My First 2 x BIABs

[MikeyREvans]

Hi guys,

I have done two BIAB kits now, both supposed to make 23L, but I'm only left with 17L in the fermenting bucket. Am I missing something obvious?

Cheers,

Mike..

[bquiggerz]

Hi Mike, the issue you are having is boil off. Well in this case, to much boil off, try having more water in the kettle to start with or you can always top up. What kind of OG are you getting?

Happy brewing,

Ben.

[MikeyREvans]

Hi Ben,

Yeah I would agree that is the issue. The OG is bang on though, first recipe was 1060 and the other is 1050.

Chin chin,

Mike ..

[bquiggerz]

The issue is if you're hitting the right OG now, once you water down it won't have the right OG. Do you sparge? If so how?

[BluePanda]

I have a similar problem, only not quite as bad. As I use Brewmate software, I just enter the recipe and then increase the batch size by 3 litres and it increases the grain / hops etc. I order the increased amount from my LHBS and usually end up with 23 litres in the FV.

[MikeyREvans]

Hi,

I sparged with about 2 litres of boiled water, and dunk and drain. I think I might possibly be leaving too much in the Peco bucket after transferring to the FV also. Maybe i'm trying too hard to stop any silt transferring also?

Chin chin

Mike..

[bquiggerz]

My advice would be to sparge more, what size boiler do you have and how much do you fill it?

[MikeyREvans]

I have a 25L Peco Bucket, mashed in 13L as instructions said. Then removed grains and topped to 23L, including the sparge water.

[bquiggerz]

You could always try to use all the topping up water as sparge to get more of the sugars that way OG will be closer to what you need with a bigger volume. The boiler size is pretty tight though I'd say that your boiler is just too small. I make 20-23 litre batches and I have a 33 litre boiler. Next time you brew once you have taken your wort from your boiler try pouring what's left into a large jug to measure how much you're leaving behind. I pretty much empty the boiler into my FV leaving maybe half a pint or so and I've never had an issue.

[MikeyREvans]

When you empty the boiler, how much of the rubbish are you transferring. Does it make any difference at this stage if there is an amount of "solids"

Mike ..

[bquiggerz]

Others may come along and say otherwise but for me all it means is more trub in the FV. But because its compacted you lose less beer to that than you would to leaving it behind.

[MikeyREvans]

Sold! I'm not going to worry too much about leaving such a big amount of it behind. I think that's where my issue lies to be honest.

Many thanks for your help

Chin chin

Mike ..

[bquiggerz]

It is my pleasure Mike.

Happy brewing,

Ben.

[alexlark]

I'll second that. Dont be too fussy leaving it in the boiler.

[WalesAles]

I'll second that. Dont be too fussy leaving it in the boiler.

I`ll third that!
Let it dry out and put it on your Weetabix in the morning!
Yummy!

WA