Going from 3V to BIAB, bag recommendations

[DerbyshireNick]

Hi all, its been a long time.

I havent brewed in a long long time due to circumstance. The short and curley of which is a complete lack of time, at least in one space where I can pull of a brew.

I have a lovely shiny 3v stainless setup I build (2 100L double element pots + picnic tun).

To get my eye back in I am thinking of jumping back in with a BIAB using my 100L double element boiler. Can anyone recommend a good bag purchasable online (value is always important)?

It doesn't have to be 100L, Ill only ever do 20-23L brews because my fermentation fridge will only take one standard bucket.

On a side topic, anyone else moved fully or partially from 3V to BIAB, how did we find it?

Ta.

[Twistedfinger]

Just buy a few square metres of voile. ( Net curtain material) Line your vessel with it and secure with a bungee. To remove just gather the edges and pull together. It will be cheaper that a custom bag and if the method is not to your liking you can make hop socks out of it.

[DerbyshireNick]

cheers for this.

I am looking at the options. I was tempted to pickup a 15-20L stainless pot and drill holes in it a la our US friends turkey boiler inserts. But cost and more importantly effort put me off the idea (it was work enough putting in pilot holes for the level tube,tap and elements in my boiler).

On that note, does anyone know what temperature the standard food safe, plastic buckets are good up to? Having a 100L big wide boiler, it would make sense to me to use an old bucket, drilled full of fine holes with a cheap ritchies bag or raw material inserted inside. Given that I have repeatedly semi filled them with boiling water and seen now issues or smelled no plasticy fumes I can only assume it’s a safe, cheap and quite robust solution?

Ta.

Nick


Update: Tut tut, why ask questions when I have google. For those interested...

"can withstand somewhat higher temperatures (120 °C/ 248 °F for short periods, 110 °C /230 °F continuously)."

So using an old bucket with lots of small holes drilled in with an internal mesh should work nicely. Initial checks show one can even suspend the mash "bucket" in the water by hanging it via a plank of wood across the top of the boiler. No need to worry about heat loss then as I can just turn the element on in the surrounding liquid every so often. I am thinking by drilling the holes in thoughtful positions I should be able to minimize sediment pass through... Ill report my findings.... watch this space.

[Cpt.Frederickson]

A pieced of voile will work for a start, but its worth getting one custom made. Mine has served me well
customBIAB are the people to ask, may have to wait a while but their quality is second to none.
I understand what you're trying to do with the bucket, but personally I wouldn't go that route. A bag and a hook and pulley, job done even for larger grain bills.

[DerbyshireNick]

Cheers Cpt,

Ill have a look into them.

Being stubborn I am going to try the bucket thing at least once. I have a brand new 15L ferm bin going unused and a ritchies bag so it makes sense to try out the method at least once. You never know I might strike gold!

Failing that ill have a look at the custom ones if I am looking for a longterm bag.

[bigchris]

you can get a great 100L bag from www.brewinabag.co.uk