How far will my sh*t smell??

[Seanjohn19]

Hey everyone I'm new to the hobby I haven't yet done my first run and I know this is probably a hard question to answer but I was wondering running stills outside how far away could someone smell your run??
Ive got 2 stills a 3 gallon potstill, and a 10 gallon reflux.
I'm not really worried my next door neighbor I know we'll and she wouldn't do anything but there's a street out front about 200 feet away, obviously not in site but I don't need anyone coming around.
Sorry if its a dumb question.

[Yummyrum]

For me , the biggest producer of stench is dumping hot slops from the boiler .I find if I let it cool, it hardly smells at all .
As far as while distilling , there is nothing really noticeable and fermentation smells are minimal .

Remember it is usually legal to brew beer in most places ... so thats what you are doing ... right .

[Prairiepiss]

When I ran mine in the basement of my old house. You could smell it standing outside the front door. Most people won’t know what that smell is anyway. And being outside it will disappear pretty fast.

To me fermenting just smells like baking bread.

[Seanjohn19]

For me , the biggest producer of stench is dumping hot slops from the boiler .I find if I let it cool, it hardly smells at all .
As far as while distilling , there is nothing really noticeable and fermentation smells are minimal .

Remember it is usually legal to brew beer in most places ... so thats what you are doing ... right .

From what I've read I've got mixed results. Some people say you can smell it a mile away some people say it barley smells, everyone agrees breaking it down and cleaning smells .. I'm wondering does it matter if it's a pot still or reflux that makes the difference? Im not really worried because I'm just making some beer in my keg kettle and I'm already invested and made my mind up that this was the hobby for me. Ive learned so much from you guys sorry if I ask alot of questions I'd rather suck it up and ask for the help.

[Seanjohn19]

When I ran mine in the basement of my old house. You could smell it standing outside the front door. Most people won’t know what that smell is anyway. And being outside it will disappear pretty fast.

To me fermenting just smells like baking bread.

The fermentation won't be a problem I was more worried about running it. Ive made up my mind to go threw with everything already and I'm not that worried I just kinda wanted to know if all the neighborhood would know.

[NZChris]

If I can smell my still several minutes after it started pouring, I have a problem. Bad leak, valve left open, joint not tightened, blockage in the vapor path, too many Watts, condenser water failure, etc..

Pouring hot backset on the weeds on the fence line is more likely to attract attention than running the still, but it is a great use for backset.

[jog666]

Dumping hot backset has the most smell like others have said. The only other time Ive had a big smell from this hobby was when I covered the dining room table with jars to air out.

[8Ball]

You could get an old pot and lid for a couple of dollars. Put a little charcoal in it and light it. Every once in awhile, add some wet wood chunks to it. If you have a real smoker, fire it up and use it while you are running a batch. Now you are just tending to your bbq. Like others said, its only when dumping the boiler does the odor become a factor.

[zed255]

The only odours I get are during the peak of a large ferment, a little of the super light volatile compounds at the start of a run and dumping the boiler. None of these are particularly strong or offensive. I live right in town and am not the least bit worried about it. The smells of this hobby aren't likely to become a problem.

[Durhommer]

Fermenting smells a little bit and the backset I dump mine down the kitchen sink

[Phathead]

I'm gonna bet unless there is a brewer or distillers nearby anyone will be, do you smell something? almost all won't know what it is, fewer will care.

[still_stirrin]

Agree that the “smelliest” part of distillation is the hot backset...hot and sour...not like vinegar, but still quite acidic smelling. Likewise, the CO2 off gassing from a “posse of fermenters” can be quite stinky too. Other than that, the smells from a brew day are quite pleasant, like you’re making bread. Yummm. Still, it is a “noticeable” aroma that will escape your brewhouse.

