Using BIABicus for extract and steeping grains

First post by safebrew222, 11 years ago

First post

---

I am going to brew a couple LME and steeping grain recipes over the holidays. I can't for the life of me figure out how to properly do that in the BIABicus. Could someone explain it to me, or better yet, post an example for me?
Thanks much.

Last post

---

Thanks guys... I do have and use Beersmith... been using the BIABicus, as well. Learning as I go. Merry Christmas!

4th BIAB - lessons learned.

First post by nicko, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hi guys,
I did a Zombie Dust clone on Sunday, apart from one error it really went smoothly and I was happy with the session. A few quick points that might help new BIABers.

1. I've started using a paint stirrer to agitate the mash and it's fantastic!
2. After overshooting my mash temp (while reheating after pitching grain...not sure how that happened!!) I've since bought a thermapen, I look forward to 4 second accurate readings. With my current thermometer you have to hold your tongue right so...

Last post

---

:thumbs: Fantastic. Love hearing when a brewday comes to fruition. :thumbs:

Where did I go wrong?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

First post by kaiserben, 11 years ago

First post

---

G'day,

I'm a bit of a noob - this is only my third all grain batch.

I'd had a bit of a play with the Biabacus and was fairly sure I'd figured it out.

I decided to make a full volume BIAB batch of schwarzbier in my 19L pot from Big W. I decided on the following grain bill:

37% Pils Malt
37% Munich 2
18.5% Caramunich 2
4.5% Carapils
3% Carafa Special 2

I plugged (what I thought was) all the required info in into Biabacus (see attached) and bought the ingredients suggested. Today I went...

Last post

---

Seems like an honest mistake to me, no need to be dramatic here Ben ... :(

Reading back, I don't know how 5.4pH was achieved with 100% tap water ... this sounds off to me, but entirely possible I guess.

What were the exact strips you used? We tout the use of paper DuoTest strips as they are more accurate for our application relative to the plastic ones. I have nothing to cite, just repeating a mantra that I've been trusting (with success) so far. I have no reason to question it after many...

Trub and Flow Issues Since Moving to BIAB

First post by dm10, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hi All,
I've done 2 small batch BIABs recently, both were plagued with my bazooka tube getting clogged with trub. I never had much if an issue with trub when brewing with extracts. I've also started using irish moss, which I think is contributing to the issue. I think most of the trub is hot break/boil related because my last batch I only used 1.3oz of hop plugs for a 3 gallon batch. I've done extract IPAs with almost a half pound of hop plugs while still maintaining some decent flow to the...

Last post

---

Thanks for your replies above - that makes it all clear.

I think Number 3 is most likely the problem. A lot of bags being sold as 'BIAB bags' but are way too coarse.)I'm guessing when you say 'solids' you mean visible grain particles. No BIAB bag should allow visible particles through, only silt at most.

Trub management is a really interesting area. So much equipment goes about it in a very inefficient way. The first step for now, I think, is trying to find a bag of smaller porosity. After...

Recipe Conversion

• 1
• 2

First post by fergus, 12 years ago

First post

---

G'day all,

I wanted to try the BIABacus so I just transposed my last BIAB recipe from BeerSmith to BIABacus (the recipe is attached for your reference). Only thing I found was that the automatically calculated boil-off is 3.13l/hr but from the last brew I found that I boiled of 4.31l/hr so have modified the BIABacus default adjustments to take this into account. KFL estimate was off also, so made another small adjustment there. Overall just looking for general feedback on my interpretation of...

Last post

---

Thanks guys. Appreciate the feedback :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Help with recipe from the "Beer Craft" book

First post by BrewGoblin, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hi everyone, this will be my second BIAB batch and I am pretty pumped. I picked up William Bostwick and Jessi Rymill's Beer Craft book and it has been pretty helpful....except for when it comes to sparging. I want to make the recipe for the Saison that is in the books and have all the ingredients ready to go. They are as follows for a 1 gallon BIAB batch:

2lbs 4oz Pilsner Malt
4oz Wheat Malt
2oz Vienna Malt

5 quarts of strike water to 156F for a mash temperature of 146F for a 60 minute mash....

