Ventilation

[John G]

I'm trying to finish up my eherms setup so I can get brewing my own beer instead of Festabrews, which are great, but I have a tonne of grain I want to turn into beer. I'm stuck at deciding what to do about where I'm going to brew (indoors vs out). My SO doesn't want me to brew indoors in our (aka my) unfinished basement because of the smells that might creep upstairs. She was happy when I started brewing outdoors on the propane setup over a decade ago and does not want to have the smells back in the house. My question - can I safely brew outdoors with an electric setup if I get an outdoor rated spa panel and haul my rig outdoors on brew day and plug into the panel, or can I rely on ventilation to take away all smells before they creep upstairs from the basement? Could I put a ventilation device (cone) directly on my ekeggle to push all vapours out? Would that be better than a higher fixed vent hood like Kals at electricbrewery.com?

What do others do and what is your experience with the moisture and smells? Maybe I will have enough air flow out the vent hood that I'd have air flowing from upstairs down into the basement instead of the other way around. Maybe I try indoors with ventilation first and if it doesn't work move it outdoors.

I appreciate any suggestions (other than trying to get my SO to like the smell of brewing - it hasn't been possible for 20 years so far, I don't expect that to change in time for me to start brewing again).

Thanks!
John

[RubberToe]

Hey John, do you remember my setup? I'm not sure if I had the ventilation done when you were over to punch the holes in your keg. There are some pics linked in my signature if not. Unfortunately I haven't brewed in that space yet but I'm pretty sure the ventilation will be adequate. I'm planning on getting a spa panel to plug my not-yet-existing control panel into, etc, etc. My brewing vessel will be right under my vent hood. I don't think I'll have any problems there. 400 CFM by the way... should be fine. I gotta dump some cash into this thing to finish it up.

Edit: I will definitely have to open a window or something downstairs when I brew because the fan is pretty powerful and I'll need some fresh air coming in. I don't have any concerns with vapour collecting downstairs when I brew and can't see how the smells will get upstairs.

[John G]

Yep, I remember. Thanks again for helping with the holes for my system. When I'm up and running we should put a brew on together. I'll test it out first so I don't bring you over and have you get electrocuted

I'm probably going with something like yours with an inline fan to outdoors. I was trying to convince myself I needed to brew outside but I think I can put in some heavy ventilation and stay indoors. I'd be interested in knowing how yours works when you put it into action.

[RubberToe]

If I get my system finished you're welcome to come over for a brew as well. I think the ventilation will be more than adequate. I'm actually putting in a low / high fan speed controller so I can keep it on low (or maybe off) for the mash.

[mr x]

I brew inside and outside with electric. 85 cfm fan seems to do the job for me. I have an extra if you need one. Very quiet inline type.

[John G]

Thanks X. Most online forums suggest much higher than 85 cfm. Do you get away with lower by having the hood right over the kettle? If that works I may hit you up for it. I am leaning towards more than that though. Rasp, I'm finding 400cfm ones (6") on ebay for $80. Is that in line with what you paid?

Thanks guys.

[John G]

Do you think this one would be any good? It seems too cheap to be true. I've asked the supplier if it will work in humid air duct.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 0926505512" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RubberToe]

That looks almost identical to the one I got, and cheaper.

Here's the one I got: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-6-Inch-Inlin ... 45fd9334de

[TimG]

I am planning to brew tomorrow, weather looks the shits so I'm going to do it in my garage with the big door closed (typically do it at the edge of the door opening with it open). I am a bit concerned with humidity going through the roof in there (don't want all my stuff to get moist/rust) so I plan on opening the big door every 10 min or so, letting the air circulate for a minute and then closing it again. Hoping that will keep the humidity down to a reasonable value.

Anybody done anything similar? Curious to hear your experiences.

[John G]

That looks almost identical to the one I got, and cheaper.

The seller said it'll handle the brewing moisture, so I went ahead and ordered it. Can't wait to finish this project.

Thanks
John

[RubberToe]

Something to note, I had originally got 6" aluminum (I think, could be another metal) duct but it was a bitch to work with and kept falling apart. I settled for plastic vent (standard, wire reinforced). Also, be careful not to poke your eye with the cut wire when installing it... I did that and it hurt for days!!

