Have you ever forgot the bag?

[BigJoeBrew]

So, thought I was having a relaxed brew day and heated my mash water to temp and pour in half of my grains to realize that there was no bag in the pot. After a couple of Oh, $#!*! later I just stirred the rest in. After the hour mash I had time to think and ladled it out into a bucket with the bag in it. Anyone out there that’s does BIAB ever forget the bag?

 

[soccerdad]

can't say that I have

and you weren't drunk?

 

[BigJoeBrew]

Completely sober! Just totally spaced it out. I don’t put the bag in the heat mash water. Always worried burner will melt/burn the bag

 

[Piruz]

I just read post about this, theres actually some guys who do this. They mash in the kettle without bag, then pour mash through bag to another vessel. What I was worried was splashing (hotside aeration) but other than that, if you are gentle enough. Why not? Just extra work.

 

[jpakstis]

I BIAB mash in a cooler. It’s great! I used to mash in the kettle but it was a pain to keep fighting the temps but with the cooler that’s not an issue. And I use one of those round Gatorade-type coolers and the bag that I had for my kettle fits it perfectly.

I tried doing a “traditional” mash with the cooler and a false bottom but when I tried the “BIAC” method it was a true lightbulb moment for me. My brew days have been smooth sailing since.

 

[myndflyte]

I BIAB mash in a cooler. It’s great! I used to mash in the kettle but it was a pain to keep fighting the temps but with the cooler that’s not an issue. And I use one of those round Gatorade-type coolers and the bag that I had for my kettle fits it perfectly.

I tried doing a “traditional” mash with the cooler and a false bottom but when I tried the “BIAC” method it was a true lightbulb moment for me. My brew days have been smooth sailing since.

This is exactly what I plan on doing. I have done traditional mashes for a few batches in my cooler but don't really like my efficiency and this will make the whole process more enjoyable for me.

 

[WilfordBrimley]

I tend to start my brew days at 430-5am and during my last brew was in a fog after min sleep. I scooped a couple 3-4 cups of grain into my kettle to then gasp in horror of what I'd done. No bag! Being that my kettle is my largest pot in my household after my mash I ended up with a hodgepodge of pots filled with wort as I emptied my BK to deal with the issue. Amazing how grain balloons up when mashing. Giant pain. You are not alone my friend! HAHA. ohh well.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Have a coffee? I haven't forgotten the bag, but I've burnt a hole in one when I turned the burner back on to bring the temp up a bit. My very first 1 gallon brew, the little bag with the steeping grains ended up opening when I was done with the steeping so, I Used a strainer to pour the almost wort into another pot. It was fine.

 

[jpakstis]

This is exactly what I plan on doing. I have done traditional mashes for a few batches in my cooler but don't really like my efficiency and this will make the whole process more enjoyable for me.

In my experience, it really simplifies the brew day. I don't need to heat up two different batches of water, deal with splitting any water additions, etc. I don't have to do any mash out, sparge, vorlaufing, or any other technique then heat water, pour water into cooler with bag, dough in grains, mash, and drain into kettle. Before this, I would need to make constant tweaks or changes, and now I have confidence in my process. It may not be the most intricate of brew days, but its much more efficient day.

I squeeze the life of that bag and I routinely hit mid-80's for efficiency. In fact, I keep hitting higher OGs that I intend!

 

[nDub]

I haven't forgotten the bag.... knock on wood.

But I think the ladle idea into the bag was a good call. I'd probably go that route.