Last post

---

Thank you guys, I really appreciate the advice. Have a great day.

biabacus

First post by baikinman, 11 years ago

First post

---

I'm a bit confused (already) i downloaded the calculator first, then realised this is the wrong file as its now called biabacus, so the file i have is - BiabacuPR1.3 T is this the file i'm after ?

If so can i use this on a mac with Numbers or will i need to get a copy of excel for mac ?

Think i'm going to have a lot of questions to come :blush:

Cheers

Last post

---

Welcome to the forum baikinman,

PR1.3T is the current pre-release file and will be the final pre-release file. Hopefully the New Year period will allow the time required to get the first main release out which will have help just a click away.

Forget using excel on Mac. Do a quick search of 'Mac' here but from memory it's not great (the BIABacus is actually quite a demanding spreadsheet calculation-wise). Instead, install Libre Office. I think this Mac advice is correct but someone will...

My first BIAB brew – tips and thoughts

First post by UnknownGuest, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hi everyone,

This is my first BIAB brew, and first all grain. Hoping to get some thoughts on my BIABacus recipe (attached).

I'm trying to do an American Pale Ale in the vein of Sierra Nevada. But I just want an easy to make, nice tasting beer, and am willing to change anything as I haven't bought ingredients yet.

Here are some questions I have:

* In the Hop Bill section, I'm not sure what the original recipe's volume of ambient wort was, so I guessed 28L as this is how much beer in...

Last post

---

Oh yeah that'd work. So do you just stick it on the pot once you're chilling? As I guess it might burn when on the boil...

Maybe I could find a magnetic one so I can easily put it on and off the pot.

Another BIAB convert

First post by leighaus, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hi guys,

Been kit/extract brewing for years and after getting my kegging setup going about 6 months ago, i've been on the hunt to move to AG. Discovered BIAB and knew it was for me. Kept an eye out for a 40L Urn on the cheap since then. Picked up a Birko 40L urn 4 days ago and was pumped.

Added a thermowell and thermo and a 1/2 inch ball valve and suddenly my TEA party looked like a brewing machine (yay).

Put on an adaptation of the base APA today (slightly varied hops and malts at a...

Last post

---

Leighaus, I've no sky hook either so I stand on the counter over the pot to pull the bag. I'd recommend a pair of these, excellent for squeezing the bag

Belgian Dubbel with gyle

First post by xfumbler, 11 years ago

First post

---

Whew, just finished bottling my Belgian Dubbel. This is my first BIAB with a proper recipe with integrity (from Brewing Classic Styles). I've attached the BIABacus below. If anyone wants to comment on anything feel free. The only real question I have is that I added 5.5 cups of gyle before I bottled and I'm not sure how to add this to the BIABacus.

I'm trying to go step by step adding complexity to the brewing process. For this one I only wanted to add the complexity of adding gyle. I did not...

Last post

---

Just a word of caution.
I wouldn't recommend altering the KFL value in your BIABacus now though. This is something I do before brew day.
Any changes you make there will affect volumes & grain bill, so you will lose your original info if you do so after the event.

If it is just the volumes you are interested in (for bottling) then what you did I think is the best way to go about it. i.e.
Use section Q packaging . fill in the secondary volume value, and your bottle capacity above it, and you...

Not enough finishing hops. What to expect?

First post by UnknownGuest, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hi all,

I just realised that with the beer I just bottled, the original recipe called for Cascade hops at 10 mins, 5 mins and 0 mins. But I missed the 5 mins and 0 mins additions when entering that info into the BIABacus and thus only did the 10 minute addition.

What should I expect from the beer? Lacking flavour and bitterness? Any other issues?

Attached is a pic of the original recipe, and also a pic of the hop additions on the BIABacus.

