I gotta upgrade

[FedoraDave]

From time to time I want to do a higher-OG batch, such as today. The Rye-Guy Rye IPA uses 14 pounds of grain (and a good half pound of rice hulls to avoid stuck sparges). And all of that simply won't fit in my 5-gallon mash tun. I had to divide the grain up and do some of it BIAB. My OG was much lower than expected, although I've been getting ridiculous attenuation lately, so FG may actually be close to what I'd like it to be.

Even so, I think it's time to scope out a ten-gallon cooler and convert it to a large mash tun. I don't always do high gravity batches, but when I want to, I'd like the ability to mash it all in one place. I could probably just use the spigot I've already got, and I know I've got more pipe to make another manifold, so it probably wouldn't take me very long to make the switch.

So that's my next project, I guess.

[Whamolagan]

I did 2 batches in a 5 gallon cooler. Went to lows and picked up a 10 gallon and never looked back.

[alb]

How big is your boil kettle, Dave? Just curious. Did you combine the sparged wort with the BIAB for your boil?

[ScrewyBrewer]

A good idea and it'll make a nice DIY project for the fall too. For years after using two 5 gallon mash tuns to mash my high gravity beers I'm so glad I was able switch to a larger system now.

[FedoraDave]

How big is your boil kettle, Dave? Just curious. Did you combine the sparged wort with the BIAB for your boil?

My boil kettle is about 8 gallons; plenty of room for a five-gallon batch. I did BIAB with about six pounds of grain. After I got done squeezing those grains out, I combined the BIAB runnings with the mash tun's first runnings. I put the BIAB grains in the mash tun on top of the original grains that were in there, and then sparged it all as usual.

I think I had a lower OG because I was using flaked rye, and even with 1/2 pound of rice hulls, my sparge was very lackadaisical. Not stuck, but very slow. I had to top off the pre-boil volume with water to get it where I wanted it, and I know I didn't collect all the runnings I usually do from the mash tun.

So this was a problematic batch throughout, but it'll be a decent beer, I'm sure. Maybe not the best it could be, but a good beer.

[Whamolagan]

When you say squeeze the grains out, do you actually squeeze the bag? Doesn't that pull tannin from the husks?

[Gymrat]

Mmy kettle is 8 gallons. It has room for 5 gallon batches but I wouldnt call it "plenty" of room. If I could go back and do just one thing over I would get a 10 gallon kettle. I work like crazy with a spray bottle. Sometimes I avoid a boil over but most of the time I dont. There just isnt enough room.

[bpgreen]

When you say squeeze the grains out, do you actually squeeze the bag? Doesn't that pull tannin from the husks?

That's what "everybody" said for years, but more recently, there have been a lot of articles, blogs, etc that day it isn't so.

[Beer-lord]

I've squeezed my bag for years and squeeze the hell out of it and have never noticed tannins. I know many others who do and never have any problems either.

[Whamolagan]

Ok I was just checking. I have never BIAB before, but plan in doing some 1 gallon batches for test recipes once I get my brew magic. So BP that is good to know.

[poodie]

I've squeezed my bag for years and squeeze the hell out of it .

What kind of forum is this?

[Whamolagan]

You act like you have never squeezed your bag

[Beer-lord]

I'd have to pay to have someone squeeze my bag. But u enjoying squeezing my own.

[Whamolagan]

that no makey sencey

[Beer-lord]

Sorry "I" enjoy squeezing my own.