Other considerations

[Jhedrick83]

I’m really thinking about just going from partial mashed to BIAB. 3 gallon batches seem to be a good size for me based on my consumption and my 5.5 gallon kettle should be fine for 3 gallon full volume boils if I’m careful. I have been using distilled water and DME for my partial mashes. Other than starting to concern myself with a water chemistry, are there any other real considerations I should start taking into account? Obviously, I may need to get into larger grain buys/storage and a decent mill.

anything different I should do if I’m taking a “all grain“ recipe and cooking it BIAB? I assume efficiency may drop some.

 

[wilserbrewer]

A decent grain crush?
Depending on where you source grain, a reasonable and thorough crush is important to BIAB, or any all grain brew.

an all grain 3 gal batch will not be a big step vs PM in my opinion.

 

[Jhedrick83]

A decent grain crush?
Depending on where you source grain, a reasonable and thorough crush is important to BIAB, or any all grain brew.

an all grain 3 gal batch will not be a big step vs PM in my opinion.

yeah, after having done two partial mash batches, I feel like going BIAB isn’t really that much more involved and not really too much more time. The PM cream ale I just did had a 60 minute mash. So, that’s literally the same time commitment as a no sparge BIAB.

I mean, if it’s really that simple to just do a BIAB brew with an all grain recipe, why not.

 

[BGBC]

Sounds like you're ready to go!

I'm in a similar spot, but coming to it from a different place. I used to do 1-1.5 gal BIAB batches on an apartment stovetop. After an extended break and a move to a bigger house, I'm now planning to move to 2.5-3 gal using a 5.5 gal kettle and an induction plate. I also picked up my own grain mill to have more control over the crush.

 

[Jhedrick83]

Sounds like you're ready to go!

I'm in a similar spot, but coming to it from a different place. I used to do 1-1.5 gal BIAB batches on an apartment stovetop. After an extended break and a move to a bigger house, I'm now planning to move to 2.5-3 gal using a 5.5 gal kettle and an induction plate. I also picked up my own grain mill to have more control over the crush.

you know, I was thinking about an induction plate as well. My kettle is induction capable. I’m currently using a gas cooktop which does have a much hotter than normal burner I’ve been using. An induction plate would give me more flexibility as I could brew in my garage. I had two concerns with that.

1. Unlike the kitchen which we usually keep pretty spotless, my garage is usually a bit dirty/dusty and I would worry about contamination (not sure if that’s realistic to worry about or not).

2. How quickly the induction plate would heat the water compared to my “super burner”. What has your experience with the plate been like? What platedo you use?

 

[BGBC]

I'm still in the planning/acquisition phase, but I plan on storing the rig in the garage, brewing mostly in the driveway. I don't see much of an issue with contamination during the brewing process in the garage. It will all be hot side anyway, so contaminants would be killed in the boil. The kettle will be covered during the mash, and then open/partly covered during the boil.

I'm looking at the Avantco IC1800 based on other reviews/experience on here. It will probably be slower than the gas burner, but if you search around on here you can find approx timings. If you have access to a 240v outlet, you could use a 3500w burner, but would probably be overkill for 3 gallon batches. I've seen some folks using the Ikea Tillreda, which is tempting at $50, but the Avantco just looks more solidly constructed.

 

[Jhedrick83]

as luck would have it, I’m about to start an addition/remodel that will include moving the washer/dryer out from it’s present location which has a common wall to my garage. So when that’s done, flipping the water lines and drain line for the washer and 240v for the dryer in to the garage should be easy. I was planning on putting in a shop sink anyway to have a place to wash paint brushes, etc. so I could have a 240v outlet if I wanted one there. I would worry that the. 3500w burner in a smaller kettle would make scorching more likely.

I’ll check out the advanco. What mill did you get? Since I’ll be doing smaller batches, I’m think just a hand crank is fine.

 

[BGBC]

Most induction burners should have temp settings so you can adjust the power in increments within the range, not just have it on full blast.

Picked up a Monster Mill 2 off the sale forum here last week actually. Didn't come with the crank, but can throw a drill on it. Not planning to motorize it.

Drawing up plans for a stand/cart generally inspired by these two threads, but obviously smaller, with the induction plate mounted higher, and with the mill mounted on the cart.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/wooden-biab-stand.529540/https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/double-wooden-biab-brew-stand.666525/