BIAB Automation

1. Efficiency question for brewers that recirculate your mash.

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   First post by lakedawgs, 12 years ago

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   Have not been to biabbrewer.info in a while, nice to be back looking around.
   
   I have been doing BIAB for a while with 72-74% efficiency.
   Considering going electric and recirculating the mash with a pump.
   First, what kind of efficiency can I expect once I get my system dialed in?
   Second, I have a plan in place but can anyone point me to a good design for this type of system?
   Thanks much,
   Lakedawgs

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   I wasted a bunch of time and money fiddling with recirulation, you'll find all the sorrid details here . Pay special attention to post #'s 67 and 68. If you feel the need to do it anyway (let's face it, we're all a bunch of stubborn bastards who refuse to take good advice) please let us know how it works out for you in the long run.
   
   ---Todd
   
   Been
   there
   done
   that
   got
   the
   t-shirt
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   Last post by thughes
   12 years ago
2. hop stopper yes or no

   19 Replies 23450 Views

   First post by paulg, 12 years ago

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   not quite sure where to ask this but here goes
   i am building a 70 litre recirculating setup.I have noticed some pictures of peoples setups using only a pickup tube and no filter.my question is during mashing do you only need a support to keep the bag off of the element not a false bottom and during the boil what do people do about filtering the hops( reuse grain bag?,hop bag or filter).I will use a pump as I want to recirculate at least during last 10 minutes of the boil to sterilise my plate...

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   gentlemen thanks for your input
   Am I correct in reading if you use enough binder clips(bulldog clips as I know them) you can keep the bag from falling in and not touching the element? I assumed that the bag would collapse in the middle to the lowest point ie touching the element even with the sides held above the level of the element by the clips
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   Last post by paulg
   12 years ago
3. Temp controlled immersion heater

   4 Replies 7616 Views

   First post by porchfiddler, 12 years ago

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   I use a propane burner for my brews, and although my mash temps don't wander much I was thinking a hybrid propane/electric setup might do the trick. Has anybody used propane to reach mash temps and then maintained with an external temp controller and electric wand? It would seem that a fairly low wattage device could maintain temps, no?

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   [ I got used clean sleeping bags at a garage (jumble?)sale real cheap. Someone once mentioned an electric blanket and I have been on the lookout for one.
   I've been using this but it doesn't like the cooler weather too much. I was looking for some automation but not quite ready for electric whole hog. An electric blanket does seem reasonable but water and it would scare me a bit. Thanks Guys I'll take my nap after the brew :)
   
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   Last post by porchfiddler
   12 years ago
4. eKettle controller?

   20 Replies 25580 Views

   First post by pr8headed, 13 years ago

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   Hail,
   
   I really want to build an eKettle! It's not an urgent project yet I'm in the planning stage. I found a temperature controller on amazon.com Control Products TC-9102D-HV and wondered if it would work for an eKettle? Here's my ideas in a nutshell. First (please don't hit me with a bat) find around a 20 gallon water heater and butcher it to my needs MUHAHAHA. Second use said controller hooked to an element to heat wort. When done with the boil use the cooling side of the controller to kick...

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   I know the still dragon guys. They manufacture some really good quality stuff. Highly recommended
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   Last post by Aces high
   12 years ago
5. BIAB Electric Brewing System from HighGravity.com

   36 Replies 39654 Views

   • 1
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   First post by funkhouserb, 12 years ago

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   I'm a long time 3-tier all grain brewer from California who is being seduced by the lure of digital electric BIAB brewing. While I welded my own 3-tier setup, I don't have much electronics expertise like viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1026 so I'm looking into pre-made options. The Braumeister is out of my price range, but this unit seems more affordable:
   
   So what does the collective wisdom of this group think of this setup from HighGravity.com? 10 gallon electric digital BIAB for just over $1000 USD?...

