Fermentation Fumes - Eyes Water, Throat Burns

[DaNewf]

I'm current doing my first partial mash brew. This is also the first brew I've done in the new chest freezer I bought for temperature control (coupled with an STC-1000 and a heat belt).

The problem I have is when I stick my head in there my eyes water and my throat burns a little. You may be wondering "Why are you sticking you head in there?" Good question. I'm brewing a stout and since my fermenter is semi transparent I was trying to see if the volcano had errupted yet. I know I should leave it alone but I like to watch a stout "take off".

What I'm wondering is if the fumes being produced are normal? Until now my fermentation took place on a table in large open area in my basement and any escaping gas had pretty of room to disipate. Now it is happening in a small (5 cubic foot) chest freezer. The gas only has a chance to escape when I get curious and crack the freezer open for a peek.

Anyone have any similar experience, should I be worried?

Thanks.

 

[TyTanium]

Yeah, that's CO2. It burns. Totally normal.

Nice for taking samples; less O2 getting in.

 

[DaNewf]

Thanks TyTanium,

I didn't realize CO2 did that (I thought something else was causing it) but then again I've never been exposed to a high concentration before.

One less thing to be concerned with, I appreciate the help.

 

[gregoreckbrews]

I also recently starting fermenting in a chest freezer for temperature control. I always like to smell the yeast at work during primary fermentation, and when the fermenter is sitting in an open room, I had to put my nose close to the airlock and inhale deeply. So you can imagine what happened when I attempted the same thing in the chest freezer.... I started coughing, and I could slightly feel it in my throat for a few hours. Definitely learned my lesson on that one.