BIAB super squeeze device

[Broken Crow]

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

I did say above; "we'll move on to the dremel and plasma-cutter eventually" ....maybe a TIG or at least a wire-feed (if not proper MIG) welder too?

 

[Willy]

I did say above; "we'll move on to the dremel and plasma-cutter eventually" ....maybe a TIG or at least a wire-feed (if not proper MIG) welder too?

Used to do old school acetylene and O2 welding and cutting. Loved it. More likely to do that than TIG or MIG. I know what I'm doing... is a good thing. Ha.

 

[MaxStout]

Used to do old school acetylene and O2 welding and cutting. Loved it. More likely to do that than TIG or MIG. I know what I'm doing... is a good thing. Ha.

I learned welding in H.S., first on oxyacetylene. Brazing, welding (thin stock), and of course, cutting. Shop teacher told us we could always weld if we had a torch and some old coat hangers for mild steel rod.

Then, stick welding with one of those Lincoln welders. Learned MIG on a summer job at a local factory that made farm gates.

Brings back memories.

I'd buy an oxyacetylene rig, but I don't need one more hobby.

 

[doug293cz]

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.

More like the solid nature of the malt pipe vs. the flexible bag. A hanging bag creates a squeezing force on the grain mass that you don't get with a malt pipe.

Brew on

 

[Willy]

I am now leaning toward getting a piece of stainless steel sheet metal... Say 12"-16" x 24" - and use that to squeeze as opposed to trying to cut open a mash pipe. Also thinking about using silicone mats I sometimes use for baking.

As for the angle grinder - I will get a lot of use for it, especially as a weapon used when descending into rabbit holes.

 

[Broken Crow]

I am now leaning toward getting a piece of stainless steel sheet metal... Say 12"-16" x 24" - and use that to squeeze as opposed to trying to cut open a mash pipe. Also thinking about using silicone mats I sometimes use for baking.

As for the angle grinder - I will get a lot of use for it, especially as a weapon used when descending into rabbit holes.

Having thought about this a while, I'm now thinking you may end up with an unwanted 'toothpaste-tube' effect and circular squeezing may end up just squeezing the grains out over the top of the bag.
Since you now own a life-enhancing angle grinder, I'm gonna +1 the idea floated by @mac_1103 and @PCABrewing above with one modification: Since you have a spare malt pipe, go ahead and buy some SS sheet and using your angle grinder; cut out a disc to fit the malt pipe....drop in your bag, throw the disc on top and drop a few weights on it and walk away....play a few tunes on your guitar while you let the weights squeeze it out for you.
?

 

[Willy]

Just got my piece of SS sheet metal - 24"x36" - so I will be 24" of vertical and hoping no leaks from the top. I also have ratchet straps so I can give it a few clicks, let it drain... Click a few more times ... Drain. Also possible to add some sparge water on top after loosening a little ... And then ratchet away.

My goal is to go make it easier... Where no sparge is easiest. My issue here is the tall shape of the Brewzilla and not enough water volume to do this with bigger batches.

 

[DavidWood2115]

drop in your bag, throw the disc on top and drop a few weights on it and walk away

So I subscribe to the “let it hang and maybe give it a squeeze or two if I have nothing better to do” philosophy and I have no interest in yet-another-thing-to-clean.

But if I were going to go down this path I would take some inspiration from the commercial mash filters and look at using a pneumatic bladder to do the squeezing. If your mash pipe is 10” in diameter, 1 psi in your mash filter bladder is equivalent to over 75 pounds of weights. You would need to do some careful engineering, of course, to do this safely.

 

[shavy]

I’m thinking something like Uncle Fester would use for headache relief.

A little bit longer and wider maybe?

 

[Snuffy]

There's also trash compactors...

 

[schuchdan]

Salad spinners too!

 

[Closet Fermenter]

I have thought about using my cider press.

 

[doug293cz]

I have thought about using my cider press.

That's something that's been around for a long time, and if you want a super squeezer that doesn't require compressed air, it should be the obvious choice. But, people love to reinvent the wheel.

Brew on

 

[PCABrewing]

As for the angle grinder - I will get a lot of use for it, especially as a weapon used when descending into rabbit holes.

You don't need a weapon, just tell them a hookah smoking caterpillar has given you the call.

 

[PCABrewing]

I’m thinking something like Uncle Fester would use for headache relief.
View attachment 876858
A little bit longer and wider maybe?

That may be a collectors item but I still use them... Just not for beer

 

[Willy]

Okay ... Got to try it out today on the German Pilsner batch. Changed it up a little for simplicity - really no need for the mash pipe modification, or a stainless steel sheet ... I just used a ratchet strap and it worked awesome!!!!
I feel I really got all I ever wanted by squeezing. Every time I would crank it down, I would get an extra 4-8 ounces of wort.

My bag looks like one of those Victorian ladies with the hourglass waist. And for the first time .... No sparge was needed. I got to my prescribed liquid volume without adding a drop of water.

Next time I will adjust my efficiency to hit my pre-boil target (came in a little low, nothing too serious). I will just add a little DME or Mauritius based, demorera sugar if I feel like. But thrilled by not feeling the need to sparge (and adding water for potential variables that are undesirable.

 

[day_trippr]

A corset could solve the hour glass shape

 

[Willy]

A corset could solve the hour glass shape

Used to call it "wasp waisted", like the insect, not the anglo Saxons.

Tell you what - it worked really well. I was surprised that it behaved so well. Yep ... The wort always fell down into the Brewzilla from the bottom of the bag - didn't spill a single drop.

 

[Broken Crow]

No "toothpaste-tube" squeezing out the top effect?