Brewing Location

[kyoun1e]

Folks,

I'm targeting next weekend for my first brew. I was all ready to just set up shop in my basement, but now reading another thread I'm wondering if it's safe.

You'll note that there is a sink to my left, a wood door behind the burner, and a table to the right. The washing machine and dryer are to the left of the sink and to the left of that is a door to my garage. The ceilings are also quite low.

Is this a safe setup? Or am I going to blow the house up and/or poison myself?

I could easily brew outside or in the garage as well...assuming it doesn't rain. I could also keep the door to the garage, the garage door itself, and that wood door behind the burner open.

Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Steveruch]

Propane in a basement isn't the best idea. Lots of ventilation is called for.

 

[Burquebrewer]

Let us know if you decided to go this route and how it worked... If we don't hear back, we'll know it was not a good idea!

JK...It's a really bad idea

 

[kyoun1e]

Let us know if you decided to go this route and how it worked... If we don't hear back, we'll know it was not a good idea!

JK...It's a really bad idea

Ugh. Ok.

I guess it's out to the garage I go!

May have to move the operation, but it can't live in the garage. Only one car fits so this has potential to be a hassle. Don't think I'll want to keep moving things in and out of the basement to the garage.

 

[Burquebrewer]

Ugh. Ok.

I guess it's out to the garage I go!

May have to move the operation, but it can't live in the garage. Only one car fits so this has potential to be a hassle. Don't think I'll want to keep moving things in and out of the basement to the garage.

Honestly, moving and setting up equipment is one of the least labor intensive tasks in my brew day, and this is my set-up....

It doesn't look like you have much to move. A propane tank, a burner, and a small kettle.

If you are excited by brewing, but want to make the process very simple, you might want to look at getting a PICO Brew system or a grainfather. They are electric, automated, and compact. They can be used anywhere you have a water source and an outlet.

 

[kyoun1e]

Honestly, moving and setting up equipment is one of the least labor intensive tasks in my brew day, and this is my set-up....

It doesn't look like you have much to move. A propane tank, a burner, and a small kettle.

If you are excited by brewing, but want to make the process very simple, you might want to look at getting a PICO Brew system or a grainfather. They are electric, automated, and compact. They can be used anywhere you have a water source and an outlet.

Pico...$800! No thanks.

This seems like...cheating.

 

[Burquebrewer]

I agree. I suppose the automated systems can be nice (although pricey), but I enjoy the process of brewing too much to let a computer system take over most of my processes for me.

I'm sure you will find a suitable solution. Let us know how the first batch turns out. Welcome to the obsession!

 

[Sailingeric]

I enjoy sitting out side watching my water boil, so all my brewing is done on my deck. I could move it side in the garage in the winter but I just pick a not so rainy day when I brew. Set up and take down is not hard and if you get in doing all grain, you can be cleaning up the tun while the wort is boiling, and clean up the pot and put away all the other equipment while the wort is cooling. Don't risk a fire or CO poisoning.

 

[mongoose33]

Your best bet is probably the garage with the door(s) open. You don't have to worry about rain, and there's more than enough ventilation that way. That's what I do.

As a rule, propane burner manufacturers aren't going to endorse using their burners indoors or in a garage, for obvious reasons. But you're not frying a turkey with flammable oil, so the risk of a flameup from that isn't there--and if you monitor it and keep a fire extinguisher handy just for luck, you should be ok.

You also need to be aware, if you'd do this inside on, say, your stove, that you'll create some aromas that others may not find as delightful as do you. I love the smell of brewing beer, but not everybody is in love w/ the hop/malt smell. They're wrong, but what can you say?

One of the biggest improvements in the time needed to brew was simply getting everything together so I wasn't running down to the basement to get this or that. I'd suggest finding a way to keep all your equipment together, perhaps using tubs or some other method. Shelving in the garage, a cabinet--something so you're not running around like a nut. Don't ask me how I know.

I've included a couple pics below showing what I do. The rolling shelves w/ buckets can be pushed against other storage and pulled out to access what's behind. The cabinet is important to me because I don't want flies and such laying their deposits on my brewing equipment.

 

[AkTom]

Is that a walk out(side) basement door? If so, I'd have my burner right out the door. You do want to be careful of carbon monoxide.

 

[MrBJones]

Any flame will produce carbon monoxide (CO), which is heavier than air. As it applies to CO poisoning, a basement would be about the worst possible place to have an unvented flame source.

 

[Murphys_Law]

I keep my stuff in the basement and brew on my patio. Up and down the basement steps and up and down my deck steps! I wore a fit bit the last brew and it said I climbed something like 22 stories!

But I like being outside and have really been forced to get organized so I'm not constantly walking up the deck steps, down the basement steps and then reverse the trip!

I would only brew inside if Inhad an electric setup.

 

[dyqik]

It's also worth pointing out that using or storing propane tanks in a basement, or even a garage, may be prohibited by local ordinances and fire protection regulations and may invalidate your buildings insurance.

 

[motosapiens]

I love the smell of brewing beer, but not everybody is in love w/ the hop/malt smell. They're wrong, but what can you say?

I say 'buy your own house if you don't like it.' I say that about alot of stuff, actually.

 

[mongoose33]

I love the smell of brewing beer, but not everybody is in love w/ the hop/malt smell. They're wrong, but what can you say?

I say 'buy your own house if you don't like it.' I say that about alot of stuff, actually.

Let me guess....you aren't, it would appear, familiar with the acronym SWMBO, are you?

Thought not.....

 

[motosapiens]

Let me guess....you aren't, it would appear, familiar with the acronym SWMBO, are you?

Thought not.....

I had to look it up, lol. In our house it's HHPATB (he who pays all the bills). I admit tho, we are both happier after putting in a giant stainless sink with overhead sprayer in the laundry room. much easier for me to wash brewing stuff, and she can get on with dinner while I am brewing in the laundry room and adjacent garage. :rockin: