BIAB - Need to sparge?

[mgr_stl]

Does doing BIAB eliminate the need to sparge, or do I still need to do this?

 

[grv]

Does doing BIAB eliminate the need to sparge, or do I still need to do this?

Not absolutely necessary for BIAB, but I find that if I hold 6-8qts back from the mash, and heat it to 170 for use in rinsing the bag while it's in a colander or otherwise suspended over the pot, that may get me a few more percentage points of efficiency. Maybe 3-5% more. IMO, as long as you do it one way or the other consistently and can predict your efficiency as a result, either is fine.

I think a rinse and a modest squeeze is easier than no rinse and squeezing like crazy!

 

[Yooper]

Well, no one ever "needs" to sparge. There are lots of no-sparge brewers in BIAB as well as traditional mashing.

It really depends on how you are able to hit your goals. If you mash with a full volume and extract enough fermentables, then no, you wouldn't sparge.

Everybody's system is different- I always sparge but I have a traditional three vessel system.

 

[flars]

You will still need to sparge to extract the maximum amount of sugars that were converted. Keep the sparge water temperature near, but under 170° to avoid tannin extraction form the grain hulls.

 

[unionrdr]

I do PB/PM BIAB myself. 5lbs of grains mashed in 2 gallons of water,then sparged with 1.5 gallons of water @ 165-168F. I think it's better to get dome more grain goodness in the BK than just adding water. Efficiency def goes up a little.

 

[RM-MN]

Does doing BIAB eliminate the need to sparge, or do I still need to do this?

Define need. If I get near 80% efficiency without sparging, do I need to sparge? Probably not, but I sparge anyway to make sure I get enough for my pre-boil amount. That little (a quart or less) of cold water gains me another 5% or more. Would it help to use hotter water? Maybe but then I'd have another pot to wash.

 

[PackerfaninSanDiego]

all great answers so far...

 

[Varmintman]

Great thing about brewing is as long as you stay within the hard set parameters you can pretty much do what you like. I do not sparge and that works for me. And it leaves a little sugar sweetness on the grains that the chickens just love.

To each their own I suppose

 

[mb82]

I do both. For smaller batches I don't since I can fit all of the water+ grains in my kettle. For larger batches that I can only fit the water+ boiloff in my kettle I sparge. I do get an increase in efficiency but it adds more to the day.

 

[inhousebrew]

When I do BIAB my end goal is simplicity so I do no sparge. I like to keep it as easy as possible so I eliminate the other pot and the pouring/dunking of hot liquids. I get about 75-80% efficiency that way.

 

[tonyc318]

The only time I have sparged while doing BIAB is when I have done 10 gallon batches. I've only done that twice in my keggle and couldn't fit enough water with a 20 lb grain bill to hit my preboil vol without sparging. However, I hated doing the 10 gal batch with BIAB. When I do a regular 5 gal batch, I do not sparge. I put the grain bag in bucket with holes in the bottom and let it drain while I bring the wort to boil. I get between 70-75% efficiency on a consistent basis and am pleased with that.

 

[mgr_stl]

Thanks for all the responses! I ended up sparging (sort of), but ran into another issue. Was using a paint strainer bag and heating up to steeping temperature and it burnt a hole right through the bag! Whoops!

So all the grains escaped into the pot. The bag was in there for about 5 minutes, so I'm hoping there's not too much of a paint strainer bag flavor to this batch.

Ended up steeping per the directions 45 min around 155. Then used a spare bag to strain it into the rest of the water for the full boil. Poured 160 ish degree water over the grains. Never a dull moment. Now I'm just hoping my propane lasts through the boil.

 

[RM-MN]

Thanks for all the responses! I ended up sparging (sort of), but ran into another issue. Was using a paint strainer bag and heating up to steeping temperature and it burnt a hole right through the bag! Whoops!

I have the burner turned off before I put the bag in because it only takes seconds to do and the temperature won't drop enough to notice in that amount of time.

 

[tonyc318]

I have the burner turned off before I put the bag in because it only takes seconds to do and the temperature won't drop enough to notice in that amount of time.

I do the same and I don't typically heat during the mash or do a mashout. I actually find that I need to shut off the burner a few degrees short of my target strike temp because my keggle will continue to heat a bit right after shutting of the heat.

If you need to heat during the mash, or like to mash out, try putting a cake rake or veggie steamer at the bottom of the pot. Of course a false bottom serves the same purpose.