Fermentation fumes

I recently started to use a freezer with a thermostat to keep a steady temp for my fermenter. I started a brew 3 days ago. When I checked on my beer the fumes in the freezer about blew me away. Are the fumes from the fermentation process dangerous?

Only to pregnant women and small dogs.

You took a whiff of aromatic carbon dioxide. It is not a recommended replacement for oxygen in your lungs.

I assume one 5 gallon batch isn't going to be near enough to produce enough co2 that I need to worry about it being in my house.

No worries there.


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Thanks guys. I knew fermentation made co2 I just didn't know if any other gases were produced. This is the first time I noticed a smell let alone one this powerful and is my second time using a freezer for fermentation.

You can get all sorts of yummy stuff from fermentation. CO2 is the main one of course, but you'll get sulfur and other nasty smells from certain yeast strains as well. Unless you lived in that freezer with your fermenter and kept the lid closed I wouldn't worry at all (apart from what your SWMBO might do if you get a particularly smelly fermentation when still fermenting in the house :cross.

You should hang out here on 3 bean chili day...


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Lol. Truth in that. If my garage didn't have a project car in it I could build a brew house in there. Some day soon I hope. Thanks guys.

No. Unless you're brewing in a confined space(closet, kegerator) the natural leaks and drafts in a house will be more than sufficient to keep things safe.