Sparge in a bag?

[BilltownBrewingCo]

Hey all,

My ol Man has had this igloo party tank around for whenever he had a keg out at the farm... Not sure why I never thought to use it as amash tun until now... Silly me.

Anyway, I recently got a brew bag custom made to fit it, because we've been brewing in a bag. And I just recently thought, why couldn't I just sparge through this vessel?

Anyone see any reason I couldn't just use the bag do do the job of a false bottom?

 

[Mase]

Stuck sparge! I use a false bottom, but I don’t do BIAB, rather conventional. You could also check into a bazooka type collection pipe connected to the discharge valve.

Nevertheless, there’s plenty of others that BIAB that will soon be by to expand in greater detail.

 

[Trialben]

No reason not to I sparge "through the bag" every single brew!

 

[BilltownBrewingCo]

Stuck sparge! I use a false bottom, but I don’t do BIAB, rather conventional. You could also check into a bazooka type collection pipe connected to the discharge valve.

Nevertheless, there’s plenty of others that BIAB that will soon be by to expand in greater detail.

I guess this is what I'm asking, is the stuck sparge something I will need to worry about with this setup, if so, why?

 

[Mark D Pirate]

Method wise no problem at all , I did this regularly.
I'd batch sparge and stir , allow to stand 10 minutes then run off to a jug until it's clear then straight to kettle.

Only issue is that cooler taps were never designed for sanitary usage, or higher temps.
I'd be fitting a ball valve and screen

 

[BilltownBrewingCo]

Method wise no problem at all , I did this regularly.
I'd batch sparge and stir , allow to stand 10 minutes then run off to a jug until it's clear then straight to kettle.

Only issue is that cooler taps were never designed for sanitary usage, or higher temps.
I'd be fitting a ball valve and screen

I do plan on fitting exactly that, however, I don't think I will get to it this weekend. Will before the second brew though.

 

[Mark D Pirate]

I guess this is what I'm asking, is the stuck sparge something I will need to worry about with this setup, if so, why?

No more of an issue than with any other process.
Unless you're milling extra fine or trying to run your mash off at full speed

 

[4Bentley]

I have sparged through a bag. Works great. Some people squeeze the grain afterward. I would not recommend it. Just let it drain after it is clear.

 

[Hawkbox]

I mash in a bag all the time, it's literally how I brew. I use a bazooka tube simply because the bag can get sucked into the drain hole.

 

[BOB357]

I have used a brewing bag in my 10 gallon Rubbermaid cooler for quite some time. I removed the bazooka screen and installed an elbow that almost reaches the bottom of the cooler.(see below) Once I drain the second runnings I raise the bag several inches off of the bottom and screw the lid on to hold it there.
Since I started doing this I don't vorlauf, I reduced grain absorption to what's typical for BIAB and I have next to no dead space.

 

[Hawkbox]

An elbow is probably a better idea, I just had the bazooka tube handy. I too also have very little deadspace. My numbers only get screwy as I typically over sparge to have starter wort for yeast.

 

[BilltownBrewingCo]

Love the elbow idea.

 

[Craigerrr]

I like both of those mash in a bag setups. I like the rectangular one because I mash in a cooler like that, but I would need to order a custom bag to fit it. I like the round one because I have a bag from my BIAB days, but then I need to buy a round cooler... I will likely go one route or the other in the not too distant future.

 

[Hawkbox]

I had a round cooler but I couldn't do 10 gallon batches in it so I went with a larger box cooler.

 

[BilltownBrewingCo]

I had a round cooler but I couldn't do 10 gallon batches in it so I went with a larger box cooler.

The round cooler above has a 30 gallon capacity. I assume even if I'm doing a big beer I could still do 10 gallons.

 

[thunderwagn]

The round cooler above has a 30 gallon capacity. I assume even if I'm doing a big beer I could still do 10 gallons.

WoW! I don't think I've seen or heard of a 30 gallon round cooler. It must be massive!

 

[BOB357]

I like both of those mash in a bag setups. I like the rectangular one because I mash in a cooler like that, but I would need to order a custom bag to fit it. I like the round one because I have a bag from my BIAB days, but then I need to buy a round cooler... I will likely go one route or the other in the not too distant future.

I got the bag for my 14 gallon kettle when I started doing BIAB. I happened to be a good fit for the 10 gallon cooler as well. Ya gotta get lucky once in awhile.

 

[BilltownBrewingCo]

WoW! I don't think I've seen or heard of a 30 gallon round cooler. It must be massive!

It's an old Igloo "Party Barrel" before they put legs/wheels on them. May not sell them at all anymore... It's basically a cooler made to put ice around a keg for parties.