First Biab brew

[ted125]

I have a question, and looking for advice. I plan on doing my first Biab batch tomorrow night. I've been doing 10 gallon extract w/ steeping grains in the past. Me and my brother in law usually get a keg a piece from the brew. I have a 15 gallon brew pot, and from what I've read 10 gallons may be too big of batch. Should I just do a 5 gallon batch or does anyone have ideas to make it work. I'm either going to do a scottish 80 or possibly a cream ale, if it matters.

Thanks for any help,
Ted



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[jjw5015]

Depends on the grain bill. You can also keep 1 or 2 gallons out of the mash and then use it to rinse the grains as a sort of sparge.

 

[jjw5015]

I've also been getting better efficiency by doing it this way.

 

[ted125]

I'm looking into different software stuff, so if I rinse or sparge with the extra water, just use the same water volume that the software suggests?



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[jjw5015]

Ya if I'm supposed to strike with 7 gallons. I use 6 and sparse with the other gallon


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[BUCKNUTS]

I do 10 gallon batches all the time in my keggle but I do the same as jjw5015 and sparge with some of the water doing so allows me to do 10 gallon batches and my efficiency is a little better rinsing the grains with a couple gallons of water.

 

[ted125]

Thanks for the info! I decided to just do 5 gallons the first time and then try a 10 gallon batch, by rinsing the grains with additional water.


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[DurtyChemist]

As someone who just entered BIAB with a keggle I'd say do 3-5 five Fallon batches before going to 10 gallon. Main reason for me would be familiarity with the process and getting my routine down.


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[DonH]

I have gotten an average (of my 3 BIAB brews) of ~12 gallon batches, of 82%.... Not sure why you are thinking you cant go with a 10 gallon. BUT like stated, doing smaller batches at first is always best to become familiar with the process and learning your equipment ins and outs which I believe is the hardest part of brewing. Adding the green stuff to the wet stuff is easy

 

[ted125]

Make reasoning for not thinking I could do a 10 gallon batch, is because my kettle is 15 gallons


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[DurtyChemist]

Make reasoning for not thinking I could do a 10 gallon batch, is because my kettle is 15 gallons


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You just have a thicker mash. Instead of 3 quarts per pound you have 1.5. Just make sure it won't overfill your pot before you add grains. Keep them in a bag and see how much water will fit with the grains submerged dry. Yes grains soak up water but this seems faster than adding 1 Gallon of 155F water at a time until you feel you have enough for the brew.


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[calvey]

You can use to find out how much mash water plus grain will fit into a given brew ketle. Put your recipe in and it will warn you if you're going to be able to fit everything.

 

[Brewcycle69]

Make reasoning for not thinking I could do a 10 gallon batch, is because my kettle is 15 gallons

Would agree with others on 10 gal batches in 15 gal kettle. I mash with 12 gallons and go from there. This usually leaves me 4 or 5 gallons short, I do a quick sparge in my fermenter bucket, works really well.

Cheers!