2 brews in, I'm a follower.
@BrunDog, this is really huge, as adding ventilation to a basement was my tipping point. I think a very good eBIAB basement system is now in reach $$ for most homebrewers. My notes:
1. Using
@Bobby_M system with 6gph. Collecting about 7 gph, it's perfect for my typical 6 gal batch size.
2. Condensate smells like beer bong water/DMS when collected. I preloaded bucket w/PBW, still stinky. Trying to go to drain on batch 3 to reduce. Or, I'll drain the start, collect last 20 minutes for washing.
3. Running a 5500W in a 15 gal kettle, boil sweet spot is 34% at start, then lowered to 32%.
4. Boiloff rate about 0.8gph, I'm measuring the condensate stream at about 160F. This is great for my needs, but if you want more rigorous, then get 9gph. Also, at this temp, the bucket is not steaming.
5. There is no steam leakage with normal lids. While this is counterintuitive to many, you have a Venturi effect + temp differential at the spray source that drives steamflow out of the port. The steam "wants" to escape there. You will see the condensate steam.
6. I'm happy with side mount, lid mount seems a pain....you still want to pop the lid during the brew.
7. I have bayou kettle with the "ridge" so this has reduced my max mash volume WITH the slayer installed, tougher now to force out 9 gallon split batches....but if BIAB, I can simply install mt TC blank, problem solved.....and my preboil volume is generally lower now anyways....I mention because for those considering unique bulkheads, just stick with 1.5" TC and have a blank on hand so this is a non issue.
8. I have my sink right next to my kettle, so I dropped my submersible kegwasher pump in the bucket transferred it back to my kettle (after initial trub rinse), and cleaned my recirc/kettle this way. It rinses just fine.
Overall, I am absolutely thrilled to have dodged the massive sawzall massacre my basement would have endured to put in an exhaust hood!