Scorched grain bag

[blainekehl]

Last time I brewed I scorched my grain bag. I've washed it but there are scorch marks on the bag. Do you think it's safe to use or might I get off flavors from it?

 

[camonick]

I’d be more worried about the integrity of the material fibers and having an unexpected blowout.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

^this

It shouldn't impart anything to the flavors, but now you have a weak spot. I'd get another bag.

You can use your back-up back for the time being. Wait...what?!? You don't have a back-up bag?!? You're right...better get two then.

 

[IslandLizard]

Last time I brewed I scorched my grain bag.

Sorry to hear
You really can't apply direct heat to (the bottom of) the kettle when there's a bag in it. Unless you have a false bottom for the bag to rest on, keeping it off the bottom, to prevent scorching.

Now if you want to do step mashes (or cereal or decoction mashes), You can do those mashes directly in the kettle, no bag. Just stir well and scrape the bottom perpetually to prevent local overheating and burning/scorching.
Then when the mash is completed, transfer the mash to the bag placed inside another kettle, large bucket, or some other temporary holding vessel, to strain.

 

[Yesfan]

Depending on the size of your kettle, here's a cheap solution for a false bottom.

Stainless Cooling Rack

I have one of those for my small 5 gallon kettle. Fits perfect and there's minimum dead space in the kettle. If you need something bigger, look to the false bottoms Bobby M sells here.

Brew Hardware BIAB false bottom.

I have one of his for my Spike 15 gallon kettle and it's a perfect fit.

 

[stamandster]

I second the cooling rack solution ^^

 

[MaxStout]

Depending on the size of your kettle, here's a cheap solution for a false bottom.

Stainless Cooling Rack

I have one of those for my small 5 gallon kettle. Fits perfect and there's minimum dead space in the kettle. If you need something bigger, look to the false bottoms Bobby M sells here.

Brew Hardware BIAB false bottom.

I have one of his for my Spike 15 gallon kettle and it's a perfect fit.

I have Brew Hardware false bottoms for a couple kettles. They use ss bolts as "legs," so when ordering you can choose bolt lengths to set it to your desired height. You really only need to keep the bag a little ways off the bottom to prevent contact.

 

[blainekehl]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I've used this bag many, many times, this was just an instance of me being a bonehead.

 

[wepeeler]

I had that happen a few months ago. I was able to get the wort back into the kettle, but I ended up aborting the mission and ditching the batch before finishing brew day. Not sure what toxins/carcinogens got into the wort from scorching the bag. I'd rather be safe than sorry. And not waste, hops, yeast, time etc...

I picked this up that night: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G1B1YJM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[blainekehl]

I had that happen a few months ago. I was able to get the wort back into the kettle, but I ended up aborting the mission and ditching the batch before finishing brew day. Not sure what toxins/carcinogens got into the wort from scorching the bag. I'd rather be safe than sorry. And not waste, hops, yeast, time etc...

I picked this up that night: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G1B1YJM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I did the same thing after tasting the wort.

 

[wepeeler]

Here was mine

DOH! View attachment 855592

 

[blainekehl]

Here was mine

Ooof! That hurts. Mine just got a few littles marks on it.

 

[Ninoid]

I don't have a false bottom and I've never had a bag burn on reheat, but I use a rubber band that used to secure stuff to a car roof rack on top of the brewing pot to keep the bag from falling down to the electric heater.