So I'm thinking about moving my beer brewing outdoors with a gas burner. Is there anything I should be concerned about? Contamination mainly? Is this more likely since I will be on the patio or driveway versus boiling my wort on the stove top?
Outdoor boil
- Thread starter asshauler
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A lot of brewers use burners outdoors with great results. There's little risk, since boiling is boiling, be it indoors or out. Just don't leave it sitting out in the open after it's been chilled and you'll be fine.
dutchoven
Well-Known Member
I brew outside all the time ... the only concern I have with contamination is after the boil. I try to chill as quick as I can then cover with a lid.
I guess there are lots of little things you might want to think about.
You need a source of water nearby. A water hose, preferably of the type that is rated safe for drinking water.
You need shelter from the wind to keep your flame from blowing out, keep you warm in the winter, and reduce the chilling effect of the wind on mash tun and boil kettle.
Have a clean place to lay out the equipment you'll be using. Stirrers, mash paddle, ingredients, etc.
Have a bucket of sanitizer handy for anything that contacts your wort post-boil.
Aside from that, it's not much different from brewing indoors.
You need a source of water nearby. A water hose, preferably of the type that is rated safe for drinking water.
You need shelter from the wind to keep your flame from blowing out, keep you warm in the winter, and reduce the chilling effect of the wind on mash tun and boil kettle.
Have a clean place to lay out the equipment you'll be using. Stirrers, mash paddle, ingredients, etc.
Have a bucket of sanitizer handy for anything that contacts your wort post-boil.
Aside from that, it's not much different from brewing indoors.
I wouldn't fill with the hose personally. I plan to haul the 6 gallons of water from the spigot to the flame just to avoid the rubber/ plastic hose contamination, but my spigot is off copper, so if you have pvc or galvanized steel outside leading to your water valve then I'd suggest filling at your sink if it is off copper.
I learned yesterday that an aluminum pot has to have water boiled in it for 30 min before you use it for brewing to oxidize it.
Make sure you have enough propane for 60 minutes + use.
A hose near by for a fire is a good idea.
Have the lid available in case it gets windy and stuff blows around the pot.
A table is a good idea so you don't set stuff on the ground or on old dirty tables, grass, etc. Leave your sanitized stuff dunked in sanitizer in a bucket when not using to avoid dust flying around.
I learned yesterday that an aluminum pot has to have water boiled in it for 30 min before you use it for brewing to oxidize it.
Make sure you have enough propane for 60 minutes + use.
A hose near by for a fire is a good idea.
Have the lid available in case it gets windy and stuff blows around the pot.
A table is a good idea so you don't set stuff on the ground or on old dirty tables, grass, etc. Leave your sanitized stuff dunked in sanitizer in a bucket when not using to avoid dust flying around.
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maltoftheearth
Well-Known Member
Re the hose -- I personally wouldn't use that for mashing or wort but there are some with brew rigs who have set up a hose with an in-line water filter at the end. That may make a difference.
The hose IS great for the chiller.
I keep some old PVC around to run the water from my wort chiller away from my outdoor brew setup.
The hose IS great for the chiller.
I keep some old PVC around to run the water from my wort chiller away from my outdoor brew setup.
You can pick up the type of hose RVer's use to fill their motor homes. It's usually white and made from a different material than your standard garden hose. Just make sure you drain it well before you put it away. I usually fill up my bottling bucket in the laundry sink and carry it outside. That way I can see how much I'm using. Also if your brew pot has a lid use a hole saw and put a good size hole in it to allow the steam to escape.
Butter
Well-Known Member
Just use the garden hose. The water coming out of it is the same as what comes out of the kitchen spigot.
solbes
Well-Known Member
Concerns with contamination? Nope.
You should be forewarned that neighbors will get interested and will hang out in your driveway or garage. After you explain the general principle of brewing in 60 seconds or less there will be the inevitable question...Can I try some?
Kind of a fun way to hang with the neighborhood. I brewed my first 3 brews in the kitchen last winter. Then one on the deck last spring. All of my brews since then have been in the garage and I'm loving it. Now if only I had thought to put a cold water tap in the garage when I was finishing the basement 10 years ago...
Don't brew under any trees, have an extra propane tank filled in case you run out in your first tank and make sure to have a clean table nearby (i usually lay down a clean towel). Do all of this and you should be good.
I moved out to the garage 7 batches ago, and I like it a lot more. The only thing that happened to me was when a leaf fell in my cooled wort, but I plucked it out real fast. I'm actually tasting that batch for the first time this Sunday, so we'll see what the leaf imparted. Like the previous poster said, extra propane, and a decent table are a must. Happy brewing.
