BIAB Buffalo 40l equipment question

[chuff76]

I've had my eye on a BIAB upgrade for ages, am just about ready to give it a go.

I've got the basics, having brewed 5-6 kits in the last year.

Planning to buy a 40l Buffalo boiler from Nisbets, a BIAB Bag and Copper wort chiller.

I think I'm pretty okay with the method, but my question is regarding after the boil has completed and getting it into the fermenter.

I know people talk about replacing the tap and putting on a new one with ball joint and hop strainer, but I'm hoping to avoid this if possible and leave the boiler untouched.

With that in mind, can anyone else advise me about getting the wort from the boiler to the FV leaving all the trub/hops behind?

I've got a large autosyphon, would that work or will I be sucking too much **** through ?

 

[Notlaw]

You could get some perforated steel from eBay and make a false bottom for it. Just cut it with a jigsaw and tidy up with a grinder or file. It'll cost you less than a tenner and about an hour of your time.

 

[chuff76]

Hi Notlaw

pardon my naivete but what is the false bottom for ? Would this be so that I could utilise the existing tap ?

cheers

 

[Marcarm]

I used the existing tap when I had mine. Was a bit of a pain as you had to stand there and hold it open though but it didn't take that long.

I made a hop filter very cheaply using some flexible copper pipe from screwfix, less than �£10 and slotted right in the back of the tap. Followed the guide here http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=50816

I think I also read somewhere that you can modify the tap so it stays open, but not sure how and where I read it.

 

[chuff76]

Thanks for the tips.
I hadn't really thought this bit through but after reading the thread you linked and then about a dozen more it looks like it's necessary.

Lots of different designs, I quite like this one and think I'll give it a go http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30639

Next on my shopping list is a wort chiller - Are the much of a muchness ? Any recommendations for a good one that fits the Buffalo well?

And last of all a BIAB bag - I think a bout one would be better than any DIY effort I attempt

 

[jayjt29]

I just used to no chill my Biabs mate with no issues at all.

Cheers
Jay :)

 

[chuff76]

Hello Jay
So you finish the boil and just leave the lid on, let it cool naturally?
How long does it take to reach pitching temp ?

 

[Brew_DD2]

Make yourself a hop spider. Very cheap and easy to do and will not require any modification to your kettle.

Life-changing stuff.

 

[JFB]

And last of all a BIAB bag - I think a bout one would be better than any DIY effort I attempt[/QUOTE]

I use WWW.BREWINABAG.CO.UK and find it spot on.
I do use pot and gas so it may be worth dropping the guy an email about your set up.
I had a bit of contact with him and was very friendly and quick to reply:thumb:

 

[Toffee]

Lots of different designs, I quite like this one and think I'll give it a go http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30639

Next on my shopping list is a wort chiller - Are the much of a muchness ? Any recommendations for a good one that fits the Buffalo well?

And last of all a BIAB bag - I think a bout one would be better than any DIY effort I attempt

i used that guide to fit a tap to my 30L boiler. perfect.

wort chiller - i use this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331854273284

BIAB bag - i use these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000BPG5R6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 £4.64 for two? BOOM! work a treat.

 

[chuff76]

Make yourself a hop spider. Very cheap and easy to do and will not require any modification to your kettle.

Life-changing stuff.

I've just googled this, looks brilliant.

Would this completely negate the need for any hop filter on the tap? Sounds like the perfect solution to me

How much other gunk should I expect at the end of a boil (I've only ever made kits)

 

[chuff76]

And last of all a BIAB bag - I think a bout one would be better than any DIY effort I attempt

I use WWW.BREWINABAG.CO.UK and find it spot on.
I do use pot and gas so it may be worth dropping the guy an email about your set up.
I had a bit of contact with him and was very friendly and quick to reply:thumb:[/QUOTE]
Nice one JFB - Will bag myself one up :)

i used that guide to fit a tap to my 30L boiler. perfect.

wort chiller - i use this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331854273284

BIAB bag - i use these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000BPG5R6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 ��£4.64 for two? BOOM! work a treat.

Thanks Toffee, good to know. the design appeals to me and looks quite simple. Wort chillers seem to vary massively in price from place to place!

 

[Brew_DD2]

I've just googled this, looks brilliant.

Would this completely negate the need for any hop filter on the tap? Sounds like the perfect solution to me

How much other gunk should I expect at the end of a boil (I've only ever made kits)

I don't have any gunk. I just pour straight from my kettle into my fermenter. I don't bother with a tap on my kettle and didn't want to put one on so I made a hop spider. Just makes my life easier and they are very easy to put together.

 

[chuff76]

I'm a bit obsessed with stainless steel things, and this appeals immensely to me (perhaps not the price)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless...669f1a5&pid=100005&rk=2&rkt=6&sd=331854273284

What do you reckon? will this do the trick ?

 

[Brew_DD2]

Yeah that's one way of doing it. You can make one for less than £15 though that'll do the same. That being said, if I could justify spending £50 on a stainless steel version, I probsbly would.