Brewing in walk out basement?

[mitsitsad]

Hey all

I've been considering doing a brewsculpture build but really don't have the real estate for it in my garage. I also thought switching from propane to natural gas would really be convenient and allow me to upgrade from my turkey fryer burner.

I thought my basement would be great but after doing some searching it seems a bit unsafe to use propane without a proper hood/vent due to gas leaking down on the floor straight to the water heater then boom. My question is maybe a little unique because I have a walkout basement. Could I just open my sliding door and not worry about that or is a proper hood assembly necessary? I'd like to figure this step out before I go any further in my setup. Thanks!

 

[JoppaFarms]

Not sure your door situation. Perhaps a picture would help. I have brewed in my garage with the garage door open without any issues. I do turn an oscillating fan on to move the air around in case the wind isn't blowing much. I don't know if it does anything but it makes me feel better. I typically put my burner a foot or so inside the garage, so close to the open door. Hope this helps.

 

[Ravenshead]

Are you talking about a plane old sliding glass door or something larger?

 

[mblanks2]

I brew in my walk out basement with the double doors open and an oscillating fan aimed at the doors. Never had any issues. I have a smoke detector and a CO detector within 20' of my rig.

 

[Airplanedoc]

Have you considered just going electric?

 

[Ravenshead]

That was going to be my next suggestion. You'll still have to deal with a lot of steam to remove but CO and un-burnt gas won't be an issue. Plus it's so much nicer, much more precise, and absolutely quiet.

 

[wobdee]

Did a 3 vessel propane system in my walkout basement for years and recently went to a one vessel BIAB setup with an induction burner, no more open windows and doors during Winter months, should of done this years ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[kh54s10]

I would be more worried about the moisture you are going to introduce into the house. You are going to be boiling off a couple of gallons of water.

Also the concern with propane in an enclosed area is more of carbon monoxide poisoning rather than the risk of blowing up the house. Although that is also a concern.

I would find a way to move outside.

 

[Airplanedoc]

That was going to be my next suggestion. You'll still have to deal with a lot of steam to remove but CO and un-burnt gas won't be an issue. Plus it's so much nicer, much more precise, and absolutely quiet.

I find electric to be a lot less work overall too. The control box (pid) monitors the process, freeing me to do other things. Many times, I have filled my kettle, set my temp, and gone to take a shower, get dressed, have breakfast. When I am ready, my water is sitting at the temp I programmed, and I am ready to go.

 

[Ravenshead]

I would be more worried about the moisture you are going to introduce into the house. You are going to be boiling off a couple of gallons of water.

Also the concern with propane in an enclosed area is more of carbon monoxide poisoning rather than the risk of blowing up the house. Although that is also a concern.

I would find a way to move outside.

I'm not a sure a couple gallons of water turned into steam is that big a deal where your guys live. As I remember from childhood, it might even be a plus in the winter.

Here in southern Texas we have 90% humidity most of the time so pumping more H2O into the drywall can be a problem.

 

[Hamaki]

I have an electric setup and a walkout basement. I was leary of the vapor problem too so I tried boiling some water inside, near an open door, to see if it would be a real problem. Before long water was condensing on the joists above and threatening to drip so I brew outside till I get an exhaust built.

 

[Airplanedoc]

I have an electric setup and a walkout basement. I was leary of the vapor problem too so I tried boiling some water inside, near an open door, to see if it would be a real problem. Before long water was condensing on the joists above and threatening to drip so I brew outside till I get an exhaust built.

Wouldn't you have that same problem if you were brewing with gas

 

[Hamaki]

Wouldn't you have that same problem if you were brewing with gas

Shoulda been more clear - water vapor. That's why I did a test boil & looked for condensation. When I was doing propane I never thought about brewing indoors due to potential fire hazard from my rickety setup and the remote possibility of CO accumulation.

 

[sandyeggoxj]

I'm not a sure a couple gallons of water turned into steam is that big a deal where your guys live. As I remember from childhood, it might even be a plus in the winter.

Here in southern Texas we have 90% humidity most of the time so pumping more H2O into the drywall can be a problem.

Technically water in the drywall is more a function of the temperature differential between inside and outside and the dewpoint. Boiling water inside will increase indoor moisture, but it does not automatically put water into the walls. Just saying...

To the OP, I used to brew in a high ceiling garage with propane. It worked great. In the winter I would keep the door half-shut to keep some heat in. The moisture was not a problem and I didn't have any detectable CO problems. My brewstand was a car length from the roll up door. This may or may not apply to you as there are a lot of other factors. I live in the SW and RH is very low, even on the coldest of winter days (0 or less).