Stainless steel basket for BIAB brewing- cheap!

[JLeather]

Here's a pic of mine in a 10 gallon Polar Ware kettle. The feet are on the bottom. I'm considering cutting the feet down on the basket so it's under the top of the kettle. I've ran it once like this and got really good efficiency, but thanks to the kettle size and basket volume I had to add about a gallon of water after the mash to get my volume right (but still made my OG). Might run it again this evening on an APA.

 

[Sean Monaghan]

Looks great! Nice build as well. Can I ask what you're using for the center infusion tube?

Side note, is that an Omron E5cc PID in your Brew Chief??

 

[JLeather]

I bought a 14" pre-threaded stainless pipe nipple from McMaster-Carr and drilled 1/16" holes in it. Could have probably gotten away with a 13" pipe nipple.

The PID is a EBSP200 from Electric Brewing Supply. I bought the Brew Chief used from Facebook marketplace like that from a guy who had used it to run a HERMS setup. I added the RIMS tube, although I am seriously considering HERMS instead.

 

[Sean Monaghan]

Smart on the pre-threaded pipe.. I ordered the 20-gallon basket size and it looks like they don't offer a 15" version, unfortunately, would have to round up to 16". Thinking about it! Good ideas, thanks for sharing. Hopefull that tube wasn't too thick to drill through with all those holes? I can imagine that took a while.

 

[JLeather]

No, it actually drilled very easily with the proper tools. A sharp, good quality bit at slow RPM's. You'll need a vise to keep the tube well centered under the drill. I didn't spot the holes first, but was prepared to if it wanted to skate off the sides and also don't try drilling through both sides at once it usually ends poorly. I put 4 staggered holes per quarter-turn (16 holes total).

 

[Sean Monaghan]

That's good to hear! What size are the holes?

Also, how much does the tube stick out the top of your basket? Can't tell if 1 or 2 inches. Thanks again!

 

[Sean Monaghan]

Hey, for anybody like me who was wondering about what the 20-gallon basket might fit in. I have a Brewers Best 16-gallon kettle here that fits it, but it's tight! Can confirm it rests comfortably on the bottom, but hardly any wiggle room. Should be good for getting the most out of this kettle size. Please note that these photos were taken with the rubber feet added to the bottom of the basket. The kettle lid just clears the tabs for the basket handle in this configuration.

 

[spittybug]

I'm looking at doing something like this for inside a Keggle mash tun. I currently use a bag (just for the simplicity of clean up) but find that with big grain bills and or using oats, it forms against the false bottom, essentially cutting off the flow to the HERMS system. A basket like this would probably allow better flow around all the walls and down to the drain. Anyone seen one that would fit? Alternatively, I need need to come up with a better design for the false bottom or create some kind of way of ensuring I don't block the flow.