[mr x]

Thanks X. Most online forums suggest much higher than 85 cfm. Do you get away with lower by having the hood right over the kettle? If that works I may hit you up for it. I am leaning towards more than that though. Rasp, I'm finding 400cfm ones (6") on ebay for $80. Is that in line with what you paid?

Thanks guys.

hmmmm, now that I think of it, it was .85 amps, the cfm was much higher, very similar to the fans you are listing, but 4".

[John G]

hmmmm, now that I think of it, it was .85 amps, the cfm was much higher, very similar to the fans you are listing, but 4".

Well, too late for me, but sounds like a good fan for someone else who wants to setup their brewery inside.

[know1]

I am planning to brew tomorrow, weather looks the shits so I'm going to do it in my garage with the big door closed (typically do it at the edge of the door opening with it open). I am a bit concerned with humidity going through the roof in there (don't want all my stuff to get moist/rust) so I plan on opening the big door every 10 min or so, letting the air circulate for a minute and then closing it again. Hoping that will keep the humidity down to a reasonable value.

Anybody done anything similar? Curious to hear your experiences.

You are almost certain to get some condensation considering the expected outside temps but keeping up on some air changes should help. If your ceiling is finished you shouldn't have much concern beyond some potential surface condensation which you can wipe down. Although if you're talking about a propane burner inside I'd be a bit more concerned about things other than humidity.

[jeffsmith]

I think the discussion here is mostly around electric brewing (if I remember correctly).

[know1]

Thanks X. Most online forums suggest much higher than 85 cfm. Do you get away with lower by having the hood right over the kettle? If that works I may hit you up for it. I am leaning towards more than that though. Rasp, I'm finding 400cfm ones (6") on ebay for $80. Is that in line with what you paid?

Thanks guys.

hmmmm, now that I think of it, it was .85 amps, the cfm was much higher, very similar to the fans you are listing, but 4".

The thing with fans is that the cfm is rated at a certain static pressure which is affected by any restrictions to flow. And the required flow increases exponentially with the distance of the hood from the source so basically the closer and more contained, the better.

[jeffsmith]

So if your hood is directly above your boil kettle you should be alright?

[know1]

So if your hood is directly above your boil kettle you should be alright?

you should get most of the vapor but there will always be aroma propagation. Also be wary of cross drafts that could divert normally straight rising boil products.

[mr x]

Yeah, unless you have a massive air exchange, expect some humidity indoors unless the hood is on the kettle.

[TimG]

My brew day went well, I simply spent most of the time with the man door open (plenty of circulation for the propane burner) and when the humidity started getting up there I opened up the garage door for a minute or two to let things clear out. Didn't take long for the humidity to drop and the condensation on a few metal/glass items to dissapear. It was windy so I simply stood in front of the burner holding a sheet of plywood while I had the big door open.

Wouldn't hesitate to do it this way again.. it is still cold (especially on the hands during chilling/clean up) but went fine.

[know1]

Good to hear. Mine wasn't so smooth. My propane regulator started freezing up mid-boil yesterday out in front of my garage, and I had to thaw my garden hose, (which is inside the garage door). I'm just glad I noticed it early enough and not when ready to connect it to the chiller. I think I may have to consider your approach Tim. Plus the waste heat will help regulate the garage temp too. I think a fire extinguisher and maybe a CO monitor should cover the safety precautions too.

[derek]

Good to hear. Mine wasn't so smooth. My propane regulator started freezing up mid-boil yesterday out in front of my garage, and I had to thaw my garden hose, (which is inside the garage door). I'm just glad I noticed it early enough and not when ready to connect it to the chiller. I think I may have to consider your approach Tim. Plus the waste heat will help regulate the garage temp too. I think a fire extinguisher and maybe a CO monitor should cover the safety precautions too.

I have never remotely considered CO an issue while brewing in the garage - most unfinished garages are pretty much full of drafts. Mine's pretty new and doesn't even have a tyvek wrap. The fire extinguisher would be a good idea, though - and it's not as if I don't have spares.

[know1]

Where it is a finished attached normally unheated garage below the main living space, my paranoia and precautions are a bit high. CO monitor would be more for my, (and my wife's) peace of mind. I figure as long as I keep any combustible material 5+ feet away I'll be more than good.