BIAB all grain high gravity question

[strongarm]

Did a partial BIAB and this will be my first all grain. This issue is I desire to do a high gravity brew but have limits with my brew pot. I have 1 5g brew pot but I can borro another 5g pot. First off I thought if I do a small batch 2.5gallon instead of 5 that would help. Can I simply seperate the grain for mashing eveanly in the 2 pots? based on my calculations I have about 10.5lb of grain and beersmith says mash water volume needs to be 13qts (3.3gallons). Can I just put 1.7 gallons in each with the 5lbs of grain then combine once done? Also to get to my 2.5 final volume I would have to boil the wort for how much time? If there is a way to do this in beersmith please let me know. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.



Imperial Stout
Type: All Grain Date: 6/15/2012
Batch Size (fermenter): 2.50 gal Brewer:
Boil Size: 3.00 gal Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: My Equipment
End of Boil Volume 2.71 gal Brewhouse Efficiency: 68.00 %
Final Bottling Volume: 2.10 gal Est Mash Efficiency 81.6 %
Fermentation: Ale, Two Stage Taste Rating(out of 50): 30.0
Taste Notes:
Ingredients
Ingredients
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
8 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 1 76.2 %
12.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM) Grain 2 7.1 %
12.0 oz Chocolate Rye Malt (250.0 SRM) Grain 3 7.1 %
8.0 oz Chocolate Wheat Malt (400.0 SRM) Grain 4 4.8 %
4.0 oz Belgian Debittered Black Malt (500.0 SRM) Grain 5 2.4 %
4.0 oz Black Barley (Stout) (500.0 SRM) Grain 6 2.4 %
1.00 oz Galena [12.50 %] - Boil 60.0 min Hop 7 50.3 IBUs
1.00 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Boil 15.0 min Hop 8 11.0 IBUs
2.00 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Boil 5.0 min Hop 9 8.8 IBUs
1.0 pkg Scottish Ale (Wyeast Labs #1728) [124.21 ml] Yeast 10 -
Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.100 SG Measured Original Gravity: 1.046 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.030 SG Measured Final Gravity: 1.010 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 9.3 % Actual Alcohol by Vol: 4.7 %
Bitterness: 70.1 IBUs Calories: 151.6 kcal/12oz
Est Color: 65.5 SRM
Mash Profile
Mash Name: Single Infusion, Full Body Total Grain Weight: 10 lbs 8.0 oz
Sparge Water: -0.33 gal Grain Temperature: 72.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F Tun Temperature: 72.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE Mash PH: 5.20
Mash Steps
Name Description Step Temperature Step Time
Mash In Add 13.13 qt of water at 168.2 F 156.0 F 45 min
Mash Out Add 5.25 qt of water at 202.4 F 168.0 F 10 min
Sparge Step: Fly sparge with -0.33 gal water at 168.0 F
Mash Notes: Simple single infusion mash for use with most modern well modified grains (about
95% of the time).
Carbonation and Storage

 

[mcbaumannerb]

I did a Russian Imperial BIAB a few weeks back (5 gallon batch) and had to do that. Split my water and grain in two and did the mashing in two steps. My efficiency was off, but I don't think it had to do with splitting the mash - it was a couple of other mis-steps.

 

[strongarm]

Thanks mcbaum. Any other suggestions? I also have a 70qt Igloo cooler I guess I could use as my mash tun? Would that be a better plan than using 2 pots?

 

[mcbaumannerb]

Were you thinking of putting your bag in the cooler, heat the water in your pot (full volume), transferring to the cooler and then dough-in your grains? That could work and would probably hold your mash temperature better (and let you do it in one shot.)

 

[strongarm]

Exactly. For some reason im aprehensive of putting that hot water in a plastic container (I hate my beer touching plastic when it's hot). No real science to it just a feeling. I think it makes the most sense though. Think I will go the Igloo route.

 

[mcbaumannerb]

Lots of all grain brewers mash in Igloo/HD coolers so I don't think you'll have any issue with that (I'd only be concerned if it was at or near boiling.)