Getting my "stuff" together

[MT's AZ Ale Haus]

I am putting all the puzzle pieces together.
I bought a 32qt steam pot with (elevated false bottom), to use as my mash tun. I I'm going to do a BIAB and I am going to use my burner to maintain temp, I figured the bottom steam rack would keep the mash off of the bottom of the pot so I could do direct heat and not scorch my bag/mash. What is everybody's opinion?
Please feel free to give me all the advice you can..

TYIA

Michael

 

[El Nino]

I've heard a false bottom is good to protect the bag from getting scorched, since you're using propane that's probably a good idea.

In my experience though if your grains / water is near filled to the top, the temp is pretty constant. I do 90 min mashes on stove top with no insulation at all. Never had to turn my burner on either and the temp only changes by 1-2 degrees at most. I guess if you're working outside though, that might be diff, since outside temps could be cooler depending where you live.

looks like that size is an 8.45 gallon capacity, so for BiAB, usually the guidelines is you can do a batch up to half the size of your kettle's capacity. That's about right, since I brew 2.5g batches, and my 5g kettle is just right.

 

[Morrey]

I BIAB in a 10G kettle, and wrap the kettle with a movers blanket during the mash with no flame. Normally, the temps remain stable within +/- 2F for an hour mash wrapped like this. I typically remove the blanket and lid to stir halfway thru the mash before covering back.

I have found that temps are very hard to control when direct propane fired with the grain bag is in the kettle. Looks like all is well....then the temps skyrocket well above your target temp. I basically quit trying to maintain temps with a flame, and find the blanket wrap method is just fine.

 

[MT's AZ Ale Haus]

I BIAB in a 10G kettle, and wrap the kettle with a movers blanket during the mash with no flame. Normally, the temps remain stable within +/- 2F for an hour mash wrapped like this. I typically remove the blanket and lid to stir halfway thru the mash before covering back.

I have found that temps are very hard to control when direct propane fired with the grain bag is in the kettle. Looks like all is well....then the temps skyrocket well above your target temp. I basically quit trying to maintain temps with a flame, and find the blanket wrap method is just fine.

Thank you for the feedback, truly appreciated.

 

[MT's AZ Ale Haus]

I've heard a false bottom is good to protect the bag from getting scorched, since you're using propane that's probably a good idea.

In my experience though if your grains / water is near filled to the top, the temp is pretty constant. I do 90 min mashes on stove top with no insulation at all. Never had to turn my burner on either and the temp only changes by 1-2 degrees at most. I guess if you're working outside though, that might be diff, since outside temps could be cooler depending where you live.

looks like that size is an 8.45 gallon capacity, so for BiAB, usually the guidelines is you can do a batch up to half the size of your kettle's capacity. That's about right, since I brew 2.5g batches, and my 5g kettle is just right.

Thanks for the info, all help is appreciated.