18 replies to this topic

[Gusso]

So, after a 4-5 year hiatus, I'm back, baby! I made an old school mash tun. My old cube was at least 15 years old. Nothing fancy, just a Lowe's Igloo 10 gallon cooler. Easy, peazy.

Edited by Gusso, 24 July 2020 - 05:31 PM.

[djinkc]

Brew baby, brew

 

my hiatus was a lot longer than yours

 

glad I started again

[positiveContact]

Nice tun.

[Gusso]

May pull it apart tomorrow to trim some of those jagged strands on the mesh tube. Thinking of trying that biab method. Don't want those itty bitty strands tearing up the bag.
Bonus. The Igloo was on sale this week. 39$.

[positiveContact]

If you biab why do you need the braid at all?

[Gusso]

If you biab why do you need the braid at all?

I thought that. Do I actually need it if I go biab? Should I take it off? Just ball valve?

[Gusso]

If you biab why do you need the braid at all?

I actually made the tun before discovering the biab. Been out of the game for a while...

[MakeMeHoppy]

I had a mash tun like that and I used a brew bag in addition. I mashed normally and batch sparged the bag just seemed to keep the braid clean and drained better. Now that you have the braid I would use it as it or with a bag and batch sparge.

[HVB]

I do not think the braid will cause any issues. Leave it in if you want or take it out to avoid tearing the bag. Just glad to see someone come back to brewing! I know you did a batch of Liquid Stupid but what is next?

[Gusso]

I'll do another Liquid Stupid (aka Drunken Monkey) but I might try a dry Belgian yeast (Abbaye?). Also an IPA, one of those tropical fruity type ones. Got a good recioe?

[HVB]

I'll do another Liquid Stupid (aka Drunken Monkey) but I might try a dry Belgian yeast (Abbaye?). Also an IPA, one of those tropical fruity type ones. Got a good recioe?

I do. Will post later.

[denny]

If you biab why do you need the braid at all?

THIS!

[Gusso]

I removed the braid. I stopped by a local brewshop and picked up a sack of German Pilsner (Avengard) malt today.

[Gusso]

Also, picked up a pack of that Abbaye dry yeast. Gonna try that with the Liquid Stupid this week.

[Gusso]

Btw, I used the biab on Saturday and it worked very well. 83% efficiency. Much better than the old braid I had been using for years.

[HVB]

Btw, I used the biab on Saturday and it worked very well. 83% efficiency. Much better than the old braid I had been using for years.

What was the OG on that and the grain weight? If  you make a small beer you will be in the 90's.  That is cray good.

[Gusso]

I didn't take notes (I should have). I just remembered the 83% when I punched it in at the time. Iirc, I used 13.5# of grain with 3# honey and 1#sugar and put 6 gallons in my fermenter at 1.096.

[Gusso]

Looking at that calculator, I believe I put 7 gallons in the kettle at 1.065 (obviously before my honey and sugar additions).

[Gusso]

I didn't take notes (I should have). I just remembered the 83% when I punched it in at the time. Iirc, I used 13.5# of grain with 3# honey and 1#sugar and put 6 gallons in my fermenter at 1.096.

Correction. I used 14.5 pounds of grain.