Basement Brewing with Turkey Fryer

[jd3]

I would go to the dentist quick and get a good set of xrays done.



They are going to need them to identify your body.

 

[Kalvaroo]

I agree with everyone else on not doing this in your basement. The point has been made. You're going to need to exhaust the heat and moisture from your boil. Most basements already have a problem with moisture and boiling wort in your basement is definitely not going to help. Most importantly propane pools in low lying places. So you better hope you have a completely sealed system and definitely make sure you never leave your gas on. Maybe if you had a better system than "turkey fryers".

Just something to think about though. People burn propane indoors all the time. Look at RV's, trailers, and mobile homes, even some houses. I've seen it all over the south.
Burning propane does not produce CO (carbon monoxide) it does however consume oxygen. There's nothing wrong with burning propane indoors. Crack a window if you're worried.

Just don't do this in your basement with a turkey fryer and bathroom fan...

 

[janivar123]

every winter theres a camper who dies from co poisonining
Basement is the worst place you can be...
bathtroom fan of 120m3 minute should make it safe no matter(im not liable for my advise im not an US citisen)

 

[reim0027]

Burning propane does not produce CO (carbon monoxide) it does however consume oxygen.

Everybody tells me the opposite. Even these links from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and OSHA

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

Everybody tells me the opposite. Even these links from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and OSHA

It will not produce CO during an "ideal burn"...adjusted perfectly between rich and lean. If your burn is either too rich or too lean, it WILL produce CO.

 

[reim0027]

Got it. Thanks.

 

[McMalty]

Well for f*cksakes. All I wanted was a simple answer to a simple question. Thank you to those who answered civily, the hell with the rest of you. Apparently this site is for insulting fellow homebrewers who ask questions about situations they are not familiar with. Looks like I'll find another site to discuss brewing techniques.

they're just trying to save your life, buddy, calm down. ur on a forum, u should expect a reasonable amount of smarta$$ remarks

 

[joety]

they're just trying to save your life, buddy, calm down. ur on a forum, u should expect a reasonable amount of smarta$$ remarks

Agreed, don't give up on this place, yet. I brew in my basement, but with natural gas and a 6 foot by 4 foot commercial exhaust hood and 860 cfm in-line blower with an open window for makeup air. As others have pointed out, propane sinks, natural gas rises. A propane leak will pool on your basement floor, migrate over to the burner under your water heater, and KABBOOM!!. They are just looking out for your best interests.

Next time you are heading down HWY 41 in Washington County, send me a PM and I'll give you a tour.

 

[ao125]

People burn propane indoors all the time. Look at RV's, trailers, and mobile homes, even some houses. I've seen it all over the south.

Not every meth lab explodes - there might be a chance

Do I need to install some sort of exhaust fan because of the burners?

I think ultimately you asked the wrong question, which is why you got the answers you did. The question you should have asked was: "Should I do this at all?" - to which most people are giving you a resounding "no."

Realistically there are more really good reasons not to use a propane turkey fryer burner in a basement than there are reasons to do it.

 

[nebben]

Just to be clear, it isn't my intention to piss anyone off here. However, when a question is brought up regarding something so easily avoidable and extremely hazardous in nature, I don't give a **** about feelings.

Propane turkey fryers aren't in the same league as RV appliances. You have ready access to ~50K BTUs , and can potentially kill yourself and others with the CO produced, or from a fire. Propane is heavier than air, so a leak in the tank or line could produce another serious situation for you your basement, and others nearby. Even with fans, be very clear in understanding that you are intentionally engaging in a quite dangerous and deadly action. Make sure your family knows and consents to this.

While it may be true that some posters on this thread are being dicks, it doesn't change the fact that their messages are right.

When I boil on my fryer, I usually experience some smoking from the burner, and yellow flame. I have adjusted and adjusted. These burners are not precision items. They make a lot of heat, and tht is it. After mine gets dirty with use, the ability to get a clean flame gets more difficult. I sometimes get a headache just when stirring the wort, when in am over the pot or right next to it for more than a few minutes.

Beer is great, but it isn't worth killing yourself or losing your house over. Brewing outside is great anyway.

 

[SickTransitMundus]

When I boil on my fryer, I usually experience some smoking from the burner, and yellow flame.

The yellow flame is a clear indication that you're producing CO. I've noticed that the cheap turkey fryers do this after a few uses, and especially if you let it get gunked up or rusted.

 

[ao125]

How about this:
http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com...tm_campaign=Heavy-Duty-Ranges&source=googleps

18" Natural Gas Stock Pot Range - $342.
Professionally installed, this might not be a bad idea - but you'd still want a hood to vent everything.

$40 turkey fryer is no bueno.

 

[ao125]

Or eliminate the need for a gas burner entirely with a countertop induction range:
http://www.katom.com/175-59300.html

They'll easily get up to 450°F, which is more than you need.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Complete combustion of propane
C3H8+5O2--->3CO2+4H2O

Incomplete combustion of propane
2C3H8+7O2--->6CO+8H2O

 

[MrAverage]

Complete combustion of propane
C3H8+5O2--->3CO2+4H2O

Incomplete combustion of propane
2C3H8+7O2--->6CO+8H2O

So with a perfect set up and complete combustion, you get CO2 - which is a poisonous gas that's heavier than air, and with an imperfect set up with incomplete combustion you get CO - a poisonous gas that's slightly lighter than air.

