making the BIAB to AG jump

[Ben711200]

I've done it. Made the jump (it was a little step really) from BIAB to using a mashtun and batch sparging. Now I feel like I'm missing something- My efficiency appears to be perfectly reasonable, I don't have a disgusting bag to clean and the process actually appears to be quicker than I was managing with BIAB. I started with BIAB because I thought it was easier and simpler, but it doesn't really appear to be the case.

Sorry, not really a question, but I feel all enlightened and had to share. Excuse me while I throw the bag in the bin

[killer]

BIAB is AG.

Not sure how you are doing it faster though !
Sorry if I sound critical - I don't mean to be. I'm glad you are progressing in your brewing - that's the important thing. I'm also transitioning from single to three vessel brewing but on a larger scale. I suspect I will still have quick BIAB days though.


And don't throw the bag in the bin... The day you throw it away you'll need it for something.
The thing is, pretty soon 3 vessel won't be enough and you'll be after RIMS and HERMS and talking about stainless pieces with funny names that I don't understand unless I google them

[Ben711200]

Sorry, I know that BIAB is AG, and that you are doing near exactly the same processes (albeit slightly differently). For the purposes of a forum such as this though, I'd consider BIAB to mean BIAB and AG to mean 3 vessel.

The speed thing is because I've also moved off of a stove and installed an element in my boiler. There's simply less waiting around for things to get to temperature and it's cut out some of the bits I disliked most about my BIAB process.

The bag is gone. I hated cleaning it and my partner hated the bits of grain floating about after I'd used it! I don't doubt that there will be future upgrades, but not for a few years as I simply don't have the room (or cash) to start buying into expensive sounding acronyms until I'm in a bigger house.

[Underground Joe]

I've recently made the switch the other way. So much quicker and less to clean, I can't see me going back. It's there anything that you can do in a three vessel setup that you can't do in BIAB?

[6470zzy]

I've recently made the switch the other way. So much quicker and less to clean, I can't see me going back. It's there anything that you can do in a three vessel setup that you can't do in BIAB?

+1 BIAB (at least for me) is much easier and more enjoyable, less kit to deal with. However I do understand that the brewing is a very personal thing and not everyone will be proponents of the same process

Cheers

[jaberry]

Must say I've never had an issue washing the bag, I just empty it into a carrier bag, rinse it through with hot water and then hang it up to dry, Any loose grain goes straight down the drain.

[Beer O'Clock]

I've recently made the switch the other way. So much quicker and less to clean, I can't see me going back. It's there anything that you can do in a three vessel setup that you can't do in BIAB?

+1 BIAB (at least for me) is much easier and more enjoyable, less kit to deal with. However I do understand that the brewing is a very personal thing and not everyone will be proponents of the same process

Cheers

Amen to that

[lee1]

hi all washing a bag aint so much trouble [for me anyway] would like to try mashing and sparging in a mashtun just to see if there is any difference in the end product , but i mash and sparge in a boiler with great results , is there that much difference happy brewing lee

[Bribie]

What is this bag you speak of?

For the last couple of years I've just been using a big hemmed circle of voile that I gather up and hoist like a pantomime tramp's bag.

To empty, take to flower bed and go flick flick shake, then rinse off and into the washing machine.

Easier than digging the grain out of a mash tun and virtually everlasting as there are no seams to weaken. Not wishing to ignite the 3v vs BIAB debate but BIAB brewers hereabouts have been achieving good wins in State and City competitions and I'm sending a pale lager off to the National Comps in Canberra (you have to have a win in a State comp to qualify you to enter the Nats).

[Ben711200]

I've been pondering since my above statement and the quite defensive responses regarding BIAB. BIAB produced me some excellent beers and I fully agree that combining the mash and sparge directly in the boiler is not really any different to mashing and sparging with a dedicated mashtun. I certainly wouldn't consider one better than the other from a final product point of view, but some processes are better suited to some than others I guess. It seems that my excitement may be about the wrong thing. The move from kitchen and stovetop to electric and outdoors (driven by a refitted kitchen and not wishing to destroy the new one with excessive steam, and my pregnant partner being just a bit sensitive about smells she doesn't like at the moment!) has probably made a far bigger difference.

That said, and I know I'm making a bigger deal of it than most, I'm still delighted to get rid of the bag (also an unseamed circle of voil, by the way). I find it easier to clean out something with solid smooth surfaces than a fine mesh. Anyway, I'd best get an order in with the Malt Miller

[Matt12398]

I prefer 3V to BIAB. I've found it to be more reliable but that may just be me. I enjoy not having to let a grain bag drain over a bucket and lugging that in and out of a boiler. I also find it easier somehow.

All that said though I think the quality of beer either way is pretty comparable.

[lee1]

well said all nice topic happy brewing lee

[jaberry]

I've been pondering since my above statement and the quite defensive responses regarding BIAB. BIAB produced me some excellent beers and I fully agree that combining the mash and sparge directly in the boiler is not really any different to mashing and sparging with a dedicated mashtun. I certainly wouldn't consider one better than the other from a final product point of view, but some processes are better suited to some than others I guess. It seems that my excitement may be about the wrong thing. The move from kitchen and stovetop to electric and outdoors (driven by a refitted kitchen and not wishing to destroy the new one with excessive steam, and my pregnant partner being just a bit sensitive about smells she doesn't like at the moment!) has probably made a far bigger difference.

That said, and I know I'm making a bigger deal of it than most, I'm still delighted to get rid of the bag (also an unseamed circle of voil, by the way). I find it easier to clean out something with solid smooth surfaces than a fine mesh. Anyway, I'd best get an order in with the Malt Miller

I'm looking to move from the stove top next year too when my funds should be a lot greater than now and may look at doing 3v AND biab depending on size of batch knowing how bloody heavy a bag of wet grain can be even at 10 litre brew lengths. I reckon that I'll 3v for getting an everyday beer brewed and biab for smaller experimental brews and those beers that I wouldn't drink day in day out.

The other option if course is a winch for a large bag of grain but not sure SWMBO would appreciate the engineering