Cheers

Last post

---

Yes you can just drop them in after primary attenuative phase is over and leave them in through conditioning. Time it out though because you want to dry hop for 5–14 days max. The only time I've used a bag is if I'm dry hopping in a keg. For super hoppy beers you can do multiple dry hops, in which case you might want to rack the beer to a new vessel with more dry hops. Or you could do a first addition that lasts 14 days and a second addition that's only in the final 3 days (add on the 11th day)...

SMaSH help

First post by Emjay3478, 14 years ago

First post

---

Hey Everyone,

My first BIAB is in the bottles conditioning away, A pale ale as suggested by the guys at G&G as the simplest for my first effort. Now I'm looking at doing some SMaSH brews to get a handle on the hop varieties I have growing around the verandah.

I've got Pride of Ringwood, Goldings, Cascade and Hellertau all at different stages of growth, after harvesting and drying them I'm planning on doing a BIAB mash and then splitting into 4 smaller volume boils for each hop variety.

My...

Last post

---

This is really old, but a good question. I can't believe this thread went unanswered for almost three years :argh:

I thought we had always been good at no one being missed.

Goes to show that we need more active members even if only to say, I think this question has been missed.

Emjay has not visited since about this time a year ago. A shame we failed on this and am amazed you even found this thread laserghost. Good on you :peace:.

Maxi biab calculator - what to use?

First post by Duotwr, 11 years ago

First post

---

Just a quick question for somebody - I've probably missed the obvious answer somewhere.

I've done half a dozen mini-BIAB in my 21L pot. I'd like to try a full length brew - from what I've read this should be do-able using maxi-BIAB techniques. Question is - does the BIABacus allow for maxi-BIAB calcs? Can anyone point me in the direction of a good thread on converting a recipe to maxi-BIAB. I'm probably going to do a recipe from Brewing Classic Styles.

Thanks

Keith

Last post

---

Duotwr....and natan. You can pm me and I will help in anyway I can. I do plenty of Maxi-BiaBs
Joe

60 or 90 minute mash time?

First post by UnknownGuest, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hi all,

If I have an all grain recipe that specifies 60 min mash, and I am converting the recipe to my gear so I can BIAB it, should I leave it as 60 mins, or can I change it to 90 mins (which seems to be more common for BIAB)?

What are the pros and cons of each length? Or should I just always go with 90 min for BIAB?

Cheers!

Last post

---

I have actually done a 115 min mash and did get more efficiency out of the mash. This was not planned but my daughter needed a ride home from here friend's house about 8 miles away. Fortunately , I only lost 2 deg. F , so temp wasn't a problem. Did end up overshooting OG by a couple of points though.

Does this recipe have integrity?

First post by postmaster, 11 years ago

First post

---

This was my original message with the post. For some reason it did not display.
Brown Ale -I have converted an American Brown Ale via The BIABacus and would like some input into the integrity of this recipe?
This receipt came from Beersmith.
I have attached the file.
I have a kettle capacity of 45 litres.
I am sure that my evaporation rate is 5.00 litres and hour instead of 4.28
Original Gravity 1.049
Final Gravity 1.009
IBU's 33.1
Colour 30.8
ABV 5.2 (my conversion came in a bit lower, but...

Last post

---

Hi PistolPatch, :salute:
Thank you for your comments and words of encouragement.
I will make the two changes that you mentioned.
I did a bit of research on the good suggestion of Joshua and found exactly what your stated. There are lots of malt variables in each batch .
It was a good exercise and for all the time spent trying to get the correct information, it only increased the overall grain by 54 grams.
Thank you for that Joshua. :clap:
The real proof will be in the drinking. If it's...

Quick question

First post by lawrenjl, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hello,

As indicated by my post count, I am a new here. I have a quick question: If I have a grain bill that is too large for my 10 gallon (42 qt) kettle, can I just get a different bag that fits my 72 qt cooler and mash in there? I am planning on doing the following: after the 90 minutes are up, just pull pull of the bag, let it drain for 20 minutes or squeezing the wort out of it, then transfer the sweet work into my brew kettle and finish up the batch.

Does this seem logical?

Thanks,

Joe

Last post

---

PP...

