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Breaking in my new brew room, brew rig and equipment setup with an American Amber Ale. Just lit the strike up...1:11 PM Labor Day 2011
Basement Brew House
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Breaking in my new brew room, brew rig and equipment setup with an American Amber Ale. Just lit the strike up...1:11 PM Labor Day 2011
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Wow... worked like a champ...hit the strike temp, missed the decoction temp. (just added 1 qt boiling water) and brought up. Pics of Pale Ale, and brew stool and the rig in action, first running's and sparging!!! (note the fan.. does get a little warm...)
I need more fermenters!!!
I need more fermenters!!!
LoveMiBeer
Member
Congrats! Beautiful setup. Enjoy making beer in your brew basement.
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Installed the Exhaust Fan, built a mount to fit into the window so I would not have to cut holes in house, plus a straight shot from just above the burners out the window. With the fall air getting cooler, the brew room is staying quite cool. Sink and plumbing is next ...
Dougan
Well-Known Member
Awesome build. Just got myself a house and I am aspiring to do something like this myself eventually. I conveniently have a chimney that isn't being used so I may take advantage of that. Seeing these pictures gets me motivated.
Say, a tip-- I didn't read every post you had but just in case, I would consider changing those outlets to ground fault protected outlets. Might be overkill but It's probably required by building codes in your area (with the sink), although I think you can't really go into a basement brewery project with the expectation that you'll meet building codes
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Say, a tip-- I didn't read every post you had but just in case, I would consider changing those outlets to ground fault protected outlets. Might be overkill but It's probably required by building codes in your area (with the sink), although I think you can't really go into a basement brewery project with the expectation that you'll meet building codes
.BrewinBR:
This is a nice setup. I am also in Big Rapids; however, just graduating this dec 17. Are you happy to hear that Crankers is finally opening the Brewery in the spring? I wish I would be around for it, but I guess it could be a place to come visit in the future. I like your piece on the Centennial do you know how much the costs is for one batch?
This is a nice setup. I am also in Big Rapids; however, just graduating this dec 17. Are you happy to hear that Crankers is finally opening the Brewery in the spring? I wish I would be around for it, but I guess it could be a place to come visit in the future. I like your piece on the Centennial do you know how much the costs is for one batch?
BigBobsBrews
Well-Known Member
Brewing indoors, with propane, on a wood frame, next to non-gfci outlets. Sorry man, but this has got bad idea written all over it.
Honestly it's like the perfect example of what not to do. Think about it, assuming you don't light your wood stand on fire & burn your house down you still have to worry about carbon monoxide poising. Your vents are near the ceiling, but propane is denser than air (and will therefore sink) so there's an explosion hazard, especially considering how small that room is it would only take a small leak.
I'm not trying to rain on your parade I just don't want anyone to get hurt. I can see you have already put alot of work into this, but I really think you should take a few steps back and reconsider this one.
Honestly it's like the perfect example of what not to do. Think about it, assuming you don't light your wood stand on fire & burn your house down you still have to worry about carbon monoxide poising. Your vents are near the ceiling, but propane is denser than air (and will therefore sink) so there's an explosion hazard, especially considering how small that room is it would only take a small leak.
I'm not trying to rain on your parade I just don't want anyone to get hurt. I can see you have already put alot of work into this, but I really think you should take a few steps back and reconsider this one.
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First of all not raining on any parade ... a lot of this has been discussed many times by many others ... I really do appreciate the concern and I have in fact thought this completely through.
1. Propane is denser than air and will settle to the floor so there are multiple fans that run when I have the 20lb tank in the room, which is only when it is in use. Otherwise the tank is outside, all of the connections are tested each time I connect the tank (yes I mean each time, it is part of a check list).
2. You are correct, a big concern is carbon monoxide which is a real worry. However it is in fact lighter than air, slightly, {CO molar mass is 28.0 and air is 28.8} and since it is hot when created it rises. Normally CO so readily mixes with the surrounding air that placement of a detector anywhere in the room will work (yes there is a CO detector and a fire extinguisher). This is why there are fans running at all times, 4 inch 80 CFM fresh air in, a 6 inch 90 CFM exhaust fan. A 21 inch box fan on the floor by the bottle rack blowing toward the door, a 21 in box fan on the floor in the door blowing out and a 21 inch box fan on hinges at the top of the door blowing in. The air circulates in the room so much that even with all burners running the room is still cold... like 52F in the winter.
3. The propane burners are indoor rated burners (not turkey fryer burners) and having brewed 7, five gallon batches, in the room I can verify none of the wood gets even the slightest bit warm. Also if the burners are lit I am in the room and being very much a OCD type person my brew days are planned and documented to 10th degree, including a pre-brew check list.
4 The outlets are connected to an isolated circuit that powers that room and the breaker is ground fault so the entire room is ground fault. No need to ground fault the individual sockets.
