1V elec BIAB recirc with controller - do you really need a malt pipe?

[buckerooni]

I feel like this could be a stupid question but why can't a false bottom with the pump flowing into the top of the bag? I am looking to move up to a 100L pot so I guess the sheer weight of the bag may be a challenge. Is there something I'm missing?

 

[VP Brewing]

This will work but there will be a lot less flow through the grain bed compared to a malt pipe.
Most will go out through the side of the bag. Not really a big issue but if you like the idea of using the grain bed as a filter then when you pull the bag it will mix it all up again. I used a bag a couple of times with recirc then made a malt pipe with a 56L eBay pot.

 

[Mr B]

I think it will work if your bag allows the grain to fill thediameter of the pot.

I have just changed from using a ~47cm dia 90l pot with a craftbrewer bag to make 55l batches full volume biab. Need a couple of pulleys to assist the bag hoist but not too bad and the bag handled it no probs.

I didnt use a pump to recirc but would have been no problem to do so. Lift bag gently to avoid redistributing flour. I reckon you would need a false bottom, although you might get away without it it would be less than ideal.

I changed to a malt pipe and recirc, but aside from a little process change there is no diff in efficiency etc.

Edit: I changed cause I like farking around with stuff really.

 

[buckerooni]

I'm looking very hard at the cheekypeak 100L elec kettle and would grab the 16inch false bottom for it, looks like a sturdy piece of kit ( http://www.cheekypeakbrewery.com.au/index.php/everything-mashing/false-bottoms/product/130-16-stainless-steel-false-bottom-with-legs ) .

Good to know about the efficiency, I'm using the craft brewer bag at the moment with my 40L with a pulley so I'm on my way.

I figure that if I plug in a PID I'll probably get the recirc happening at that stage.

 

[Alex.Tas]

I'm looking very hard at the cheekypeak 100L elec kettle and would grab the 16inch false bottom for it,

if you are looking to retain the use of your grain bag in favour of a malt pipe, my guess is that you are just getting the false bottom to keep the bag off the element?

if so, i wouldn't bother with it. Just use some pegs or bulldog clips to hold the bag off the base. I know - you want the shiny thing... i thought the same thing too when i was considering the same issue (albeit with a 40L urn). The clips work well and I can give the element a scrape with my mash paddle mid mash (if im step mashing at dangerously low temperatures) without having to mess around with moving the false bottom out of the way.

Using Bribie's slow hoist method, the grain in the bag will form a grain bed of sorts, filtering your sweet liquor, which is one of the main benefits of a malt pipe over a mesh bag. Save your $60 plus postage for your PID/recirulation build.

......All what i have said aside, if you like it, go for it. I just spent/wasted some money on useful/unnecessary stainless fittings for my re circulation build. I know I'll get enjoyment out of using it for the first few times. Time will tell if it keep using them or not... Chinese stainless steel fittings are too cheap!

 

[buckerooni]

Thanks for the thoughts Alex, turns out the cheekypeak false bottom does not work with 2 elements so I'll fancy up a cake rack and some ss bolts so I can position it around the elements. With 15kg of grain potentially in the bag I don't want to rely just on clips to keep it off the exposed elements.

got one of these coming in the post which should give me good control with the slow lift: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/272012784431

Having seen bigger BIABs without recirc (think BribieG does this) I'm thinking KISS principal to start with.