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Daver77 · 10-23-2011, 08:01 PM

My current set if is really simple as pictured below. Winter is coming and I wont be able to brew outside. I want to continue to brew and I'm wondering about brewing in the basement. It's an unfinished basement and I have running water. I have a door that leads to outside and was thinking of setting up near that area. perhaps a fan that can blow some air out?

I'd imagine that the door would be a large enough opening?

Any thoughts?

**the_bird** · 10-23-2011, 08:15 PM

You're worried enough to keep a fire extinguisher on your deck, but not worried about using an outdoor propane burner inside your house?

I wouldn't, personally. Those types of propane burners are terribly inefficient, which means they tend to produce a lot of CO; I'm not convinced just having an open door and a fan going is going to give sufficient circulation. And if you don't... well, the good news is that you'll never know.

This is a matter that tends to generate a lot of debate, however. I just come down on the side of - it's a lot of risk to take (both CO and the fire from the burner) to keep yourself a little bit warmer.

What about setting the burner up outside, not too far from the basement door? Nothing to keep you from mashing in the basement. Keep boiling outside, but set up your burner so you can watch it from inside the doorway so you can stay out of the wind.

Besides, you're in Jersey, not Anchorage. I know it gets cold, but... c'mon. There are always those nice days even in February when it's sunny and not too windy, just put on your long underpants and an extra pair of socks and suck it up. I'd rather brew in 10° weather than 90°!

cincydave · 10-23-2011, 08:26 PM

Got to agree with the bird. Don't think I'd fire up a propane burner indoors for the fire and CO hazards. Garage maybe?

CanadianQuaffer · 10-23-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_bird

Besides, you're in Jersey, not Anchorage. I know it gets cold, but... c'mon. There are always those nice days even in February when it's sunny and not too windy, just put on your long underpants and an extra pair of socks and suck it up. I'd rather brew in 10° weather than 90°!

+1
I grew up in NJ and those "winters" are pretty mild.

Daver77 · 10-23-2011, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianQuaffer

+1
I grew up in NJ and those "winters" are pretty mild.

Dude, last year we had snow on the ground everyday from Dec through March. Mild my ass

It's not so much the temps its the constant rain and snow. The problem with the garage is that there's no water supply in there. Cant bring a hose because it will be frozen.

this is that same deck. I want to brew when the weather is like this.

I want to brew and not have to look at the weather.

CanadianQuaffer · 10-23-2011, 08:42 PM

Wow...I lived in NJ for 12 years and I'd be surprised if the total amount of snow in all that time equaled what you have in that photo.

High_Iron · 10-23-2011, 08:43 PM

I brew in the garage in the winter, with the door half open

**Pappers_** · 10-23-2011, 08:43 PM

I brew in the garage in winter also. No water, but much safer.

**the_bird** · 10-23-2011, 08:45 PM

That actually looks like a pretty great day for brewing. It's sunny, it doesn't look windy, and it doesn't look THAT cold out (you aren't wearing a hat or gloves) I'd get out the shovel and go to town

I mean, if you've made up your mind, you've made up your mind. I personally think it's a really, REALLY bad idea. I'd rather do extract batches in the kitchen than set up my burner in the basement. Either that, or investigate an electric-brewing setup (that's what a lot of folks do to handle brewing indoors, but it's beyond my level of expertise).

Daver77 · 10-23-2011, 08:49 PM

So I gotta clean out the garage or see about and electric set up.

No water means can't use a wort chiller. Then again the copper may not handle the cold that well.

What to do?