Why doesn't everyone BIAB?

[friday]

IDk BIB is a viable option for a new guy or a person that lives in a restricted space.

As for myself I have the space and wouldn't want to spend twice as much on ingredients, when a kegel, burner, and mash tun costs 100 bucks.

IDK it's a no brainier if you like beer and make beer, spend the money on the equipment.

What it costs like 4 of cases of ok beer. Big deal I spent a lot more then that on my wedding, and I don't even remember the event.

BIB is simple and a good starter tool but that's all it has going for it.

 

[ImperialStout]

I too am new to brewing so don't take the following as gospel. It is just what works for me.

BIAB once and found draining the bag a pain. Also found squeezing the bag forced out sediment and made for a cloudy beer. What I do now is mash in a bag mostly because it makes clean up much easier.

Bought a fine mesh bag 10" x 23" for $5 from Northern Brew. It is made to fit a 5 gal round cooler mash tun. Put all grain in bag (mash tun will hold up to 12 pounds malt) and double batch sparge with 3.5 gal of water twice for a total of 7 gal. Stir mash well with each addition of water. Vorluf (sp) till runnings clear and drain into 8 gal pot. Getting 75% efficiency and net about 6 gal.

Once the mash tun is drained, lift out grain bag and toss grain. Rinse grain bag and mash tun and you are ready for another batch.

Next batch using a false bottom in the mash tun to provide a better grain filter bed. Making the FB from a 9" round SS cake pan from Bed, Bath and Beyond for $12. Drilling all the holes will be a pain but think it is worth it.

 

[Rev2010]

I think your response was spot on. Someone asks about biab and another chimes in with a list of negatives that are easily remedied. Rev don't have such thin skin the post was valid to the thread.

Seems some of you who BIAB have the thin skin to feel such need to champion the process. I didn't actually list negatives to BIAB itself, if you'd read my post correctly I clearly stated the negatives I listed were for *my* process. About the only thing that is negative that might not apply is the efficiency comment, and I'd stated that I'd read that, not that it's a fact.

And for the record, the OP asked "Why doesn't everyone BIAB?". I gave my responses why *I* don't. How you interpret that as some negative attack against BIAB is beyond me.


Rev.

 

[gunner65]

This quote from another forum sums it up.

"Brew in a bag (BIAB) Is a stand alone method of brewing beer. It is not better than traditional just different. Yes, it is quicker, cheaper and easier to do than traditional brewing but the results are the same. Good beer!

There has always been a snob problem with all grain and extract brewers. Both methods produce award winning beers but (some) all grainers look down at extract brewers. I think that there may be a problem with traditional and BIAB also. I used to brew all grain traditionally. I now prefer BIAB.

People over analyze brewing beer and sometimes create problems where there aren't any. Money is made selling products and books. I can see why people would be afraid of BIAB because it eliminates some streams of revenue.

Simple is better. Brewers like anyone else don't like to be told that they have been doing it the "hard way". They will use any weak rational to down grade someone else rather than LEARN from them. "When you stop learning you start dying".

BobBrews
BIAB Info http://www.biabrewer.info"

 

[wildwest450]

BobBrews
Simple is better. "When you stop learning you start dying".

Sounds like a genius to me.

 

[Yooper]

lifting heavy bags gets tiresome after a few high gravity batches

it's certainly cheaper but I wouldn't say it's easier

I often make 1.070 batches, of 10 gallons. No way can I deal with that much grain, and am in fact thinking of making a "tippy dump" for my MLT to make it easier when I go bigger with a 15 gallon keg MLT.

They don't make bags big enough.

You can use more than one bag of course- but doing a 5 gallon BIAB is different than a 30 gallon BIAB!

 

[Brulosopher]

I'm beginning to look into AG now that I have two partial mashes under my belt. I have looked at the wiki for the normal 3 vessel AG process, then the BIAB AG process.

It seems to me that the BIAB process is much more simple, why would anyone choose to do it the other way?

Is it recommended for new brewers to start with the BIAB method for AG?

Anyone who fly or batch sparges likely wonders the same thing about their respective approach. I batch sparge. I've considered fly sparge but see no added value. BIAB seems like a pain in the arse. Why doesn't everyone just batch sparge??

