Another BIAB convert.

[Gravelscratcher]

I did my 1st BIAB last night. (full volume, no-sparge).
It was much simpler and less exhaustive. I rigged up my pulley/hoist, and made a Reflectix jacket & topper.
I got a new SS 15G kettle, and it worked extremely well. It held my mash temp at 155 on the nose for an hour. It was pretty chilly last night, so I was impressed w/ that.

While I've said that sparging doesn't seem like a big deal to me (in the past) after not having to, I realized I really like NOT sparging.
One vessel brewing is definitely the way to go for me.
I also like not having to clean the additional 2 vessels and the plumbing that goes along w/ that.

When I was doing the 3V system, I had to do a lot of inside the house, but this time I was able to do everything I need to in the garage.

I was able to brew w/ my wife and son at home. I usually wait for them to have an "errand day", so I can have the house to myself to brew, but I was able to do it in the garage, because it's all out there now, and it's simpler. They were home, and it was no problem.

Anyway, I ended up w/ almost 6 gallons, and my OG was just short of the recipe, but I figure w/ the extra 3/4 gallon of beer, that probably offset the OG a little. Really, it's a negligible difference, so I wasn't bothered by that at all.

I couldn't help myself, and squeezed the bag. I wanted to test it, to see if it really mattered.
I waited for my wort to come to boil, then I gave it a squeeze to see what might be left...not much at all. Basically 1/2 a pint or less.
And there is no need for gloves. If you wait for it to come to a boil, and you feel the need to squeeze it, it's not very hot anyway.

Just dumped the spent grains, flipped the bag inside-out and sprayed it off (while I was boiling). Hung it up on the hoist to dry. It was completely dry/clean by the time I was done w/ my clean up...very easy.

Thanks Mike @wilserbrewer for the great set up. Worked great.
Thanks for all the BIAB pointers from HBT posters. I would have never made the switch, if it wasn't for y'all.

Anyway, pictures to follow...cheers.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Sorry, they all uploaded sideways.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Also, on another note.
I did not experience more trub than w/ 3v. It was about the same.
I did not use the hop bags, and I drained the kettle w/ the valve/hose into the primary.
the trub stayed below the valve, inside the kettle, and I had clean wort going into the primary.
I tilted the kettle a little, to get some more out, and stopped when my strainer started filling up.
Just an observation.

 

[RM-MN]

Very nice. With the bag hanging above the kettle to drain ii is pretty simple to pour a little cool water over the bag as a sparge and collect some more of the sugars. I'd use the fermenter for this so you don't even have to clean up one more vessel.

 

[NewJersey]

Congrats on upgrading to 1V brewing!
looks like all went well, very nice!

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Congrats!

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Forgot to mention this yesterday.
I looked at the spoils, from my spent grains, and noticed several dough balls.
My efficiency was still almost spot on, considering I didn't do a good job of mixing my grains in.
I basically spilled the bucket of grains into the kettle (by accident).
I stirred it around pretty good, and didn't really notice dough balls, but when I looked at my spoils, I saw several.
Anyway, just wanted to clear that up. I think I could exceed 75% efficiency without doughballs.

 

[RM-MN]

Doughballs usually float to the surface. I use a wire whisk to break them up before I start the mash timer.