Ghetto style bucket-in-bucket sort of thing with manual recirc. Just didn't like hauling up a big hot wet bag and waiting for it to drain, clean up was a bit messier too with BIAB.
I went from a 2v to a 2v mashing-in-bag-in-esky to full BIAB based on economic and time constraints and wish I'd done it sooner, if not straight away. I only get excited by HERMS now, and that is a shiny dream for a distant future.
I'm looking at a second vessel now for sparging, also toying with recirculation too. I don't see myself moving to a 3-4v anytime soon though. I'd rather spend my pocket money on grains etc and make plenty of liquid love.
Just moved to a 3v Herms system from my 1.5v recirculating mash no bag lifting BIAB brew in a flat system now I live in a house. It takes up 3 times the space for no increase in volume and the beer hasn't got any better, but brew days are a doddle with the ability to hose the mashtun out on the lawn. Problem is I have no undercover space t brew in, so the last 2 brew days have been a washout, but I've spent a whole lot more money on a bunch more things that can go wrong!
Started full volume single batch BIAB, moved to double batch and larger kettle, added a herms, got rid of herms. Added a false bottom, then got rid of it also.
Was BIAB then Moved to 2v then 2v Herms now going to a 3v system as I seem to be getting less time to brew so the ability to knock out upto 2 double batches in a day is required.
Still using the old bag. Tried 2V modified BIAB, looked at recirculating ghetto 1V BIAB and still come back to the same simple process. Beer still tastes the same no matter ehat system I used.
Will look into a Brau as I want bigger batches but don't have room for 3V.
Started with BIAB using a 30ltr pot and a cray pot.
Now use Cocko's old 3V rig with an added HERMS setup for my bigger batches and have recently finished building a smaller batch system using a keg and the 30ltr pot with slits cut out of the bottom. This is to be able to make some crazy beers without brewing 80ltrs worth.
Started with BIAB, upscaled it at the way to a 100L batch. Finally went a large sized 3V with both HERMS and RIMS. Recently built a secondary system, a 1V for beers I only want 1 cube off.