See what I mean?

Cheers!

 

[wildwest450]

Why doesn't everyone just batch sparge??

Because it's the easy way out, and it's less efficient than fly sparging.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Oh, I beg to differ...I have made some gigantic bags

Yeah, but, I have no intention of putting 70+ lbs of grain in any kind of bag. At least not without a wench to lift it up

You can use more than one bag of course- but doing a 5 gallon BIAB is different than a 30 gallon BIAB!

True that. I think sparging would be a PITA with multiple bags floating around. Although cleaning out the MLT would be a lot easier.

 

[Number2]

People who can't lift a bag of wet grain have bigger problems than what method to use.

"it's so heavy". WahWahWah

 

[Brulosopher]

Because it's the easy way out, and it's less efficient than fly sparging.

...see what I mean...

 

[djt17]

The OP asked why everybody doesn't BIAB. I & others gave reasons why we don't (I have actually done several BIAB in the past). The BIABers say we are being negative towards BIAB, when we are just answering the OP's question.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

People who can't lift a bag of wet grain have bigger problems than what method to use.

"it's so heavy". WahWahWah

Yeah, unless your bag weighs more than you do

 

[Rivercat96]

71 posts in 24 hours!!! That speaks volumes, LOL. There's no shortage of passion or opinions with our hobby and that's what makes it great. I started doing BIAB's over 6 months ago as a transition from extract and it has helped me tremendously. I've got two other brew friends that also transitioned to BIAB from extract. We all average in the high 70's for normal beers. I used a cooler mash tun on my last brew and really enjoyed it and now will be brewing that way. My two other friends now treat me like the outsider and look for any reason to prove that BIAB is superior to batch sparging in a seperate MLT. After a couple of home brews are sampled mutual respect reigns supreme. We are all now talking about a hybrid between full volume (BIAB) and batch sparging in two seperate converted kegs that I have. To each his own!

 

[Brulosopher]

To each his own!

Indeed! Efficiency is nowhere near as important as consistent results and predictability. I have plans to try other approaches myself, for fun, but I am quite happy with my current process too.

(seems like the theme)

 

[Northcalais40]

So I guess to answer the op, there is no good reason not to do biab. Unless you brew in some large quantity or above a certain og.

Get in line you multiple vessel twerps!

PS This is not intended as an ad hominem attack to anyone. I'm going back to extract brewing now.

 

[wildwest450]

People who can't lift a bag of wet grain have bigger problems than what method to use.

"it's so heavy". WahWahWah

We have an internet tough guy in the house.

 

[smyrnaquince]

Arguing BIAB vs. traditional AG is like arguing religion. Which is better, Lutheran or Presbyterian? Both have benefits and drawbacks. Both make beer (or get you to heaven ). Different methods are right for different people. No one needs to convert the other side (brewing or religion).

For someone new to brewing, find someone who brews BIAB and someone who brews traditional. Tag along with each one for a brew, then decide which one you like better. (To continue my analogy, rather than choosing a religion based on what people tell you, you'd be better off visiting both churches and seeing which one suits you better.)

You can't argue "better" without defining "better." The definition is different for different people. Even, then the evaluations can be a judgement call (e.g., evaluating "easier").

Just let it be.

 

[KrazyKajun]

Indeed! Efficiency is nowhere near as important as consistent results and predictability. I have plans to try other approaches myself, for fun, but I am quite happy with my current process too.

(seems like the theme)

Exactly! If it ain't broke, why try to fix it?

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

I do both -- I BIAB for smaller batches (1-2 gallons) but use a cooler for larger batches. I am happy with the results I get from both. My stovetop could not support doing five gallon batches BIAB. I bought a cooler because it resulted in an easier process for me. I only recently obtained a turkey fryer but now that I have the cooler it doesn't really make sense to give it up. I have the equipment and comfort with my process. That's why I don't do strictly BIAB.

 

[Yooper]

People who can't lift a bag of wet grain have bigger problems than what method to use.

