Which is Right for You? BIAB or Extract

[brewprint]

Also even though I left out the strike temp part; if someone was going to use ANY calculator there would be strike temp included. It would be hard to overlook and not question. Or just read the comments here

 

[brewprint]

I use your calculator quite a bit. At this point I plug in my values for my system.
The ruler idea came from the fact that I wanted to have markings on my kettle and just didn't want to mess with putting them on myself. It was easier to just grab a ruler in the 'school supplies' section and go by what your calculator said. Gravy train.
I do agree a smaller batch would be an alternative but I'm about to start doing 10 gallon batches because 5 isn't enough! Cheers!

 

[Gavin C]

On the syphon. I never suggested it was bad advice. Read what I wrote again.
I don't use a bare bones approach myself, I use lots of do-hickeys to make my brewday more fun.
I was simply trying to point out that your KISS guide with a list of required kit contains lots of things that are not required. A bag is the only item that needs be on someone's "to buy" list to go all-grain if they are already doing extract batches. That's it, a bag.

 

[Matty_O_FoodsnBrews]

Provocative writings, article and comments equally. I have gone through the methods starting with extract and recipes from my LHBS, to 3 & 5 gallon BIAB to 5 gallon all grain up to 10 gallon all grain in the past 3 years. While extract is the easiest, it is the most expensive in my opinion, even when buying in bulk. Furthermore, it is far less fun for me:
1) because I like to go down the rabbit hole of endless combinations of grains, hops, and yeasts, and now water which I am also learning about to develop and execute recipes.
2) I enjoy the hands on time of brewing, the anticipation of fermentation, and the final result. I thought that was the point of having a hobby, but I could be wrong.
Article was good, but the thing it really made me realize was that everyone has a different perspective on this hobby.

 

[Kampenken]

Was someone else. I'd advise to sparge, and avoid comparing times to extract brewing, for best results.

 

[mpghm]

I do 5 gallon BIAB session beers on a stovetop, mashing and boiling at half volume in a 20qt pot, cooling the pot in a sink with a couple of changes of water (overnight if need be), then diluting to full volume in the bucket and pitching. My typical grain bill is around 9lbs which is manageable without a pulley. The only thing different from extract equipment is the bag. And you could even use multiple smaller bags if that's what you have. The hops aren't as pronounces as with full volume boil, but it all depends on which style you're brewing.

 

[Curt]

I did 3-tier for a while before my recent hiatus of 10 years or so. Ready to jump back in and considering my options. BIAB is a new approach to me that is pretty intriguing, due to it's more compact footprint. Just wondering if it's tougher to get clear beer, since you're not recycling the wort through the grain bed and sparging?

 

[Beer & Tall Buildings]

I would add that 1 gallon batches are a great way to start and get some miles under your belt. I received a white elephant beer kit (<$20) for Xmas consisting of glass carboy, airlock, racking cane and some tubing. I’ve since stepped it up with a bag, auto siphon and bottle filler. I’m on my 6th batch in 4 months. Drawbacks: only 7-10 bottles per batch. Benefits: it’s so low maintenance you can do it on a weeknight, plus you can mostly use existing kitchen gear. The batches are small enough to mash in the oven to maintain a perfect 155 degrees, and I sparge with a colander and my V60 for pour-over coffee. I’m sure I’ll graduate up in batch size eventually, but then I’ll miss out on the joy of regular brew days!