Looks like you have a perfect analogy for this effect. Sponges make perfect sense. Thanks for the lesson.

Upgrading to BIAB

First post by OZGJ, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hi all,
I don't think I've ever posted here before but I have decided to go over to the dark side and upgrade to BIAB. I have been brewing kits for a number of years and always thought that all grain was either too expensive or too much trouble. After a lot of reading in these forums, it doesn't look too bad, so I bought a Buffalo 40L urn.

I'm going to try a Little Creatures clone first up, as I like that beer, so I have used the BIABacus to input the data. While I am ready to go (I think) and...

Last post

---

Thanks Joe,
I will but at this stage I haven't started. I'm going to get the grain next week so I can start...

First mini BIAB - very low GIB. Can it be rescued?

First post by Adamjohn, 12 years ago

First post

---

I am currently in the boil process for my first Mini BIAB. However it isn't going to plan.
My Gravity into boil was predicted to be 1.027/8 but I have achieved 1.013. It was a 90 minute mash at 66c. I dropped to 65 by the end of the mash.

Put the kettle onto boil and as it was coming to a boil took the OG which was 1.013.

Any ideas on what has gone wrong are appreciated :-) And is there anything I could do to save this brew? Off the top of my head I can only think of adding some sugar? DME...

Last post

---

I just remembered I hadn't updated this post, apologies for that.

Firstly, thank you all for your advice and expertise, this forum is a fantastic resource and has been instrumental in helping me understand the basics of brewing and the BIAB way of doing it.

Now onto the beer,

Not the best photo as the light was poor. Not clear but not too far off. Definitely a nice malty bitter, a bit of biscuit and a slight hoppy dry finish. Very drinkable, it ended up about 3.7% I believe which is .3%...

1st Adventure

First post by slimmrock, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hi Guys,

After a year of brewing kits I am stepping up to BIAB in a 32l pot.

I would like to give the following recipe a go as a site in the UK sell it as a AG kit and BrewDog Punk IPA is one of my favourites.

Problem is there are too many additions in the hop bill for BIABacus so wondered if anybody could help, here's the instructions that come with the ingredients.

Boil Size: 26.84 l
Post Boil Volume: 21.84 l
Batch Size : 19.00 l

Mash liquor Volume 12.5l

Mash Temp 66c 90mins
Estimated...

Last post

---

Tried some Punk IPA this weekend and loved it. Going to try this for my next Brewday :-)

Can't believe the amount of hops on the hop bill! :argh:

Belgian Wit - check my recipe please...

First post by Rigging65, 11 years ago

First post

---

This is a BeerSmith Recipe that looked pretty simple for my first Wit. It's written for 10gallons, but I'll be doing a 5.5gallon. Could some of you please look over the recipe and see if it all makes sense? Did I miss anything...?

Due to poor water where I am, I'll be making my own using the salts I have listed on the sheet. Also, this is my first AG beer with Wheat. Do I need to do anything different in the mashing process? The original recipe doesn't list a step sparge, but I've read that...

Last post

---

I would also like to thank Rick for his very well explained post. As with Johnaberry I am now using it to scale correctly the recipes from Greg Hughes book, the recipe I am currently looking at (Amarillo sing hop) reckons in the book it makes 23 litres, however Biabacus tells me the VAW is 21.51L, VIF 18.44 and VIP 17.08. That is quite different if you looked at it (and I did first time round) that the recipe would leave you with 23 litres of beer.

Cheers!

(Edit - And at the same time...

Oatmeal Stout- Feedback?

• 1
• 2

First post by HbgBill, 12 years ago

First post

---

I'm sure I must be missing something here... The recipe is from Jamil and John's Brewing Classic Styles

Only one hop addition.. should it be at 60 min if I use no-chill? I have another post asking about hop additions using no-chill. BB answered it, I think. I still have hop addition/timing questions on no-chill. Also, question about not being to fill the container. I seem to only be able to find a 5 gallon no-chill container and I'm going to be putting 2.5 gallons in it. That leaves a lot of...

