19L stock pot, for a 1st venture into AG with BIAB

[Jeltz]

I'm tempted to get a 19L stock pot to do a brew in a bag.

Does anyone have any idea what kind of batch size I could produce with a 19L stock pot I'm figuring on possibly being able to use a colander for sparging if that helps.

The pot would fit in my sink (just about) so I can ice bath it to cool so. It seems a very affordable way to get a taster of AG brewing.

Also what material is best for the bag, Mrs Jeltz is handy with the sewing machine.

 

[Aleman]

You don't sparge BIAB

 

[Jeltz]

OK just following this video it seemed a sensible move to improve the efficiency.

 

[Duncs]

I use a 19 litre pot and brew BIAB. I get 15 litres (3 gallons).

My procedure is to mash in the boiler for 120 minutes rather than 90 (otherwise the efficiency is far too low).
Next, put the boiler on the hob to start the boil and lift the grain bag out of the boiler, let the grains drain into the boiler while heating up more water to 80C
Pour heated water in to my FV and add the bag of grains to it (a kind of sparge I guess)
You can then use this to top up your boiler as needed.

The 19 litre pot doesn't fit in my sink as the taps are in the way, so I carry it upstairs and put it in a bath full of cold water (and sometimes add ice cubes to the boiler to cool the wort even faster)

 

[Jeltz]

Excellent, and how does your beer taste?

 

[Duncs]

Excellent, and how does your beer taste?

Better than I ever thought possible :grin:

 

[Barticus]

OK just following this video it seemed a sensible move to improve the efficiency.

Just watched this video and his extract video and Im a tad confused. in both videos he seems to use grain in a bag however in the extract one he adds extract and in the biab he doesnt. Is it simply a case of in the first one gets all the sugar from the grain and in the second one he only gets some sugar from the grain???

 

[Jeltz]

Excellent, and how does your beer taste?

Better than I ever thought possible :grin:

Then I might be after a recipe some time :thumb:

 

[RobWalker]

Just a note here (which may not be good advice either.)

I do 2 gallon BIAB, I've got an 11 litre pot and it yields about 9L pre-boil. that gets reduced to about 8L, so it's not a huge amount, about 14 pints after fermentation.

Now I'm all for hanging the bag over after mashing, which I do until it's as good as dry, but at such small quantities of brewing, I do a sort of sparge. Heat 2L of water to 66c, dump the grains in after they've dried out, then drain the bag again. You'll notice you get a respectable quantity of wort from it, and it's quick and easy. I add mine after the first hot break, that way you can boil right up to the rim (providing you're not using 100's of grams of hops.)

Just thought it may be useful as I've been getting good efficiency from it, and it gives you a few extra pints!

As for general quality enquiring - yeah, it's great, much better than extract/kit beer.

 

[pittsy]

In the Ag video the sugar is just from the grains , while in the extract video (partial mash) he is getting his sugars mainly from the DME while getting some extra flavours by steeping a small amount of grains (usually a specialty grain like carahell or something) So really there is extract brewing (no grains at all ), partial extract (involves small amount of grains , also called partial mash) and then All grain . p.s Rob you'd be better getting that temp to 77c

 

[Barticus]

In the Ag video the sugar is just from the grains , while in the extract video (partial mash) he is getting his sugars mainly from the DME while getting some extra flavours by steeping a small amount of grains (usually a specialty grain like carahell or something) So really there is extract brewing (no grains at all ), partial extract (involves small amount of grains , also called partial mash) and then All grain . p.s Rob you'd be better getting that temp to 77c

Cheers Pittsy. :thumb:

So to be 100% sure in my own head, the video labelled biab is in reality AG brewing, just not as complicated as full AG brewing?

If thats correct then this has been a big help. :

 

[RobWalker]

cheers mate, good advice.

IMO it's about the same as normal AG brewing, in essence that's what it is, maybe a little less procedure wise but same basic principle. Not when you get into three tier systems and what not, but that's how basic all grain brewing CAN be. It's just varying levels of procedures. In reality, the beer may be no better than a huge system can make.

Partial mash IS mashing pittsy, usually just a way of using adjuncts that need to be mashed, or high quantities of crystal, chocolate, black etc. Steeping is basically extract imo.

 

[puravida]

I sparge by chucking the bag into a colander in a spare FV or bucket and pour hot water over it to rinse off a bit more of the good stuff.

If you can afford a bigger pot then get one. If you buy a 19L then I guarantee in a month or two you'll be hunting around for a 33L and so on :)

There's a good company based in germany or france on eBay I got mine from. Very cheap and reasonable delivery. I'll try to dig out the details later.

 

[puravida]

BIAB IS all grain brewing.
You are just using a slightly different way to extract the sugars from the grains.

 

[Barticus]

BIAB IS all grain brewing.
You are just using a slightly different way to extract the sugars from the grains.

Cheers

 

[Jeltz]

I sparge by chucking the bag into a colander in a spare FV or bucket and pour hot water over it to rinse off a bit more of the good stuff.

If you can afford a bigger pot then get one. If you buy a 19L then I guarantee in a month or two you'll be hunting around for a 33L and so on :)

There's a good company based in germany or france on eBay I got mine from. Very cheap and reasonable delivery. I'll try to dig out the details later.

I've seen that company and hear what you are saying about a bigger pot, but anything much bigger that a 19L would require me to find an alternate boil method and a wort cooler. Having looked at the cost of copper pipe and fittings these days I think I would have a hard job justifying the extra expense.

EDIT: Stuff it! I just ordered one as I found it at about £22 delivered.

 

[rich27500]

Check this out http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=89&t=352

 

[Barticus]

Check this out http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=89&t=352

Had a quick look as on the phone and that looks excellent. Looking forward to reading it fully on laptop.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jeltz]

Thanks :thumb:

I registered there earlier, as it seems to be a place that has specific to what is interesting me although I'm not sure it's my kind of forum, given its registration procedures :? Probably will be a reader rather than poster on that one.

 

[rich27500]

Exactly mate I much prefer it here but if you want expertise they can't be beaten for BIAB