Show your BIAB Stand/Set up

[schiersteinbrewing]

Only times I've had an issue recirculating I when I used a large amount of rye or wheat, then it stopped up the bag. I run my recirculation the entire mash time. My crush is pretty normal, mill set to .030, If I go much finer than that it will stop up the bag as well.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Rice hulls would likely help if you feel like going there?


Wilserbrewer
Http://biabbags.webs.com/

 

[Just-a-sip]

no these comments are more like it thanks guys,,,

1. I do double crush (80% efficiency with it)
2. I used the recommended voil so don't think its the bag
3. even if I slow it down to a trickle its to fast I can literally hoist the bag up and only a pencil lead sized stream drains into the pot... it literally is a water balloon.

I would guess my crush is to fine but even when I single crushed it wasn't MUCH better only a little. perhaps my bag is not the correct voil as I was once told there is various kinds???

I hate to spend the cash but I was reading good tings about using the stainless mesh basket in place of the bag and not having these issues... but man almost $200 bucks for a strainer is crazy.

 

[schiersteinbrewing]

Get you a bag from Wilserbrewer you won't be disappointed.

 

[nutty_gnome]

I recirc with a pump and Wilser bag. At a water to grain ratio of 7 gallon/12 lb (or 2.33 qts per lb) of 2-row and some crystal, I had zero trouble recircing through my wilser bag at the halfway open position on the valve installed on the downstream side of the pump. I would have gone faster but my mash-return diffuser splashes too much at higher velocity. Recircing is certainly possible and I think it is worthwhile if you couple it with an electric element to ensure a consistent temp in the mash.

My grains are double crushed at love2brew.com... so they are not going to be crushed as fine as some people do when using BIAB.

I looked at the mesh strainers and noted the price. I can't justify the price for my set up.

 

[Woodbrews]

that's exactly what I mean... and yes I understand that it clogs the fine mesh, as this is exactly what I said in my post so thanks for playing...

however there are many here that show pumps in use, as there are many that claim to use them... so for THOSE THAT USE THEM... I was wondering the findings.

I circulate using one of Wilserbrewer's bags and a Topsflo pump. My pickup tube is 1/2" elbow facing down with about 1/4" clearance to the bottom of the pot. I've only once had clogging problems and that was with a really large grain bill. I've been using my local homebrew shop for the crush; I think the crush is more of a traditional crush rather than ultra-fine crush many in the BIAB world are using.

 

[newnick]

I've had a problem circulating while using Golden Promise grains. I always ask for a double crush and all other grains so far have not been a problem.I'm considering going back to a regular crush while recirculating and see how it works out.

 

[Siberian]

I had the problem you describe I think, my bag would stretch out to the edges of the pot and basically form a vacuum, you could hear it release as you pulled on it.

Having the fryer basket to hold the bag solved the issue. It prevents the bag from reaching the sides of the kettle and I have little stainless feet in the basket made from nuts and bolts to keep it off the bottom.

That and a valve after my pump and I have no problems recirculating.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[pogden]

Here is my finished result. I'm still planning to do something in the order of a hood and a vent. Also, going to make a water filtration system this week.

Made a hop spider out of a old S/S utensil can.

Black Z,

Your rig looks great - how's the controller working out for you? I'd be interested in seeing your filtration setup when it's done - are you going R/O?

I made a similar hop spider out of a spare SS garbage disposal flange - it seems to work well, and it's always satisfying to find a good use for some of the crap I never seem to throw away.

Peter

 

[Black_Z28]

Black Z,

Your rig looks great - how's the controller working out for you? I'd be interested in seeing your filtration setup when it's done - are you going R/O?

I made a similar hop spider out of a spare SS garbage disposal flange - it seems to work well, and it's always satisfying to find a good use for some of the crap I never seem to throw away.

Peter

I'm really liking the controller setup. It's been working great. I have brewed 4 beers with it so far. I think I would like to upgrade to some sort of temp control, but it may be a bit because this seems to be working so well for me. I will at least add a pump pretty soon. I think it would help keep the mash temp more consistent.

I'm planning to go with a R/O setup in the future. But for now, just a cheap whole house water filter setup. My water tastes pretty good, but why not for the minimal cost. I did buy the best filter for the setup though.

 

[DonH]

you can see my setup in the right hand corner lol

 

[ggriffi]

Here are two pics of my setup. One is my "good weather" spot and the other is what I use when the weather is crappy like today

 

[carlk47]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1417469129.989876.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1417469146.946358.jpg

Just lowered the shelving unit the kettle/burner is sitting on. This should make it easier to add grains and also lifting out the bag.

