Hi all,
Is there a preferred water/grist ratio for no sparge brewing (BIAB, All in One). As an aside what is the effect of thin or thick mashes on the finished beer? Enzymatic efficacy?
I do BIAB with full-volume mashing: so the water to grist ratio is whatever the OG and batch size require.
I generally find, within the range of “normal” beers, that more water to grist gives me higher mash efficiency; i.e., higher OG recipes are less efficient.
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I also do no sparge full volume and over time have adjusted BH efficiency into my brewing software to end up w/ very predictable results w/ in tolerance. 2-3 points N or S of target is OK in my brewhaus.
The thin mash causes no ill effect IMO.
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I agree with the above responses.
I BIAB and “average” about 72-73% conversion for a standard 1.050-1.060 beer.
But thin mashes (low gravity beers) will always give me better than that, usually in the upper 70’s-80%
Thick mashes, like a 1.097 OG Barleywine that I just brewed a few days ago, will drop that number to 65-68%.
So, like Dwain, I adjust my predicted conversion based on the beer I’m making.
Either way, there is no noticeable effect on the finished beer that I can tell.
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To add on… I actually have several pre saved BH efficiency profiles for several strength beers; 1 each for 30(s), 40(s), 50(s), 60(s), and 70+ OG for both 1.5 and 3.5 gal batches ( the BH efficiency is slightly different for each). For example, If I’m brewing a 40-ish OG beer I choose the 40(s) BH profile. I developed these profiles over time. Based on these profiles I am usually very close to estimated OG.
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I don’t go that granular, but I have two: one for low OG and one for high OG. 75% and 65%, respectively.
I do full volume BIAB and use Brewfather. I usually just stick with what Brewfather has preset, like 1.29 qt/lb but have recently changed it to 1.5qt/lb and have noticed a better drain from the basket. I hit both my pre boil gravities and pre boil levels without squeezing the bag on my last two beers. I have my profile set to 75% BH efficiency and am spot on with efficiency. You mileage may vary……
+1. In HtB, Palmer has ~ a dozen in Table 19. 
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