BIAB Boiler Question

Andyhull · Jun 12, 2012

Hi all,

What i would like to know is, what volume BIAB brew could i do easily in a 33lt boiler?
Would i be able to successfully do a 23lt/40pt BIAB brew in this size boiler in one mash/boil without having to add extra liquer from another source?

Thanks
Andy

andyd · Jun 12, 2012

Hi Andy

I manage 23L brews using a 29L boiler so yes, you should be ok. It's a bit of a squeeze though, I do a mini-sparge type thing in a separate FV to provide an extra few litres to top the boiler back up before the boil starts (the grain will absorb a fair bit of liquid). You could also add the odd litre of boiling water during the boil to keep the volume up or liquor back at the end.

First up though, I'd suggest aiming for a 20L brew to get an idea on your capacity, what works for me might not be the same for you.

Hope this helps

Andy

Buzzing · Jun 13, 2012

My 50l Keggle gets to the 57.5% (I just use measurements to bottom and to top liquid for volume checks) mark with a 23 litre batch using about 5kg of grain.

That should be round about 28.75 litres for a 23 litres batch using 5kg of grain.

I BIAG a bit differently. I start with the exact volume that I want to brew. Whatever absorption losses I record, I get to mash-out temp in a 2nd container and use this to trickle through my grain-bag that's hanging just above the wort surface.
This increases efficiency and eliminates squeezing the bag, which I have found puts alot less unwanteds in my brews, resulting in less hot break, less trub and more wort into the fermenter.

I suspect that your set-up should be fine for beers of up to 1.060, but any higher, you might have troubles ?

Mr BR · Jun 13, 2012

hi buzzing quick question i have a 50l keggle that i havent used yet but would like to know what the biggest brew you can do as in litres say for a 5 percent ABV brew,much appreciated.

rich27500 · Jun 13, 2012

If you 'maxi' BIAB you can pretty much achieve anything with that size boiler. People have achieved 23L brew lengths with a 19L stockpot

Andyhull · Jun 14, 2012

Thanks for the replies guys,

looks like i'll be building the boiler this weekend (after i have done my DIY chores for SWMBO) then hopefully i'll be getting my first AG brew going the following weekend, here's hopeing :pray:

Andy