BIAB super squeeze device

[Willy]

I don't like squeezing the bag. Don't like my hands on it, even with gloves. I play a lot of guitar and enjoy it immensely. No time for burned fingers. So ... Is there a better way to squeeze the bag?

I was thinking about taking an unused malt pipe and bisecting it vertically - giving me two tall semi circular "half cylinders". I would make a couple of cuts on the side of each half pipe - to basically make a belt loop for a strap.

After mash out and I lift the bag.... I would take each semi cylinder and wrap it around the bag. Thread the strap thru the belt loop slots... Tighten it up and then start squeezing like a strongman using a winch ratchet thing like they use on trucks to secure the load... So you could squeeze like never before... And it would lock with each pull making it tighter.

Just an idea so far. Anybody done anything like this? Thoughts?

 

[Broken Crow]

I don't like squeezing the bag. Don't like my hands on it, even with gloves. I play a lot of guitar and enjoy it immensely. No time for burned fingers. So ... Is there a better way to squeeze the bag?

I was thinking about taking an unused malt pipe and bisecting it vertically - giving me two tall semi circular "half cylinders". I would make a couple of cuts on the side of each half pipe - to basically make a belt loop for a strap.

After mash out and I lift the bag.... I would take each semi cylinder and wrap it around the bag. Thread the strap thru the belt loop slots... Tighten it up and then start squeezing like a strongman using a winch ratchet thing like they use on trucks to secure the load... So you could squeeze like never before... And it would lock with each pull making it tighter.

Just an idea so far. Anybody done anything like this? Thoughts?

That actually sounds like a pretty cool idea....I'd suggest one modification: Only cut one vertical slot so you have an open cylinder with only one pinch-point and to avoid sharp edges; add a large silicone or some such mat as a liner:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=large+si...x=large+silicone+mat,aps,112&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
..I'll keep watching this thread to see what you come up with.

 

[sibelman]

Only thing: gotta avoid tearing the bag with the edge(s) of the former malt pipe.

 

[MMP126]

How do you lift it? If you wench it up with a rope, you can just grab the top and spin the bag. As the bag spins, it will squeeze the grain. Kind of like wringing out a wash cloth.

As for the hand thing, these gloves work great. Stops the heat, and you can wash them easy.

 

[Willy]

That actually sounds like a pretty cool idea....I'd suggest one modification: Only cut one vertical slot so you have an open cylinder with only one pinch-point and to avoid sharp edges; add a large silicone or some such mat as a liner:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=large+si...x=large+silicone+mat,aps,112&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
..I'll keep watching this thread to see what you come up with.

Yes. Excellent idea. Just one cut ... The other side would need some hammering to make it somewhat open (making it easy to wrap around the hanging bag of grain). And oh yeah... I would need to grind the edge smooth and using a silicon gasket is also a great idea.

At present - I would need to get some power tools I don't have to knock it out. Still just thinking about it... But I look at it as the ultimate no sparge option - a better way to extract more juice from that beautiful bag of purloined wort. ha.

 

[Willy]

How do you lift it? If you wench it up with a rope, you can just grab the top and spin the bag. As the bag spins, it will squeeze the grain. Kind of like wringing out a wash cloth.

As for the hand thing, these gloves work great. Stops the heat, and you can wash them easy.

I have a couple of pulleys and hooks. And made a 4x4 a frame on a gazebo as the lift hook. Lifts out, light as a feather.

 

[Broken Crow]

Yes. Excellent idea. Just one cut ... The other side would need some hammering to make it somewhat open (making it easy to wrap around the hanging bag of grain). And oh yeah... I would need to grind the edge smooth and using a silicon gasket is also a great idea.

At present - I would need to get some power tools I don't have to knock it out. Still just thinking about it... But I look at it as the ultimate no sparge option - a better way to extract more juice from that beautiful bag of purloined wort. ha.