Like I said I have really thought this through completely and did the research on the gasses of combustion and burner safety and the proper way to adjust the burners and fire safety. I planned it carefully, and use caution. I was a little concerned about moisture but the air changes in there so fast that I don't even get any condensation during the boil.
1. Propane is denser than air and will settle to the floor so there are multiple fans that run when I have the 20lb tank in the room, which is only when it is in use. Otherwise the tank is outside, all of the connections are tested each time I connect the tank (yes I mean each time, it is part of a check list).
2. You are correct, a big concern is carbon monoxide which is a real worry. However it is in fact lighter than air, slightly, {CO molar mass is 28.0 and air is 28.8} and since it is hot when created it rises. Normally CO so readily mixes with the surrounding air that placement of a detector anywhere in the room will work (yes there is a CO detector and a fire extinguisher). This is why there are fans running at all times, 4 inch 80 CFM fresh air in, a 6 inch 90 CFM exhaust fan. A 21 inch box fan on the floor by the bottle rack blowing toward the door, a 21 in box fan on the floor in the door blowing out and a 21 inch box fan on hinges at the top of the door blowing in. The air circulates in the room so much that even with all burners running the room is still cold... like 52F in the winter.
3. The propane burners are indoor rated burners (not turkey fryer burners) and having brewed 7, five gallon batches, in the room I can verify none of the wood gets even the slightest bit warm. Also if the burners are lit I am in the room and being very much a OCD type person my brew days are planned and documented to 10th degree, including a pre-brew check list.
4 The outlets are connected to an isolated circuit that powers that room and the breaker is ground fault so the entire room is ground fault. No need to ground fault the individual sockets.
Like I said I have really thought this through completely and did the research on the gasses of combustion and burner safety and the proper way to adjust the burners and fire safety. I planned it carefully, and use caution. I was a little concerned about moisture but the air changes in there so fast that I don't even get any condensation during the boil.
OP
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Congrats on Graduating... Ferris is great school. My granddaughter will start there next year. I buy the grain in bulk and harvest yeast from Bell's so the cost is not that much, but I have never really ever calculated it out. I knew Crankers was trying to get license but did not know it was really happening, that is pretty good.
I would call your insurance company and ask them if they cover a room like this. You should tell them the truth, something like:
Speaking in third person below as if I was on the phone with them.
I am brewing beer in my basement on a system that I designed and built myself. It has a wooden frame, is attached to an insolated wooden wall. The brewery uses Bayou Classic BG12 gas burners which is capable of supplying 50,000 btu. The burners are made in China. I have read all the complete warning manual that were supplied to me when I bought the Bayou Classic Bg12 burner and fully understand 100% what was said in that manual. Even though I am not following all the safety alerts in the supplied BG12 Manual, I still think what I am doing is right. I also don't think that some of these safety alerts apply to me.
Here is a copy of it for you to read:
http://www.thebayou.com/Pages/Print_files/Gas_cookers_manual.swf
It is my belief that these burners are indoor rated and safe for indoor use even though the safety manual says for outdoor use only. I have installed all the gas plumbing myself, and I check the brewery for safety each time I brew. I have an extensive safety checklist that I made myself that I run through each time I brew. I use a 20lbs Propane tank is inside the house during brewing, however, when I am not brewing I put it outside. I also installed all the electrical myself and think it is safe. I didn't feel the need to install GFCI as the entire circuit is so protected so the whole circuit will blow if there ever is a problem. I have a bunch of fans to dissipate the dangerous gases in the room. The brewery room is less than 100 square feet. I am kinda of worried about the carbon monoxide, however, I think all the fans that I have installed will take care of the carbon monoxide. I also have a co2 detector and fire extinguisher if needed. It is my belief that no inspections are necessary.
End of third person speech.
I agree, it is a very nice setup. I have yet to hear about a disaster, however, when and if something ever happens, I seriously doubt an insurance will pay anything and you may get sued civilly and criminally for neglect in the event you caused damage to your neighbors.
I am an American living in Germany, this kind of thing is seriously forbidden in Germany and my insurance would never pay for damage to life, property or negligence if I blew up my house and my neighbors too.
I would call your local city inspector and have them come and tell you if something like this is ok even if you are not required to get an approval. My best guess would be though no inspection, no insurance coverage, lose lawsuit. The mere fact that this topic is on this forum is a big problem for you if someone should ever find it and need it to use against you.
I would also call the Bayou Classic company and tell them what you have done and see what they say, here is the Tech Support phone number: 1 800-736-8028.
In the end, it's your fiduciary duty to make sure that room is safe for yourself and others in or around.
Just my two cents, brew on and have a great day.
Speaking in third person below as if I was on the phone with them.
