argon
firmitas, utilitas, venustas
- Joined
- 8/5/09
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Soooo Im making the jump from full volume (double batch actually) BIAB to a 3V all stainless gravity setup this weekend. Ive done a fair bit of reading on the pros and cons of BIAB vs 3V and there really isnt a lot to be said.especially for a standard size single batch. Ive been making some pretty good beers (IMHO) over the last 12 months or so using the ol pillowcase but now comes the time to retire it.
My main reason is so I can do double batches of bigger beers say 1060 and up. And also to do it all with a lot less dicking about.
For a BIAB double, I would heat up all my strike water, then draw off a certain amount into an esky, do my typical BIAB mash, mashout, then esky dunk sparge, dump the bag into a 19L stock pot to let it drain, pour off sparge liquor from esky back into kettle, pour in any dripped liquor from 19L into kettle, boil as usual.
So essentially I was messing about with 3 different vessels AND a bag which dripped everywhere. Its a reasonably messy process that needs quite a bit of attention Ive taken a simple process and convoluted it to the extent Ive now considered jumping ship. Probably if I was doing single batch beers without dunk sparging I would keep the status quo.
For 3V Simplified explanation but the process will now go heat up the HLT, add strike water to MLT, dough in, mash, infusion mash out, double batch sparge, boil. All without transferring the grain multiple times and what seems to me a lot less hassle.
I also plan to get the HLT run as an electric setup using a tempmate so I can prepare the water before I commence my brew day but thats not my reason for moving... just an added bonus.
Havent read too often anyone giving up BIAB but not to say on-one has Ive just got to the point where in my situation it makes sense to me. I have limited opportunities to brew, but have plenty of space and the ability to get all the gear together. Plus I like a bit of tinkering and nice shiny things
So anyone else considering the move to become a real brewer? h34r: (prob get flamed for that but anyway throw it out there :lol: )
My main reason is so I can do double batches of bigger beers say 1060 and up. And also to do it all with a lot less dicking about.
For a BIAB double, I would heat up all my strike water, then draw off a certain amount into an esky, do my typical BIAB mash, mashout, then esky dunk sparge, dump the bag into a 19L stock pot to let it drain, pour off sparge liquor from esky back into kettle, pour in any dripped liquor from 19L into kettle, boil as usual.
So essentially I was messing about with 3 different vessels AND a bag which dripped everywhere. Its a reasonably messy process that needs quite a bit of attention Ive taken a simple process and convoluted it to the extent Ive now considered jumping ship. Probably if I was doing single batch beers without dunk sparging I would keep the status quo.
For 3V Simplified explanation but the process will now go heat up the HLT, add strike water to MLT, dough in, mash, infusion mash out, double batch sparge, boil. All without transferring the grain multiple times and what seems to me a lot less hassle.
I also plan to get the HLT run as an electric setup using a tempmate so I can prepare the water before I commence my brew day but thats not my reason for moving... just an added bonus.
Havent read too often anyone giving up BIAB but not to say on-one has Ive just got to the point where in my situation it makes sense to me. I have limited opportunities to brew, but have plenty of space and the ability to get all the gear together. Plus I like a bit of tinkering and nice shiny things
So anyone else considering the move to become a real brewer? h34r: (prob get flamed for that but anyway throw it out there :lol: )