BIAB kettle insulation

[SabreSteve]

Hey all. Hoping to do my first BIAB since the twins were born on Memorial day weekend and I'm looking to upgrade the insulation for my kettle. I previously brewed indoors on an electric stove top and used a heavy blanket to cover the kettle during the mash. Now I brew outside on a propane burner and the blanket just seems less practical. I'm looking to wrap the sides and lid of the kettle with insulation but I'm just trying to find something that's affordable but also not flammable and that can hold up to the temps of a boil. Anyone have any suggestions they have experience with?

 

[GFHomebrew]

Neoprene maybe? But that's probably flammable.

I use foilboard on my fermenter it's about an inch thick it's semi ridgid so you need vertical cuts in it to shape it.

 

[Minbari]

Are you adding heat during the mash or just heating strike water and mashing?

 

[SabreSteve]

Are you adding heat during the mash or just heating strike water and mashing?

The latter but being that I do BIAB and mash and boil in the same vessel I want something that I'm not going to need to remove when I'm adding heat

 

[west1m]

Automotive exhaust wrap.

 

[Minbari]

The latter but being that I do BIAB and mash and boil in the same vessel I want something that I'm not going to need to remove when I'm adding heat

Instead of wrapping it, why not just cover it? Make wood box that has 1" rigid insulation lined on it? You could even put an infrared lamp in it to heat the air

Personally, i would do a Rims and recirc

 

[Zambi]

Fire blanket?

 

[GFHomebrew]

The latter but being that I do BIAB and mash and boil in the same vessel I want something that I'm not going to need to remove when I'm adding heat

See this would be easier if you were using electricity to heat but heating the kettle with a flame now that's where it gets tricky.

 

[Donoroto]

I hesitate at advise any insulation at all, as it must be fireproof. Even glass wool (fiberglass) can melt. Welding blanket maybe, but best to just not insulate.

 

[SabreSteve]

Any ideas then on how to maintain mash temp in an outdoor environment?

 

[BarbarianBrewer]

Any ideas then on how to maintain mash temp in an outdoor environment?

Easiest option is what you do now. Cover with blankets or a sleeping bag. You just have to remove it before turning the flame back on.

 

[GFHomebrew]

When I used gas to heat my kettle I'd do exactly as BarbarianBrewer said and sounds like you do.
Hit it with heat until mash temp is achieved then insulate.

 

[Minbari]

Any ideas then on how to maintain mash temp in an outdoor environment?

Against a RIMs/HERMs setup?

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

I had packing blankets, 2 works well, if needed a bungie cord to hold tight

 

[SabreSteve]

I had packing blankets, 2 works well, if needed a bungie cord to hold tight

Yeah I guess I was worried about the wind or it sliding off. Bungee is a good idea

 

[Donoroto]

Yeah I guess I was worried about the wind or it sliding off. Bungee is a good idea

Wait for amenable weather?

Yeah, even a sleeping bag will do until the flame gets lit. Or a fast bit of heat and a good stir.

 

[SabreSteve]

Wait for amenable weather?

Yeah, even a sleeping bag will do until the flame gets lit. Or a fast bit of heat and a good stir.

Amenable weather isn't really a thing in WNY

 

[SabreSteve]

So I actually had insulation around and I had jumped the gun on buying aluminum tape. Was going to return it but my dad actually had velcro laying around so I made an easily removable insulation jacket.

took 1 afternoon after work and one peach sour to get it done

 

[SabreSteve]

Oh and the weather is actually super amenable today

 

[Semper Sitientem]

I made a Reflectix insulation jacket as well and have used it for many years. Here’s a link that helps. I used three layers.

http://fermware.com/reflectix-insulation-jacket-for-your-mash-tun/