Wilser BIAB vs The Brew Bag?

[doug293cz]

So is The Brew Bag.

Are you sure about that?

I'll chime in on this. For full transparency, I sell Wilser bags at BrewHardware.com so there is a possibility of bias regardless of how much I don't intend it.

The primary reason I'm not selling The Brew Bag is where it's manufactured. When I had conversations with the owner, and found that the wholesale price to me was going to be substantially higher than Wilser, I was shocked to find that they were sewn in China. So, what we have here is a rare case where the product made in the U.S. is cheaper.

To be quite clear, my profit on both products would have been the same. I figure it's win-win to support a local craftsman while offering the lower price to the customer.

I personally use the Wilser bag for all my own brewing and I'm on batch number 41 with the same bag.

Brew on

 

[CascadesBrewer]

So is The Brew Bag.

My "The Brew Bag" was made in China.

 

[Dancy]

I assumed mine was US made simply because I emailed back and forth with them regarding measurements to fit my Mash&Boil, trying to get one that extended to fit around the outside of the kettle to prevent grains from falling between the malt pipe and the kettle. I was asked to send measurements and I sent pictures as well. The speed in receiving the bag makes it hard to believe it was made in China. Disappointingly, the bag still does NOT fit the outside of the M&B kettle. I think the stiffness of The Brew Bag makes it problematic. I ended up with a Wilser that fits beautifully. Obviously, I’m unhappy about the amount of money spent on two.

 

[MaxStout]

I assumed mine was US made simply because I emailed back and forth with them regarding measurements to fit my Mash&Boil, trying to get one that extended to fit around the outside of the kettle to prevent grains from falling between the malt pipe and the kettle. I was asked to send measurements and I sent pictures as well. The speed in receiving the bag makes it hard to believe it was made in China. Disappointingly, the bag still does NOT fit the outside of the M&B kettle. I think the stiffness of The Brew Bag makes it problematic. I ended up with a Wilser that fits beautifully. Obviously, I’m unhappy about the amount of money spent on two.

It might be that they asked for measurements to get you an off-the-shelf bag that closely fits. Unfortunately, sounds like it wasn't close enough for your kettle.

 

[bracconiere]

anyone ever try using a chipper/shredder bag for BIAB? (just curious, i got a chipper recently and i was eyeing the bag it came with....lol)

 

[soccerdad]

I use my chipper/shredder for humans. I would not want to mix human remains with the beer I'm making.

 

[Dancy]

@MaxStout - Agreed - disappointing. I went to them because prior to my M&B, I used a The Brew Bag in my 10G mashtun cooler. Worked great.

 

[BrewZer]

anyone ever try using a chipper/shredder bag for BIAB? (just curious, i got a chipper recently and i was eyeing the bag it came with....lol)

Sounds like that chipper/shredder might come in handy if you ever want to brew a beer from an oak tree...

 

[Homebrew Harry]

Sounds like that chipper/shredder might come in handy if you ever want to brew a beer from an oak tree...

I can hear the acorns in his dryer already

 

[bracconiere]

Sounds like that chipper/shredder might come in handy if you ever want to brew a beer from an oak tree...

i was trying to think up a comedic response, about people aging imperial stouts on oak chips...

I can hear the acorns in his dryer already

but then got to thinking about mesquite pod brew? no oak here, but LOTS of mesquite. and the pods are quite sweet... be interesting to brew with....


and for the record, i was thinking like this...they make them out of really tuff material..from the looks..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2726334394...rentrq:250399fa17d0a77d17fb74dcfffa0230|iid:1

 

[RufusBrewer]

Sounds like that chipper/shredder might come in handy if you ever want to brew a beer from an oak tree...

Tie A Pabst Blue Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I prefer the klemheist. Faster to hitch, a lot faster to unhitch, especially after an imperial load.

https://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/klemheist-knot

 

[MaxStout]

I use my chipper/shredder for humans. I would not want to mix human remains with the beer I'm making.

 

[RufusBrewer]

I have both the Brew In A Bag and a Wilser bag.

I really like the convenience of the Brew In a Bag and the four straps and the loops. Makes it easy to gather up the straps put them on snap hook and raise up the bag.

A Wilser bag has the two ends of the rope that draws and cinches the bag close. Does anybody know if a reliable knot that I can use to close up the bag and tie it onto a snap hook close to the bag end of the rope.

 

[marc1]

I have both the Brew In A Bag and a Wilser bag.

I really like the convenience of the Brew In a Bag and the four straps and the loops. Makes it easy to gather up the straps put them on snap hook and raise up the bag.

A Wilser bag has the two ends of the rope that draws and cinches the bag close. Does anybody know if a reliable knot that I can use to close up the bag and tie it onto a snap hook close to the bag end of the rope.

For the Wilser bag, use the little loop of cord that came with it, then make one of these knots (quotes from another thread):

All good answers above. I prefer hitches that are easier to tie and release. Still serious hitches used by climbers, rope rescue, etc.

Tie a short loop or use the loop Wilser usually provides. Use that loop to tie a Prusik (Sunday) hitch or better yet a klemheist.

What he said. Lift it until the bag is under a little tension, then choke up on it with another short snotter down low. Push it down close to the grain ball. Best way is to take a piece of 1/4 double braid or similar, and make a Constrictor Knot, AKA Miller's Knot, around the bag. Don't use the Double version and take care that you do not tie a simple clove hitch, which is not secure enough. Snap the two bitter ends tightly to tighten this knot up good, and it will not slip on you. Tie the two bitter ends into very short Bowlines. Hook your hook into both bowlines and lift.