Last post

---

:) IOW is short for In Other Words , FWIW- For What It's Worth, IIRC- If I Recall Correctly, etc.

Above.. SV refers to what I was commenting on in message 24.. I was talking about Secondary Volume.

Too many acronyms.. I know.

Glad you are feeling better. Sleep and a vacation from BIABrewer might be what the Dr (doctor) orders .. Cheers....

My first BIAB

• 1
• 2

First post by rbcon2, 11 years ago

First post

---

Hello Friends,

Please review the APA for me. I was not able to get the required grains on the grain bill.
I substituted JW traditional Ale with Maris Otter at 8.50 LBS
Substituted Munich 1 with German Munich Grain at 2.5 LBS
Substituted Caraamber with Crystal 75L at 1 LBS

Being this is my first time how if any will this affect the recipe?
Not that it going to change because the grain have been crushed and mixed.Tomorrow Saturday 8-23-14 is brew day
Am i going to be ok?

Last post

---

rbcon2,

With the holidays coming I want to brew a beer for gifting. I know there are a lot of traditional holiday brews, any suggestions for the novice?

It's not to late to brew a Pumpkin ale. Google ( pumpkin ale recipe ) You will have many to choose from. Or ( holiday beer recipe all grain ) Or ( christmas beer recipe all grain ) go Nuts! :argh:

Brew-Day Worksheet- Help

First post by HbgBill, 11 years ago

First post

---

I'm building a brew day worksheet, so.. hopefully, I won't forget anything either for brewing or for recording in BIABacus.

Now that I have a clear understanding of how to measure wort in the kettle.. thanks to Sections U & V.. I come to another measurement issue that I haven't been able to quite figure..

That is VIF to calculate VAW. The method I plan on using (and I know it won't be quite accurate) is VIF= VFO- KFL

I'd rather have a better method of doing this.. and I'm sure most of you...

Last post

---

PP :shoot: , I use their worksheet to have something on paper. I do have to add lines so that I have everything written to input on my Biabacus file. I was trying to find the brewsheet thread that I add to the backside of the Brewersfriend worksheet, but I could not find it. Good thing I printed one!!
I did forget about The Checklist though.

Bag Fabric

First post by HbgBill, 11 years ago

First post

---

I just read a post by PP regarding low efficiency and he said that one cause is a bag that is too fine. I don't know what too fine is.. but, I have what is called voile at the fabric store. It is pretty sheer.. but is MUCH finer than the commercial bag I bought from the guy on HBT (Wilser IIRC) It has worked well for me.. so, I'm not sure how to tell if I'd get better efficiency if I went to a courser bag. I get almost NO grain sludge thru this.. which is nice.. Once on the boil, I believe I...

Last post

---

Hay Bill, wilserbrewer joined here this year. Just PM him here on this site, wislerbrewer . Ask if they are voile, that is what is recommended.

Very cool, he's a quality poster.

I also use wilser's bags (not a euphemism :lol: ), which are the same degree of fine as the voile I purchased from Target for my original pot. My efficiencies have been right in line with BIABacus predictions, FWIW.

0 issues with draining my grains. Hops though, I have started skimming hot break since I started...

My first BIAB Brew, and all the things I wished i had known

First post by simontap, 12 years ago

First post

---

BIAB & answers to all my questions
If you have never brewed before, (like me) then all the terminology can be a little daunting.

To start with, BIAB is quite forgiving, as long as your equipment is clean and sterile and you follow basic rules the end result stand a great chance of being very drinkable. (i must thanks all those who answered helped me get past the first hurdle)

For the first brew, find a tried and tested, 'HIGH INTEGRITY' recipe
Look through the forums, find a recipe that...

Last post

---

Hi mido and welcome to the forum :peace:,

This is your first post so normally it would go in this thread and be officially approved but your post shows that you are genuine so all is good. And, you are out first member from Egypt I believe :clap:.

Some of your post is displaying as Arabic style script and the picture is not displaying but I think I understand your question anyway. Let me know if I haven't. Here goes...

Always measure from the centre at the bottom. All the BIABacus...