Garage Brewing in Cold Weather

[Gilbey]

I have a big garage, and I would like to brew in the winter in the garage where its a little warmer and out of the elements. I do have a couple windows I could crack, and I could crack one of the roller doors. But I am concerned about a big propane burner in an enclosed space, not so much for the fire hazard (well a litle bit concerned about that), but more for the issue of CO build up and lack of oxygen in the garage.

Any thoughts?

 

[smakudwn]

I usually open a window, crack the garage door and also put a fan blowing out of the cracked garage door.

 

[HalfPint]

A lot of guys do it. Personally, here in Houston, I can't wait to brew in winter, but I've heard of plenty of people brewing with the doors open and fans going.

 

[sigmund]

Get a CO monitor for your garage if you're concerned then you won't have to guess.

 

[Gilbey]

Get a CO monitor for your garage if you're concerned then you won't have to guess.

Great idea! AND it beats the heck out of the alternative .

For the record I am in New Jersey where it does get quite cold in the winter. It make brewing outdoors a challange....but the complementary lager temps in the basement rock :rockin:.

Alan

 

[Homercidal]

If you have a large garage, crack the window and the door. You will be fine. It really doesn't take that much. The propane burner will not use up that much O2 when you think about it.

The detector is worth the peace of mind though. I just opened my garage door about a foot and cracked the side window a few inches and monitored myself to make sure I wasn't feeling different. That tiny flame in my big garage (24x36 I think, plus full attic) really seems small.

Now if you have a smaller garage, of course it pays to be more careful. Having the flame closer to the door helps a lot. And understanding the risk and watching yourself goes a long way toward being safe.

 

[AnonyBrew]

Cowboy Up! Open the garage door fully & put on a parka.

 

[Jaysus]

Great idea! AND it beats the heck out of the alternative .

For the record I am in New Jersey where it does get quite cold in the winter. It make brewing outdoors a challange....but the complementary lager temps in the basement rock :rockin:.

Alan

I am in PA... I just layer up and leave the garage door open during winter brew days. Huddle around your burner if you get too cold

 

[Hartski]

So if I were to do the boil outside this winter (And Iowa gets really really cold) would setting the kettle in the snow after the boil be okay for cooling the wort, or would that cool it too fast?

 

[tasq]

So if I were to do the boil outside this winter (And Iowa gets really really cold) would setting the kettle in the snow after the boil be okay for cooling the wort, or would that cool it too fast?

Snow is actually a good insulator. Once it melts around the vessel it will cool VERY slowly. Stick to your usual methods.

 

[justio]

So if I were to do the boil outside this winter (And Iowa gets really really cold) would setting the kettle in the snow after the boil be okay for cooling the wort, or would that cool it too fast?

I say go for it' as you're supposed to cool the wort quickly out of the boil.. but watch your temp closely. I'd get it out of the snow 10 degrees warmer than your target temp. If it's cold enough for snow outside, then at that point the last 10 degrees will fly by in or out of the snow.

You may even want to put it in your primary bucket/carboy a little warm if you're doing it all outside.

 

[tasq]

I say go for it' as you're supposed to cool the wort quickly out of the boil.. but watch your temp closely. I'd get it out of the snow 10 degrees warmer than your target temp. If it's cold enough for snow outside, then at that point the last 10 degrees will fly by in or out of the snow.

You may even want to put it in your primary bucket/carboy a little warm if you're doing it all outside.

As I said above... cooling in the snow will take a LONG time. I wouldn't advise it.

 

[justio]

But with that being said, you also don't want to pitch the yeast into wort that's too warm. Maybe put it in your primary vessel warm, get inside where you're going to store it, bring it down to temp and pitch the yeast.

 

[justio]

As I said above... cooling in the snow will take a LONG time. I wouldn't advise it.

Ahh, I didn't see your post above.

I was just guessing, as I've never chilled my wort in the snow. I just know how long my wort chiller takes, and how much water I use chilling it. In my mind, below freezing temps and snow seemed like it would work well. It's cold up here in Michigan.

looks like i'll stick to the chiller too!

 

[DKershner]

As I said above... cooling in the snow will take a LONG time. I wouldn't advise it.

+1.

Like, days.

 

[Hartski]

Snow is actually a good insulator. Once it melts around the vessel it will cool VERY slowly. Stick to your usual methods.

That's the thing. I don't have a usual method yet. Was going to try my first Batch this weekend......

 

[tasq]

That's the thing. I don't have a usual method yet. Was going to try my first Batch this weekend......

You'll have much better luck with an ice bath in your sink or bath tub.

 

[Hartski]

Ah, okay. Thanks a bunch!

 

[kpr121]

Throw snowballs into your ice bath?

 

[cappy]

You could certainly use snow in the ice bath. How about leaving a large tub out to fill with snow and then adding water to that. Although it'd probably be easier to just bring some snow to your sink or tub inside.

 

[FEARDIZ]

So if I were to do the boil outside this winter (And Iowa gets really really cold) would setting the kettle in the snow after the boil be okay for cooling the wort, or would that cool it too fast?

I tried this once, it's a lot of work and not worth it. Try picking up all that wort and moving it around a snow pile without getting it dirty.
You can use the snow for cooling if you put the kettle in a bucket of water and snow

 

[sportscrazed2]

definitely looking forward to winter since I don't have to save someone run to grocery store and buy ice during the boil.

 

[deezy]

I plan to lift up the garage door two feet and give that a go. As a fail-over I'll hang this in the garage:

 

[sportscrazed2]

lol poor bird. my garage is full of crap i don't need/want anymore. i don't really feel like cleaning it out just for brewing. guess i will stick to partial boil extracts until spring

 

[GoldMiner]

Open the door all the way.

It's plenty warm next to the propane burner.

 

[Hartski]

Okay, so the aim is to cool the wart as quickly as possible? How about putting rock salt in the ice bath and rotate the boiling kettle? That's how we always made ice cream when I was a kid.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Okay, so the aim is to cool the wart as quickly as possible? How about putting rock salt in the ice bath and rotate the boiling kettle? That's how we always made ice cream when I was a kid.

You can do that... You can even get a coil of copper tubing to put "IN" the boil kettle and circulate ice water through that!!!
(It's called an immersion chiller)

Just being a bit funny

 

[Bernie Brewer]

I live in WI and there is no better time to brew outdoors than December thru Feb. Throw on some CarHartts, grab some homebrew, and go to it. As far as putting your wort in a snowbank to cool it, forget it. It takes forever. I still use my hose and chiller in winter, i just keep them in my basement between uses so they don't freeze.

 

[Hartski]

You can do that... You can even get a coil of copper tubing to put "IN" the boil kettle and circulate ice water through that!!!
(It's called an immersion chiller)

Just being a bit funny

well , yeah. I know about all that but i don't have the stuff to do it yet. BTW, First post from my phone. Technology is great, right?

 

[roadymi]

I know I will get flamed for this and I know everybody runs them in the garage BUT......most of these burners are not approved for indoor use. My concern is if there ever was a fire would the insurance company have a reason not to pay off?