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Brewing Topics => Brew In A Bag (BIAB) => Topic started by: Javaslinger on October 10, 2017, 09:30:48 AM

Title: BIAB batch sparge grain absorption
Post by: Javaslinger on October 10, 2017, 09:30:48 AM

Curious what people set their grain absorption to when doing BIAB with a batch sparge?

BIAB Default 0.586 fl oz/oz
Mash Tun Default 0.960 fl oz/oz

So if using a mash profile such as Single Infusion, Batch Sparge while doing BIAB, should I set it to 0.586 or somewhere in the middle.  I know I can back calculate from a brew day, but I'm trying to get a ball park to begin with from everyone else.

Thanks!

Title: Re: BIAB batch sparge grain absorption
Post by: Oginme on October 10, 2017, 10:12:18 AM

I measure my grain absorption for every batch (along with boil off rate) and track it.  I've set my grain absorption to my BIAB value in the standard options, since I do mostly BIAB brewing. 

Title: Re: BIAB batch sparge grain absorption
Post by: tdev on December 07, 2017, 04:54:19 PM

I see the default is .586 Oz/oz but when i measure mine it is around .27-.33 - this is far from the .586 - what are other people seeing?  Thanks

Title: Re: BIAB batch sparge grain absorption
Post by: GigaFemto on December 07, 2017, 06:03:25 PM

I do 5 gallon BIAB batches with grain weights of 11-13 lbs and I get very close to the default of 0.586. My volumes are so close I have seen no reason to change from the default. I do squeeze the heck out of my bag to get all the goodness out. If you don't squeeze I can see you getting higher absorption, but it is hard for me to see someone getting half.

I suddenly had a thought that the grain absorption may be affected by the grain crush. I have a mill gap of 0.025", and I double crush. It might be that a coarser grain crush would result in lower water absorption if the water doesn't penetrate all the way through the larger pieces in the same proportion as smaller pieces.

--GF