BIAB technique - buit no bag - full water mash

[Kbar]

Since the mash tun can act like a BIAB process, but does not need the bag, I did a 14 Pound grain bill, 10.25 Gallons of 166F strike water, used some PH5.2 stabilizer, and it seemd to work well. No Mash Out.

No PH measurements as that is what I am concerned about, keeping the PH of mash in the 5.2-5.5 range.

I was getting 65% eff with batch sparging, just got 74% with this technique. That is a recipe changer........

Very happy with this technique. RIMS system runs very well, was only 2F below the desired mash temperature and the RIMS system had it spot on in 5 minutes. Trub was a bit less than normal givne it is always circulating and setting up the grain bed and no mash out (Fly or batch).

Was a great brew day. Only issue was a broken T-couple wire. easy fix!

[spiderwrangler]

So is this basically just a no sparge??

[Kbar]

I believe so. Just did not expect to get more than a 10% increase in eff.

Nice easy brew day with that much water. The RIMS system can run full flow with no grain compaction. Keep in mind, first time with this technique. Will post the next few batch results.

[Ozwald]

So is this basically just a no sparge??

Thinking the same thing. BIAB - bag = regular brewing.

[Sparge Pervert]

Bet it led to a quicker, less-hassle brew day too?

[dirtbikejunkie]

This is basically my technique too. I have a large cooler/mash tun but only a single vessel/kettle to heat. I measure and heat my total water (usually around 9-10 gallons) to my strike temp and do all my salt additions. I mash with 6 gallons of the water. After 60 minutes I heat the remaining water in the kettle to boiling and add to the cooler usually brining the mash to around 165-169. Then do a single run off.

A downside that I have noticed is that my efficiency varies with the gravity of the beer. Higher gravity beers I am around 73-74% and smaller beers are around 75-77%.

Is there any downside to not performing a traditional sparge? I have wondered if by not rinsing the grain like you would in a traditional sparge if you are missing out on the flavor from the husk material?

[Kbar]

That was my technique prior to this No Sparge style. Something in-between a no sparge and batch sparge. My eff's were around 63-66% with that old technique.

[spiderwrangler]

Is there any downside to not performing a traditional sparge? I have wondered if by not rinsing the grain like you would in a traditional sparge if you are missing out on the flavor from the husk material?

Not sure i'd call it 'missing out'...