Second BIAB....scratching head...why don't more do this?

[Will-D]

ok, just googled the "sous vide"...WOW! basically a consistent temperature? I might have to invest in one of these. As far as circulation, what are you using for that?

I don't use my sous vide device to hold mash temps, I've only used it for holding temp while kettle souring and the device itself has enough circulation for that. You'd need an external pump if you wanted to circulate while mashing.

 

[wilson42203]

I brew 3- and 5-gallon batches, mostly of lighter lagers, so a 10-gallon kettle works well for me. I have no problem lifting and squeezing the bag, and I have no mess at the end. That being said, any really big beers over 5 gallons, or a larger batch of any style, would start to be an issue with BIAB.

As for me, I love it.

 

[Tommydee]

There is false info on this thread.

BIAB doesn't make a "hot sticky mess" that I've heard over and over
I brew indoors in my kitchen. You hoist the bag,let it drain for a bit and transfer the bag to a 5 gallon bucket next to the pot.

If I get 2 drips its a lot and that's with 22 pounds of grain in a 12 gallon batch.

Also I've read its no good for a double batch. Again totally false. All I do is brew 12 gallon batches and it works perfectly fine. A gallon of water which is what the grain absorbs weighs 8 pounds so that would bring the bag to around 30 pounds. I suppose if you cant move 30 pounds that would be an issue but then again a 5 gallon bucket of beer weighs around 40 pounds so if you can move your fermenter you can LOWER the bag into a bucket.

If your not into BIAB that's fine but enough with the "hot sticky mess" nonsense.

I brew in my nice kitchen and wouldn't ruin it over brewing beer...

BIAB makes awesome beer with almost no equipment and a super easy cleanup

How are you doing 12 gallon batches indoors? Must have a big range.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

How are you doing 12 gallon batches indoors? Must have a big range.

Its an Electric setup. 5500 Watt plugged into the dryer outlet

 

[estricklin]

I'm thinking of starting another thread titled, "Virgins please share your opinions on sex"

Kinda how I feel when those that have never tried BIAB, or observed a well executed one comment on their perceived yet non existent problems.

Ime, a well managed BIAB can be less messy than the other more traditional methods. The key is to keep the bag over the kettle so any spills go right back in the kettle where they belong.

I recall watching a member here brew on his single tier keggle system with pumps, every time he changed a connection he had a puddle on the garage floor lol.

I suppose you could keep a drip bucket handy and try and catch that spillage every time you move a hose? Lots of 3V brewers talk of hosing out the garage or mopping up after a brew. Doesn't sound like fun to me.

With regard to a heavy saturated BIAB with 25 lbs of grain, the key is to slowly raise it from the kettle, so the wort drains as the bag is being removed from the kettle and never needs to be lifted. With a 2 part pulley, lifting the bag is no more effort than lifting and dumping a 25 lb grain bill to the mash tun, or moving a 5 gallon keg to the keezer. 2-1 mechanical advantage is a wonderful thing. I would think just about anyone can easily pull downward with 20- 30 lbs force.

Oh and I hear about all the effort of buying a lag screw for $1.49 and installing it in the ceiling of your garage or laundry room, that's about as much effort as changing a light bulb in a ceiling fixture. Lol cheers

Oh and FWIW, I'm not just a BIAB brewer, I still use a mash tun occasionally and batch sparge to mix it up a bit. Interesting to note though when I occasionally do my max batch size of 15.5 gallons, I BIAB as I don't have a MT large enough But 24 gallon kettle that is perfect for large batch BIAB, point being with a decent pulley, BIAB is a viable option for larger batches ime.

The whole nature of BIAB is that's is super simple, can be done with almost any setup.

If I can do 25 gallons BIAB in a 25 gallon kettle, a lot of things are POSSIBLE, but maybe not that practical haha!

I enjoy the time and simplicity of BIAB, I do usually get a little lower efficiency though. Not a problem at all on smaller batches or lower gravity beers but there are pros and cons to any brewing system.

I prefer fly sparging, and when I get my system totally upgraded to full electric/Arduino that's what I will do 100% of the time. BIAB was a great way for me to do larger batches with minimal equipment investment and time savings until I can get my system finished.

I am honestly surprised more homebrewers don't BIAB.

 

[Black Island Brewer]

It might be worth noting that the recent episode of Brew Strong on "poli-gyle" mashing would make it very easy to do big beers in a smaller BIAB kettle.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I got a rockin' deal on a cooler mash tun brewing setup (complete with kettle, burner, kegs, carboys, and the other goodies) so that's the way I started.

Honestly, I like that the process more closely resembles the "real" process and I think it's fun. I could easily switch to BIAB, but it'd require more equipment and re-learning my equipment profile with little benefit.

I also like that maintaining mash temp is so easy. I have nailed my temp each time and then I have an hour or so to do other things. With BIAB, I'd have to hover over it to ensure my temp doesn't wander too far.

I am interested in doing small batch BIAB in my kitchen....I think it'll be the best way to keep brewing when the temps drop big time this coming winter. I started in March of this year so I haven't had to deal with wintertime brewing yet.

