Extending the Brew length...

[Greendan]

So at the moment I have the capacity to boil about 15 litres of wort, ending with about 10 litres into the FV. I'd like to increase the FV volume to 20 litres.

Would I be able to do that by adding extract to the wort and topping up with water in the FV?
When would be the best time to add the extract? During the boil? After flame out? In the FV?
Would I need to up the hop amount to balance the extra malt?

[Dave-Leeds]

I would post this in the extract section mate.

Am sure u will get alot more help in there

[basswulf]

Is that 15l from a BIAB mash? I'm working at a slightly lower volume but was finding that I was getting good efficiency in the mash and, by the time loss to evaporation during boil had been taken into account, the original gravity was significantly higher than target. That's the point I've added further water, just before pitching the yeast and setting the fermentation going.

I haven't gone as far as diluting down to the target OG but I'm working towards it and it doesn't seem to be causing any problems in the final result. All I'm doing is replacing water that was boiled off - if you start to add extract then it might get more complex but I reckon you could start edging up the amount of malt in your mash and then dilute down post-boil to increase the amount you have to ferment.

Wulf

[Greendan]

Good point. Can an admin move this?

[Greendan]

It's 15l pre-boil volume. I've only done one BIAB after years of kits so I'm still learning.
I added 2.5 kg of grain and that filled the 19l pot to the brim. I mashed for 60mins. It ended on a post boil og of 1050 and about 10l. So I can't increase the grain as my pot can only take that amount. And I don't really want to dilute down as 1050 is about where I was aiming.

[basswulf]

You could try more grain and less water, giving you a higher post-mash gravity and probably pushing post-boil well over target, as well as seeing if a longer mash yields improved extraction. You could also then try sparging the grains in a colander over a separate pot. Pour over hot water (probably best to measure it if you want to track what is happening) and you'll end up with a thinner wort that can be added during the boil stage - it will still be thicker than plain water.

There's a limit to how far you can go without knuckling down and getting a bigger pot but I reckon you can push it further than 10l into the fermentor if you want to.

Wulf

[AdamJohn]

Yes you can. You'll be doing partial mash brewing. It's something I intend on doing as, probably like yourself, I biab on the hob with a 18l pot and achieve typically between 8 to 10l into fermentor doing full volume biab. I want to fill my pursue barrell so will use this method.

This article should give all info needed on the subject http://beerandwinejournal.com/pmash-option/#more-4080

Lots of good info linked in the post too.

[oakerspocus]

Yes you can... i do this mainly and a 2 kilo mash plus 1 can of LME will give you an abv of 4.5% approx at 20 litres ish. If you pm me I will send you a typical recipe.... stout or APA..

[oakerspocus]

viewtopic.php?t=68462

[oakerspocus]

This shows an example....

[Greendan]

That's great Chap, thanks for the pointers.