I guess the choice is do you hope to acheive perfect combustion and fill up your basement with toxic gas starting from ground level and working up or do you hope for imperfect combustion and fill your basement with toxic gas from ceiling level working down?

Either way, it's a bad idea.

 

[humblesea]

This thread just made me very nervous, I've been brewing with a turkey fryer propane burner in my kitchen for a few years, 20-30 all-grain batches. I open plenty of windows and there's no basement below me. I can adjust the flame everytime so I get it to a balanced flame (I think) with no yellow flames. Have I been pushing my luck this whole time?

 

[Mysticmead]

This thread just made me very nervous, I've been brewing with a turkey fryer propane burner in my kitchen for a few years, 20-30 all-grain batches. I open plenty of windows and there's no basement below me. I can adjust the flame everytime so I get it to a balanced flame (I think) with no yellow flames. Have I been pushing my luck this whole time?

it should make you very nervous. there are reasons the turkey fryers have warnings on them to not use them inside... and it's not just because of a possible oil fire either. are there others that live in the house with you? think of them and then take it outside..

 

[zepolmot]

On top of everything that's already been said, isn't it also the case that using turkey fryers indoors may violate certain homeowners insurance policies as they clearly state they're intended for outdoor use?

 

[janivar123]

Oh well atleast here its illegal to store propane below ground level
Insurance company will be happy to not having to pay out any fire damage

 

[mcaple1]

i do it in the garage with the door open....works for me

 

[McMalty]

This thread just made me very nervous, I've been brewing with a turkey fryer propane burner in my kitchen for a few years, 20-30 all-grain batches. I open plenty of windows and there's no basement below me. I can adjust the flame everytime so I get it to a balanced flame (I think) with no yellow flames. Have I been pushing my luck this whole time?

yes you have

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Y E S @ the least!!!! Go electric:-/
Be careful!!!

 

[coffeediver]

I have a late friend who kept a propane bottle in his basement, it leaked, and when it pooled around the water heater, his house came off the foundation. Although this is not what he died of, he could have.

Barry

 

[Scooby_Brew]

So I am setting up a room in my basement for my brewery. I plan on using propane turkey fryers for my HLT and Brew Kettle. Do I need to install some sort of exhaust fan because of the burners?

Go with NATURAL GAS not propane, a CO detector, a fan and exhaust like Joe:
[ame]http://youtu.be/Zk6d1dy9jOc[/ame]

 

[DanPoch]

i do it in the garage with the door open....works for me

Your neighbors must love you!

Couldn't resist, sorry. all kidding aside, I do my brewing in the garage with the door and window open too. Works well even in the winter with the door only 1/3 open the CO detector hasn't had anything to say about it.

Never would I consider using propane in the house. Not with 3 kids and a wife inside!

 

[BenjaminBier]

Not to troll here, but I did an informal survey of posters' locations while reading this thread and noticed a regional difference. Posters from the midwest were more sympathetic, even if they were against using propane in the house, whereas posters from outside the midwest were less sympathetic.

I don't think people from outside the midwest quite realize how cold -40F is. In certain circumstances, burning propane indoors is pretty common in the midwest.

For the OP, I wouldn't do it, man. I'd convert my ice-fishing shack into a ice-brewing shack and move it outside.

 

[Mysticmead]

I know how cold -40 is.. I spent 2 years in grand forks north dakota.. still not a good reason to use a turkey burner in the basement.

 

[SixFoFalcon]

Threads like this remind me of a thread I saw many years ago on a car forum, where someone was asking, "Where do I drill the hole in my gas tank for the nitrous?" He got a few sarcastic answers before some more responsible forum members realized that the poor lad was likely to kill himself and others if no one clued him in quickly. He had the NOS kit and drill in hand and was ready to start experimenting!

Back on topic, aside from the seemingly obvious CO, CO2 (which can also be deadly in high concentrations!) and fire hazards, you will also have a tremendous amount of water vapor, heat, and odor to deal with (although I suppose the odor can be a nice thing if the spouse doesn't mind!) Doing a partial boil extract kit on the stovetop is nothing compared to a vigorous full boil on a turkey fryer, plus all the moisture from heating strike water, sparge water, etc.--all that moisture needs to go somewhere eventually! Even full electric rigs should have a ventilation system in place for this reason.

 

[lbaker]

I'd recommend going for it, but making sure you were completely hammered holding a newborn child. You should also make sure the area is packed with explosives, preferably fireworks for the neighbors. Life insurance might seem like a good idea, but it's not. Save the cash and instead of upping your policy at work send a check or money order payable to the Bin Laden memorial fund. These are all equally awesome ideas.

Have fun finding a forum that tells you exactly what you want to hear...but I'd rather just talk to my mom if I was looking for that. She thinks it's cute I'm retarded.

 

[coffeediver]

I live out in the boonies and my house is run from a propane tank. My hot water heater, furnace and kitchen stove all use propane. It can be done, just need to have the appropriate amount of ventilation and makeup air to be safe. And both the hot water heater and furnace are exhausted to the outside. I personally built a clone of "the electric brewery" just because of this issue.

Barry