First time BIAB, eff. from 71-73% to 85%!

[badmajon]

I am never going back to the cooler method! I am so excited about this, I've been brewing for 4 years and my efficiency has always been in the low 70s. I bought a grain mill and set it to the width of a credit card, and used BIAB for the first time. I filled up the pot with almost 7 gallons of water, did my thing, and ended with 5 gallons in the kettle (yeah, I know I wanted a little more for trub loss but that's what I got).

I didn't even do a mash-out! I wasn't expecting this- I only have 1 packet of S05... but I am not even worried about it. Also, brew day took 3 hours, 3 hours 20 minutes if you include cleanup. Compare to 5-6 hours at least with the old method.

Oh, and I did no-chill, so no need to go through that rigmarole. Sheesh, I could brew on weeknights now if I wanted to.

11 pounds briess 2 row
1 pound crystal 60
1 pound victory

This is the best thing since the no-knead loaf of bread.

This sample was taken at 77f so it corrects to 1.080.

 

[Davemci]

Nice, I bet if you crushed finer you could gain a couple more efficiency points. Also hand pouring some Sparge water over the bag helps also. I have gone upto 90% before with biab but I settle at 80 ish to keep things predictable and keep the off favors down from the husks.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Agreed, a simple sparge, or topping up the kettle after the mash prior to pulling the bag will gain you more volume.

Try a 30 minute mash and a 30 minute boil to shave another hour off the brew session. Maybe another bit of hops to save an hour....



Wilserbrewer
Http://biabbags.webs.com/

 

[DurtyChemist]

I typically account for 1 gallon loss to trub and 1 gallon to grain. After chilling I let everything settle and it helps keep out trub. Lay batch I actually did a vourloff to help settle grain and it might have helped a little too but I probably won't always do that.