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Just put up a new entry. I have to admit it... I was really pleased with how this thing worked... and I was expecting to be. https://www.brewunited.com/index.php?blogid=123
Reddit thread, if you care to give it love there: https://www.reddit.com/r/Homebrewing/comments/3col82/brew_in_a_bag_in_a_cooler_i_review_the_brew_bag/
Reddit thread, if you care to give it love there: https://www.reddit.com/r/Homebrewing/comments/3col82/brew_in_a_bag_in_a_cooler_i_review_the_brew_bag/
Posted 34 days ago.
What would you pay to get the increased benefit of the bag?
Posted 34 days ago.
I haven't thought about a dollar figure. I know that the cooler bags like I used are around $40. But it's a *definite* upgrade to the process, and being able to say bye bye to stuck sparge worries is really nice.
If I crushed my own grains, I could probably make the case that it would pay for itself over time, as I could crush the grain pretty much to flour to improve efficiency; the weave on these things is incredibly fine.
If I crushed my own grains, I could probably make the case that it would pay for itself over time, as I could crush the grain pretty much to flour to improve efficiency; the weave on these things is incredibly fine.
Posted 34 days ago.
Anyone know how much weight grain picks up when wet?
Im honestly tempted to get one of these, but I'd like it to be safe with a 10 gal batch in my cooler.
Ive been pretty disappointed with my bazooka screen lately. I seem to be getting stuck sparges with it more and more :( Could just be that ive crushed the wire a bit, i dunno. this seems like an easy way to fix that. Shit, i could take out the screen and not have to worry about it when i use the tun as a keg cooler.
Im honestly tempted to get one of these, but I'd like it to be safe with a 10 gal batch in my cooler.
Ive been pretty disappointed with my bazooka screen lately. I seem to be getting stuck sparges with it more and more :( Could just be that ive crushed the wire a bit, i dunno. this seems like an easy way to fix that. Shit, i could take out the screen and not have to worry about it when i use the tun as a keg cooler.
Posted 34 days ago.
I've been brewing with a bag in my cylindrical cooler for about a year now.
I just can't go back to any other way. If for no other reason than the ability to easily collect so much more wort than without the bag, I just can't imagine going back.
I've had several people question why I use a bag, my answer is always "why wouldn't you?" No one can ever come up with an actual reason, because aside from simply not wanting to, there isn't one.
Glad to see more people coming around.
If I had to put a dollar amount on the value, I'd say $40 is about right to simplify the brew day a bit. You get more wort, cleanup is easier, and you literally can not get a stuck mash or sparge. Even if it's uncommon anyway, with a bag it's impossible.
Posted 34 days ago.
Edited 34 days ago by Fenix159
I'm not sure. I was able to easily pick up my bag (13 pounds of grain prior to adding water) with one hand. Of course, I only do fiveish gallon batches most of the time.
I do know that I love the fact that it just doesn't matter if I squish that braid, now.
I do know that I love the fact that it just doesn't matter if I squish that braid, now.
Posted 34 days ago.
However much water it absorbs. A pint is a pound the world around.
Posted 34 days ago.
That comes off as philosophical, Dan.
Posted 34 days ago.
Yeah, but i dont remember how much it absorbs off the top of my head ;)
I suppose its about a gallon or so for a 5 gallon batch? 10 gal would be roughly 20lbs of grain + 15lbs then. Seems like it'd be more than that.
I suppose its about a gallon or so for a 5 gallon batch? 10 gal would be roughly 20lbs of grain + 15lbs then. Seems like it'd be more than that.
Posted 34 days ago.
I've done some 10 gallon batches with my setup. The bag when wet with 28lbs of grain is not light, I can tell you that much.
But you don't need to lift it out of the cooler. I usually don't when I'm doing batches that large until after the sparge. I'll run off until it slows down a lot, then I'll hoist it out and twist the bag around to get as much wort out as I can before just tossing it aside to cool down before I dump it and clean.
For 5 gallon batches long as you can pick up ~40lbs you shouldn't ever have a problem. And if you're brewing solo, you damn well better be able to handle that. Remember as it drains, it gets lighter. So that helps.
Posted 34 days ago.
LOL, I have no problem being philosophical :)
Rule of thumb is a pint per pound of absorption, but BIAB users have reported getting less.Posted 34 days ago.
Just looked this up. Grain averages .15 gallons absorbed per pound.
Posted 34 days ago.
I totally didnt see that decimal point in there at first. I was slightly perplexed...
Posted 34 days ago.
Grain is something like .125 gal/lb, though given the fact BIAB allows for "squeezing" (even if by just picking the bag up), it reduces absorption to .075 or so. I've yet to adapt my equipment profile in BeerSmith and every time I've used this bag I end up with .75 to 1.5 gallons of extra wort after removing the bag, super clear wort.
Posted 34 days ago.
Fenix, thanks for the specs. I agree, you don't have to pick the whole thing up - if you just clear a little space by your drain, it lets the wort really flow.
Posted 34 days ago.
