Things are getting serious...dare I say 'commitment?'

So the past month, I've started 4 batches of brew....see sig. Anyway, I have really been getting into this as some of you may have noticed I have been frequenting here like a lot of you. So I have this wild hair up my ass, and I've been thinking about doing some organizing of our shop in the basement for my other hobbies, might as well make room for home brewing activities.

So here are some questions, thoughts, and I encourage all ideas as well, I have read threads and got some ideas from some of you, so feel free (I can take constructive criticism)

Idea #1
Building out of scrap and new wood a 3 tiered stand that I can have priamry carboys on top, secondary in the middle, and a low step for bottling buckets. This way I don't have to move carboys and disturb settlement on the bottom of the carboys. This would also allow me to stash extra equipment underneath so that not a lot of space is wasted.

Also included would be my mini-fridge from college to hold yeast and of course HB!!! (no brainer)

Idea #2
How long can sanitizing solution be used for? I plan on getting a big (maybe 7 gallon bucket with lid to keep sanitizing solution always handy. This is under the assumptions that A) as long as it's not dirty, it's all good and B) it doesn't break down over time, or loose its sanitizing power!

Idea #3
Beer bottle rack storage.....self explanatory....why not. Now, the question is wine rack style, or just shelving? Wine rack style will be nice if the girlfriend and I decided to make wine this summer.

Idea #4
Stealthed O2 pump. I'd like to get an O2 pump to oxygenate my brews nicely but having the bottle and pump underneath idea #1 of the tiered platform with a switch to turn it on and the tube coming from the inside. (mainly for esthetics)

Idea #5
<insert your comment of idea here>

Thanks ladies and gents

Oh wow are you hooked! Welcome to the mastermind stage of the addiction!

yes, addicted!

I have an addictive personality, and I love really really good beer, so it's a win win situation. We've been cleaning out the house recently, and it kinda sucks to have gotten so far of throwing things out, and now I have all of this HB equipment everywhere, and it needs to find a new home.

One thing I am worried about is that in the shop area where this will be going, I do a bit of sanding from time to time....should I be worried about dust in the air for the brews? It's not nearly as bad as the little pollen floating around outside now, but is that a concern?

98EXL said:

I'd like to get an O2 pump to oxygenate my brews nicely

Click to expand...

You don't want to oxygenate any beer, aerate perhaps but not oxygenate......

Idea: (For your mini-brewery) unless you already have this, an nice utility sink...

Here's my input, which is all opinion.

#1 - I don't see why that couldn't work though I think it has a lot to do with where you live and the ease of keeping the temp in the correct range. Here in central Texas the last thing I would want to do is raise my primary into the air because that air is warmer and frankly it's difficult enough keeping things cool at floor level. Also if you are using glass just be sure you are careful as you prop a full carboy up on your system after filling.

#2 - I think most solutions break down after time (I'm assuming). Is it really that hard and time consuming to make up a batch of fresh solution when you need it? Maybe I'm oversimplifying?

#3 - I know I have to keep corked bottles horizontal to keep the cork wet. Don't know the pros and cons of capped bottles being stored that way though.

#4 - Again, similar to #2, I don't know how much time and effort you spend on this. I'd say go for it as long as it doesn't make things more difficult to keep clean and sanitize. And I'm assuming you are referring to aerating your wort.

I guess I come from the KISS school.

lgtg said:

You don't want to oxygenate any beer, aerate perhaps but not oxygenate......

Idea: (For your mini-brewery) unless you already have this, an nice utility sink...

Click to expand...

then what is the purpose of a wort oxygenation system?

utility sink is duly noted, it's on the list....need to figure out how to tap the water lines in the basement, and where to drain it...probably the sump pump

poguemahone said:

Here's my input, which is all opinion.

#1 - I don't see why that couldn't work though I think it has a lot to do with where you live and the ease of keeping the temp in the correct range. Here in central Texas the last thing I would want to do is raise my primary into the air because that air is warmer and frankly it's difficult enough keeping things cool at floor level. Also if you are using glass just be sure you are careful as you prop a full carboy up on your system after filling.

Click to expand...

Temperatures in the basement seems to be steady, and only have gradual changes over the year here in MD. I'm pre-planning for summer time when the upstairs is warm, but the basement is nice and cool

poguemahone said:

#2 - I think most solutions break down after time (I'm assuming). Is it really that hard and time consuming to make up a batch of fresh solution when you need it? Maybe I'm oversimplifying?

Click to expand...

I was being Curious George, didn't know, and no it's not hard to make up some solution

poguemahone said:

#3 - I know I have to keep corked bottles horizontal to keep the cork wet. Don't know the pros and cons of capped bottles being stored that way though.

Click to expand...

knew about corks, but in the same boat about caps

poguemahone said:

#4 - Again, similar to #2, I don't know how much time and effort you spend on this. I'd say go for it as long as it doesn't make things more difficult to keep clean and sanitize. And I'm assuming you are referring to aerating your wort.

