What brand BIAB bag do you use?

[LostHopper]

Just get a Wilser Bag already.

Bingo! (I'm surprised this topic went 2 pages)

 

[IBRUTOO]

Bought a Wilser Bag kit Monday arrived today! Great qquality and super fast response! Highly recommend, cant wait to use it on the next batch. Mesh density is much better than my current bag and will significantly reduce grain getting into my wort.

 

[Steveruch]

I just won a Wilser bag in the Superbowl giveaway. I'm looking forward to it's arrival.

 

[Hamms]

I got a Clawhammer 120v. Mash, boils and cool all in one. Love it.

 

[jamorgan3777]

Made my own out of voile curtain fabric. Have tried a couple of different designs. All have worked, some better than others. Have never had any concerns wrt strength or ripping.

 

[dwightr8]

Having a hard time deciding between Wilser and Brew Bag. They both seem like really good quality and each has a feature I like. The Wilser bag has a drawstring at the top to cinch up around the top of the pot and the Brew Bag has the straps with loops for hoisting it out of the pot. Any thoughts on which of these features is more important?

It's also nice Mike Wilser is active here on HBT. Don't know if anybody from Brew Bag is or not.

 

[wilserbrewer]

My biased opinion, the lifting loops look nice, but the drawstring is more functional as it can also be used for attaching to a hoist.

I did a post a while back detailing attaching a bag to a hoist, my preferred method is with a loop of cord which is supplied with any pulley. This method lowers the attachment point to keep the ratchet pulley within reach, and also reduces the overall height required say if your in a basement.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/biab-hoisting-with-a-ratchet-pulley-rev-1.623808/

 

[LittleRiver]

.... drawstring ... straps with loops...Any thoughts on which of these features is more important?...

You don't need, or even want, straps for hoisting the bag. They're unnecessary for the amount of weight involved. Their main contribution is to put your ratchet pulley farther out of reach.

Definitely go with the drawstring. Its contribution is to eliminate the need for clips to hold the bag to your kettle.

For hoisting, use a little loop of cord to make a prusik hitch around the bag, as low as possible. That will keep your pulley within easy reaching distance.

 

[Cato1507]

Sounds like you can't go wrong with either one, they'll both do the job.

 

[Apple_Jacker]

I ordered my Wilser bags yesterday, and am impatiently waiting for them to arrive

 

[EtchyLives]

I've got a Brew bag for my 20 gallon mash tun. I got their HD pulled to go with it and it's served me well. I've done 40+ pounds of grain suspended from the underside of the deck. Since my mash tun is high, the straps help bring the bag a little higher when hoisting it up. Since I have a low ceiling (8 foot) the short distance between the pulley and the top of the bag are important.

I've owned two Brew bags, one for my 10 gallon and one for my 20 gallon setups. Love them both and both are still functional.

TL;DR notes:
1. Brew bag good.
2. Holds 40+ pounds of grain
3. Low ceiling + high mash tun means short straps are good
4. Own two, love both

I haven't used a Wilser bag, but they look very good. I chose Brew bag specifically because of my height constraints.

 

[LittleRiver]

...Since my mash tun is high, the straps help bring the bag a little higher when hoisting it up... I chose Brew bag specifically because of my height constraints.

Sounds like you were assuming the way to attach a Wilser bag to the hoist is by the drawstring? While it can be done that way, it is not the best way, or even the recommended way.

A short loop of cord can be used to make a prusik hitch around the bag just above the grain. This puts the hoist attachment as low as it can be, which is quite a bit lower than what you'll achieve with BrewBag straps. That helps a lot if you have height constraints.

Another benefit to using a prusik hitch is that if you are using a ratcheting pulley to attach the bag (recommended), it keeps the ratchet release lever as low as possible so it's easy to reach.

 

[yowzers]

I have a Brew Bag and a Wilser and have found the Wilser to be more durable. The Brew bag has developed small holes after 20 or so batches while the Wilser has not. Not really a big deal as the holes are small, but the Wilser is definitely more sturdy.

 

[odie]

Sturdy until you stir the mash with ur long probe dial thermometer still in the mash just found a pinhole after my second use...and I know exactly how

 

[Apple_Jacker]

I ordered my Wilser bags yesterday, and am impatiently waiting for them to arrive

Update: These worked beautifully. I also bought the ratchet pulley system and that made the entire process so much easier!

 

[bleme]

I use a Wilser bag for mashing, but still keep paint strainer bags around for just about anything cold side (fruiting, straining, siphoning, etc.).

 

[BoilerInSoCal]

I have a Wilser along with the dual pulley set up for my 20 gal SS Brewtech. I do 10 gal batches and couldn't be happier. Lifting a 30 lb grain bill is easy peasy (not sure what the wet weight is, but it is heavy AF, and the loop of cord makes the whole process even easier). I let drain over the kettle until I come to a boil. No need to squeeze at that point. Customer service was great, too!

 

[Apple_Jacker]

keep paint strainer bags around for...siphoning....

That's a great idea! Do you just stick the bottom portion of the siphon into the strainer bag?

 

[bleme]

That's a great idea! Do you just stick the bottom portion of the siphon into the strainer bag?

That is what I have done it the past but recently someone here pointed out that I could put it on the outlet as well. I think I'll try that next time I need it.

 

[Cevan65]

I’ve got 23 batches on my Brew Bag with no visible wear.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

I siphon into/through a muslin bag (in the keg).
I've tried both ends of the siphon... the hose end (in the keg) is the only way it really works. Otherwise, you leave too much beer in your fermenter.

 

[Apple_Jacker]

That is what I have done it the past but recently someone here pointed out that I could put it on the outlet as well. I think I'll try that next time I need it.

That may be even easier; it would definitely be easier to clear out clogs without stirring up the beer.