paint strainer bags VS brew bags

The brew bag has a much finer mesh than the paint filter bag.

The mesh of the paint filter bag is very coarse and will transfer a lot of fines into your beer, I'm guessing it's also the impact of gravity. But it all works.

Brew bags versus a paint strainer bag. Paint bags are much rougher. 

While this allows the wort to drain more quickly, it also allows more grain and husk fragments to pass through, creating more dregs. 

After mashing is complete, I lift the bag over the wort and drain it while heating to a boil. During those 20 minutes or so, almost all of the wort was drained into the kettle. 

A few squeezes will probably get me another drink or so.

Paint bags are a great way for people to try BIAB on the cheap. 

We did a test.

We switched from paint strainer bags to brew bags a few days ago. Checking my records, the absorbency is pretty close, the brew bag may have a bit less absorbency. 

My productivity has been pretty steady. I do find that I get fewer grains and fines through the brew bag.

During use, I checked a pack of 5 paint filter bags and averaged about 6 to 8 beers per bag. 

I've brewed 43 beers with my brew bag and ordered a second yesterday.

The point is, different fabrics and made me different bags to carry different things. 

Finally, I like nylon paint filter bags because they don't absorb anything like natural fibers. 

When I make big batches of whole grains, I stop using bags altogether. But I got rid of all the equipment and now I'm going 1 gallon small batch BIAB. 

I'll probably stick with nylon paint filters. They work great and are cheap.