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   Some great discussion of this build has been happening here including a nice link on eBay to a $20 version of the controller for you DIY'ers.
   36 Replies
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   Last post by funkhouserb
   12 years ago
6. Ron's new electric BIAB setup

   8 Replies 14248 Views

   First post by shibolet, 14 years ago

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   My friend Ron recently completed his new electric BIAB setup and already brewed two batches on it.
   Take a look guys:
   RON:
   it all started when a friend gave me a 100 liter aluminium pot. i wired in two 2000W elements, with a digital PID controller.
   I added a magnetic washing machine pump (new), that takes the liquid from the bottom of the put and returns it from a side port located above the grain level. also added is a tap and a sight glass.
   The pump has three purposes: to circulate the mash...

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   I know this is an old post but if you still frequent this forum I have a couple of questions
   I have a 100 litre pot and a 70 litre pot .I plan to convert one of them to a BIAB recirculating setup like this one
   my questions
   1) what is your minimum brew size(I see lines marked that i assume are final brew sizes)
   2) does 4000 watts raise and boil your maximum liqor size ok
   3) are both the elements controlled by the pid or is one run direct and just switched by the control box on/off switch
   4)do...
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   Last post by paulg
   12 years ago
7. My Guillotine Brew Rig!

   11 Replies 14491 Views

   First post by Northern Brewer, 13 years ago

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   Hellow new friends...
   
   I have been brewing for years and was well under way in building a traditional AG Brew rig before I found this site. As with most of my projects interest turns into addiction and i scrapped my previous design and started to fabricate by Guillotine rig.
   
   She will Hold a 100 QT pot which i will have set up for 10 gal batches. I am hoping with the size i will have plenty of room for some high velocity beers as well. Winch system with bag and my pot came with a strainer...

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   PP,
   I see your in Perth, I have a business meeting in your fine city end of the month. My first trip down under and hear great things. PM's under way! Hopefully we'll be able to let you taste the APA's we brewed last weekend and then show you a bit of Fremantle :party:. Or, bring your rig and we'll do a brew :lol:.
   
   Rig's looking good and not to worry on the ball-valves etc. Pulling them apart on every brew would take ages so just make sure they get a good clean and sanitise after each brew...
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   Last post by PistolPatch
   13 years ago
8. miren's BIAB kettle

   20 Replies 23327 Views

   First post by miren, 13 years ago

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   This is my version on Nik's ultimate BIAB vessel
   
   as you can see it has interior chiller, PID controller and volume gauge
   
   also I have made a 50 micron filter.
   
   That way I have increased kettle's efficiency since I can filter kettle's trub

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   Thanks for answering my questions miren :peace:
   
   nala uses a cheap pump on his kettle here . There's a link to the pump website in post #8. Maybe that will do the trick for you?
   
   Thank you PP this pump fulfils all my requirements. So this will be my next project :)
   
   I also use one of those pumps. they are surprisingly good for the price. I run through a herms unit and back into the top of the pot during the mash and also use it to whirlpool before no chilling. It runs fine even at...
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   Last post by Aces high
   13 years ago
9. another take on eBIAB

   3 Replies 6683 Views

   First post by shibolet, 13 years ago

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   not quite all in one vessel brewing but BIAB just as well.
   this setup was built by my good friend Fernando and has not been test driven yet.
   the slideshow linked here is a detailed overview of the setup.
   
   onclick= window.open(this.href);return false; ... NhYjA0ZWJi

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   Any results yet?
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   Last post by jtcweb
   13 years ago
10. 14 months on, my machine is nearly ready.

    6 Replies 8547 Views

    First post by STAG, 13 years ago

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    wow time flies.
    Rather than clutter up biabrewer I have put together a site to show you guys my machine so far.
    It`s still a work in progress so not all menu links work, anyway there`s a brief description of some of the features.
    On the right hand side of the main image there are a few buttons used for mouseovers to change
    the main image, hopefully all browsers can see that, if not please let me know. thanks.
    If I can answer any queries or critisism please post back here on the board.

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    I have also been working on another version of a pump attached to the chiller as one unit.
    This time the pump does not get dropped into the wort, only the hose that feeds the pump goes into the wort.
    
