20L capacity 4.5 kg?

[SteveOR]

According to my user manual 4.5 kg is the maximum grain capacity. I had read somwhere else 6kg wasbeing used by some. I wonder what size batches others brew? I have used the 4.5 kg published number and adjusted my recipes to fit.

Cheers

[Dicko]

viewtopic.php?pid=63#p63

Check Dans post in this thread re the 6 kg of grain.
He has got it sussed...

Cheers

[cpa4ny]

Page 10, Para 11.2 of the instructions says that the capacity is 4 to 5 kg; I pushed mine to 6 kg, but as I mentioned in another thread, I wouldn't go past that.

[dinnerstick]

6 kg is, generally speaking, my 'easy' limit. i have pushed it up above 6.5, sometimes it goes well and sometimes not so great. watch your crush, try different crushes to see what circulates the best. stir the mash often (for a 1 hr sacc rest i stir 2-3 times), hold out specialty grains until the end of the mash, these tricks will increase your capacity a bit. keep an eye on the mash and check temperature regularly, at different places at the top of the malt tube, and in the middle when you open to stir, to make sure you are getting good circulation.

[cpa4ny]

Actually, highly-kilned and crystal grains do not require to be mashed.

If I max out BM's malt pipe with base grains and I use highly-kilned and/or crystal grains in the recipe - I steep them separately and then combine the worts.

[dinnerstick]

Actually, highly-kilned and crystal grains do not require to be mashed.

If I max out BM's malt pipe with base grains and I use highly-kilned and/or crystal grains in the recipe - I steep them separately and then combine the worts.

agreed, i also do this when necessary. i keep a small BIAB bag on hand and steep them on the stovetop. frees up a little bit of space in the malt pipe

[jimmyjack]

agreed, i also do this when necessary. i keep a small BIAB bag on hand and steep them on the stovetop. frees up a little bit of space in the malt pipe

Couldn't you just put specialty grains in a bag and place on top of the pipe during last 15 minutes of circulation?

[cpa4ny]

jimmyjack - that should do the trick as well.

[SteveOR]

I am just now bring my first big batch to a boil. After your great recommendations I have done a 6 Kg porter. The mash was very very thick. Draining the malt pipe was very slow. I did test OG early after about halfway thru my mash and did get a 1.065. Beersmith models and suggests I should get 1.067. I thinks it going to be a little bigger after i boil off a gallon. I cannot wait to taste this beer.

Cheers: