Homebrew Toxicology. Bags and Plastic cubs. R they safe?

First post by BobBrews, 4 years ago

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Basic Brewing radio did a podcast beginning with a professional toxicologist talking about Brewing bags (BIAB) and No-chill containers. Download to your MP3 player or listen on line?

Here is the sites URL and show name.

December 12, 2013 - Homebrew Toxicology Pt. 2
Toxicologist Paul joins us again to follow up on your questions about possible toxic materials in homebrew.

This part 2 of a two part series. Homebrew Toxicology Pt. 1 is great also!

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I downloaded that mp3 for more than 2 month i think, but i haven't the time to listen to it. I have to make some time soon, now preparing to enter the no chill world :D

Dial Thermometer

First post by alanem, 4 years ago

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Hi Guys, I have a 19L SS kettle with a weldless tap set up and also I have a Dial Thermometer With 2 Probe that is set about 2 up from the bottom which I then cover with a SS cake stand with SS bolts as legs so as not to snag the bag.
I have seen numerous photos of kettles with the Dial Thermometer sort of integrated within the tap setup.
As I am on the lookout for a larger SS kettle (approx 40L) in the near future I have wondered about this sort of set up instead of the probe and cake stand...

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Bob, I had one very important post I really wanted to write tonight here before I travel but spent three and a half hours writing individual answers here first on BIABrewer and so lost my steam.

I'll try and write a full answer to your tap question above when I next get a chance but I have a lot on in the next few weeks. I have written on why taps are a problem before. A search of posts written by me with the keyword 'cylinder' and/or 'sphere' I think will give the answer to your bazillion...

Digital oven thermometer

First post by Q-Point, 4 years ago

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Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the digital oven thermometers for monitoring mash temperature. I'm thinking of buying something like this:

I'm hoping that it will allow me to monitor temperature with minimal disturbance to the insulation but I'm a bit worried that the probe/cord might not be water-proof enough for continual immersion in the mash. I'm thinking of drilling a hole in the kettle lid so that I can feed the cord through so that the probe 'dangles' in the...

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Cheers! I was hoping that the inaccuracy of measuring the mash without stirring would be outweighed by the benefit of not continually opening the kettle/tun and thereby losing heat, but I guess it makes a lot of sense to get a few brews worth of accurate mash temperatures. I like the idea of the floating container too - sounds like a good solution.

Bling BIAB pasta boiler!

First post by makka, 6 years ago

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Just for fun but...

Anyone thought of using one of these for BIAB

23ltr, plumbing sorted, basket for your grain, temp controlled, easy drainage and it makes pasta.

Cost a lot unless you can find a second hand one.

Plus after you have finished making your brew you can alsways boil some pasta to go with your beer.

Makka

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Maybe I am alone on this, but one big reason I decided to go with Biab was the minimal cost investment. This product seems functionional but not practical.

Aluminium pot for BIAB?

First post by aamcle, 5 years ago

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Can a plain old aluminium urn be safely used for BIAB? As far as I know it is but somebody on another forum seems to think it will do in the yeast and give me Altzimers.

Atb. Aamcle

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Might of had something to worry about if youre pot was from 20 or so years ago but since then there has been many advancements in material technology and composition...and given how easy it is to sue someone for just about anything these days...id say id be fairly confident that if they are selli g pots made from aluminium it would be food safe and therefore perfectly fine to use

lifting a heavy bag full of wet grain

First post by mcgoo, 5 years ago

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It's not hard when doing a single 23l batch but I'm looking to do a double batch. I guess the bag will weigh approx 20kg with all that wet grain and I can't lift that on my own. So after i build a winch do I need to sit the bag into a basket or are there large strong bags that won't rip with that sort of weight.

Any tips much appreciated

regards

mcgooooo

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It's not hard when doing a single 23l batch but I'm looking to do a double batch. I guess the bag will weigh approx 20kg with all that wet grain and I can't lift that on my own. So after i build a winch do I need to sit the bag into a basket or are there large strong bags that won't rip with that sort of weight.

Any tips much appreciated

regards

mcgooooo
Hi McGoo, I use one of these bags onclick= window.open(this.href);return false;
Excellent bags, very well made but I dont double batch.

Ideas for a portable hoist/stand to attach pulley.

First post by CheeseMoney, 5 years ago

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I live in an apartment in Southern California and brew outside. Lots of great days for brewing here. I'm looking for some type of portable stand/hoist/whatever that I can attach to a pulley system for lifting double batches of high gravity beer.

