Height Needed for BIAB Hoist?

[Jmezz]

Hey guys, i've finally had it with my Spike Solo 20G mash basket. Had a disaster of a brew session and WAY undershot gravity. Had to crush too coarse to keep grain out of the boil. So, it's time to go with a BIAB. The issue is that I can't permanently install a hoist in the ceiling. I need a portable setup. My system height is 3.5 feet at the top of the kettle. My step ladder has a height of 7.7 feet. If I hoist the bag from the top of the ladder, Is that enough height differential to fit the bag and hoist above the kettle? In other words, how much height above the kettle is necessary to fit a bag and hoist after mashing? Cheers.

 

[doug293cz]

The four+ feet you have should be adequate.

Brew on

 

[sibelman]

Abraham Lincoln was reportedly asked how long a dog's legs should be, and replied, "Long enough to reach the ground." Seems to me that required "height above the kettle" is high enough to clear the wort.

btw, maybe a hoist could hang from a (permanent) hook but still be easily removable.

 

[MaxStout]

Get a short length of cord and make a prusik hitch. Cinch that around the top of the bag, as close as you can get to the mass of grain. Then use that to hook to the hoist. You won't need to hoist as far to clear the kettle.

https://www.animatedknots.com/prusik-knot

 

[MikeCo]

I use a 6’ step ladder with my 15-gallon kettle on the floor and it works fine. Your 7.5’ ladder should work for your setup.

 

[Jmezz]

Get a short length of cord and make a prusik hitch. Cinch that around the top of the bag, as close as you can get to the mass of grain. Then use that to hook to the hoist. You won't need to hoist as far to clear the kettle.

https://www.animatedknots.com/prusik-knot

Great info. Thanks!

 

[redrocker652002]

Abraham Lincoln was reportedly asked how long a dog's legs should be, and replied, "Long enough to reach the ground." Seems to me that required "height above the kettle" is high enough to clear the wort.

btw, maybe a hoist could hang from a (permanent) hook but still be easily removable.

OK, bad to say, but I was thinking the same thing. Long enough to clear the wort and kettle. LOL.

 

[Jmezz]

All good and fine if you know the dimensions of the bag and hoist. I do not- haven't bought them yet... hence the question on the discussion forum.

 

[sibelman]

good and fine

Yes, sorry about that useless response of mine. Best of luck with your move to BIAB.

 

[wepeeler]

View attachment 845581
Hey guys, i've finally had it with my Spike Solo 20G mash basket. Had a disaster of a brew session and WAY undershot gravity. Had to crush too coarse to keep grain out of the boil. So, it's time to go with a BIAB. The issue is that I can't permanently install a hoist in the ceiling. I need a portable setup. My system height is 3.5 feet at the top of the kettle. My step ladder has a height of 7.7 feet. If I hoist the bag from the top of the ladder, Is that enough height differential to fit the bag and hoist above the kettle? In other words, how much height above the kettle is necessary to fit a bag and hoist after mashing? Cheers.

Before I installed an eye hook into a stud in my garage ceiling, I used to put a ladder over the kettle and hoist the bag out with a pulley. It was a regular sized ladder, maybe 8ft?

 

[AZ Maverick]

Your ladder should work, my Werner 8' ladder worked until I got a hoist installed in the ceiling.

 

[wepeeler]

Your ladder should work, my Werner 8' ladder worked until I got a hoist installed in the ceiling.

View attachment 845682

That's exactly what I used to do

 

[Jmezz]

Cool! Good to know. That be me

Your ladder should work, my Werner 8' ladder worked until I got a hoist installed in the ceiling.

View attachment 845682

Cool! Good to know. That may be a newer version of my exact ladder.
I got everything ordered from brewhardware.com. I'll post a pic when setup.

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

Fill your bag with junk, hang it, and adjust. Sometimes it's better to be an engineer than a theorist.

 

[Jmezz]

Worked like a charm! Glad I switched to BIAB. Better efficiency, easier to clean, and best of all no grain to strain out post mash.