Maxi BIAB vs Esky mash

[Seeker]

I'm wanting to try out all grain shortly - only done about 8 extract brews but I want to progress quickly.

BIAB seems like the go - I have a 19 Big W stock pot so would be looking at Maxi BIAB?

One thing though which I've not found an answer to - wouldn't it be easier to use a bag in an Esky with water measured to the same quantity as the stock pot size?

Then I can mash 19litres + allowance for grain absorbtion , pull out the grain and pour 19 litres into the stock pot.

Would that be easier and would that mean sparging is not needed?

I want to save as much time as possible here.

 

[spryzie]

I don't even worry about measuring anymore.

Roughly 15L of water in my big w pot. 4kg (up to 5kg but then I might only use less water to fit it in - can just top it up once grain is in with hot water). I mash in at 55 then apply direct heat to get to my mash temp proper.

Mash.

Remove grain. Sparge a few litres back into pot. Put as much water as you want in - you just have to boil down to your cube size (12L for me).

Cube.

Pour into fermenter. Top up with water to dilute to desired gravity. You can get full size batches this way.

Results may vary if copying a recipe with this method Isuppose.

 

[Seeker]

Interesting - thanks.

I've not decided on no chill vs chill yet - that's the next thing to decide.



All my brews go into collapsible water containers of 20L exactly, and i'd rather not bother with bottles at all.

 

[spryzie]

If I had the money I'd chill.

But then again, if I had the money I'd have a brsumeister, temp controlled ferment room and stainless steel everything.

Right now my brewery cost under $250 and that includes a bench caper, grain mill and posh coopers fermenter.

 

[Seeker]

If I chill it will be narly DIY job

I reckon that can be done easily for peanuts.

Aquarium pump - ice in Esky. Long copper pipe and a couple of soldered joints.

 

[hathro]

If you are topping up with water anyway, why not add chilled water or ice to bring it down to pitching temp?

 

[TheWiggman]

I think having an esky and a pot is one more item in the brewery than you need. If you're going to have the pot for the boil you might as well use it for the mash, though it will limit your mash size somewhat with grain absorption if going with a 19l.
You've probably heard this but for the cost of a pot, ~$100 to $160, go bigger and better straight up and by brew 2 you would have completely forgotten about the price. Use the other pot for sparging if you really want. Otherwise no transfers, one pot, one thing to clean and happy days.

 

[indica86]

Buy an Urn and BIAB.
Easy, reasonably priced and easy.

 

[damoninja]

I think having an esky and a pot is one more item in the brewery than you need. If you're going to have the pot for the boil you might as well use it for the mash, though it will limit your mash size somewhat with grain absorption if going with a 19l.
You've probably heard this but for the cost of a pot, ~$100 to $160, go bigger and better straight up and by brew 2 you would have completely forgotten about the price. Use the other pot for sparging if you really want. Otherwise no transfers, one pot, one thing to clean and happy days.

I found when I was BIABing on the stove I couldn't maintain a stable mash temp for 60-90 mins. I mean sure I'd still be within the window, but if I want to target a specific temp I have to use an esky or get an urn that can keep a temp good and proper.

 

[ridge runner]

I got 2 urns a 20 and a forty lt started with 20lt when it broke I used pot on stove but mashed in oven set to lowest setting worked well. Now have 40lt urn.