My Equipment:
Blichmann Burner with Leg Extensions
80 Quart / 75 Liter Kettle

I like high gravity brews so lifting 30+ lbs of wet grain off of an already high base could be problematic. Any ideas?

So far I have come across:
Alton Brown's Turkey...

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That's a good idea. I actually like them just as A-Frame ladders because they don't have the brace/bar thingy for stability (which makes it hard to access the kettle).

Drywall Mud Masher (Potato Masher Style Mash Paddle) Safe?

First post by CheeseMoney, 5 years ago

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Went to home depot after a recommendation from this forum looking to purchase this $12 Home Depot Wal-Board Mud Mixer . However, after looking at it, the handle appears like it is painted and gobs of epoxy hold the masher to the handle. I didn't buy because it didn't appear food safe. Am I wrong?

Here is the Grainger $14 equivalent .
Maybe I should suck it up and buy a $33 Potato Masher .

Thoughts?

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Just wanted to say thanks for the input. Ended up with a 24 french whip and a wooden mash paddle (dowel type) because I can use it as a measuring stick with some carefully placed burn marks. May go with a potato style masher in the future, who knows.

80lts pots not really 80litres

First post by Brendandrage, 5 years ago

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Hi all,
I got my new pots today, and got them down to the shed give them a quick clean and thought id play around with the calculator to prepare for my first double batch.
So out with the tape measure and punch in the data and the calculator says 60 ltres :dunno:

So long story short what rhe box says aint true :angry:

Unless im wrong 44cm diameter x 40cm doesnt make 80ltrs

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Glad to see you got this sorted.

:luck: Sunday. You will be busier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs Brendan :).

80 Quart BIAB Kettle Questions (Please be gentle)

First post by CheeseMoney, 5 years ago

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I'm ready to start all grain and BIAB looks like the way to go. I'd like to make both 5G and 10G batches (heavy--mostly strong Belgians and Double IPAs). I'd like to do both immersion chilling and no-chill in a cube.

I was going to pull the trigger on a Bayou Classic 82 QT (w/ Boil Basket) from Amazon.com for $177.49.

but then I found an 80 QT Stainless Steel Stock Pot from brewbrothers.biz for $180 made of slightly thicker steel (18gauge vs 20 gauge) and they will drill and install a ball...

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Mally

I am on a tablet so typing is a pain. Yes, I cannot lift much more than a big beer stein. I have become a weakling. Man i hate this tablet! I can't wait to get back in my office! So long for now!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edit:: I am back in my office my guests are on their way home. Now that it is comfortable to type I have nothing to say? :sad:

BIAB bag at bed bath beyond

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First post by Divrguy, 6 years ago

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Guys, great deal right now on a mesh laundry bag that's 36 x 24 with a drawstring $2.99 wow!!

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[I just edited this one, as well. Updated measurements for the Marshalls bag and new ones for the paint strainer bag, as well as updated my math:
Marshalls bag: the spacing between the thick bars is 1 mm. In the other direction, there are 6 threads/mm. However, the thick bars are rather thick, so the opening between them is more like 2/3 mm.
Paint strainer bag: Measurements are the same as for the Marshalls bag, but the threads are thinner and that thick bar on the Marshalls bag is a thin one...

Tripod?

First post by PackerFan, 5 years ago

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Right now I have a pulley mounted in the header of my garage door. I purchased an EZ-UP Canopy to do all my business outside. But now I will need a tripod to hook up to my bag. Anyone make one out of 2 x 4's or conduit?? Dutch oven tripods may work, but may not be tall enough

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A tripod will be easy to make. My only worry is in my experience of lifting pumps using shear legs ( heavy duty tripod) is that if you want to lower your load adjacent to where you lifted it from you have to watch for the whole lot tipping over. If you have the skills an A frame is more stable although more complicated to make.

Potato Masher

First post by Mad_Scientist, 5 years ago

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What do you think of this masher?, it's the biggest and longest I can find. I am trying to get one bigger than Aces High :thumbs:

You can also use it for other things, like mashing potatoes.
32 x 7.1 x 5.4 inches ; 2.6 pounds

TABLECRAFT MFR # 7432.JPG

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It worked great for me. I also think I got solid gravity readings from the up and down motion, instead of circular.

