I’m an emerging extract brewer having done 9 5gallon kits with good success. I want to get into BIAB and have a couple questions…
Right now my equipment limitation is a 5 gal brew kettle. How big a BIAB batch can i do in this kettle? I understand i may be in the 2 gal range, and that’s OK as i want to figure out the technique and then expand to a larger kettle as necessary.
How do i calculate recipes for a small batch?
I’m sure i will have more questions, but thanks for getting me started!
You’re really only limited by your pre-boil volume. You can split your water into a mash and sparge portion so that you’re not limited to the 5 gallons total, but I think the pre-boil volume is your limiting factor. Assuming 1 gallon/hr boil-off, you need to start with 3.5 gallons for a 2.5 gallon batch, and that doesn’t leave much room for hot break in your pot and would make me nervous about a severe boil-over. Maybe fermcap would help, but you have the right idea that 2.5 gallons is about the most you can do.
I use BeerSmith 2 for water calcs, if it’s any help.
I do 3-gal batches in a 20qt pot; No problems so far. My pre-boil volume is probably closer to 3.75 gal. And yea, the pot is pretty full at the beginning; NO turning your back on it. My electric stove doesn’t quite hit 1g/hr boil-off.
I mash using a round 7gal cooler. So I’m not clear if I’m REALLY doing BIAB, or a traditional mash tun with a cloth false bottom… It seems others do the same; and it works well for me. I’m not sure if you could actually mash in the 5-gal.
Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments!