Click to expand...

yes, aerating the wort, but the device I was looking at my LHBS uses an Oxygen tank.......yes, no?

poguemahone said:

I guess I come from the KISS school.

Click to expand...

I come from that school too, but then I graduated from the School of Overkill as well

98EXL said:

yes, aerating the wort, but the device I was looking at my LHBS uses an Oxygen tank.......yes, no?

Click to expand...

You can either use a regular aquarium air pump with stone and hepa filter or pure oxygen.

The major differences from what I understand is that obviously the O2 system pumps pure oxygen and therefore you need only do it a few minutes compared to 20 minutes or so for the air pump. I've read examples of fermentation taking off faster with pure O2 but the jury is still out on whether it actually is any better for your beer. I've read more than a few opinions that the O2 system creates a "hollow" flavor that the air systems don't. All personal preference. I personally use the regular air system and let it run while I'm cleaning up my equipment.

Either way I suppose you could build in the pump or canister but make sure you do so in a way that you can remove your hose and stone and sterilize them prior to dipping into your wort. Also make sure it doesn't siphon liquid into your hepa.

98EXL said:

One thing I am worried about is that in the shop area where this will be going, I do a bit of sanding from time to time....should I be worried about dust in the air for the brews? It's not nearly as bad as the little pollen floating around outside now, but is that a concern?

Click to expand...

My boil occurs outside my dusty garage that's also got a bit of sawdust around. I use a lid with a notch cut for my spoon so that it keeps any big nasties out while I'm brewing (prior to that I've had leaves fall in - just pluck them out, didn't hurt a thing).

Mainly have to worry about dust when transferring to carboy and getting on your equipment (thermometer, thief, caps, etc). I make sure to turn off any fans and a/c when moving wort around and keep my sanitized gear covered with some foil.

I laid a couple HBs on their side and i wouldn't recommend doing that, you have the cake that forms in the bottle on the side rather than the bottom, could be troublesome...

98EXL said:

utility sink is duly noted, it's on the list....need to figure out how to tap the water lines in the basement, and where to drain it...probably the sump pump

Click to expand...

A utility sink is a must. Install a double basin. I keep one side filled with sanitizer solution. You'll never regret a few extra bucks for the second tub.

That said, don't drain to the sump pit. Tap into one of your plumbing drains that run from upstairs. You'll be surprized how much use you get from a utility sink and the stuff your bound to be running through the drain is not something you want running into your yard or the local sewage feed.

poguemahone said:

You can either use a regular aquarium air pump with stone and hepa filter or pure oxygen

Click to expand...

I've got a aquarium pump that I've been trying to figure something out to do with.....that sounds like it....just need a hepa filter

poguemahone said:

My boil occurs outside my dusty garage that's also got a bit of sawdust around. I use a lid with a notch cut for my spoon so that it keeps any big nasties out while I'm brewing (prior to that I've had leaves fall in - just pluck them out, didn't hurt a thing).

Mainly have to worry about dust when transferring to carboy and getting on your equipment (thermometer, thief, caps, etc). I make sure to turn off any fans and a/c when moving wort around and keep my sanitized gear covered with some foil.

Click to expand...

so just be careful....got it

DeadYetiBrew said:

I laid a couple HBs on their side and i wouldn't recommend doing that, you have the cake that forms in the bottle on the side rather than the bottom, could be troublesome...

Click to expand...

yeah, didn't think about that

BierMuncher said:

A utility sink is a must. Install a double basin. I keep one side filled with sanitizer solution. You'll never regret a few extra bucks for the second tub.

That said, don't drain to the sump pit. Tap into one of your plumbing drains that run from upstairs. You'll be surprized how much use you get from a utility sink and the stuff your bound to be running through the drain is not something you want running into your yard or the local sewage feed.

Click to expand...

good call on the double sink....but I don't see why dumping into the sump would not be a good idea....all of everything goes into a drainage field in the backyard anyway......

98EXL said:

good call on the double sink....but I don't see why dumping into the sump would not be a good idea....all of everything goes into a drainage field in the backyard anyway......

Click to expand...

If you are using Idophor for your sanitation you don't want to put it down the drain into your septic. It will wreck the bacteria in your septic tank if you put it down the drain.

nah, we have a drain field for everything....no tank. I have no idea if that is good or bad, but it's there nonetheless

DON'T LAY BOTTLES ON THEIR SIDES!!!! I did this. For 3 months 3 22oz bottles I couldn't fit in my box with the rest laid there. The beer softened the rubber on the under side of the cap and rusted a bit. Nasty metal rust taste in my bottles.... DON'T LAY THEM DOWN!!!! for a day or 2, camping trip i'm sure it's fine, long time storage keep them straight up and down.... just my 2cp.

good info....I guess I don't want to lay them down afterall