5/5/2013 by Mad Scientist Brewhaus , on Flickr

What's with thermometers

First post by Lylo, 7 years ago

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Having nothing to worry about last nght I got fussing around the drawers of my brew room and decided to focus on thermometers.Over the space of 25 years of extract brewing I ended up with 3 glass thermometers.( I have never broken one!)When I started gearing up for BIAB I also bought a digital eclectric probe type.
I decided to check these things against each other.Using recommended ice bath and boiling water test they all seemed fairly similar.I decided to try something in the mid range.I...

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PF,

I mash out at around 168-170*F, but Ive don't think ive heard heard of a mash approaching 170*F. Typical mashes are around 148-156 I think. I hope that your thermometer is not that far off!

keggle question

First post by homebrewkid, 5 years ago

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hi guys

im going to have a go at biab

i got some material that seems about right after much looking around

i have a keg to use as a keggle and a lid that fits the top perfectly (sits on top of the rim) (32cm glass lid from kmart)

im going to cut inside the rim but im worried how much heat i will loose out the handle cutouts during the mash?

i plan on covering the lot with a blanket anyway should be right hey?

i cant find my 4 cutting discs can i use the 9 to cut the inside top out? or...

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Nice work HBK :thumbs:.

The frame looks like a small Tardis - cool :party:. Make sure you give it plenty of bracing.

Look forward to more pics :peace:
PP

(And I promise to take a closer look at my Dremel next time I dig it out. I have a van full of tools and the Dremel is right at the end of a very long drawer so it might be a while :lol:.)

You've got a dremel PP... thats $100 bucks I just saved. I'll give you a call next time I need some building done. Saves me trying to justify to the...

300 litres BIAB (call me JUMBO)

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First post by sokinsilihok, 5 years ago

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hello guys, I am starting a project of building a 300 litre kettle, most possibly with gas heating for mashing and boiling.
I already have a handmade electric keggle 50 litre producing maximum 30 litres of good homebrew. but in the case of brewing together with a couple of friends spending half Sunday for making 15bottles for each is from my point of view, waste of time(matching the available days with the rest of the guys is a problem also) . so here comes the idea of making the test batch in...

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I’m beginning to think if I went pro I would have a whole lot of 16 gallon pots with bags, in setups like the picture below. Each pot would make two Cornys, or a firkin of real ale.

I would ferment in the kettle too for a week or ten days, so no need for extra equipment, maybe a large malt mill and an automatic keg washer :party:

BIAB bag with "Voile" material

First post by rdeselle, 6 years ago

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I was able to find this fabric at a local fabric store for pretty cheap. I have a mother who is willing to sew this all up for me.
But I am wondering how many people have had good luck with this stuff? Providing that it has a good strong sew does this stuff hold up to repeated use? I am wondering how folks are adding handles to this bag for pulling large grain bills out with a pulley system?
Should the handle be made out of the same material but maybe rolled over itself a few times for added...

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Thought I would post some pictures of my bags my mother made. I have one of design #1 and three of design #2.

2nd Bag Design by Mad Scientist Brewhaus , on Flickr
2nd design shows 2 black lines drawn in Microsoft Paint showing the new angle. Click on the
picture, then the hyperlink to get the dimensions.

3/16/2013 by Mad Scientist Brewhaus , on Flickr
Bag lifted after mash-out (27 pounds - dry weight). Squeeze in-place with pot lids.

Pot too big?

First post by aamcle, 5 years ago

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Afternoon all.

It looks like I'll have to reduce my brew length down to 10-12 litres, don't ask, my pot is a 38 litre about 37cm in diameter.

I'm worried that it's too big for small batches, that the evaporation will be simply too much.

Should I look out for a pot of say 20 litre that I could use on the stove top?

Thanks for your advice.

Atb. Aamcle

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

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BIAB, No-Boil, No-chill,...How cool would that be :party:

Mash the stuff, FWH and ferment.

Worth investigating :?:

I need a lid :-)

First post by aamcle, 5 years ago

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My 1st BIAB is getting closer, the element is fitted into my pot I just need to fit the cable and if all goes well I'll have a bag made Sat/Sun.

I got the pot ~ 38L Aluminium very cheep but with no lid, what's the best way to make one? If I buy an aluminium disk (pizza separator) it will be half the cost of the pot!

So what works?

Many Thanks. Aamcle

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

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Anything like cardboard covered in tinfoil

Masher - My latest Score

First post by Aces high, 5 years ago

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So PP swears by the potato masher as the best item for mashing in. Ive been using a traditional mash paddle arrangement until today when I was at the local 2nd hand machinery place.
They also have a 2nd hand catering section and I came across this for just $10 bucks :champ:
Masher 1.jpg
Masher 2.jpg
Its full heavy duty stainless steel and stands about 50cm or 60cm high so its a perfect size for my pot.
There's also a second one there. If any perth brewer want it send me a PM and i'll direct...

