2nd Brew - LV-233 Black Liquid. Big improvement!

[burrowsbrewery]

2nd brew LV-233 Black Liquid
Using Beer Engine:

Defaults
Target Volume 4.54 L 1 Gallon
Mash Efficiency 50 %
Liquor to Grist Ratio 2.5 L/Kg
Evaporation 10 %
Wort Loss 1.77 L

Recipe
Pale Malt 1500 g 84.6 %
Crystal Malt 90 g 5.1 %
Chocolate Malt 60 g 3.4 %
Torrefied Wheat 60 g 3.4 %
Golden Syrup 60 g 3.4 %

Alpha Min Grams
Fuggles 3.9 90 2 25.5%
Challenger 9.3 90 5 49%
Goldings 3.4 10 2 25.5%
Irish Moss 10 0.5

Yeast: Safbrew S-33

Original Gravity 1.060
Final Gravity 1.013
ABV 6.2 %
Total Liquor 8.5 L
Mash Liquor 4.3 L
Colour 109 EBC
Bitterness 33 EBU

Measured Values
Pre-boil Gravity 1.022
Original Gravity 1.062
Amount Brewed 5.049L (measured by depth in the boiler, I think there was more leftover, may be a MISTAKE)

Calculated Values
Overall Efficiency 59.3 %
Predicted ABV 6.4 %

Method:
This time I sort of did a brew in the bag but with sparging. I figured using a mash tun for a small batch has its problems such as the temperature dropping to fast without much opportunity for raise it and loss % the bottom.

I started the mash at 68degC and raised it back up by lifting th bag a firing the gas each time it dropped bellow 63degC. I had to do this at least 3 times during the 90min mash, I think I needs to do something about this...

To sparge I lifted the bag and placed it in a large pasta colander thing, the handles hung nicely over the larger brew pot. I placed the smaller colander over the grains and used the remaining 4.2 Litres of water at 85degC measured in a seperate pot. I think it was a decent heavy rain like sparge, especially when you consider no assembly was required.

MISTAKES: I forgot to measure the wort before the boil.
Pitcthed the yeast before I checked the temp, was 40degC and not cooling fast. Think its ok, I can see some growth.

Pasta colander thing so you know what I’m on with: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pasta-Vegetab ... 1e8a970eb3

I’d like to say thank you to everyone who help getting me to this point, a successful brew!
More hints and tips are welcome, hopefully my calculations arn't way out!

[ruminants]

Hi, I mash BIAB on the stove and then to keep it warm, pop the pan in a pre-heated 65-70 degree oven. Works well.

[Cpt.Frederickson]

Like the reference in the name. Get yourself some lagging for the boiler and you should be fine. I used to lose a couple of degrees over 90 mins in my old Buffalo with a sleeping bag on it, but that was out in the shed, mind.
Just hope the finished result doesn't do what the 'black liquid' mentioned does to people...