in my 5 gallon paint strainer bag, inside a basket, with no problems.

Pull the basket and let in drain for about 10 minutes, then use cooking pot lid or a potato masher to press/squeeze the grain bag to exact more wort.

 

[jgerard]

Yea 10 lbs fits well in a 5 gal paint straining bag. I ve done 11 but I wouldn't try more than that.

 

[terrapinj]

ive done 14+lbs before - there was a little tear around the elastic but it was above the grain level so nothing came out of the bag

i don't know if the paint strainers will stretch over a 15gal pot - mine fit perfectly on a 30qt pot but wouldn't fit around my 42qt - of course all kettles are different but they usually increase a bit in diameter as you get larger volume

EDIT: double checked some recipes, i've done 17lbs before

 

[stux]

I'd suggest just buying or making a custom biab bag to suit your kettle.

I've mashed and lifted 28 lbs in a 13 gallon pot before, no problems. didn't even have a re-inforced bag.

My new BIAB bag for my 26 gallon pot has re-inforced webbing and should be able to lift plenty