Grain bag with Mash Tun manifold. Yes or No?

[BrewerDave207]

I fabricated a new manifold for my mash tun recently, but have yet to mash into it. Thats about 2 weeks away.

After using a phils false bottom in a borrowed mash tun with and without a grain bag, I was wondering:

Those of you who have manifolds in their MT,do you use a grain bag to prevent stuck sparges, or is the standard slit design okay to use without a bag

 

[ultravista]

.... or you could use a fine mesh bag (voile material) and forego the tun manifold.

 

[MeatyPortion]

I just used my manifold and had no problem. Combination slit/holes.

 

[jaginger]

I've wondered something similar. I know the braid or manifold is overwhelmingly popular. But with the advent of BIAB, it seems that it would be just as easy to still use a cooler for MLT, but just use a paint strainer or similar bag in the MLT and forget about the braid or manifold. Still use a ball valve, just no manifold needed.

Is there a reason that isn't a more common technique?

 

[Carter1932]

I've always wrapped my manifold in a fine nylon muslin bag. I use a thick rubber band (from broccoli) around the neck of manifold to keep the bag closed and secure over manifold.

Never had stuck sparge and my manifold never gets grain in it. I recommend it.