BIAB using a 30 Gallon Blichmann Kettle with BoilCoil

[KillerBrew]

Seeking some advice. I am considering the purchase of a 30 Gallon Blichmann kettle with the 240v BoilCoil. Eventually I will add components to fill out the complete BrewEasy system. In the mean time I would like to know if there is a large enough BIAB bag to use with such a large kettle? I have not been able to find one. Also, do I need to be concerned with using a bag in a kettle with an electric coil? Thanks!

 

[geoffm33]

Seeking some advice. I am considering the purchase of a 30 Gallon Blichmann kettle with the 240v BoilCoil. Eventually I will add components to fill out the complete BrewEasy system. In the mean time I would like to know if there is a large enough BIAB bag to use with such a large kettle? I have not been able to find one. Also, do I need to be concerned with using a bag in a kettle with an electric coil? Thanks!

@wilserbrewer can custom make a bag for that kettle I'm sure. As for the bag with the element, I've heard that the boil coil has such low wattage density that it won't burn, but I'd feel more comfortable with a false bottom.

 

[bleme]

I can't see using a false bottom with a boilcoil. That would be an insane amount of empty space. The simplest solution is to just not run the coil while mashing. Since you are BIAB, you can crush fine so temperature drops don't affect as much.

 

[Beer-lord]

Even if the bag doesn't burn, wouldn't the possibility of some grain getting 'cooked' when touching the coil? I agree, set the temp, turn it off and close it out and let her mash!

 

[KillerBrew]

@wilserbrewer can custom make a bag for that kettle I'm sure. As for the bag with the element, I've heard that the boil coil has such low wattage density that it won't burn, but I'd feel more comfortable with a false bottom.

Thanks for the info! I'll reach out to him if I can't find one off the shelf.

 

[KillerBrew]

I can't see using a false bottom with a boilcoil. That would be an insane amount of empty space. The simplest solution is to just not run the coil while mashing. Since you are BIAB, you can crush fine so temperature drops don't affect as much.

I had read to not use a false bottom with the boil coil, which was my concern. I like the idea of just heating then turn off to mash. Thanks!

 

[LittleRiver]

Thanks for the info! I'll reach out to him if I can't find one off the shelf.

Wilser is fast. I can't speak for him, but you may get a custom from him before you could find & receive an off-the-shelf item, and it would fit better. Great quality too, love mine.

I agree with what others have said, you can BIAB without the bag being in the kettle when the power is on -- so no worries of damaging the bag. Conversion happens very quickly if you use a very fine grind, so it's only the first 10-15 minutes of the mash that are critical for holding temps, and with some insulation on the kettle it's easy to hold within a degree or two for that long.

 

[bleme]

That huge volume will hold heat a lot long too. With a couple layers of reflectix, that pot will be a Beast!

 

[geoffm33]

I can't see using a false bottom with a boilcoil. That would be an insane amount of empty space. The simplest solution is to just not run the coil while mashing. Since you are BIAB, you can crush fine so temperature drops don't affect as much.

Great point. I had recirculation on the brain since I'm shopping for a eBIAB from High Gravity. Bag sits in a basket to keep it off the boil coil.

 

[Beer-lord]

Great point. I had recirculation on the brain since I'm shopping for a eBIAB from High Gravity. Bag sits in a basket to keep it off the boil coil.

Just got the HG system in October and am loving it. Even though the 240v still takes a bit longer than my Bllichmann burner to get me to mash temps, I've been shaving about 20 minutes off my brewday. I've used that time to do more whirlpool hops and all 8 of the beers I've brewed in it have been above average for me. Not a perfect system, but one I am not a bit sorry for getting.
Sorry, thread-jake!

 

[wilserbrewer]

That huge volume will hold heat a lot long too. With a couple layers of reflectix, that pot will be a Beast!

Large batches hold heat very well....firing the element during the mash might make you feel better, but likely unnecessary in the big picture.

30 gal isn’t a extremely large bag, I’ve done 145 gallon and 500 L, those are LARGE bags

 

[KillerBrew]

Large batches hold heat very well....firing the element during the mash might make you feel better, but likely unnecessary in the big picture.

30 gal isn’t a extremely large bag, I’ve done 145 gallon and 500 L, those are LARGE bags

How do you lift the large bags? Do you have an overhead hoist or something else?

 

[Ahks]

How do you lift the large bags? Do you have an overhead hoist or something else?

An inexpensive pulley works great

 

[wilserbrewer]

Ratchet pulley works well, double ratchet pulley even better...

1/4” double ratchet pulley and bag package

https://biabbags.webs.com/store

Shameless plug

10% off sale

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/...biab-bags-10-off-any-purchase-w-venmo.662729/

 

[Baglorious]

Sorry to 'hijack' this thread by writing a novel, but I have been researching the same issue recently as I plan equipment upgrades... namely, the 30 gallon pot question.

I presently have a 15 gal and 10 gal pot. As I lean toward eBIAB, I had 'settled' on the idea of acquiring a 20 gallon for several reasons:
1. I brew 5 and 10 gallon batches (prefer 10)... but MIGHT want to do 15... maybe 20 someday (but that might be something I reconsider once I actually do a 15). My endgame on this is sharing corny kegs with friends/family who would be interested.
2. If I get to brewing 15-20 gallon batches... I know there are other methods that might be more practical... namely, a 2 vessel system, or 3. (It appears that with a 2 vessel system... a 20 gallon pot with a 15 MT could do 15 gal batches of low/mid OG.... and with the addition of a 20G pot, I'll already own that. And could even recirculate through a cooler as a second vessel instead of another pot?)
3. It seems far more likely I'll be able to find a good used 20 gal. I'm a fan of piecing together used equipment rather than spending $400 on the kettle I'd like.
4. (And most relevant to this thread)... can you actually do a 15 gal BIAB? If not... then the only 'upgrade' a 30 gal gives me is the potential for doing 20 gal batches, instead of being limited to 15s. I can't get a clear consensus on whether 15G BIAB is possible, practical, or advisable. I would be using a double-pulley system (just bought one from Wilserbrewer), but still can't determine whether anyone says 15 gal BIAB is something you'd WANT to do regularly. (Perhaps it is possible... but would simply be unpleasant?) Or if you're really going to do 15-20 gal batches... is the 2+ vessel system simply the better way to go?

I am overthinking this issue... but if I am going to have to spend on a NEW Blichmann, or SS Brewtech, or Spike (because I can't find a suitable used one at decent cost), somehow I could talk myself into paying more for a 30 gal. (There's a weird bit of psychology going on here... somehow, if I'm committing $400, then $600 is no big deal because it is only 50% more. But going from $200 to $400 is... paying double... so it is worse. That makes sense, right? Sure.)

I too like the idea of replicating a breweasy a little bit at a time (or just a 'horizontal' two vessel system)... and that's where I go back to wondering if I'd regret not going 30 gal. Perhaps along the way... I'd realize I don't really want/need it... but I already fear the future regret of not getting 'the big one.'

SO... can one really do a 15G BIAB? Or would one just use the bag to do 5-10 gal batches in the bigger kettle? A little extra kettle space never hurt, I suppose.

 

[wilserbrewer]

With a proper kit, 15 gal BIAB is easily doable...

Larger batches than 15 gal would require an inexpensive hoist of sorts.

can you actually do a 15 gal BIAB?

145 gallon BIAB
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/145-gallon-biab-yes-145-gallon.483965/