Electrim mashing bin and BIAB?

[ArmChair]

I purchased a Electrim mashing bin/boiler last year with the intention of doing All Grain brewing.

Does any one use one of these for BIAB?
And maybe have a step by step instructions on how they brew with it?

If so what sort of bag do you use?
what do you use to cover the element so it does not burn the grain?
What temp does each setting reach on there thermostat

Pics would help if possible

 

[StevieDS]

I use a home made version of this for biab so I can't help with the thermo settings but as for your other questions, I place a stainless steel colander in the bottom of the boiler so that the bag sits inside it staying off the elements. For the bag, u can either buy one from any home brew shop, tho they are quite expensive, or u can make ur own. Use muslin cloth, from a fabric shop or google it, and sew it up, easy. This way is much cheaper, I made 2 large bags for the grain plus a small hop bag for a couple of quid.

 

[Jeltz]

I use one for BIAB :thumb:

I don't use the element while mashing I just bring the temp up and then insulate it while the grain mashes. I did some reading (before I bought it) and it seemed that most people found that it scorched the grain if they used as per the instructions. However it works great for me the way I do it and I know Rich used one in the Old Speckled Hen thread

The bag is made from net curtain material which I got from the local fabric shop, and Mrs Jeltz made into a bag. I also have a second slightly smaller one I use as a hop sock. Its just sown up like a pillow case but the top part where the wire would go has a cord threaded through which I use to both tie around the top while mashing and to lift the bag out with using a pulley.

For insulation I had some spare insulating foam which I stand it on and also a piece cut for the lid.I then use a 4 panel cylinder lagging jacket to wrap around. 3 panels are joined into one long one which goes around the outside the the other 2 are laid over the top in an X pattern and the whole thing is strapped up so that it stays together.Its total overkill but loses only a few degrees doing an overnight mash!

I've never really bothered with the thermostat, as you can see I don't have it attached to the unit. I use a digital thermometer with an alarm to tell me when the water is at strike temperature as it reaches it I give it a bit of a stir to make sure its uniform then I just dough in and insulate. Once the boil is on I don't see any need for the thermostat as you just want it to boil away.

 

[ArmChair]

Cheers lads.

It looks good Jeltz, do you not use the element because of the grain issue burning aswel?
Would a metal colounder or wire tray over the element stop it burning the grain?

As for the bag, i think it might be easier for me to purchase one, i looked at my LHBS and its £8.99 for one.

Cheers Si

 

[Jeltz]

Yes I think you would end up with hot and cold spots and some scorched grain.

You just don't need to mess about with it, as I said my insulation is a bit OTT as you see from the other thread Rich just used a coat and a duvet.

I'm just in favour of keeping it simple and problem free and see using the element during the mash as a way to introduce problems.

Whatever bag you choose will be fine so long as it fits that's all that really matters. Are you going to use a hop strainer or hop sock? I've not had trouble with the hop bag being scorched by the element during the boil but is moving around a lot.

 

[ArmChair]

I will give it ago your way then and use an old sleeping bag or something.
How long do you keep it wrapped up for?

Mine came with an hop strainer, so i guess i will just use the hop strainer

 

[Jeltz]

As long as you mash for! I've done 2 overnight mashes and 1 for 2.5 hours. Simply because its what suited my schedule. If you want to do it in one go then you can just do the normal 90 minutes.

 

[StevieDS]

Yeah u shouldn't need to use the element during a basic mash if ur well insulated, but if u want to do a stepped or decoction mash u may want to use the element for temp changes. This is why o put the colander in the base. I just stir it gently when heating to keep the heat even. I haven't had any problems so far.