My evolution :
Late 1990's - 2009 - stovetop with extract and hop sacks. All indoors. Small, single case size batches. Using bottles. Just ale yeast. Indoor ferment.
2017 - 2021 propane in an outdoor big pot. Mixed batches of a short 30-40 crushed grains in a sack (not BIAB yet) and extracts.
2022 - 2025 propane, 8 g pot and all grain BIAB. A 5 g batch was tight and soon went to 10g.
After a year or so, I moved on to a Brewzilla 35L with extension kit, about 12 gal (220v, 2200w heater, small 6w pump) I use BIAB inside their mash pipe with no top or bottom plate. This allowed me to do 10 gal + batches but I needed to do dunk sparging (taking the bag out and putting it a new big pot, adding some hot water, squeezing, repeat and repeat... So I could extract as much wort as possible. At this point the batch is purposely "too strong" because you need to add more water to reach the batch size.
Next - Brewzilla 100L (6600w heater, 220v, big 25w pump) and had @Bobby_M put in a whirlpool port at the bottom. I use a massive bag (31"*31") now and certainly need the ability to hoist. I have a pulley system which makes even easier. I can now do 10+ gal batches without the need to add any water at all. This makes it so much easier. I didn't need the extra pot to squeeze/dunk the bag... And then return to the AIO. And repeat. (2-4 times) And then add water.
There is a BIG difference between
a 3v system and a single AIO BIAG.
3v - you remove the wort to a new vessel and leave the mash behind.
BIAB - you remove the mash (bag) and leave the wort behind in the vessel.
And... That isn't much of a difference.
Good luck on your beer journey.
Late 1990's - 2009 - stovetop with extract and hop sacks. All indoors. Small, single case size batches. Using bottles. Just ale yeast. Indoor ferment.
2017 - 2021 propane in an outdoor big pot. Mixed batches of a short 30-40 crushed grains in a sack (not BIAB yet) and extracts.
2022 - 2025 propane, 8 g pot and all grain BIAB. A 5 g batch was tight and soon went to 10g.
After a year or so, I moved on to a Brewzilla 35L with extension kit, about 12 gal (220v, 2200w heater, small 6w pump) I use BIAB inside their mash pipe with no top or bottom plate. This allowed me to do 10 gal + batches but I needed to do dunk sparging (taking the bag out and putting it a new big pot, adding some hot water, squeezing, repeat and repeat... So I could extract as much wort as possible. At this point the batch is purposely "too strong" because you need to add more water to reach the batch size.
Next - Brewzilla 100L (6600w heater, 220v, big 25w pump) and had @Bobby_M put in a whirlpool port at the bottom. I use a massive bag (31"*31") now and certainly need the ability to hoist. I have a pulley system which makes even easier. I can now do 10+ gal batches without the need to add any water at all. This makes it so much easier. I didn't need the extra pot to squeeze/dunk the bag... And then return to the AIO. And repeat. (2-4 times) And then add water.
There is a BIG difference between
a 3v system and a single AIO BIAG.
3v - you remove the wort to a new vessel and leave the mash behind.
BIAB - you remove the mash (bag) and leave the wort behind in the vessel.
And... That isn't much of a difference.
Good luck on your beer journey.
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