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Brewing in the garage with a propane burner?

Discussion in 'Beginners Beer Brewing Forum' started by Jukas, Mar 16, 2012.

 

  1. #1
    Jukas

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    Folks,

    As of now I can only brew on the weekends and I just blew my last keg (sadpanda) :eek: . It's been raining for the past week, and is supposed to rain until at least Tuesday. I'd really like to brew on Sunday and ideally I'd put the pot & burner in my driveway, but if it's raining that's a obvious no go.

    Could I get brew inside the garage with the door open and pot & kettle right at the door opening just under the roof overhang?
     
  2. #2
    Wolfhound180

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    Yep that's how I do it every time. No worries.
     
  3. #3
    BeerDoctor5

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    That's what I do. I'm 2/2 in not getting CO poisoning:mug:
     
  4. #4
    kh54s10

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    I brew in the garage all the time with the door wide open.

    I watch very carefully, I do not want to burn my house down.

    I also pay attention for symptoms carbon monoxide poisoning. I do not want to die.

    I need a new alarm. On my last brew I found out my old one was not working properly.
     
  5. #5
    brettwasbtd

    Awesomeness Award Winnner  

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    I also do this, if you have a fan that you can put on blowing from the garage door (to the house) out of the garage that helps. I also keep CO/fire alarm by the door.
     
  6. #6
    gtnutz

    Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    I just picked up a burner this last weekend and was thing the same thing.

    Another question I have is to leave the pot covered or uncovered??? While in my house I leave it uncovered as instructed by my LHBS but worry about bugs and stuff getting into the open pot outside.

    :D
     
  7. #7
    Fennis

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    I do this in my garage. I open a garage door and a side door so there is a natural flow of air coming through. Its how I usually brew because its a nice, level, concrete floor, and my driveway is gravel and uphill. I've brewed my last 4 batches this way.
     
  8. #8
    Fennis

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    Uncovered! I am pretty sure you do not want to leave it covered during your boil.
     
  9. #9
    cfonnes

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    Leave the pot uncovered, if it is covered the DMS cannot escape.

    Besides if spiders do get in there they will be sanitized so you do not have to worry. :cross:
     
  10. #10
    spokaniac

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    Bugs should be no problem as long as they get in early enough in the boil so they're sanitized.
    But seriously, just get one of those splatter screens for frying bacon and set that over your pot. Keep all the junk out and let you keep an eye on everything. They even have a handle on them so you can lift it off to stir and add hops.
     
  11. #11
    jotakah

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    What's wrong with the rain? I've brewed in the rain/snow a bunch of times and it's never caused me a problem
     
  12. #12
    BainbridgeBrewer

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    I brew in the garage with a propane burner. I just leave the outside door open and the garage door cracked open about 12". I also went and bought a carbon monoxide alarm just in case. I've never had it go off.
     
  13. #13
    Hang Glider

    Beer Drinker  

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    10 years of brewing in the garage, with the door open (no fan, either). I'm still here, so...




    I think you'd actually have to "try" to get CO2 poisoning this way - huddling near the flame and not moving...
     
  14. #14
    beerman315

    Active Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    Make sure there's nothing gross on the ceiling that could drip into your beer. I've brewed a few batches on the patio of my apartment, and the bottom of the patio above mine had some nasty moss growing on the underside. I was worried all the hot moisture from the boil would condense and drip back in so I had to position the kettle just in the right spot.
     
  15. #15
    beerloin

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    you don't even need to do this...

    i have boiled 15+ batches in the garage with the door open and never had an issue with bugs trying to get in. Although, I do understand why they would WANT to... the smell itself if rather intoxicating!!!
     
  16. #16
    william_shakes_beer

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    If you put in a co monitor, mount it low. co is heavier than air and builds up near the floor. Or you could keep an eye on your cat.....
     
  17. #17
    Jukas

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Mar 16, 2012
    Thanks folks. What has two thumbs and will be brewing this weekend? This guy!
     
  18. #18
    Scoobs95407

    Active Member

    Posted Mar 17, 2012
    I brew in the garage all the time with propane burner. I just leave the garage door and side door open. Good luck with brew day. I will be brewing Monday in my garage in Santa Rosa. What are you brewing?
     
  19. #19
    Jukas

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Mar 17, 2012
    Nice to see there are other local brewers on hbt! I'm brewing up a batch of EdWorts Haus Pale Ale. I normally prefer a hopier pale ale or ipa, but my wide likes lighter beers, so I'm hoping this could be a good compromise.
     
  20. #20
    beerman0001

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 17, 2012
    If she does not like that then the speckled heifer from NB will get ya some.
     
  21. #21
    landshark

    HMFIC  

    Posted Mar 17, 2012
    Brewed in the kitchen once with my burner. Set all the smoke and Co2 sensors off in my house. so I moved it to the garage.

    just crack the garage door to let the Co2 escape.
     
  22. #22
    dstamper441

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 17, 2012
    I brew outdoors all the time. The occasional bee gets sanitized in the boil, fish it out with a strainer
     
  23. #23
    GASoline71

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 17, 2012
    Brewed in the garage from day 1. Crappy/cold weather I open the back door to the garage, and I have a window on the other wall that I open as well.

    Gary
     
  24. #24
    pmzjr69

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Mar 17, 2012
    Bugs could be surprise flavor for your brew! Experiment!
     
  25. #25
    bionicrocky

    Active Member

    Posted Feb 19, 2014
    As a fellow Oregonian, I'd never be able to brew if I had to wait for no rain!
     
  26. #26
    FireManDan

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jun 10, 2017
    For the sake of safety, that is a complete myth. CO has a molar mass of 28.0, and air has an average molar mass of 28.8. The difference is so slight that CO is found to evenly distribute itself indoors. It is worth mentioning that CO indoors is usually generated from incomplete combustion (heat source) and therefore traveling in a warm air stream. Warm air is more buoyant and does rise. Coupling this fact with the knowledge that CO is lighter than air… I personally have my CO detector located on the ceilings. Still look out for your furry friends
     
    Totally likes this.
  27. #27
    brewbama

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jun 10, 2017
    I'd set up the EZ Up and brew in the driveway as always. I don't like the idea of brewing in the garage. I know others do it. That's just me.
     
  28. #28
    Jwin

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jun 10, 2017
    [​IMG]

    Though, good fireman advice
     
  29. #29
    FireManDan

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jun 10, 2017

    LMAO, sorry dudes. I haven't brewed in 2 years. I just finished my brewing system and today is its maiden voyage and I've been prepping everything all week. Typically where i live in California its 100° at this time of the year. As my luck would have its going to be 73° today with winds of 20 to 25 mph. :mad:

    With that being said i was laying in bed searching for something, a one liner perhaps that would make me feel better about what I'm going to do.

    As forecasted, the winds are moving today. Its nice and cool. If I'm going to brew, which i will, I'm confined to my garage. I know and understand the dangers, I probably should just wait, but the longing to brew is over powering.

    So again I say sorry for in my quest for comfort something didn't for right, being a safety Sam I couldn't move on without saying something, I hope everyone reading this has a great day!

    Stay safe, cheers
     
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