Grinnan5150
Well-Known Member
I would assume this is the right bag for BIAB correct?
Right strainer for BIAB
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ghpeel
Well-Known Member
I use that exact brand for my BIAB mashes. Only "problem" is that since its just 5 gallons, you can't really do the full BIAB water volumes for that super-thin mash. BUT, I just use the bags to line my 5 gallon cooler and do a "normal" water mash and sparge. Works like a charm.
If I understand correctly, the grain wont fit in the paint strainer bag, so you use a mash tun, and pull teh bag out (dunking it?)
If you have a cooler, why BIAB, unless you dont have the false bottom?
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Grinnan5150
Well-Known Member
mux said:
How much fabric would I need for one bag? I don't know how to sew so if I bought enough to line my 10 gallon Blichman and be able to just bunch it up to pull it out would that work or do I have to have my mother in law sew it for me?
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I've used a 5 gallon paint strainer bag for 3 BIAB brews I did them in a 5 gallon aluminum pot for a 3 gallon batch with no problems. You might be able to use it in a larger pot for a full boil 5 gallon batch, but the circumference of the bag is the size of a 5 gallon bucket.
I tried it in my 10 gallon pot. It was a PITA because it was not wide enough to get to the rim all the way around. Maybe if you had enough clamps to hold it open?
I tried it in my 10 gallon pot. It was a PITA because it was not wide enough to get to the rim all the way around. Maybe if you had enough clamps to hold it open?
Grinnan5150 said:
I bought a bag from a member here he did great job for me. I can't think of his name but will find out for you.
If you bring your pot into a fabric store completely line it with the voile plus about 4/6" you would be fine. I think the fabric is like 8$ a yard. You may need 2 yard or so depending on your pot size.
ghpeel
Well-Known Member
I line my 5gal mashtun with the 5gal bag, and it lines the mashtun perfectly. I use 9-12lbs of grain for most of my beers, so I don't know how much more you could cram in. And yes, I don't have a false bottom or a braid. I've pulled the bag straight out, but mostly I just run off the wort just like you would with a normal mashtun.
christpuncher123
Well-Known Member
Why not? I use a bag like that for full water, it lines a turkey strainer inside of my 13gal keggle.
smokewater
Well-Known Member
I have used both the paint strainer bags and a custom made bag I had sewn at an alteration shop for $10.00. One yard of Viole fabric is plenty. Mine was 108 inches wide, Just measure your pots circumference and add 2-3 inches. I cut my fabric so it tapered in about 2 inches at the bottom. That makes it less messy when you pull the bag.
The biggest advantage in the voile fabric is that it is a tighter weave. I found that I have much less grain matter in the wort and my beers have dropped clearer as a result.
The biggest advantage in the voile fabric is that it is a tighter weave. I found that I have much less grain matter in the wort and my beers have dropped clearer as a result.
wilserbrewer
BIAB Expert Tailor
In my opinion and experience, it is best if your bag is 3-5" larger in circumference, and at least 1 1/2 times the depth of your pot...these figures will give you a nice fit.
Example...A kettle 14" dia X 16" deep has a circumference of (3.14 X 14 = 44") and will need a bag roughly 24-25" wide (half of circumference plus 3") and 24-27"(1 1/2 time depth plus 3") deep. Shape the bag w/ a curved bottom as shown in my avatar so the wort will drain off the bottom of the bag in one stream into the kettle. Better to make the bag a tad larger and never smaller.
edit...just my opinion above, everyone free to use whatever size suits them
Example...A kettle 14" dia X 16" deep has a circumference of (3.14 X 14 = 44") and will need a bag roughly 24-25" wide (half of circumference plus 3") and 24-27"(1 1/2 time depth plus 3") deep. Shape the bag w/ a curved bottom as shown in my avatar so the wort will drain off the bottom of the bag in one stream into the kettle. Better to make the bag a tad larger and never smaller.
edit...just my opinion above, everyone free to use whatever size suits them
I used the 5gal bags - and because of issues of capacity and weight, simply poured the grain into two bags and mashed with both. When it came time to drain, i lifted one out and let it sit in a strainer for 10 mins, then the other. Seemed to have no problems with that - but the beer is still in the fermentor - so we'll see.
BetterSense
Well-Known Member
I used to use the walmart voile fabric, but I actually went back to the Lowes 5 gallon paint strainer bags in a fryer basket. I actually prefer the courser weave. The grain itself is a good enough filter, and the voile fabric was prone to clogging with some grain bills, and it was always slow to drain.
jaynik
Well-Known Member
christpuncher123
Well-Known Member
Why? What does this benefit? The bag I use is much smaller than my pot and I have no efficiency problems. That's like saying the stainless weave in a mash tun has to be 20 feet long not only 12 inches, like 99% of them are!
christpuncher123
Well-Known Member
I concur!
christpuncher123 said:
It's nice to have the bag drape around the outside of the kettle. Easier to mash in and stir. Easier to gather up the spent grain. Wilserbrewer does a great job and incorporates a drawstring into the design. Definitely worth the money.
Thats interesting. I might try this. Any trouble with integrity when you lift the grains out? Will it hold the weight?
Deciding on a custom bag vs. one of these approaches...
william_shakes_beer
Well-Known Member
I have used both the 5 gallon paint strainer and the wal mart voile fabric. Have seen no difference in the amount of debris in the boil. If you want to make your own go to walmart and get one full length panel of voile draperies. Cut in half and sew together pillowcase style. Just be sure you have access to a sewing machine. Hand stitching just isn't strong or regular enough to contain the grains. The drapery I bought had a rod pocket top and bottom, so 4 yards of cottom webbing made drawstrings for 2 bags. I use the drawstring to secure the bag to the top of the pot.
Ended up grabbing one of these at BB&B- any advice for using it? My MT is much smaller than a keggle (7.5gal), ever direct-fired it by pulling it up off the bottom? I don't do this because of wash heat, but just wondering if you had ever had the bag up to high temps before (not boiling obv, just warmer than mash temps)
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Grinnan5150
Well-Known Member
divrguy said:
Do you get the same efficiency that you get with the other bags/materials?
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