I am brewing beer in my basement on a system that I designed and built myself. It has a wooden frame, is attached to an insolated wooden wall. The brewery uses Bayou Classic BG12 gas burners which is capable of supplying 50,000 btu. The burners are made in China. I have read all the complete warning manual that were supplied to me when I bought the Bayou Classic Bg12 burner and fully understand 100% what was said in that manual. Even though I am not following all the safety alerts in the supplied BG12 Manual, I still think what I am doing is right. I also don't think that some of these safety alerts apply to me.
Here is a copy of it for you to read:
http://www.thebayou.com/Pages/Print_files/Gas_cookers_manual.swf
It is my belief that these burners are indoor rated and safe for indoor use even though the safety manual says for outdoor use only. I have installed all the gas plumbing myself, and I check the brewery for safety each time I brew. I have an extensive safety checklist that I made myself that I run through each time I brew. I use a 20lbs Propane tank is inside the house during brewing, however, when I am not brewing I put it outside. I also installed all the electrical myself and think it is safe. I didn't feel the need to install GFCI as the entire circuit is so protected so the whole circuit will blow if there ever is a problem. I have a bunch of fans to dissipate the dangerous gases in the room. The brewery room is less than 100 square feet. I am kinda of worried about the carbon monoxide, however, I think all the fans that I have installed will take care of the carbon monoxide. I also have a co2 detector and fire extinguisher if needed. It is my belief that no inspections are necessary.
End of third person speech.
I agree, it is a very nice setup. I have yet to hear about a disaster, however, when and if something ever happens, I seriously doubt an insurance will pay anything and you may get sued civilly and criminally for neglect in the event you caused damage to your neighbors.
I am an American living in Germany, this kind of thing is seriously forbidden in Germany and my insurance would never pay for damage to life, property or negligence if I blew up my house and my neighbors too.
I would call your local city inspector and have them come and tell you if something like this is ok even if you are not required to get an approval. My best guess would be though no inspection, no insurance coverage, lose lawsuit. The mere fact that this topic is on this forum is a big problem for you if someone should ever find it and need it to use against you.
I would also call the Bayou Classic company and tell them what you have done and see what they say, here is the Tech Support phone number: 1 800-736-8028.
In the end, it's your fiduciary duty to make sure that room is safe for yourself and others in or around.
Just my two cents, brew on and have a great day.
OP
OP
Awesome build. Just got myself a house and I am aspiring to do something like this myself eventually. I conveniently have a chimney that isn't being used so I may take advantage of that. Seeing these pictures gets me motivated.
Say, a tip-- I didn't read every post you had but just in case, I would consider changing those outlets to ground fault protected outlets. Might be overkill but It's probably required by building codes in your area (with the sink), although I think you can't really go into a basement brewery project with the expectation that you'll meet building codes
Thank You ... I really love my brew room, it is nice and works well and I have everything in one place. In my township no permit is required until the work exceeds 100 square feet, so building codes were not an issue since there was no inspection. The room is on an isolated ground fault breaker. Have not got the sink installed yet because I need to solve the drain issue since there is no drain in the basement and need a pump system for it.
Dougan
Well-Known Member
Cool. That ground fault main breaker is probably even better than my suggestion and not much more work since you started from scratch. Good to hear you have thought a lot about safety with all of this.
I still wonder what an insurance company will think of something like thid. My fear is that when I end up doing something like this, there is no level of safety they will be happy with.
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No need to worry about hurting the neighbors house, it is about a 1/2 mile away. If my house goes up in flames then it could start a forest fire and then I am totally screwed because it could start some of the 540,000 + acres of the Manistee National Forest that is right next to me. When I sent pics of the wood burners I installed to heat the house the insurance agent said, okay.
I would call Bayou but I am not using their burners, mine are low pressure burners with a low pressure regulator. No way as hot as the high pressure used by most brewers but the high pressure burners are not meant to be used indoors. The low pressure ones I use are clean and efficient and designed to be used indoors. No way near as fast and a 6 to 7 gallon boil takes some time to get a roiling boil but much safer indoors than the hot high pressure less efficient burners.
I will call the insurance agents and send them pics ... that is a good idea. Probably get the same response I did when I sent the pics about the wood stoves.
I would call Bayou but I am not using their burners, mine are low pressure burners with a low pressure regulator. No way as hot as the high pressure used by most brewers but the high pressure burners are not meant to be used indoors. The low pressure ones I use are clean and efficient and designed to be used indoors. No way near as fast and a 6 to 7 gallon boil takes some time to get a roiling boil but much safer indoors than the hot high pressure less efficient burners.
I will call the insurance agents and send them pics ... that is a good idea. Probably get the same response I did when I sent the pics about the wood stoves.