    What I did is make a single piston prime free pump. The type that as the piston goes back, suction pulls open
    a sprung loaded ball flooding the piston chamber, as the piston goes forward the ball is forced shut but at the same
    time another sprung loaded ball facing the opposite direction is pushed...
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    Last post by STAG
    13 years ago
11. Worms-BIAB

    23 Replies 27593 Views

    First post by nala, 13 years ago

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    I am posting pictures and dialogue of a simple system to enable step mashing and wort recirculating. I have titled it WORMS-BIAB (Wort Recirculating Mashing System).
    I have made the majority of components from materials that can be bought from Bunnings.
    The components that I already have are a STC1000 temperature controller,a Crown concealed element boiler,and a SP20/20 pump.
    
    Here is the assembled system :
    
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    The...

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    Hi Madness, as I understand it the tc probe is installed in the spare leg of the T junction. I think probes suitable for this are available off the shelf. Check this out for controlling power to boiler element
    
    L
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    Last post by Lars
    13 years ago
12. My eBIAB set up

    13 Replies 14608 Views

    First post by Cowgo, 13 years ago

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    Still finishing up the brew space, but hoping to run the first batch through next weekend. I'll be putting in a march pump to re-circulate. There are two bath vents above the keggle. If there's too much condensation, I'll just take the grills off and rig up a hood. I got the controls from Brewmation. The electrical outlets all look pretty ghetto, but they work and they're safe.
    
    There'll be tub sink with a water filter to the left of the brew stand. Have a couple winpaks crying out to be...

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    those hydro fans can really move some air! i was all jealous of the copper...
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    Last post by mordantly
    13 years ago
13. i just added a pump to my electric kettle

    7 Replies 9600 Views

    First post by shibolet, 13 years ago

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    I've been BIABing for almost two years now. I'm on my second kettle:
    
    and all is good.
    I just added a pump for recirculating the wort during the mash. the idea is that recirculating the mash can allow for electronic temp control using a PID controller while keeping the temp even throughout the mash.
    so far i have only installed the pump. i brewed with it on Friday. all went fine except that for the first time ever did my bag get scorched by the heating element!
    this never happened before,
    I...

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    You know, that's the first time I've actually seen a photo of a properly scorched BIAB bag :)
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    Last post by stux
    13 years ago
14. Circulation pump to get constant mesh temperature

    12 Replies 15317 Views

    First post by gugguson, 13 years ago

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    Hello.
    
    I have a 72L brewing pot with an electric heater near the bottom. I'm having difficulties that the heat within the bag is very different from under the bag. I was thinking about having a circulation system during meshing with a pump like this, that would pull wort from close to the heater and pump it in the bag for circulation and good head distribution. Do you think this would be a good solution to that:
    
    I'm a little bit concerned that the pump has to be placed lower than the pot,...

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    Hello.
    
    Regarding the laws in Iceland we have been far behind in regards to beer than probably rest of the world. Beer was actually forbidden for sale in Iceland from 1915 to 1989, so beer has only been sold in Iceland for the last 22 years. And currently only government stores are allowed to sell beer (and other alcohol), but of course resturants and pubs are also allowed to sell alcohol.
    
    That said, we are far behind and interest in brewing isn't that widespread and therefore it isn't talked...
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    Last post by gugguson
    13 years ago
15. My all electric 5500 watt system with recirculation

    22 Replies 27415 Views

    First post by gunner65, 14 years ago

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    Here is my system. Done several BIABs on it already. I can set the control to the mash temp I desire and recirculate through the pump and maintain the temps within 1-2 degrees. This method is so simple and easy to perform I am hooked on BIAB.