Alternately you could lay up a short grommet in 3 strand rope, or tie two ends of a short piece of line together with a square knot, and Lark's Head AKA Cow Hitch this loop around the bag and hook the hook into the leftover bight. You have to cinch it up good and tight or it will slip, but once it is jammed up good it should be secure enough. Don't sue me if it isn't, please.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I have used my beloved wilser bag for close to 60 batches now and I am still on my first one. Stained brown with evidence of all the brewing adventures we've been through together, it might look a bit tattered but has no holes at all and is still running strong. Full disclosure, I have recently purchased a second wilser bag just incase the first one fails, but honestly, I was more fearful that @wilserbrewer might retire or otherwise stop selling these excellent bags, and I didn't want to be left high and dry. I can admit that I have gawked a time or two at the lift straps on some other brands, but the engineer inside me recognizes that the straps will concentrate the load onto a narrow strip of mesh and be much more prone to localized shear failure than the equally distributed strength of a wilser bag. A total steal at even twice the price (hint, hint!) you just can't do better than an original wilser bag, period.

 

[Dog House Brew]

Wilser Period!

 

[seatazzz]

I just finished my very first BIAB batch using my new Wilserbrewer bag, and could not be happier. I left the burner on very low under the kettle during half of the mash time, and no melty or burny spots. The pulley system I got with my bags worked great, and a quick squeeze using one of the racks from my oven (well cleaned) netted me a LOT more wort than I've ever gotten with my 3-vessel system, with no sparge!

I've been using MIAB for 4 years now and have gone through four bags; the first one I got from a friend that is super sturdy, but has a few snaggy holes now. Bought two 24x26 bags from different LHBS and both failed. Last one I bought from LHBS was a BrewinaBag knockoff with the straps; after first use the voile started pulling/running away from one of the straps, rendering it useless unless I patched it. The wilser bag is incredibly sturdy, and the shape lends well to draining the bag. This bag also pushed me to trying BIAB for the first time, and it was an eminent success.

 

[brewbama]

I own both. I am on my 175th batch. I started with two consecutive Brew Bags thru 174 batches. I brewed batch one in the Wilser yesterday. I recirculate thru the entire mash then pump to a boil kettle. I had absolutely no issues whatsoever with a full volume Hochkurz step mash 9 lb grain bill in a 10 gal Infussion Mash Tun. After one brewday I can honestly say I like the Wilser better because it was so much easier to clean. Wilser does not have straps and seams that cannot be cleaned.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

I have been using a Wilser bag for several years now and have no complaints. The bag perfectly fits my 62-quart Bayou Classic and easily holds the typical 24 pounds of grain used on brew days.

 

[szap]

I have the brew bag that I purchased around a year ago made for the foundry 10.5. I had an earlier version of the brew bag and the material for the newer version is much different than the old model. The new bag is made of a heavy fabric that is a little on the stiff side and appears to be pretty indestructible. As far as ease of cleaning, I find the new bag cleans with spray from a hose and it much easier to clean than the older model. I have experienced good efficiency with this bag and would recommend it. It does not have handles but has 4 loops that work well with the hook on a pulley.

 

[TBA]

I put a Wilser bag on my Christmas list. I have been using my Brew Bag for about 70 batches, it was just getting very stained and the kids needed some inexpensive items to get me. I will say I really like how the Wilser bag fits my pot. However, the lack of the lifting straps means you need a lot of space above the bag to lift it up and let it drain. Like 2 feet more than the Brew Bag. Did not see that one coming. The little lock on the rope holds the bag nicely in the pot while mashing in but you can’t lift by it. Have to lift from the knot at the end of the rope.

 

[DBhomebrew]

One can tie a knot into the drawstring on a Wilserbag to shorten it for lifting. Wilser also includes a small loop of cord to put a prusik knot on the bag itself just above the grain bed.

With what comes in the package as purchased, a Wilserbag can be lifted higher than a Brew Bag.

 

[TBA]

Hmm, looking in the box I didn’t get that. They did include a couple hop socks.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I put a Wilser bag on my Christmas list. I have been using my Brew Bag for about 70 batches, it was just getting very stained and the kids needed some inexpensive items to get me. I will say I really like how the Wilser bag fits my pot. However, the lack of the lifting straps means you need a lot of space above the bag to lift it up and let it drain. Like 2 feet more than the Brew Bag. Did not see that one coming. The little lock on the rope holds the bag nicely in the pot while mashing in but you can’t lift by it. Have to lift from the knot at the end of the rope.

A thread from the man himself with tips: BIAB Hoisting w/ a Ratchet Pulley

I do not recall getting a cord with my bag either (purchased last year). I got one custom sized for my 16 gallon kettle and one sized for my 5 gallon kettle (along with a few hop sacks).

 

[TBA]

Thanks for the link. My exact problem. Never been big on knots but this looks quite easy!

 

[kaffeenjunkie]

Over 5 years, two brews a month on average. It is very brown and has a small hole in it due to my negligence. Will buy another Wilser if and when the time comes.

 

[AZ Maverick]

I have been using a Wilser bag for the last three years with no issues.
Mine also came with a small loop of rope that wraps around the bag just below the drawstring, it works great for lifting those heavy 5-gallon mashes.

 

[balrog]

200 batches, one @wilserbrewer bag.
I've got two more, just in cases, pristine and pure, waiting in reserve.

 

[UdonPete]

Have to agree, out of the two The Brew Bag wins out for ease of use