"it's so heavy". WahWahWah

Well, I weigh 135 pounds. And 40 pounds of wet grain weighs about 80 pounds. I also have pumps to move water and wort, so I don't have to lift it. Why would I strain myself trying to lift a grainbag? I guess I'm not man enough to do BIAB.

You don't have to do it "my way" of course- but being insulting to those who do things differently rankles me.

 

[tknice]

Well, I weigh 135 pounds. And 40 pounds of wet grain weighs about 80 pounds. I also have pumps to move water and wort, so I don't have to lift it. Why would I strain myself trying to lift a grainbag? I guess I'm not man enough to do BIAB.

You don't have to do it "my way" of course- but being insulting to those who do things differently rankles me.

I think he was joking Yooper

 

[blueballsbrewer]

I'm not sure what your problem is dude. Lighten up.

 

[Number2]

I think he was joking Yooper

Thank you.

Most folks who are not doing all grain yet just need to try biab 2 times. I think they will find it works well and even though some here have complicated Biab with all kinds of variations, it can be done in an extract system with just the simple addition of a bag. The addition of some insulation of the kettle is helpful but not necessary.

 

[Yooper]

Thank you.

Most folks who are not doing all grain yet just need to try biab 2 times. I think they will find it works well and even though some here have complicated Biab with all kinds of variations, it can be done in an extract system with just the simple addition of a bag. The addition of some insulation of the kettle is helpful but not necessary.

Ah. Joking doesn't always "translate" well on a forum, so I missed it.

I am a huge fan of brewing in general, and I think that everybody who is happy with their beer IS doing it the "right way". Whether it's Cooper's prehopped kits, or a 1 barrel HERMS, or something in between, if the brewer is satisfied with their beer and loves making it- then it's the right way to brew and they shouldn't feel like they have to explain themselves. Sometimes I see some AG snobbery towards extract or PM and my feeling is that we're all here to talk about beer, and oftentimes the best beer is the one you made yourself. It doesn't matter if it's extract, BIAB, triple decoction, or something else- if you made it and you love it- it's exactly the right way to brew.

 

[Parkinson1963]

I did the three vessel thing for over a year then read about BIAB. Made a bag in about ten minutes cost was free I had the right material as left overs from another project. Did the BIAB and never went back, just one pot to clean and a bag to rinse out what could be easier. As to lifting the bag get an oval strainer lift out bag (I use one hand in an insulated glove) ( if you have trouble lifting 20# in a 5 gal batch, then I recommend lifting weights once in a while or at least getting a heavier beer drinking glass. ) place in strainer over the keggle and let drip, squeeze as it cools. By the way my efficiency went up slightly with BIAB. 73 to 76%

 

[beergolf]

Ah. Joking doesn't always "translate" well on a forum, so I missed it.

I am a huge fan of brewing in general, and I think that everybody who is happy with their beer IS doing it the "right way". Whether it's Cooper's prehopped kits, or a 1 barrel HERMS, or something in between, if the brewer is satisfied with their beer and loves making it- then it's the right way to brew and they shouldn't feel like they have to explain themselves. Sometimes I see some AG snobbery towards extract or PM and my feeling is that we're all here to talk about beer, and oftentimes the best beer is the one you made yourself. It doesn't matter if it's extract, BIAB, triple decoction, or something else- if you made it and you love it- it's exactly the right way to brew.

That is a perfect statement for this whole thread. k

 

[BOBrob]

I started with extract on the stove; went to AG with a 10 gal. MLT and 35 qt. fryer W/propane outside. I am now in the process of converting my keggle to electric for BIAB, so no telling what will happen. If you try new things, you learn new ways; to each their own. We all have opinions, knowledge, and ideas to share. Some folks know all the words, phrases, and math for brewing and still make bad beer. Others use terms like "this stuff and that there stuff " go in that thing for a while. I find the nice thing about HBT is we all try to help and get along in the process. This was an interesting thread with pro & con for opinion, in my opinion. I like beer and brewing however it gets done. My biggest problem on brew day is which is the HOT cooler and which is the COLD cooler, so I figure I'll try BIAB in the keggle and have only the cold cooler, and save the confusion for brewing. Ahhh ... Cheers all