In short, different strokes. Everyone should brew the way that suits them. I am giddy as a schoolgirl the week leading up to a brew day (tomorrow for me), and that's a good sign that I'm having fun! I hope everyone else finds it as rewarding as I do.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I'm thinking of starting another thread titled, "Virgins please share your opinions on sex"

Kinda how I feel when those that have never tried BIAB, or observed a well executed one comment on their perceived yet non existent problems.

Ime, a well managed BIAB can be less messy than the other more traditional methods. The key is to keep the bag over the kettle so any spills go right back in the kettle where they belong.

I recall watching a member here brew on his single tier keggle system with pumps, every time he changed a connection he had a puddle on the garage floor lol.

I suppose you could keep a drip bucket handy and try and catch that spillage every time you move a hose? Lots of 3V brewers talk of hosing out the garage or mopping up after a brew. Doesn't sound like fun to me.

With regard to a heavy saturated BIAB with 25 lbs of grain, the key is to slowly raise it from the kettle, so the wort drains as the bag is being removed from the kettle and never needs to be lifted. With a 2 part pulley, lifting the bag is no more effort than lifting and dumping a 25 lb grain bill to the mash tun, or moving a 5 gallon keg to the keezer. 2-1 mechanical advantage is a wonderful thing. I would think just about anyone can easily pull downward with 20- 30 lbs force.

Oh and I hear about all the effort of buying a lag screw for $1.49 and installing it in the ceiling of your garage or laundry room, that's about as much effort as changing a light bulb in a ceiling fixture. Lol cheers

Oh and FWIW, I'm not just a BIAB brewer, I still use a mash tun occasionally and batch sparge to mix it up a bit. Interesting to note though when I occasionally do my max batch size of 15.5 gallons, I BIAB as I don't have a MT large enough But 24 gallon kettle that is perfect for large batch BIAB, point being with a decent pulley, BIAB is a viable option for larger batches ime.

The only thing I use a pump for is whirlpooling. I'd still be doing that (and having resulting drips) even if I did BIAB. It's funny, but some people get all evangelical about their choices and seem to want everyone to make the same choices they did. Some, perhaps, have something to gain by getting people to adopt their ways.

Personally, I'd prefer everyone brew the way that works best for them. Brewing should be fun, should have whatever level of process that makes people happy. There are a lot of hobbies where the ritual is as big a big part of the experience as the destination. Not everyone is looking to expedite and simplify. Some of us like the brewing rituals we have. I see no reason to campaign for them to change and I don't campaign for others to do it "my way".

 

[Epos7]

I brew outside on my deck, and I just keep a hose handy to spray down any messes. I also lay my bag down on the deck and spray it off with the hose. I don't use a pulley, and with 10 gallon batches getting the bag out and squeezing is an exercise in caution. I usually have someone around to help, and since I've found a colander that fits the opening of my kettle it's become a little easier.

Even with BIAB I spend so much time cleaning. When I was buying brewing equipment last year BIAB was an easy choice - less equipment to store and clean. A lot of my time is spent lugging my brewing equipment out of the basement and putting it back away when I'm done. One day I'll have a dedicated brewing area, and that will save me at least an hour every brew day

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I brew outside on my deck, and I just keep a hose handy to spray down any messes. I also lay my bag down on the deck and spray it off with the hose. I don't use a pulley, and with 10 gallon batches getting the bag out and squeezing is an exercise in caution. I usually have someone around to help, and since I've found a colander that fits the opening of my kettle it's become a little easier.

Even with BIAB I spend so much time cleaning. When I was buying brewing equipment last year BIAB was an easy choice - less equipment to store and clean. A lot of my time is spent lugging my brewing equipment out of the basement and putting it back away when I'm done. One day I'll have a dedicated brewing area, and that will save me at least an hour every brew day

I start by setting up my Kettle and burner. Get my salts added and water heating. Then I set everything else up so that I'm not just sitting waiting for the water to get to temp.

Similarly, I clean up what I can while mashing and clean what I can during the boil. I mix my sanitizer during the boil and sanitize the fermentation equipment while boiling as well. By the time I've pitched, I usually have just the kettle and some hoses to wash.

 

[Epos7]

I start by setting up my Kettle and burner. Get my salts added and water heating. Then I set everything else up so that I'm not just sitting waiting for the water to get to temp.

Similarly, I clean up what I can while mashing and clean what I can during the boil. I mix my sanitizer during the boil and sanitize the fermentation equipment while boiling as well. By the time I've pitched, I usually have just the kettle and some hoses to wash.

I do the same, but still end up with a lot of cleaning. I'm lucky to have a deck where I can hose stuff off. I'm usually drinking one of my previous beers while doing all this, so I can't complain too much

I think it takes me 5.5 - 6 hours for a 10 gallon batch, and 5 - 5.5 hours for a 5 gallon batch. Took me an hour to bring a 10 gallon batch up to boil the other day, and it was the hottest day we've had all year!