First Batch BIAB questions

[rickbath]

Hey Folks,

I just did my first batch of BIAB and something about it just did not seem right or perhaps im a tad bit paranoid...lol


Grains:
4 lbs Pilsner (2 Row) Ger (2.0 SRM) Grain
1 lbs 12.00 oz Pale Malt (2 Row) UK (3.0 SRM)
2.00 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 20L (20.0 SRM)
2.00 oz Caravienne Malt (22.0 SRM)
2.00 oz Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM)

Hops:
0.5 oz Hallertauer [4.8%] - Boil 60 min
0.5 oz Hallertauer [4.8%] - Boil 15 min
0.25 oz Saaz [4.0%] - Boil 5 min


For some reason i think that the grain bill was too much for a 2 gal (which ended up as 1.5gal) batch

When i got the water up to a boil of 160 degrees, i added the grains which dropped to about 150 degrees rather quickly. In about 45 mins i realised the temp dropped to 140 degrees although i did insulate it with a towel - is that something to be concerned about.

Now after 90 mins of steeping, i proceeded to boil after taking out the grain bag. This is where i was wondering if there is any fixed temp which i need to boil it.

Sorry if these are n00b questions..

 

[TANSTAAFB]

RDWHAHB!!!
It's all good and your boil temp is not something to worry about. It is going to be 212°F at sea level and will be lower the higher in elevation you are...Water boils around 196 where I live! Just get to a rolling boil

 

[TANSTAAFB]

And the drop in temp is fine, conversion likely happened in the first 15 minutes

 

[rickbath]

Ahh... im kinda relieved that i did not screw things up..


I kept increasing and reducing the flame if too high a temp might mess things up..

 

[TANSTAAFB]

🍻

 

[rickbath]

 

[soccerdad]

an easy grain to gallon estimate for 1040 to 1050 beers .. 2 pounds plus per gallon

you can make 5G with 10# .. 2.5G with 5#

in reality, you will likely use more like 2.25 to 2.5 pounds per gallon, but it is a quick check to see if you are in the ballpark

 

[rickbath]

Thanks for the good guideline...

The recipe which i based it off should attain a 6.5% abv and based on the boil off volume... i should get an abv of 10.25% damn.... this would be lovely for my first batch of BIAB..lol

 

[TexasWine]

The recipe which i based it off should attain a 6.5% abv and based on the boil off volume... i should get an abv of 10.25% damn....

What exactly are you basing the 10.25% on? If you overshot the OG by that much I'd be very surprised. Realize the beer will not ferment to SG of 1.000.

 

[rickbath]

What exactly are you basing the 10.25% on? If you overshot the OG by that much I'd be very surprised. Realize the beer will not ferment to SG of 1.000.

I've got that based on the calculator from brewersfriend

 

[Kharnynb]

you had a bit much boil off, would likely been good to add a bit of water at the end to get back to full volume, next time, start with half a gallon more

always worth checking how high your boil off is, it might be more than brewersfriend standard, especially if you have a wider kettle.

if you aren't applying heat during the mash stage, just put the kettle inside an old sleeping bag or duvet, it works better than a towel.(i lose about 3 degrees during 1 hour mashes with 5 gallons in an old duvet)

 

[rickbath]

you had a bit much boil off, would likely been good to add a bit of water at the end to get back to full volume, next time, start with half a gallon more

always worth checking how high your boil off is, it might be more than brewersfriend standard, especially if you have a wider kettle.

if you aren't applying heat during the mash stage, just put the kettle inside an old sleeping bag or duvet, it works better than a towel.(i lose about 3 degrees during 1 hour mashes with 5 gallons in an old duvet)

Yeah i reckon my kettle is a tad bit too wide.. which is why the excessive boil off... time to invest in a decent stock pot
Gosh... i just checked my gravity using a digital hydrometer and its 1.1.. initially i was thinking why was it so low... thinking that it was 1.010.. as i measured it and it was 1.090..lol

 

[rickbath]

About 1.5 days after adding the yeast.. the ABV has gone up to 5.25% and still going up...yeahh