 

[satownsend]

Do any of you BIAB stove top with a 5 gallon batch? If so can I see what you use to let the bag drain or any ideas that works for you?

I do 5 gallon batches in my apartment on an electric stove. It's not perfect, but it works. For a while I was using a grill grate on top of my kettle to drain the bag. The grate eventually started to rust a bit so I switched to my broken hockey stick method. I think the bag drains a lot easier this way.

 

[Inkleg]

Here's my set up. Thanks to everyone one here at HBT, reading answers to posts allowed me to build this. Gave the box to a friend who silk screens and has chickens that benefit from brew day. I laid out where the controls were going and gave him Cart Blanche with the design. Naked Cat Brewery is born, the lower part is a mirror image profile of our Sphynx cat Bela.
That's a Wilserbrewer bag draining grains and everything except the pot were purchased through HBT links.
For now I just straight BIAB, I have a whirlpool arm that I use while chilling.

 

[doug293cz]

Nice Inkleg! Looks simple and functional.

Is that a PID and timer in your panel, or some other combo of boxes?

Brew on

 

[72hw]

That's a Wilserbrewer bag draining grains and everything except the pot were purchased through HBT links.

Cats like Bella freak my wife out, but she is very interested what kind of deal HBT offers on a puppy. Can you send me that link for her?!

 

[Inkleg]

@doug, yes it's a PID and timer.

@72, haha ya got me. That's my Grain Hound Killian (named after the road we found him on, not the beer). He shows up at the end of the mash, knowing he's gonna get a handful of grains.
Tell you wife to give hairless a chance, meeting one in person usually wins people over.

 

[SmCranf]

I do 5 gallon batches in my apartment on an electric stove. It's not perfect, but it works. For a while I was using a grill grate on top of my kettle to drain the bag. The grate eventually started to rust a bit so I switched to my broken hockey stick method. I think the bag drains a lot easier this way.

Im interested in your set up, I got a burner and kettle for christmas/birthday but live in an apt where the neighbors may think otherwise of me going outside...

 

[Gavin C]

I brew in the kitchen. 5.5 gallon batches.

Megapot, Dudadiesel plate chiller, AIH chugger pump (SS), Natural gas stove

More details of my basic setup in my post below for any who are interested.

Some brilliant setups in this thread. Really makes me wan to go eBIAB

 

[satownsend]

Im interested in your set up, I got a burner and kettle for christmas/birthday but live in an apt where the neighbors may think otherwise of me going outside...

Got any specific questions? Forgot to mention I got a canning heating element off of eBay. I think it was like $20. Something to look into if your using an electric stove.

 

[satownsend]

Im interested in your set up, I got a burner and kettle for christmas/birthday but live in an apt where the neighbors may think otherwise of me going outside...

Any specific questions? Forgot to mention I got a canning element for my stove. I think it was $20 on eBay. Something to look into if your using an electric stove.

 

[satownsend]

Doh. Sorry for the double post. Getting used to my new phone.

 

[SmCranf]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1420666356.633899.jpg

 

[SmCranf]

Any specific questions? Forgot to mention I got a canning element for my stove. I think it was $20 on eBay. Something to look into if your using an electric stove.

Ah heating element, no more questions, I just manned up and made the trip to my ladies house to brew, set up photo above!

 

[rossi46]

Almost done, still need to buy a pump and chiller. And some sort of paint. Brewed on it once next to my 3V setup so I could use my pump and counter flow chiller.

 

[rossi46]

Didn't attach the photo

View attachment 1421543757520.jpg

 

[Murphy2012]

I brew in the kitchen. 5.5 gallon batches.

Megapot, Dudadiesel plate chiller, AIH chugger pump (SS), Natural gas stove

More details of my basic setup in my post below for any who are interested.

Some brilliant setups in this thread. Really makes me wan to go eBIAB

Gavin, how do you set up the probe during the mash for your thermometer? Also, did you "waterproof" it like most people do with vinyl tubing?

 

[Gavin C]

Gavin, how do you set up the probe during the mash for your thermometer? Also, did you "waterproof" it like most people do with vinyl tubing?

The probe goes between the lid and the pot during the mash without problems. I have not done anything to the probe to waterproof it. I know this is an issue with some thermometers (my model included based on reviews) but I have had no problems thus far.

 

[Murphy2012]

Thanks, good to hear. So you basically just secure the probe by "clamping" the wire between the lid and kettle? I think I'm be investing in one of those. I like my pen style, but something to just rest on top makes a lot of sense to me to keep from opening the lid and potentially losing heat.