Need Suggestions

[Brad21Z]

I've been brewing all grain recipes with a group of friends for over a year now. I'd like get my own set up to brew some all grain recipes in my spare time. We currently use the traditional all grain setup (mash tun and hot water tun to sparge). I'm considering using the BIAB method (for ease and less equipment). Will I be happy with the results of the BIAB or should I just do the traditional setup? If I decide to go BIAB, will a 10 gallon pot be too small for 5 gallon batches or should I go with a 15 gallon pot? Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

 

[Hello]

Your happiness is likely subjective; however, beers brewed with the BIAB method have been wonderful as far as I'm concerned. As for the pot, 10 gallons will be fine for 5 gallon batches unless you're brewing a very high ABV beer. In that case, you'd want to go with a 15 gallon pot. Play with this calculator to see how much grain will fit in your 10 gallon kettle.
http://www.rackers.org/calcs.shtml

 

[m00ps]

I started with all grain BIAb in 5gal batches with the intention of transitioning to a regular 3 vessel system. Over 100 batches later, I wouldnt even consider moving. I now have an electric automated BIAB system and its just so much easier to clean and takes up less space than a traditional system. IME, (and most others Im guessing) there is no difference in quality in BIAB vs traditional setups

I had a 9gal kettled from avdenturesinhomebrewing that came with a thermometer and ball valve. It served me well through all those batches and I rarely had issue with space for my 5gal batches. There was only once or twice that I was trying to put like 16lbs on grain into it where I had to take out some water and add it back in later after the grains were removed. I reccomend that particular kettle because the 5gal paint strainer bags from lowes and home depot fit right over the edges of the kettle with their elastic tops. No need for clamps or anythign that would prevent the lid form closing

 

[agrazela]

I'm with m00ps. I went from extract to PM to AG BIAB, and I don't think I'm going to go any more complicated (or mega expensive) as regards equipment / process. I don't see the need, so long as I'm sticking to 5gal batches.

I'm also using a 9gal kettle for mashing, and I also run into upper limits as far as how much grain bill can fit in that. So if there's anything I might do, it's to maybe get like a 60qt round cooler and one of those big custom Brew Bags and use the 9gal kettle just for boiling.

Speaking of boiling, I use the powerburner on my gas cooktop in the kitchen (under a hood, of course), supplemented with one of those 120v bucket heaters (on a GFCI of course). I was going to go to a big outdoor propane burner, but this is working fine for 5gal batches--again I don't see the need.

 

[hunter_le five]

I've been brewing all grain recipes with a group of friends for over a year now. I'd like get my own set up to brew some all grain recipes in my spare time. We currently use the traditional all grain setup (mash tun and hot water tun to sparge). I'm considering using the BIAB method (for ease and less equipment). Will I be happy with the results of the BIAB or should I just do the traditional setup? If I decide to go BIAB, will a 10 gallon pot be too small for 5 gallon batches or should I go with a 15 gallon pot? Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

When I moved from extract to AG, I went with the tradtional 3-vessel setup, as I did not know BIAB was a thing.

In hindsight, I wish I had just done BIAB. Seems so much simpler.

 

[Black Island Brewer]

Like Hunter, I started with a three-vessel because BIAB wasn't a "thing". I have since put together a 10-gallon BIAB, and love it. So I have both, and which I use depends on what I'm making and how much.

If you're going to be brewing on a propane burner, I'd recommend the 15 gallon pot for maximum flexibility. You could do full-volume 10 gallon average-gravity batches, 10 gallon dunk sparge/pour sparge high gravity batches, or full volume 5 gallon batches of any strength. If I didn't want to mess with making another reflextix insulation wrap, I'd upgrade, but because I have the 3-vessel that can handle big batches, I'l sticking with what I have.

I recommend custom bags from @wilserbrewer.

 

[Brad21Z]

Thanks for all the input. I feel much better going the BIAB approach now. I'm leaning towards getting the 15 gallon pot, I'd hate to kick myself later for not spending a few extra $.

One last question as I haven't done all the research on BIAB. I'm assuming all your water and grains steep in your kettle and you pull all the grains out before the boil but do you sparge the gains at all?

 

[agrazela]

Some sparge, some don't. I don't, as in my mind BIAB is about simplicity. I just put all the water in up front (so, like a 2qt to 1lb ratio, sometimes as high as 2.4 :1, depending on the grain bill. I still get 70-75% mash efficiency, I'm plenty happy with that.

 

[m00ps]

I sparge by placing the bag in a bucket to squeeze it while I pour cold water over it. This extracts the sugars still on the grains and cools it down to let to squeeze the bag