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    Sorry I have not been here in a while. Still no complaints about this system just some minor nit-picky things. The recirculation has nothing to do with clarity and everything to do with temperature control. Basically I am circulating the mash liquid from the bottom to the top that is all. The same thing could easily be accomplished with a large spoon or paddle but my colling system already incorporates the pump so why not.
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    Last post by gunner65
    13 years ago
16. adding pump for circulation and whirlpool

    21 Replies 26140 Views

    First post by kristfin, 14 years ago

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    i allready have a very good BIAB electric setup, but one always can improve.
    i've been thinking about adding circulation so i can do step mashes in the pot.
    
    the initial version would have a false bottom which the bag would sit on, about 8cm from the bottom. the pot is 37 cm in diameter. next step would be to create an inner mashing pot, which i could raise above the water surface and add water and sparge in it for a full boil.
    
    whirlpooling is also something i would like to be able to do, to...

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    Kristfin, I'm just starting to plan my layout for BIAB. I noticed your pump in your picture. Could you tell me what brand and model it is?
    
    Thanks...
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    Last post by Sudz
    13 years ago
17. Vacuum Issue

    2 Replies 4929 Views

    First post by samiamnot, 14 years ago

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    Not sure if this is the right thread but since I am using an Electric BIAB set up why not.
    
    Last brew my Voile bag created a vacuum of sorts. I was getting worried during mash out because the liquid level was moving from 6 inches (15 centimeters) to almost overflowing the pot. I was able to stop everything before it went over and when I pulled the bag away from the sides it seemed like it wanted to explode out of the kettle.
    
    Anyone experience this kind of issue and any ideas why it happened...

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    Yes!
    
    I also got a reply on another beer website that said a too fine crush on a Braumeister system will cause the same kind of vacuum issues. So I think I am going to go back to a coarser crush or a malt conditioning process to avoid this in the future. It's pretty scary when you think 10 gallons of hot wort is about to explode out of the kettle.
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    Last post by samiamnot
    14 years ago
18. BrauBushka

    2 Replies 7724 Views

    First post by jimmysuperlative, 14 years ago

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    Single vessel brewing system inspired by Speidel Braumeister...
    
    ...found this the other day. Fairly recent video. Maybe someone on here knows some more about the brewer, location, build etc
    
    Good stuff anyway! :clap:

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    lots and lots of info
    
    enjoy
    KJ
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    Last post by kjg
    14 years ago
19. Boilover prevention cooling circuit - (unproven)

    14 Replies 14840 Views

    First post by STAG, 14 years ago

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    Hi everyone
    I made a reference to an idea I had with regard to preventing wort boilover in my intro post on joining biabrewer,
    post #553
    and now I`ve been accepted as a new member I can post a pic of what I was going on about.
    In my lack of preperation and my haste I have just tried this concept with boiling milk, which was quite something to see. The foaming raging head stormed up the headspace in the pot but as it reached the cold channel it could go no further and did not overflow a single...

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    STAG, I read your intro. Your BPCC unit looks very interesting. Is that your original idea? Let us know how that bad boy works! With your skills, I'm sure you will have quite the brewing setup. I'm jealous..... :scratch:
    
    PROSTS
    Richard
    
    Hi Mad_Scientist :salute:
    I had not heard of Fermcap-S, that was interesting reading up about it. thanks.
    Yes mate, BPCC was my original idea, I`d never try steal someone else`s ideas and post them as my own. :nup:
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    Last post by STAG
    14 years ago
20. HERBS

    3 Replies 5860 Views

    First post by outbreak, 14 years ago

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    So i got bored.... and HERBS was born.
    
    Its most likely has some major issues and there wouldn't be much point to it, but I suppose it would be cool to be able to control mash temp to .5 of a degree or so.... THe heat exchanger is most likely not needed I would suppose as long as you were circulating the wort from the bottom of the pot to the top. No lifting to mashout or step mash, just set the temp mate circulate and away you go....

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    I started designing a RIBS system which was like HERBS but more of a RIMS than a HERMS - had a pump but no heat exchanger as the wort would be heated on its way through by the built in electric element in the bottom of the urn. Costed it out and bought a second urn instead :lol:
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    Last post by Beachbum
    14 years ago