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Good on you Aces! That is perfect length etc for your set-up :thumbs:.

After your next brew, can you let us know how you find the up and down motion the 'potato masher' uses compares to the round and round motion of the 'mash paddle' (spoon)?

:peace:
PP

Off-topic: Maybe see you at the Norfolk tomorrow? Go to this post .

New Syphon/Hop strainer

First post by Yeasty, 6 years ago

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Not wanting to drill my copper and fit a tap I have been thinking of making a Sypon/hop strainer. This is what I came up with.

Here's all the parts stripped down. I soldered the bends on one end only and slightly ovaled the other end so they were a push fit when put together. The tube is 15mm and the holes (268 of them) are 3mm.

This is the hopstrainer square put together. I wanted it to be free standing so I opted for a square shape.

And here is the whole thing.

I used it today...

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LOL on the speechless bit. Seriously though, I love this and you have my brain going at a hundred miles an hour but I'm meant to be working on something else :roll:.

Here's one quick, and I think probably useless thought,... if you had a wider copper tube you could sleeve over the 'exit' part of the tube, you could turn this into an auto-syphon as well. (I think :think:)

Gotta go but thanks again Yeasty. Made my day :peace:
Now my brain is going. Where is wizard78? I PM'ed him during his MK2...

Advice on Grain Mills for BIAB

First post by Lars, 5 years ago

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Guys,
I've been buying my grains pre crushed in group buys. This is great but I dont get to brew as often as I'd like so I end up with my grains being stored for too long. I'm thinking of getting a grain mill so I can buy whole grains and have the opportunity to get in on a group buy for a crankandstein mill. Can you guys, that use mills, tell me what I should be buying(or does it matter?). Also, do we need to crush differently from a traditional 3V brewer?
And, how long does it take to crush a...

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I have a Cereal Killer Grain Mill which was $89 including shipping. It is similiar to the Barlely Crusher. I highly recommend it.

Fancy Gear/Crazy Gear - a walk on the wild side

First post by GuingesRock, 5 years ago

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Mad_Scientist, The blizzard woke me up early this morning. I’m sitting here waiting for the house to blow away (It’s a complete whiteout outside) and I have been looking through your photos . You have all the latest fancy gear! Your setup looks like Huston Texas a bit. I think you might be designing a rocket. Something’s afoot there.

I’ve seen your fermentor online. How the heck do those fermentors work? What’s that thing that looks like a Corny lid on the top of it? Do they ferment under...

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Do the research on the breather, you can build you own using a propane regulator from a camper (I think you blokes call campers a caravan ) for 1/3 the cost of buying.

Why do you need that fancy breather thing? Why couldn't a person hook the cask directly to a CO2 tank with a regulator set to a very low pressure?

The CO2 would probably only need to be turned on when beer ws being poured.

Bulkhead fitting for Aluminium pot.

First post by aamcle, 5 years ago

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I picked up a 38/39l Aluminium stockpot, I'm going to use it as an electrically heated pot to mash and boil in and I would like to fit a tap. Obviously brass fittings are no good because of corrosion and SS will cost me as much as I paid for the pot so I was wondering if the are any plastic fittings I could use? John Guest maybe?

Thanks for your help.

Aamcvle

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

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Good work even if a hop sock is a lot easier :-) but it sparks an idea a bend on the bottom of the cane with a length of stainless braided hose on the end.

ATB. Aamcle

Aamcle

BIAB Equipment Considerations

First post by 502brews, 5 years ago

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Hello everyone.

I'm just making the move from partial mash brewing to BIAB and bought a new 62 qt Bayou Classic Stainless Steel pot to brew my batches in. I decided to go with the 62 qt so I could brew double batches in it. I've got a propane gas stand to cook on and plan to make a nylon voile bag for the grain. I also plan to install an eye hook and pulley to lift the grain out at mash out.
Having only done single batch, extract and partial mash brewing previously, I've relied on an ice...

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All,

I have been doing lots of hopping experiments in the last year. I just love hops! I visit hop farms and I grow my own hops. Three varieties, Cascade, Willamette, Nugget and (E.K. Goldings Fuggles). Wait that's four! I am so bad at numbers! Personally I am narrowing down my hopping schedule (at the moment) to this.

Bob, i have started a new thread here for anybody that has hop growing knowledge. I would love to hear of any tips you have. :thumbs: