Mold, moisture, and brewing

[ninjai]

Hi all,

I just moved and space is pretty limited, however I do have an area where I can build a good sized shed.

I started to think a "brew shed" would be a good idea, however I don't know enough about mold and moisture. Obviously brewing equipment is going to be wet to some degree most of the time (especially after giving the equipment a hose-down/wash post-brewing) and I don't want to have to worry about mold if I don't brew for a month.

As long as I insulate the shed well, will I experience mold? Would I need to add some source of heat as well?

The "brew shed" will be going in place once I have the funds saved up for the electric system I want so there'll be no open flames, therefore permitting brewing inside.

 

[TheMilkMan]

You'll definitely need some sort of a vent to take care of boil steam. Are you planning on fermenting inside? Are you planning on kegging in there too? I'd probably start the practice of wiping and drying your equipment after hosing it down, you don't want to store your stuff wet.

 

[Jayhem]

Hi all,

I just moved and space is pretty limited, however I do have an area where I can build a good sized shed.

I started to think a "brew shed" would be a good idea, however I don't know enough about mold and moisture. Obviously brewing equipment is going to be wet to some degree most of the time (especially after giving the equipment a hose-down/wash post-brewing) and I don't want to have to worry about mold if I don't brew for a month.

As long as I insulate the shed well, will I experience mold? Would I need to add some source of heat as well?

The "brew shed" will be going in place once I have the funds saved up for the electric system I want so there'll be no open flames, therefore permitting brewing inside.

The key to minimizing mold is ventilation. You don't want a shed that is sealed up. Best place to vent a shed is the upper ends of the roof of on both sides or use sofit vents under the eaves. I always install screen material over my vents to keep insects out. Hang your equipment, don't leave it in buckets where moisture can't evaporate.

 

[ninjai]

The key to minimizing mold is ventilation. You don't want a shed that is sealed up. Best place to vent a shed is the upper ends of the roof of on both sides or use sofit vents under the eaves. I always install screen material over my vents to keep insects out. Hang your equipment, don't leave it in buckets where moisture can't evaporate.

This makes sense. So storing in a shed is no problem, especially if I hang things upside down to prevent water from sitting?

Since I'm planning on a pump driven system, are there any additional concerns? I've never used a pump driven system before but I assume you're able to just run the pumps till the water is out.

 

[Jayhem]

This makes sense. So storing in a shed is no problem, especially if I hang things upside down to prevent water from sitting?

Since I'm planning on a pump driven system, are there any additional concerns? I've never used a pump driven system before but I assume you're able to just run the pumps till the water is out.

I don't know the answer but hopefully someone with pump experience does. Pump systems can be flushed out with boiling water and then stored full of clean water to prevent mold. Your pipes in your house are full of water all the time and you can drink the water out of the tap anytime.