You could use a dremel with a metal cutting wheel, an angle-grinder or a cheap amazon/ebay plasma cutter....here's your excuse to buy whichever one of those you don't have. (though how anyone can live without all of them is beyond me!)
You only need an overlapping flap to protect from sharp edges, which can be pop-riveted (with washers) provided you file and sand the washer edges round so as to avoid cutting into either the silicone or the brew bag....although soaking in Star San is bad for silicone, in the short term is does make silicone very slippery, so using a spray bottle to 'lubricate' the flap to slide along the steel might work.
Anywho...I apologize for the very rough drawing (brain and nerve damage have massively impacted my penmanship )

 

[Agent]

The biggest challenge personally is to make something that is equally useful for all batches 10-40lbs.

But I'm following along for inspiration!

 

[mac_1103]

Is there a better way to squeeze the bag?

Put a brewhardware false bottom in a five gallon bucket, drop the bag in and push down on it with any flat, round thing that has a diameter smaller than that of the bucket.

 

[PCABrewing]

Put a brewhardware false bottom in a five gallon bucket, drop the bag in and push down on it with any flat, round thing that has a diameter smaller than that of the bucket.

Like another bucket perhaps.
They are tapered and will get down to 3 - 4" of space at the bottom.

 

[PCABrewing]

Of course a 5 gal. bucket will not hold much more than ~15 lbs of swollen grain.

 

[MMP126]

Put a brewhardware false bottom in a five gallon bucket, drop the bag in and push down on it with any flat, round thing that has a diameter smaller than that of the bucket.

This is the way...This one

 

[Bobby_M]

I don't like squeezing either so I just stopped doing it. I just kept increasing the absorption rate in the Brewfather equipment profile until I hit my preboil gravity without squeezing. Done.

 

[Willy]

I don't like squeezing either so I just stopped doing it. I just kept increasing the absorption rate in the Brewfather equipment profile until I hit my preboil gravity without squeezing. Done.

Yes ... I am venturing down this route as well. Also a BrewFather user - what do you set the absorption rate to hit the numbers you hope to achieve?

 

[Bobby_M]

Yes ... I am venturing down this route as well. Also a BrewFather user - what do you set the absorption rate to hit the numbers you hope to achieve?

.31 quarts/lb usually gets my pre boil volume very close with just an extended hang while I get to boil. The only time I have to touch the bag is if I wasn't too thorough at cleaning it and it's a little clogged up. I usually just grab the loose cloth just above the grain mass and kind of tighten my fists downward a bit and it will unlock another quart or so quickly.

I'll probably go up to .325 qts/lb on the next batch and see if it doesn't just get there on its own.

Note that I'm now down to an even 70% mash/lauter efficiency, down from 74% when I squeezed A LOT. That kind of gets me to my point about whether the effort was worth it or not. It's also not just the effort of squeezing but the fact that you're forcing out a lot of mash fines unnecessarily and I am convinced that they are a noticeable detriment for delicate beers.

 

[JohnDBrewer]

How about a little centrifugal force instead of a squeeze? Something to spin it. I don't biab, but if I did, I would go Bobby's route. Isn't the main benefit of biab, simplicity?

 

[Willy]

.31 quarts/lb usually gets my pre boil volume very close with just an extended hang while I get to boil. The only time I have to touch the bag is if I wasn't too thorough at cleaning it and it's a little clogged up. I usually just grab the loose cloth just above the grain mass and kind of tighten my fists downward a bit and it will unlock another quart or so quickly.

I'll probably go up to .325 qts/lb on the next batch and see if it doesn't just get there on its own.

Note that I'm now down to an even 70% mash/lauter efficiency, down from 74% when I squeezed A LOT. That kind of gets me to my point about whether the effort was worth it or not. It's also not just the effort of squeezing but the fact that you're forcing out a lot of mash fines unnecessarily and I am convinced that they are a noticeable detriment for delicate beers.

I am set at .48 qt/lb ... on the grain absorption rate. (Default for Brewzilla Gen 4). Sounds like the tall thin shape of the kettle keeps it higher vs. a wider brew kettle shape.

