BIABasKit

[HeFed]

Anyone else used or have an opinion of AIH's BIABasKit? I'm new to all grain brewing and after much research, decided to go with this puppy. My experience is pretty positive after the first brew day. During the hour long mash, I forgot to stir every 10 minutes or so which resulted in a lower pre-boil gravity reading (not enough sugars were converted?) but I think that's my fault.

http://www.homebrewing.org/10-gal-BIABasKit_p_5118.html

 

[jtratcliff]

Stirring can help, but a much bigger impact on efficiency is the crush, IMO...

If you just used the LHBS crush, then you can up you numbers by double crushing or getting your own mill and grinding the hell out of your grain.

I got a bump from double crushing but the real increase came from my $24 corona mill.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

opps wrong thread

 

[RM-MN]

Stirring can help, but a much bigger impact on efficiency is the crush, IMO...

If you just used the LHBS crush, then you can up you numbers by double crushing or getting your own mill and grinding the hell out of your grain.

I got a bump from double crushing but the real increase came from my $24 corona mill.

This works out really well for BIAB. Yesterday I did a half size batch of strong stout (OG 1.082) and only stirred once in my 30 minute mash to hit my usual 85% efficiency. I had my mill pretty tight but after crushing a quarter of the grain I tightened it a bit more. Fine crush means fast and fuller conversion.:rockin:

 

[soccerdad]

wow - $210 for the BIABasket !

 

[OzzyBrew]

It looks like a nice product, but $210 seems excessive. Does it look like it's a product that will last a long time HeFed?

 

[wobdee]

Is the 10 gal kettle included?

 

[HeFed]

Yep, the kettle is pretty basic but sturdy as all get out. And the strainer basket is pretty high quality too. Trust me, I labored over this decision for months...almost pulled the trigger a couple times, backed off. But in the end I had to make the leap and I really liked the elimination of the bag. So far, it seems like it'll go the distance. Will report back if there are any issues.

And, yes, thank you for the suggestion on finer crush. My assistant brewer (who had only done one all grain session before) commented that he thought the grain seemed only slightly crushed. I didn't know any better. From now on I'll make sure the grain gets properly crushed.

 

[Psylocide]

Is the 10 gal kettle included?

Q&A says it is included, which makes the price a little less excessive.

 

[brewprint]

Yep, the kettle is pretty basic but sturdy as all get out. And the strainer basket is pretty high quality too. Trust me, I labored over this decision for months...almost pulled the trigger a couple times, backed off. But in the end I had to make the leap and I really liked the elimination of the bag. So far, it seems like it'll go the distance. Will report back if there are any issues.

And, yes, thank you for the suggestion on finer crush. My assistant brewer (who had only done one all grain session before) commented that he thought the grain seemed only slightly crushed. I didn't know any better. From now on I'll make sure the grain gets properly crushed.

This seems like a nice basket. I just ordered a bunch of stuff from them. They now have the Great Lakes shipping option which is $5!!!! You cannot go wrong with paying $5!

I'll be ordering my grain and all kinds of stuff from them now. It's cheaper to order things shipped than it is for me to drive to the LHBS. I still feel like I'm supporting local since they're so close in Taylor. I also don't have to pay the tax because I'm 'out of state.'

 

[wobdee]

How did it drain? I have a 400 micron basket that drains pretty well, I was thinking of going with a 300 but thought it might be too fine.

 

[HeFed]

How did it drain? I have a 400 micron basket that drains pretty well, I was thinking of going with a 300 but thought it might be too fine.

I thought it drained pretty well. I used 11 pounds of grain and it stirred nicely, drained very well. I harvested some of the spent grain, my wife dried it in the oven for a few hours, then she tossed it in the food processor to make flour. I'm going to whip up a spent grain pizza next week and she's got plans to make cookies.

 

[sablesurfer]

DAMN! I literally called those guys a year ago to ask about getting something similar made when I was building my system. They had no interest. I KNEW it was a good idea.

Then I tried to teach my self silver soldering so I could figure out how to do the seams and such, but got to be too distracting from actual brewing.

Sigh....

 

[HeFed]

Tasted my first batch last night. Success! Also got a grain mill attachment for our KitchenAid mixer. I'll be ready for my second brew on Sunday!

 

[jtratcliff]

I've heard that the KA attachment works but can be slow... Check for over heating the motor as you go.... If it starts to get hot, take a break and come back to finish milling later.

 

[HeFed]

I've heard that the KA attachment works but can be slow... Check for over heating the motor as you go.... If it starts to get hot, take a break and come back to finish milling later.

It was a little slow. Took around 20 min to do 10 lb. Had to stop 3 times, detach, and clean out the clogs. Still, happy with the finer crush, and my mash turned out much better this time around.

Back on topic, used the BIABaskit for the second time yesterday. Still very happy with the method and quality construction. The baskit is a bit tough to clean; hoping once it's warmer I'll just be able to blast it with the hose, since I don't have a sink big enough to properly go at it. Wish the kettle had a sightglass, since it can be tough to ascertain volumes. Nearly had a boilover in yesterday's batch, but just managed to avoid it. Whew!