I just ordered a Wilserbrewer BIAB Bag, as well as the hop sock and hop boil bag. I'm a bit concerned about using a hop boil bag. Will it burn/melt to the pot while I'm boiling? I'm about to do a BIAB for the first time and worried about direct heat causing a problem for the hop boil bag and or the BIAB bag. I assumed the heat gets killed and the gas is never on while my bag is in there for mashing, but the hop boil bag is another story.
Can Hop Boil Bags Melt?
- Thread starter dbkdev
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Given that it's called a hop boil bag, I think it will be fine. Now if you applied direct flame to it, that may not turn out well.
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I don't have a false bottom or anything, so didn't know if it was intended to be used with a kettle that has a false bottom or something.
cheesehed007
Well-Known Member
I've used my bag from Wilserbrewer a few times, no problems.
Sent from my van, down by the river.
Sent from my van, down by the river.
Does your pot have a false bottom?
wilserbrewer
BIAB Expert Tailor
When using a bag to contain the hops, the action of the boiling wort will keep the bag off the bottom of the pot quite well, so the bag never sees temps above boiling and does fine. Polyester voile material is stable to around 300 degrees so the boiling wort at 212 is not an issue.
However when mashing, if the bag is packed with grain and allowed to sit on the bottom of the kettle while heat is applied burning can occur. The simple solution to heating a mash in a BIAB bag is to ALWAYS stir well while adding heat, and the bag will not see temps above the liquid in the pot. The same rule applies to heating any mash, the heat needs to be distributed evenly by either stirring, or recirculating with a pump etc. etc.
With proper use you "should" not have an issue scorching a mash or a BIAB bag, just remember if the heat is on, use low heat and the mash MUST be stirred continuously while heating.
No false bottom required IMHO, just be sure to STIR if the bag is in the pot and you are raising the mash temp. Once you get your procedures down and strike at a proper temperature, there should almost be no reason to add heat to the mash, but if you need to raise a few degrees, STIR while heating.
FWIW, I don't feel that mashing out, or raising the mash temp to 170 degrees is of much benefit to BIAB brewing. Ideally you will heat your strike water, add grain and bag and let rest for the mash, say 60 minutes, stir well and remove the bag and boil. No adding of heat required while the bag is in the pot. But if you need to temper, STIR while heating the mash!
Cheers and thanks for your purchase!
However when mashing, if the bag is packed with grain and allowed to sit on the bottom of the kettle while heat is applied burning can occur. The simple solution to heating a mash in a BIAB bag is to ALWAYS stir well while adding heat, and the bag will not see temps above the liquid in the pot. The same rule applies to heating any mash, the heat needs to be distributed evenly by either stirring, or recirculating with a pump etc. etc.
With proper use you "should" not have an issue scorching a mash or a BIAB bag, just remember if the heat is on, use low heat and the mash MUST be stirred continuously while heating.
No false bottom required IMHO, just be sure to STIR if the bag is in the pot and you are raising the mash temp. Once you get your procedures down and strike at a proper temperature, there should almost be no reason to add heat to the mash, but if you need to raise a few degrees, STIR while heating.
FWIW, I don't feel that mashing out, or raising the mash temp to 170 degrees is of much benefit to BIAB brewing. Ideally you will heat your strike water, add grain and bag and let rest for the mash, say 60 minutes, stir well and remove the bag and boil. No adding of heat required while the bag is in the pot. But if you need to temper, STIR while heating the mash!
Cheers and thanks for your purchase!
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Awesome! Thank you so much! Here's hoping I get it by or on this weekend !
wilserbrewer
BIAB Expert Tailor
All pending orders shipped this morning, so your fate lies with the post office...I think you are in good shape to start planning a brew day this weekend.
Cheers!
Cheers!
I have used the hop bag for about 10 brew days now... no issues here like stated! the act of the boil keeps it from being on the bottom. if its a concern, fab up a hop spider and use the bag. just measure it out so at full extension the hop bag is not sitting on the bottom of your kettle.
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