First BIAB, not first AG

[mongoose33]

Prior to Saturday I'd brewed 26 all-grain batches using a mash tun. Good beer resulted.

The promise of time savings with BIAB prompted me to give it a shot. Ordered a Wilserbag and pulley, set up my mill gap at .020, and went at it.

Everything went smoothly, though the first time ended up being a learning experience regarding wort yield, mash temp, and so on. But I'd had some good advice from Morrie, so there wasn't a lot to change except tweaking to the specifics of my system.

One benefit I had not anticipated was that it was a more relaxing brew. No vorlauf, no scrambling to get the mash tun cleaned as the wort was heating to a boil--in fact, I kept thinking I was forgetting something as there didn't seem to be as much to do.

A few pics below of my setup; started with 7.5 gallons, ended up with a shade over 6.5, which is pretty good since I expected a boil-off of about a gallon or so. I'll have to see how my mash temps hold; initially it had a bit of a spike as the heat from the burner kept the kettle warm. I'm thinking that's a good thing. I'll knock the initial strike temp down a few degrees next time (used 160 degrees for a grain bill of 12 1/2 #). I liked the quilt (old paint drop cloth!) being wrapped around the whole thing, very easy. Used a spring clamp to hold it in place, easy.

The beer tasted normal as it went into the fermenter.

My normal OG using traditional mash tun are in the low 1.060 range. This ended up at 1.061, which I could have exceeded if I'd squeezed out a little more and boiled it down. It's fine, and should end up about 1.013, for an ABV of 6.3 %.

I used a starter of Wyeast 2112, took off at 6 hours and was going like a banshee at 24 hours. I'm now in the ramp up the temp phase, and the beer looks great.

Looking forward to another brew soon using this method.

 

[pshankstar]

Congrats! I made the switch to BIAB about a year ago and have been very happy with the results. I have never used the 3V setup so I cannot compare it to that setup, but I know I will continue to do BIAB batches.

Keep us posted once you bottle or keg the beer and try it. I think you will find you might want to continue with BIAB. Cheers!

 

[Sparge]

Welcome to BIAB. I too was a three vessel brewer and have converted to BIAB. I've taken it a little further and added no-chill to my process, which decreases the cleaning and worrying about equipment. I still have my 20 gallon stainless mash tun, but not sure I will ever use it again.

 

[RM-MN]

I've been telling people how easy it is to do all grain with BIAB. You've helped validate that position. Congrats and keep on brewing.

 

[Rhaop]

Just keep in mind that full volume mashing will definitely effect your ph in pale beers more then traditional mashing, i found out the hard way on a few batches

 

[mongoose33]

Just keep in mind that full volume mashing will definitely effect your ph in pale beers more then traditional mashing, i found out the hard way on a few batches

Would you expand on this?

I knew I needed to deal w/ PH differently using 7.5 gallons instead of my usual 4 or 4.5, used EZWater to calculate additions.

EZWater predicted a PH of 5.30 for me. It had me using 6 ml of lactic acid but in my mash tun I typically end up lower than predictions. So I cut the initial acid to 3 ml, and my first PH reading was 5.42. Not bad. I added the other 3 ml at that point and stirred, but it didn't seem to make much difference. Next time if I do this the same way I'll add all 6 ml at the outset.

 

[Rhaop]

Would you expand on this?

I knew I needed to deal w/ PH differently using 7.5 gallons instead of my usual 4 or 4.5, used EZWater to calculate additions.

EZWater predicted a PH of 5.30 for me. It had me using 6 ml of lactic acid but in my mash tun I typically end up lower than predictions. So I cut the initial acid to 3 ml, and my first PH reading was 5.42. Not bad. I added the other 3 ml at that point and stirred, but it didn't seem to make much difference. Next time if I do this the same way I'll add all 6 ml at the outset.

Well just the added volume of the initial mash adds more buffering capacity if you aren't using RO water, others on here are much better at explaining the science but if you are predicting and then measuring PH you are already further ahead in the game then i am

 

[Morrey]

my first PH reading was 5.42. Not bad.

Not bad at all. I'd take that any day of the week, and twice on Sundays!

 

[mongoose33]

Well just the added volume of the initial mash adds more buffering capacity if you aren't using RO water, others on here are much better at explaining the science but if you are predicting and then measuring PH you are already further ahead in the game then i am

OK, now I see where you were headed.

You're right about too much buffering capacity. I used 1 gallon of my tap water (which is pretty hard) and 6.5 gallons of RO water, so I was in good shape on that.

 

[Jim311]

Welcome to the club. I tried the full volume mash and it was pretty easy but ultimately I started just using an ice chest as a mash tun. I mash a 5 gallon batch in about 4 gallons of water, drain the cooler into my kettle, then fill the ice chest with another 3.75 gallons, stir the grain around, then drain it again into my kettle and call it a day. It upped my efficiency some and rinsing out my cooler isn't too hard since the grain is still in a bag.

 

[oujens]

One benefit I had not anticipated was that it was a more relaxing brew. No vorlauf, no scrambling to get the mash tun cleaned as the wort was heating to a boil--in fact, I kept thinking I was forgetting something as there didn't seem to be as much to do.


]

This is why I enjoy BIAB and will probably never use my cooler mash tun again. Glad you enjoyed it. Brew days are much more enjoyable for me and I can play with my kids during the mash vs getting other equipment or water ready.

 

[plazola86]

I went from a two vessel propane set up to a single vessel electric BIAB this year. So much easier on all aspects!

@oujens my wife and I relocated from California to Allen, TX a year ago! We should grab a beer and talk homebrew!

 

[Rhaop]

I was discussing in another thread about possibly going back to a 2 vessel, basically full volume mashing in a cooler with false bottom and having the bag as an easy clean option, i kinda miss vorlaufing, helps cut down on tons of fermenter trub

 

[wilserbrewer]

i kinda miss vorlaufing, helps cut down on tons of fermenter trub

I agree, fermenter loss is higher w BIAB, but there is zero mash ton loss?

Either way there are losses, perhaps they just seem more obvious when in the fermenter. Just a thought.

 

[Rhaop]

I agree, fermenter loss is higher w BIAB, but there is zero mash ton loss?

Either way there are losses, perhaps they just seem more obvious when in the fermenter. Just a thought.

I completely agree, i guess my feelings were keeping cold side sediment down, with careful racking that's a non issue but I somehow always stir that crap up lol

 

[oujens]

@oujens my wife and I relocated from California to Allen, TX a year ago! We should grab a beer and talk homebrew!

Welcome to Allen! I've actually lived in McKinney for the past 10 years and recently located. My wife is originally from Allen. We should hit up a brewery or two.