Brewing in the rain?

[garcara]

So I've finally gone propane and have done 3 brews now. Living in Seattle this time of year means a lot of rain. My initial solution was a pop-up canopy which worked pretty well but it was catching large amount of water on it and it wasn't practical to take it down after brewing (as it was very wet). After my 3rd brew it blew over and bent the poles.

Any suggestions for some solutions for brewing in the rain? I don't have a garage or anything I can use..

Thanks

 

[theredben]

Raingear? Wait until it's dry?

 

[garcara]

I am not worried about ME getting wet, I am concerned for it raining in my beer.. and I am not exaggerating about the amount of rain here..

http://www.mynorthwest.com/category/local_news_articles/20110404/24-days-of-rain-in-March/

 

[Thakog]

Raingear? Wait until it's dry?

That seems like an odd suggestion coming from someone in BC. You get most of the same weather that Seattle & Portland does, right?

to the OP- I've been taking my chances and hoping that the stars align for my outside brews. So far they have.

I think your canopy is still the best way to go, and just pay attention to how windy it is. They sell sturdier, carport canopys that you could look into if you have the outdoor space.

Otherwise, you could get a large tarp, attach it to the side of your house, and the the other end to some trees or fence posts.

 

[hillhousesawdustco]

Or the tarp can be attached to the back/side/tailgate/doors/whatever of your vehicle and stretched out to your house, if you don' have trees available.

 

[cjb]

I just don't worry about it. I'm drinking a hoppy wheat right now that certainly got a bit of rain in the brew kettle - no ill effects so far. Though I might need to have 3 more just to be sure.

 

[Dunerunner]

I have a little experience with this as we have had over 120 inches of rainfall this season and winds are always either out of the North 10 to 20 or the South 10 to 25 and 30. Anchor the pop-up with tires (get them from your local tire dealer) filled with cement. They can be rolled away and stored easily. Buy side curtains for your pop-up or use a tarp to block the wind to keep your burner from blowing out.

Cheers!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

You can always just embrace it and bust fly moves like my boy Gene Kelly:

 

[superjunior]

I used to live in Seattle and the rain did suck, but honestly its not much better in Ohio. here's what I did last time I got caught in the rain. I scooched in the kettles and lowered the umbrella when it started to come down hard

 

[roadymi]

How about one of those chintzy metal storage structures, like an 6x8 or 8x10? I think with the doors wide open you would get plenty of fresh air but if you were concerned that you didn't you could cut additional ventilation holes in the sides.

I just googled "storage shed" and you can get an 8x10 at ace hardware for $450. Add'l benefit is you have a place to lock up and store your equipment outside the house.

 

[pnj]

I'm in Seattle.... I recently discovered I could pull my kettle into the small doorway and stay out of the rain. But this was my solution...

 

[BrewDocND]

"They have a saying in Seattle. If you don't like the weather wait ten minutes then shoot yourself in the face" -Doug Benson

 

[bumstigedy]

I like the umbrella idea!

I might try that myself. It seems like it always rains when I want to brew.

 

[Pick]

How about one of these?

http://www.carportgallery.com/cgi-bin/emAlbum.cgi?cmd=show_image&path=04 Utility Carport&img=0&tn=1

I have one with concrete poured on the inside. Building was $2300 and concrete was $1400. I have all my tools, lawn equipment and brewing equipment inside. Park the boat, truck and Harley under the port. Pull the truck out to brew!