Seems like I always have to add some water to reach preboil volume levels.

 

[MikeCo]

I squeeze enough to get most of the liquid out without making it a chore; I don't overdo it and it's pretty easy. I use insulated gloves and don't feel any heat at all. I would still be interested in a device that makes it easier.

 

[Willy]

You could use a dremel with a metal cutting wheel, an angle-grinder or a cheap amazon/ebay plasma cutter....here's your excuse to buy whichever one of those you don't have. (though how anyone can live without all of them is beyond me!)
You only need an overlapping flap to protect from sharp edges, which can be pop-riveted (with washers) provided you file and sand the washer edges round so as to avoid cutting into either the silicone or the brew bag....although soaking in Star San is bad for silicone, in the short term is does make silicone very slippery, so using a spray bottle to 'lubricate' the flap to slide along the steel might work.
Anywho...I apologize for the very rough drawing (brain and nerve damage have massively impacted my penmanship )
View attachment 876579

Okay... I ordered an angle grinder. Always wanted one anyway. Should arrive tomorrow or Sunday.

 

[Snuffy]

I like the 2-bucket idea. False bottom in one bucket. Bag on the false bottom. Another on top filled 2/3 with water. Wait a bit and *viola*. Easy-squeezy.

 

[Broken Crow]

Okay... I ordered an angle grinder. Always wanted one anyway. Should arrive tomorrow or Sunday.

Congratulations! The sun will shine more brightly when you rise and your days be ever more rich with the goodness life offers to those who wield an angle-grinder!

...we'll move on to the dremel and plasma-cutter eventually.

 

[Agent]

Getting tangential to the original design, my spare parts piles yielded a nice pot that already has trouble holding liquid.

Because I had quite a few beers in me upon this discovery, I correctly decided that improper use of a handheld bandsaw and guardless angle grinder is best left to sober minds during working hours.

Well see how it works later today. I've got 35lbs of rhubarb pulp to press for wine, and hopefully some BIAB squeezing on Sunday.

 

[Willy]

The angle grinder (Bosch) arrived today with grinding wheels. Also ... Ratchet straps. Check. However... The cutting wheels don't arrive until Sunday. Fine. More planning is good.

 

[Broken Crow]

The angle grinder (Bosch) arrived today with grinding wheels. Also ... Ratchet straps. Check. However... The cutting wheels don't arrive until Sunday. Fine. More planning is good.

A quick word on cutting wheels: With one cutting wheel, I can remove the entire roof from the average sedan, however; Stainless Steel is much harder and it consumes about 3 wheels to cut the top off of a 304SS sanke keg... I usually buy my cutting wheels in multiple spindles at a time.

 

[MaxStout]

My bucket BIAB "rocket" drainer. I just use it for indoor brewing, to minimize the mess in the kitchen. It will hold about 12lbs or so of grain, which is about as big as I go for inside brewing. (For brewing larger batches in the garage, I just use a ratchet hoist and let it drain.)

To squeeze, just use a pan lid to press down.

 

[Willy]

You know - the more I think about it ... Gravity is your friend. Kinda thinking this may be silly. Ha.

My worst case is - hey, at least I got a Angle grinder. There's that. I think I really just need a big enough vessel, an extra pound of grain and do a no sparge. Easy.

 

[day_trippr]

Hopefully appropriate head and eye protection was ordered as well...

Cheers!

 

[Broken Crow]

You know - the more I think about it ... Gravity is your friend. Kinda thinking this may be silly. Ha.

My worst case is - hey, at least I got a Angle grinder. There's that. I think I really just need a big enough vessel, an extra pound of grain and do a no sparge. Easy.

That's OK...there's no end to the things you probably have around that need some cutting or grinding!

 

[MaxStout]

If the only tool you have is a grinder, everything looks like a sharp edge.

 

[Agent]

If the only tool you have is a grinder, everything looks like a sharp edge.

And if it doesn't, you can now give it one!