I do all the time, but I do a modified BIAB (ie I sparge). I pull the bag out and toss it in a bottling bucket. Then I sparge through the bottling bucket. It allows me to mash out properly and use a normal qt/lb level and I can hit those higher OG's if I desire.
yes;
I can't fit all my water in my kettle for my batch size either. So, I put in as much water as I can; I mash, lift the bag a bit and mash out. While the bag is hanging and draining over the kettle I start the boil and add the remaining room temp water needed for a full boil (about 1 1/2 Gallon).
I use Beersmith to calc all this out wrt strike water temp, grain weight, etc
I usally add the water as my water is heating up before boil; that way I'm all mixed in and I can check my Pre-boil "calcualted" gravity prior to Boil so I know if I have to boil "viqourously" or slower to hit my target target OG
I do all the time, but I do a modified BIAB (ie I sparge). I pull the bag out and toss it in a bottling bucket. Then I sparge through the bottling bucket. It allows me to mash out properly and use a normal qt/lb level and I can hit those higher OG's if I desire.
This is a great option. The mash volume won't be too much for that pot usually. It's the sparge volume added to the grain (full volume single vessel BIAB) that's the kicker. Add another vessel for one or the other, and you're golden.
When I decided to go from extract to BIAB, I bought a 15 gallon heavy duty kettle. I often brew high-gravity and wanted the option of also making 10 gallon batches. The pros/cons are extreme:
1. It's super high quality and volume so far has never been a concern. I love using it.
2. It's freaking massive. 18" wide x 15" tall and heavy. An effort to clean. Honestly it would be hard to store in a standard-size apartment.
If space is tight I would modify a 5-gal kettle and brew 3 gallon batches. But for now I have the space and have no regrets about buying a 15 gallon.
I concur; I have a 10 gallon Mega Pot and the 15 gallon would be my prefered choice if I had to go and buy one again. I'd say for five gallon batches; the 15 gallon is really the better choice. I also though brew for 6.5 gallons post boil; 5.75 gallons into the feremeter, and 5 gallons in the keg. So, I plan for 1 1/2 gallons scrap
I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for a sanke keg, I figure that way I should have more than enough room, but I'm mainly curious if I can rig the smaller pot to work if I want to. I like the idea of a cooler to mash in, then its just a matter of moving the water from vessel to vessel. I don't mind if its a pain for a little while.
Ive seen some old kegs for sale for $150; that would make a great BIAB and Boil Kettle.
Ive seen some old kegs for sale for $150; that would make a great BIAB and Boil Kettle.
There's some for sale locally on craigslist for $60 ea, but I have a buddy who owns a bar, and he's checking with his distributor to see what he can get.
I've seen some cheap ones on sale as well on Craigs as well; Careful though, many of those don't belong to the Sellers and are deposit Kegs. No, paying a deposit doesn't mean you bought them they are still the property of the Brewery until they are "scraped" out.
Like I said, add a vessel. Cheapest is to add a 5+ gallon cooler and mash in that with the bag lining it. Then heat your sparge volume up in your pot and put the grain bag in there for sparge. Stir it and then lift, squeeze. Then add your runnings from the cooler.
It's what I do, coolers are like <$20 and hold mash temp better than a pot with no heat added.
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