BIAB System...

[Dukebrewer]

I have been putting togeather my BIAB system.

 

 

After doing a trial run on the ground... I noticed there was no chance of getting the wort in to a fermenter. So a stand was needed. Also the wind was a major issuie.

So I started to make a stand.... and here is the final result.

Yes yes I know... the thermostat was added before I thought about the grain bag. I have read that it might be OK.... time will tell.

 

Works mint... I was worried about the thermstat getting too hot epecially with a 0-10psi regulator that allows me to crank this baby up. And I mean it crankes... I was able to get close to full pressure. One unexpected thing that happened was the chimney effect... air is being sucked in to the flame through the gap... so guess what... this area stays nice and cool.

 

I have my hand right in agaist the pot... ok a few cm's away but I can touch the gauage no problem at all and you can see the flames climbing up the sides!

 

Next up was an emersion chiller.... done.

 

And not forgetting the most important thing... a BIAB BAG!

I got the wife to get her machines out and make me one. I am rather pleased with what she has done.

 

 

 

 

And finally a test run... chiller leaked.

 

 

Right now I need to find a recipie to brew.... a nice easy beer to start with, I am not a dark beer fan...yet.

thanks for looking.

[Ralph]

Nice work. That looks like a good setup!

Quite a bit flasher than the pot sitting on top of the burner sitting on a few bricks that I started out with!

[Grant R Baker]

Nice... on casters too.

I've got to get me a welder.

 

Are you syphoning the brew out or is the a exit port ?

Are you planning to keep the bag off the bottom? (in case you want to add some heat) ... maybe consider a wire basket (it might even help with the draining).

[Dukebrewer]

yes cool down with imersion chiller and then syphon i9n to fermenter.... tell me if thats a bad idea!

 

I was looking at using a cake rack on the bottom and then suspending the bag by a rope... or my yet to be built hanging system......

 

 

[Grant R Baker]

Syphon will be fine, a dump port would just be quicker.

 

Cake rack is also a good idea but watch the handles on the bag can take the load of the wet grain.

 

Now the important question... I see motorbike front ends... what ya got there..? (Suzuki 1200GS and a MG Bellagio 940 myself).

[Dukebrewer]

Nice... i like both bikes.. the GS ... nearly purchased one myself and i have always liked the Moto Guzzie's. Me i like 80's Jap Classics.

katana 1135, Rg500, GSXR1100.

 

Regarding the handles... yes it will be interesting to see if the wife has done a good job or not.

My first brew will be NRB's All Amarillo American Pale Ale from the biabrewer site. What a great site with lots of info for BIAB brewers like me.

Plan is for next weekend..

[Grant R Baker]

Sounds like a good brew to start with. Hope it goes well.... Those handles and stitches look pretty good.

 

Ahh the Katana.. I rode the 750 version (mates bike) back in '91... damn fine bike.

[Liam Callaghan]

That is cool mate!  Nice and simple like they should be!  Feels like your making the beer instead of all these pumps and whirlygigs!

Same amount of mechanical widgits on mine.  Wheels :p

 

[Dukebrewer]

Thanks .... when I started down the make beer path I saw all the great single tier, 3 pot systems and my eyes became cloudy and i felt a warm glow... Just what I have been looking for. A hobby where I drink the outcome while doing the hobby....Perfect!!!!     I like DIY, I like gadgets, I like spending money and all in the name of saving money.

 

Yep... I can sell this one!

 

But the more I read the more I started to understand that there is a lot to learn, again I am ok with that. So I descided to take a step back and read about differnt systems. i ended with BIAB due to cost and time. It had to be all grain! I need to be able to accomplish this on a frind night or saturaday/ sunday afternoon.

 

Time will tell if this is all i need... I have resurched pumps... and i am thinking a sparge system... another burner and pot on the bottom level with a pump!... idea shelved at this stage.