Grainfather for BIAB?

[Cain]

I was wondering if anyone is using the Grainfather (or Robobrew) for BIAB. I would like to be able to brew inside, but I love the ease and predictability of BIAB and not sparging.

I realize there are other ways to BIAB indoors, but I am specifically interested in the possibility of using a Grainfather/Robobrew to do so. My research has only found people stuck with sparging, which is not my goal.

I know there is enough room for the grain amount for recipes types I brew(5.5 % alcohol beers) but I am unsure of the water amounts needed for a BIAB, full water volume, no sparge brew day. I want to end up with 5.5 gallons into the fermentor.

Is anyone here using either of these set ups as a BIAB with NO SPARGE successfully? I would be most happy to hear how it works out.

If it can't be done in this way, I will have explore the other ways people are doing indoor BIAB, but for now, this is where my tunnel vision is pointed.


Thanks for any help!!!

 

[jschein]

That will not work on the GF. Once i forgot to take out my 3 gallons of sparge and it would have overflowed. I got about 6 pounds of grain in and it was reaching capacity. Had to remove the offending 3 gallons.
Sparging isn't a big deal, i usually pour a 1/2 gallon at a time. It takes about 15 minutes to drain and another 15-30 minutes to get to boil temp. I understand what you are trying to accomplish and i did BIAB and still do, but you really need at least a 10 gallon kettle or 16 gallon like i have to do full volume mash.

 

[Cain]

That answers that. Thank you for your reply!

 

[RM-MN]

Are you stuck on making only 5 gallon batches? There are much cheaper ways to make all grain beers than the Grainfather. I make 2 1/2 gallon batches BIAB on my kitchen range. You can get another kitchen range pretty cheap if you want to brew in another place because the older, non-glass top ones are showing up on Craigslist as people upgrade?? to the glass top ones.