Mash Help ASAP!

[KendallAdkins]

So, here is the problem.

My original plan was to do 3 gallon BIAB batches so I got a 5 gallon kettle. Turns out a 5 gallon kettle will not hold all of the water and grains you need for a BIAB mash.
So, my next plan of action was to turn my cooler into a mash in a bag tun because I figured I could get all of my grains and enough water in there to do a full volume mash. Well, it is not.

I am currently (25 minutes left) mashing 8 lbs of grain in 3 gallons of water, but I have no sparging equipment to get up to my preboil volume.

So, my current plan is to drain the bag, and then rinse the grains into the brew kettle with about 2 gallons of water (putting me at approx 4 gallons of preboil after grain absorption).

Will this mess up my efficiency so badly that I will have an extremely low alcohol beer? Or is this just the equivalent of topping up your carboy when doing an extract brew?

 

[KendallAdkins]

Obviously the main problem in this endeavor was poor planning, so you can call me stupid for that. But I need some expert advice.

 

[SteveHeff]

Grab your next largest pot and sparge in to the second pot. After you've collected all of your second runnings, transfer to the first pot.

 

[chickypad]

You can sparge over the kettle with the bag in a colander or something. I do these size batches in a 5 gal pot also. I prefer to dunk sparge in a second pot with about 1.5- 2 gals, I think I get a bit better efficiency that wa but you should be okay with what your planning.

 

[Braufessor]

That is what I would do. Lots of things go into efficiency - You really won't know until you do it and take a gravity reading. The #1 aspect of efficiency is how well your grain is crushed.

I think you are making the best of the situation you have - so, whatever it is, it is.

 

[KendallAdkins]

May I ask what the advantage of the second pot is? What is the difference in just doing that into my brew kettle and topping with the rest of the mash? Genuinely curious, not questioning your knowledge.

 

[chickypad]

With the second pot you can open the bag and stir really well, I seemed to get a bit more out of the grain that way than just pouring the sparge water over the bag.

 

[KendallAdkins]

Alright. You guys have calmed me down. Lol. I was starting to think I had just ruined my batch. I guess as long as the process ends in drinkable beer, I have done my job. Beersmith said it would be 6.5% alcohol with 72% efficiency so I guess I have a little efficiency to give up and still have a decent ABV.

 

[chickypad]

Alright. You guys have calmed me down. Lol. I was starting to think I had just ruined my batch. I guess as long as the process ends in drinkable beer, I have done my job. Beersmith said it would be 6.5% alcohol with 72% efficiency so I guess I have a little efficiency to give up and still have a decent ABV.

RDWHAHB!