The first few pictures were a bit odd in that the wall studs and ceiling joists look like they are mixed spacing and sometimes up to 46 inches on center. It's not really my cup of tea to do such things but the drywall is up and the train has left the station.
There are people that use propane tanks inside the house and those that warn them against it. You're going to do what you're going to do but I'm glad people voiced their concerns.
I think that brew space can really benefit from an electric conversion.
There are people that use propane tanks inside the house and those that warn them against it. You're going to do what you're going to do but I'm glad people voiced their concerns.
I think that brew space can really benefit from an electric conversion.
pinback
Well-Known Member
you are much farther north, but i know of some insurance companies who freak out at the sight of a chimney, stove or no stove. freak out as in jack the rates up. could just be a gimmick, but quite annoying considering a homeowner that smokes indoors is at equal or great risk for house fire.
its really all about common sense and proper care/maintenance anytime there is fire involved.
its really all about common sense and proper care/maintenance anytime there is fire involved.
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Bobby M -- I did and I am still considering going electric and may do so when I move to a 10 or 15 gallon setup. Yes some of the previous stud wall were built in a irregular fashion but since they only support drywall it really did not matter. I did add a couple of studs in places for the drywall.
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Wood burners in houses, garages, basements and even 45 year old mobile homes are a common sight here. Our daytime highs this time of year barely clear the freezing point and should normally be lower.
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There are so many things wrong with that brew room, let me list them.
No
Old Rasputin,
Bigfoot Barley wine,
Torpedo,
Dirty Old Bastard,
Just to name a few from a long list
Nice job!
Thanks ... I love it, it is great place to brew and bottle and work. All of my equipment and everything I need in one spot, always clean and neat. Thinking about doing a pictorial essay of brew day and a bottling session.
NateLTB
Well-Known Member
What an amazing brew space! You have inspired me to create something like this. Well done!
Please do!
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Thank You ... good luck with your project. I like building things so the planning and building were almost as much fun as brewing in it.
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Ok I will be bottling my very first American Black Ale on Saturday Afternoon. Then Sunday will be brewing a Centennial IPA using yeast harvested from Bell's Amber Ale. Will take the pictures and write up a report and post next week. The Basement Brew Room in action...
I love the set-up and all...wish I had the room to have something like that but I would be concerned with violating some type of building code or fire code. Propane tanks are to be stored outside and not inside. Propane usually needs a saftey valve as well - for indoor usage.
Personally it should have been in an area that's a little bit bigger - it looks crammed. Just be careful....
Personally it should have been in an area that's a little bit bigger - it looks crammed. Just be careful....
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Thanks ....
It is a small space but adequate for brewing in and bottling. Keeps all my equipment clean and safe and stored in one place. I am currently in the process of installing a sink with a small counter space for washing equipment. It is a pain to haul everything upstairs to wash and dry then haul it back down. Plus hauling water to brew with was a major PITA. Stay tuned will be posting pictures shortly.
I'm loving it Bro. Great job and I hope you enjoy your new brewhaus!
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A sink
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moved my laptop table and the sockets. On top of the shelves are speakers and a fire extinguisher, behind laptop is the CO monitor.
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the lower burner so I could use my new brew pot and got a new HLT. I can now do a full sparge in one heating....
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chiller 40 feet of copper coil.... out of the pot at +200 and into the bucket at 68, just open the valve. Gravity is my friend.
I've often wondered if an immersion cooler could effectively be used to run hot wort through a cold bath instead of vice-versa. Thanks.
On a side note, what about running it through an equal length of plastic hose as opposed to copper coil?
On a side note, what about running it through an equal length of plastic hose as opposed to copper coil?
TaylorInOK
Well-Known Member
Great brewcave build! Thanks for all the pics and updates.
OatStraw
Well-Known Member
Has anyone mentioned you shouldn't be doing this with wood in you're basement? J/K!
Looks good, thinking about using angle iron to make myself a stand.
Looks good, thinking about using angle iron to make myself a stand.
The plastic doesn't conduct heat like metal does, so the ice won't transfer through to the inside of the hose where the beer is. Plastic is more of an insulator than a conductor.
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Yup lots of people have mentioned that there is a lot of wood around those burners, the wood does not even get warm. That angled steel is just like a big boys erector set. Was fun to build.
OatStraw
Well-Known Member
Yeah I know, just making a joke because it seems to be the #1 thing people are commenting on. Where did you get the angled steel from?
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Lowe's is 1 1/4" 12 gauge
Edit --- the steel was $14.28 per 48" piece I used 1 1/2" 14 gauge flat for the burner mounts..
I did get a nice smile from the wood joke ... I like to work with wood, built most of that room from left over pieces from remodeling I have down to the house, so I have spent very little on the room itself... just wise use of scraps...
Here's a link to your local Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/pl_Metal+Products_4294865677_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1
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thanks... never thought of that. Will give it go!
