Basement Brewing with Turkey Fryer

[gmatzdorf]

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?

 

[beesy]

Yes

 

[MrAverage]

+100!!!!

 

[TheWeeb]

we are doing 15 gallon batches and have a good range vent fan exhausting to the outside on highest setting, as well as opening a basement casement window to provide fresh oxygen.

Yes.

 

[Beerrific]

Yes.

And a fire extinguisher. And a carbon monoxide detector. And a SWMBO/friend to check on you occasionally to make sure you are not dead.

 

[Mysticmead]

or go electric.. if that's not possible move the brewing outside..you only have one life.. why risk it with burners inside

 

[reim0027]

Yes.

And a fire extinguisher. And a carbon monoxide detector. And a SWMBO/friend to check on you occasionally to make sure you are not dead.

+1 :rockin:

 

[ArcaneXor]

Yeah, you need very good circulation. I brew outside on a screened-in porch, and I have to open the porch door if I don't want to get sick. I learned that the hard way, with a nasty headache and sore throat.

 

[gmatzdorf]

I was planning on installing a bathroom exhaust fan and venting that outside. I figure if I bought one for a room twice the size as my brewing room I'd be safe.

 

[nebben]

I wouldn't even say "yes" under any circumstances. Even having a propane tank in my basement is something I would rather avoid. These burners can make quite a bit of CO, plus there is the added problem of burning wort if you have a boilover.

Plus, there is the whole don't burn your house down thing too.

 

[rollinred]

I would say the "go electric" advise is the best. I just don't find it worth sitting in your basement hoping that you have good enough ventilation. Do it outside.

 

[ultravista]

I would forego using a propane burner inside the house. A recipe for disaster.

Consider the time it takes to boil, you'll be pushing a lot of fumes all throughout the house.

 

[HopHead24]

I too brew in my basement with NG and 3 jet burners. I have a huge hood directly over the burners with a 1,250 cfm in line duct fan vented outside. I have a fresh air returning into the room from a vent across the hall from my brewery. I also have a CO2 monitor that has not shown any signs of excess CO2.

Make sure you calculate the volume of your room correctly and check the codes for venting rate. I vented twice what I needed to by code.

 

[Mysticmead]

I was planning on installing a bathroom exhaust fan and venting that outside. I figure if I bought one for a room twice the size as my brewing room I'd be safe.

Twice as big isn't even close to big enough. Plus you also need to add fresh air to the room at a rate greater than what is used. Then they'd the while CO issue. It's only beer that you're trying to make. Is it worth risking your life over?

 

[Mysticmead]

I also have a CO2 monitor that has not shown any signs of excess CO2.

Make sure you calculate the volume of your room correctly and check the codes for venting rate. I vented twice what I needed to by code.

what a CO monitor? CO2 and CO are different animals..

 

[bucfanmike]

i have a friend who does this with very little ventilation. I preach to him every time he does it. I've told him I would help him build electric. He says it's fine, but I think he loses iq points every year.

 

[Mysticmead]

i have a friend who does this with very little ventilation. I preach to him every time he does it. I've told him I would help him build electric. He says it's fine, but I think he loses iq points every year.

have you asked him what beer he wants served at his funeral?

 

[Jaysus]

or go electric.. if that's not possible move the brewing outside..you only have one life.. why risk it with burners inside

This is one of the best posts I have ever read on this site.

 

[bucfanmike]

have you asked him what beer he wants served at his funeral?

I debate everytime he does it, to take the d*ckhead route and send some website links to his wife about the dangers. Then it would stop for sure. He has been doing it for years and convinced himself it is safe. Think Ill take the next couple days and bombard him again with links about the dangers. Hes one of my best friends, I have to find a way to do without totally pissing him off. Even though saving his life would be the result.

 

[volvodude]

Doesn't seem like it's worth it to be featured on "1,000 Ways to Die"

 

[Northcalais40]

So, why can't you do it outside? I brew all winter outdoors, down to -10F. I keep the MLT inside, but the burner outside. Like, if you have a basement, you must have somewhere outside you can go. Hell, go visit a state park and brew by the BBQ grill.

 

[HopHead24]

what a CO monitor? CO2 and CO are different animals..

Ooops typo...Yes it is a CO monitor.

 

[ao125]

I was planning on installing a bathroom exhaust fan and venting that outside. I figure if I bought one for a room twice the size as my brewing room I'd be safe.

Uh... no?

There is so much wrong with this, I don't know where to begin.

People that have gas burners inside, have natural gas - installed by a professional. NOT a propane tank and a bathroom fan. There is absolutely no safe way to burn propane in your basement, even if you have an industrial air handler from Grainger.

When you combine the un-combusted hydrocarbons, the co2, the risk of fire, the typical quality of turkey fryer burners, etc. this isn't an accident waiting to happen, it's a complete unmitigated disaster waiting to happen.

If you fail to ignore the warnings in this thread, I expect to see the end result of this on the news.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Go to the closest fire department and ask them how they feel about it. At least they will know the homeowner when they come to the fire.

 

[Wagon_6]

^ what he said.

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

I think the point has been made...but you also have to consider that propane is heavier than air. So if the propane tanks that you're running your rig from have an unsuspected small leak between batches, or if you have one too many home brews during the brew day with your buddies and you don't close the tank valve 100% tight your basement floor could fill with propane from the bottom up. There's really no way that something like that ends well.

 

[redblacktree]

Don't you still need exhaust for an electric setup?

I would think you would need to vent the humidity to avoid destroying any paper or other moisture-sensitive materials you may be storing in the basement.

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

Don't you still need exhaust for an electric setup?

I would think you would need to vent the humidity to avoid destroying any paper or other moisture-sensitive materials you may be storing in the basement.

Indeed, but venting moisture to prevent mildew & water damage is much much different from venting carbon monoxide from a propane burner. One can make your wall paper peel...the other will kill you.

 

[GuldTuborg]

Someone's on the fast track to earning a Darwin Award.

 

[McMalty]

look, you're not gonna "go electric" or anything, just take your turkey fryer outside. if it's cold, wear a jacket.