Buffalo 40 ltr boiler

[poolking]

Hi all, Bit of help, advice required please. After kit brewing for past 6 years I`m finally ready to all grain, going biab method using buffalo 40 ltr. Think I also have all other stuff I need boiler, bag, no chill cube,+ already have a lot of basic stuff fermenters etc from kit brewing. My main question is .. How much water should I start with (in boiler)? I understand a bit about grain / hop absorption and evaporation. I`m making 5 gallon brews and would like 21 / 23 ltr`s into fermenter. Anyone else use this same exact boiler, how much do you start with? Been reading a lot about biab and can't wait to get 1st brew on, just praying I don`t suffer cut out like some others have described. Any help, advice much appreciated. Dave, Warrington.

[AnthonyUK]

Hi Dave,
Good luck with your first brew.
I also use a Buffalo and there is plenty of advise already on the forum so I'll not answer directly.
I think a bit of research on your part will help in the long run

Key search phrases BIAB howto, Biabacus, beersmith etc

[bigchris]

I use the Buffalo for BIAB and also aim for 23L in the fermenter. I use Beer Engine software which is really designed for 3 vessel all grain brewing which I used to do. beer engine calculates the total water (liquor) needed so I usually just start with that amount, typically 32L or 33L (28 or 29 centimetres deep).

I rarely get a problem with cutout and so have not done any of the bypass trickery that some do (around 40 brews so far). However, on my last but one brew I did get a problem. After fetching off the base I noticed the connectors to the element were a bit corroded so I cleaned them up with sandpaper and problem seemed to go away, maybe co-incidence though. Biggest pain was draining the wort out before fixing the problem, then pouring it back in again and bringing up to the boil. Delayed me by a couple of hours I reckon.

[Cpt.Frederickson]

You could go to this page at BIABrewer and get a copy of the Calculator. Really good starter to BIAB. Its simpler than the BIABacus (a fantastic all in one) and works well used with other programs (I used to use BrewMate).
To be honest though, BIABacus is brilliant, I use this as a standalone now, once you've set it up (which does take a little bit of doing) its brilliant. Very accurate and easy to use when you get going.

[Clibit]

If you use Brewmate, free easy to use software, you can alter the settings to BIAB and it will tell you how much water to use for the amount of grain in your recipe.

[poolking]

Hi Anthony, bigchris and the capt`n thanks for the informative replys, love researching this hobby, i never stop learning. Really glad to hear from someone who has done so many brews without the cut out, was beginning to fret about that. Thanks for that bigchris you have put my mind at rest, but I also have a 27 ltr electrim plastic boiler I picked up cheap as a back up ready just in case. was also thinking of fitting the electrim element into the buffalo and if it cuts out I can swap to the element so I wouldn`t have to transfer brew, see how I go first though before I start cutting holes in my new shinny boiler. Just bought 3 all grain kits from Worcester hop shop .. Fullers ESB, Sarah hughes and Burton top dog stout. All 5 gallon brews. Looking forward to those (-; . Thanks also chris, was guessing 35lt in pot. That calculator is really good , Will have to do some more studying, Thanks guys I`ll keep you informed and (try to get some pics on. Cheers, Dave.

[poolking]

If you use Brewmate, free easy to use software, you can alter the settings to BIAB and it will tell you how much water to use for the amount of grain in your recipe.

Thank you Clibit, will look into that also. Dave.

[rpt]

I use the BIABacus with my Buffalo. It's excellent out of the box although I have tuned it a bit now so its calculations are usually spot on.

[poolking]

Hi, just checking I can put pics on ok. First BIAB done, more pics to follow, meanwhile here`s the recipe I did... Fullers ESB.

[img][IMG]http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp24 ... B00426.jpg[/img]
[/img]
Thanks.

[poolking]

How do I get the actual picture to appear on the post? I`m using photo bucket. Thanks, Dave.

[AnthonyUK]

Too many IMG tags Dave.
Remove one set of [img]and[/img] and it should work.

[poolking]

Thanks Anthony I`ll try again ..........
[img][URL=http://s394.photobucket.com/user/poolki ... 6.jpg.html][IMG][/img]

Hope that has worked as I can`t preview.

[poolking]

Dam!! . I am copying and pasting image url is that correct?

[poolking]

Last try ...
[img]]http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp24 ... B00426.jpg[/img][/URL][/img]

[AnthonyUK]

Code: Select all

[img]http://.......file.jpg[/img]

e.g