Baglorious
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2019
- Messages
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Apologies to start - yes, this is another "what kind of system?" thread. I have searched, and frankly, the search results aren't terribly helpful for thoughtful information on this particular issue of BIAB vs a 'similar' system that uses the 2nd vessel, but generally the same principle of starting with full volume. There are many BIAB advocates out there, but not that much information on BIAB vs 2 vessel setups.
I am upgrading... mostly for size increase, but also to go electric. I have done a few batch sparge all-grain batches, but am a relative all-grain newb. By scouring the interweb for local used stuff... I have already acquired some good gear, and can (largely) go either way, or both. Doing research for the past several months... I was going to order a Wilserbrewer bag, lol... so I just decided to buy several at once, assuming I'd eventually use them in some configuration.
I got a Blichmann Tower of Power controller on clearance, I've got a pump, I've still got my 10gal Igloo mashtun w/ false bottom (and a Wilserbag I can use in it as well). I have all the stuff to build a 70qt Igloo mashtun (except for the cooler... lol... and I don't mind throwing $50 into the project to complete that).
I am now in the market for a kettle... and am going to buy (probably) a 20gal kettle, or perhaps even a 25 gal kettle. The Brewmaster 25 gal electric setup from Bobby at Brewhardware seems like a good value buy.
I am looking to be able to to 10 and 15 gal batches. (Maybe even 20 someday, if I were to buy a 25 gal kettle and have the option to go 2 vessel.)
I will be setting up in my basement, and can set up a fairly optimal hoist system for the giant 15gal BIAB spent grain bag.
It seems that if I buy a 25 gal kettle with the 5500w element - I'm set for eBIAB, and can recirculate. (I don't want to address the recirculate debate here.)
However, I'm considering going for a 20gal kettle, and going with a two tier (gravity + 1 pump) system... replicating the Brutus (or Breweasy) type 2 vessel setups.
Seemingly, the main advantage of the 2 vessel seems to be the arguably clearer wort into the BK, as you get the functionality of the grain bed filtration?
And you can go 'bigger' in volume with BK size? (i.e., you can do a 15 gal batch in a 20 gal boil kettle, where you can't do that with BIAB... and need the 25 gal kettle). (That's not really an advantage in this instance, as I can buy either a 20 or 25 gal kettle, and get 15 gal batches either way...)
Any other arguable advantages of the 2 vessel system?
I don't mind the idea of 2 vessels... seemingly the mashtun can be cleaned during the boil, so the shorter brew day remains... shorter.
On the flipside, so many people seem to believe BIAB is more than adequate (great), so why mess with more complicated system?
Anyone with experience with BIAB vs a 2 vessel setups?
Thanks
I am upgrading... mostly for size increase, but also to go electric. I have done a few batch sparge all-grain batches, but am a relative all-grain newb. By scouring the interweb for local used stuff... I have already acquired some good gear, and can (largely) go either way, or both. Doing research for the past several months... I was going to order a Wilserbrewer bag, lol... so I just decided to buy several at once, assuming I'd eventually use them in some configuration.
I got a Blichmann Tower of Power controller on clearance, I've got a pump, I've still got my 10gal Igloo mashtun w/ false bottom (and a Wilserbag I can use in it as well). I have all the stuff to build a 70qt Igloo mashtun (except for the cooler... lol... and I don't mind throwing $50 into the project to complete that).
I am now in the market for a kettle... and am going to buy (probably) a 20gal kettle, or perhaps even a 25 gal kettle. The Brewmaster 25 gal electric setup from Bobby at Brewhardware seems like a good value buy.
I am looking to be able to to 10 and 15 gal batches. (Maybe even 20 someday, if I were to buy a 25 gal kettle and have the option to go 2 vessel.)
I will be setting up in my basement, and can set up a fairly optimal hoist system for the giant 15gal BIAB spent grain bag.
It seems that if I buy a 25 gal kettle with the 5500w element - I'm set for eBIAB, and can recirculate. (I don't want to address the recirculate debate here.)
However, I'm considering going for a 20gal kettle, and going with a two tier (gravity + 1 pump) system... replicating the Brutus (or Breweasy) type 2 vessel setups.
Seemingly, the main advantage of the 2 vessel seems to be the arguably clearer wort into the BK, as you get the functionality of the grain bed filtration?
And you can go 'bigger' in volume with BK size? (i.e., you can do a 15 gal batch in a 20 gal boil kettle, where you can't do that with BIAB... and need the 25 gal kettle). (That's not really an advantage in this instance, as I can buy either a 20 or 25 gal kettle, and get 15 gal batches either way...)
Any other arguable advantages of the 2 vessel system?
I don't mind the idea of 2 vessels... seemingly the mashtun can be cleaned during the boil, so the shorter brew day remains... shorter.
On the flipside, so many people seem to believe BIAB is more than adequate (great), so why mess with more complicated system?
Anyone with experience with BIAB vs a 2 vessel setups?
Thanks