Max BIAB batch size in 19 gallon pot

Waterlogged · May 23, 2013, 07:10:14 AM

Hi, My order from OBK will be here on Monday and I am getting excited about brewing my first all grain beer. Have a Picaroon's Best Bitter clone planned for this first attemp. http://www.timgorman.net/assets/recipes/timaroons.htm I guess my biggest question is how large of a batch should I, or better yet, can I make. Three of us went in on this setup so I was hoping for close to 15 gallon final volume but figure that may be maxing out the pot size. I think everyone would be happy with a 4 gallon carboy at the end of the day.

Chris Craig · May 23, 2013, 07:41:25 AM

That's a big batch for BIAB. How are you planning to drain the grain bag? Have a hoist?

fakr · May 23, 2013, 08:13:14 AM

Like Chris said, that is a ton of grain to pull out of a kettle in a bag. I only made a BIAB a couple of times and the bags were HEAVY on a 7ish gal batch.
Definitely let us know how you make out. I believe SDixon has a lot of experience with BIAB, he would have more input.

Grain weight aside, you could top your kettle up with water at the end of the boil to get the 15+ gallons you're looking for. I've done this many time with no issues.

Waterlogged · May 23, 2013, 08:40:49 AM

Yes, we will definitly rig up a pulley system of some sort. Topping up the pot after the mash is what I was thinking but I dont know how that will affect the OG. May have to add some dry malt extract? I tink everyone will be happy with a 12 gallon batch and that may not max out the pot.

Chris Craig · May 23, 2013, 09:17:57 AM

I'd make a stronger wort and dilute it down to your target. BeerSmith can do all the calculations for you.

DandyMason · May 23, 2013, 09:22:39 AM

All that grain is going to absorb a ton of water too, I would think it would be tough to end up with 15 gallons post boil without topping up with water or sparging somehow.

fakr · May 23, 2013, 10:34:18 AM

I've had good success using a kettle and a bucket for BIAB. use the kettle for mashing the grain in the bag, and use a bucket of hot water for sparging. Pull the bag out of the kettle, and put the bag in the fresh hot water. stir it around, pull the bag out, and dump the bucket water into the kettle.

Not sure if the above is actually standard procedure for BIAB, but it's what I did.

Waterlogged · May 23, 2013, 09:49:03 PM

I bought a copy of Beersmith and after adding the BIAB equipment profile and recipe we want to make, I thin I can brew 12 gallons batches.