Is there any reason why this wouldn't work? (!-Gallon)

[TasunkaWitko]

Forgive me if this is completely off-base, but here goes -

An online acquaintence rigged this setup for use as a hops bag when boiling a large batch:

This got me to thinking at a similar setup might work for 1-gallon BIAB mashing, but I've not tried any form of BIAB yet, so I do not know.

For those with more experience in 1-gallon BIAB brewing, what say you? If there's a better way that doesn't require special equipment, please suggest (with visual aids if possible). To be honest, if it is much more complicated than this, I don't see much reason to do it for 1-gallon batches, but I wouldn't mind being wrong at all - in my mind, there's almost always one more thing that can be done to make things a little better!

Thanks in advance -

Ron

 

[chickypad]

You should use a fairly large bag for mashing so the grains are loose and fully mixed with the mash water. Just wrap it over the edges of the pot.

 

[bernardsmith]

Forgive me if this is completely off-base, but here goes -

An online acquaintence rigged this setup for use as a hops bag when boiling a large batch:

This got me to thinking at a similar setup might work for 1-gallon BIAB mashing, but I've not tried any form of BIAB yet, so I do not know.

For those with more experience in 1-gallon BIAB brewing, what say you? If there's a better way that doesn't require special equipment, please suggest (with visual aids if possible). To be honest, if it is much more complicated than this, I don't see much reason to do it for 1-gallon batches, but I wouldn't mind being wrong at all - in my mind, there's almost always one more thing that can be done to make things a little better!

Thanks in advance -

Ron

I think the idea is fine but I would be hesitant about the use of the metal. What is the surface of the hanger coated with? How might it react with the acids and chemicals in the vapor? I would have thought that you could rig a similar device made from wood or twine (stretching two parallel lines of twine across the top of the boiler) and tying the bag so that it hangs between the twine.

 

[ggriffi]

I don't have any experience with 1 Gallon BIAB but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I use binder clips to hold my grain bag and hop bag in place for boils.

 

[chickypad]

I think the idea is fine but I would be hesitant about the use of the metal. What is the surface of the hanger coated with? How might it react with the acids and chemicals in the vapor? I would have thought that you could rig a similar device made from wood or twine (stretching two parallel lines of twine across the top of the boiler) and tying the bag so that it hangs between the twine.

acids and chemicals in the vapor? you mean steam?

I don't see a problem with rigging something, just seems overly complicated. We're talking 2-3 lbs of grain, and you're not boiling the mash. If the bag doesn't fit over the lip of the pot then a binder clamp like ggriffi mentioned is much simpler.

 

[TasunkaWitko]

binder clamp

This is something I hadn't thought of - I don't have any on hand but I am sure that a work-around can be figured out until I make it to closest LHBS (which is 250 miles away!).

Appreciate the ideas bouncing around - keep 'em coming!

 

[bleme]

I don't have any experience with 1 Gallon BIAB but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I use binder clips to hold my grain bag and hop bag in place for boils.

I use a paint strainer bag for the bag. I stir pretty constantly until I get up to mash temperature and tie it closed with one of those plastic coated wires that they strap kids toys in their packaging with. Then I put it in a pre-heated oven for an hour.

I put it back on the burner, stir again until it is up to 168F, pull the bag out and squeeze all the liquid I can out. I used to do this by hand but I got tired of burning the crap out of myself and now use a bowl and colander. Then I suspend the colander, bag and grain over the pot and slowly pour another quart of 168F water over it and squeeze again.

It's a lot more work than the standard BIAB but with a fine crush I can usually get 90-91% efficiency this way.

 

[bernardsmith]

acids and chemicals in the vapor? you mean steam?

I don't see a problem with rigging something, just seems overly complicated. We're talking 2-3 lbs of grain, and you're not boiling the mash. If the bag doesn't fit over the lip of the pot then a binder clamp like ggriffi mentioned is much simpler.

My mistake. I thought that this was a gerry-rigged hop spider and not a BIAB bag for the grain. Simpler to use binder clips or clothes pegs (pins) to fasten a bag with the same diameter as the kettle

 

[mkyl428]

I use wrap the bag around the pot & use cheap bungee chords from the dollar store to hold the bag & keep it suspended off the bottom of the pot

 

[jahdub]

If you're doing 1 gallon BIAB, a 5 gallon paint strainer bag from home depot will easily fill the whole volume of your kettle. You don't really need anything special rigged up, just line the kettle and lay whatever slack over the top of the kettle. Clip it with a binder clip, if you'd like.