Mash Tun choices

[hoponthegoodfoot]

Oh no that's fair to each is own, but if OP is looking to upgrade to a two or three pot system, I would aim for a larger no sprage BIAB pot and a winch. That's my 0.02¢. Was just wondering what the motivations were to do that I have just had bad experiences

Absolutely. The bigger the bag the better! The bigger the pot then no need for a sparge if you can get your full volume in one go. I can't....so thus the dunk.
It's down to space and money. I've found personally that I've spent a lot of time and money making my mash tun and sparge arm, taken up a lot of storage space and ultimately the bag is better for me. Wish I'd gone biab from the start. But like you said. My 2 cents.
I'll end up with the no sparge once I personally upgrade to a bigger system. I've got a couple of kegs that need converting...or I'll go false bottom again.
Ultimately if the op wants to go with either their mash tun choices then thats awesome. I would, just like you, personally recommend bigger pot, bigger bag and pulley....
What bad experiences were you referring to so I can try and avoid?

 

[HomeBrewMasterRace]

I think i'm going to stick with the BIAB as it still sounds simplest and works great.

I just have 1 further question. If i wanted to brew a high gravity beer, would i be possible for me to use 1 bag, soak for 90 minutes then add in another bag of grain for another 90 minutes to up the gravity? Would this result in any adverse flavors in the beer? I've tried looking online but haven't been able to find anything.

I was hoping to make a 10%-ish beer so an OG of about 1.090 for an ale.

Thanks everyone for the input! it's very much appreciated.

 

[RevKev]

You should be able to fit about 18lbs of grain into a bag comfortably considering I maxed out at 36 on a 20gal SS Brewtech. Forgot what volume initially but I ended up with 8gal of what was a 13% beer. What's the biggest beer you've done so far?

As for the bad experience it came with wort going absolutely everywhere and having on sandles and shorts.

For the dual dipping, I am not sure it would effect any results and typically I stick to a 60min mash, bc I am lazy and impatient and most conversion occurs well before that time frame is up. But if you were doing that 90min no issues IMO for time, decoction mashes typically take 3 hrs to complete. The only issue I forsee is loosing extra volume of what would be likely 1.05+ wort due to grain loss.

 

[HomeBrewMasterRace]

I'm attempting a 16lb grain stout tomorrow. I also got it double milled as well so that the sugar extraction should work a bit better as well as take up slightly less volume. Aiming for a Gravity of 1.081. If i fall quite short of that i'll add some extract.

 

[HomeBrewMasterRace]

I was able to do it and get a gravity of 1.075.
I'll have to wait a few weeks now to see how it turns out

 

[RevKev]

I was able to do it and get a gravity of 1.075.
I'll have to wait a few weeks now to see how it turns out

I'm that'll turn out quite nice, what was you lb/gal ratio?

 

[HomeBrewMasterRace]

I'm that'll turn out quite nice, what was you lb/gal ratio?

My grain bill
12 lbs pale 2 row
1 lb crystal 60
1 lb American dark chocolate
3/4 lb of roasted barley
And 2 lb flaked oats

I double milled and let it mash for 90 minutes

All in 6.5 gallons of water, once the 90 minutes was up, I poured in another 1/2 gallon of boiling water and let sit for an extra 5 minutes.

 

[mdscole]

Works great
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NVQZN5M/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[beerlover77]

As you can see everyone does something a little different and it works for them, there are many ways to make wort. Myself, I started with BIAB but hated dealing with the bag, got ok but not great efficiency and very cloudy wort (not that cloudy wort is that bad). I changed to the round cooler and false bottom, started fly sparging and It worked great for me. I now get clear wort and 80+% efficiency.
I also have lots of room to brew, wash/dry and store equipment and my hose doesn't freeze in the winter. Others may be limited in room and have to brew in their house in which case BIAB is probably your only choice. My own personal opinion, if you are not doing BIAB then skip the manafold or Bazooka screen and buy the 30$ false bottom. It sounds like BIAB is for you though so don't let me sway you

 

[fragged]

As you can see everyone does something a little different and it works for them, there are many ways to make wort. Myself, I started with BIAB but hated dealing with the bag, got ok but not great efficiency and very cloudy wort (not that cloudy wort is that bad). I changed to the round cooler and false bottom, started fly sparging and It worked great for me. I now get clear wort and 80+% efficiency.
I also have lots of room to brew, wash/dry and store equipment and my hose doesn't freeze in the winter. Others may be limited in room and have to brew in their house in which case BIAB is probably your only choice. My own personal opinion, if you are not doing BIAB then skip the manafold or Bazooka screen and buy the 30$ false bottom. It sounds like BIAB is for you though so don't let me sway you

This. Try things, start with what makes sense to you. I started AG cheap and easy, BIAB with a ratchet pulley. Up until my last batch, it was fine. I ripped the bag by catching it on my whirlpool arm though. That same batch was a parti gyle attempt that I planned horribly, so I ended up with a cooler too to hold the extra mash batch(aka first runnings) while I boiled the second one(sparging/mashing the second is when the bag ripped, my own fault).

Since I now had a cooler with a ball valve, I added a stainless steel braid from a water heater hose and will mash in the cooler next time and see how I like it. Then I'll mash in a round cooler with a Wilser bag and see how I like that. I may try a false bottom after that. All about trying things. Eventually, I'll have an Ss brewtech infusion, but my current experience told me that's simple a desire, nowhere near a necessity.

I also try to keep in mind a "doesn't work out plan" for things I want to try, to keep costs down. The square cooler I just bought will easily perform fine as a beer cooler if I don't like it for mashing. The round cooler and bag (or false bottom) is easily sold as a used tun or repurposed as an HLT if I don't like that option.

To me, this is one of the fun parts of brewing, trying things.

I was bery happy with the BIAB right in my boil kettle though, until I ripped it. Could be fixed, but with my setup I know it'll just happen again.