But the smells dissipate quickly in even a very slight breeze. I believe “prying eyes” would be a bigger concern than “a sensitive sinus”.
ss

[Desvio]

All of my work is done in the garage, I did add vent tubes through the wall for my fermentors to keep the boss-wife happy (she didn't like her car smelling like ferments). As for [electric] distilling, the only real smell is the initial gas off, the rest of it is pretty minimal. Fortunately the sewer pipe clean-out is in the garage floor, using a torch and a 5gal bucket I made a large 'funnel', so good there dumping the backset.

[River Rat]

I can smell mine from outside the shed while it's heating up but then the smell dies down after it starts running. If you're able to run on a rainy day I'd say you've got nothing to worry about at all. Rain really seems to keep the smell from traveling.

[SassyFrass]

Fermenting wash/mash in the woods can carry quite a ways. Especially in low areas like draws and hollers, which is where you usually find springs. Now that's open top ferments with screen wire and burlap covered, not air locked.
I reckon I'll find out this summer how the scents carry around the shop. I plan on mashing in around april or may, depending on weather, so we'll find out then.

[Seanjohn19]

I can smell mine from outside the shed while it's heating up but then the smell dies down after it starts running. If you're able to run on a rainy day I'd say you've got nothing to worry about at all. Rain really seems to keep the smell from traveling.

That's kinda want I was thinking about doing, ive got a shed in a corner of the yard with a space behind it that's about 5 foot wide and 8 feet long I usually keep fire wood back there but moved locations this yea so it's empty. I was thinking about building a little roof over the area just under the top of the fence. Nobody will see me. I was mostly worried about the smell. I feel alot better now. Thanks guys

[Seanjohn19]

I was planning on using a hotplate inside my shop that's well ventilated at first but that plan dissolved finding out the hotplate and temperature controllers aren't right for the job. Now I'm going to use propane crab heater burner thing lol don't really know the name.
As for the clean-up Ive got one of those big work sinks in the garage I will try to use the first time and if the wife don't like it I've got a bunch of beer equipment bottles and whatnot I'll either bring some of the stuff outside and neighbors will think I'm bottling beer if they even care. Ive done alot worse things back there, sanding cars with a belt sander dust everywhere, I also just replaced my fuel pump back there and the whole neighborhood smelled like gas for a good hour like one of you guys said I don't think anyone could care less what I'm doing,

[Patriot]

I live in a subdivision, small lot sizes, I do my work in the garage, the door is usually open part way. No smell in the house, hot backseat smells at clean up. But being in Florida and it raining frequently I time my run during a rain and you never notice it plus the folks walking dogs or walking around stay in during inclement weather. My preference is when I’m on a night shift rotation to run it on a night off since I’m awake anyway and the rain makes it even more discreet.

[HmBrwr Whsky Drnkr]

I’m thinking of running mine in the basement with a vent line going outside. Any idea what size fan I should be looking at? It’s a large shop (20’ x 15’), but thinking I won’t need to plan for the total room area. Thinking of installing a vent fan directly above the still and running the fan while running the still. Will a bath vent with a 110 CFM be enough, or go with 210 CFM? I’m planning for around 18’ of 4” duct. Thinking more for safety concerns and some smell also.

[Zeotropic]

I’m thinking of running mine in the basement with a vent line going outside. Any idea what size fan I should be looking at? It’s a large shop (20’ x 15’), but thinking I won’t need to plan for the total room area. Thinking of installing a vent fan directly above the still and running the fan while running the still. Will a bath vent with a 110 CFM be enough, or go with 210 CFM? I’m planning for around 18’ of 4” duct. Thinking more for safety concerns and some smell also.

Are you running electric?

[HmBrwr Whsky Drnkr]

Yep. 3500w element with 240v service.

[Zeotropic]

Yep. 3500w element with 240v service.

Then you shouldn't need a huge amount of ventilation but I would go with the 210 cfm because you can always damper it down but you cant make it more powerful. Also most are rated with no duct so any ducting will reduce airflow.

[StillerBoy]

Thinking of installing a vent fan directly above the still and running the fan while running the still. Will a bath vent with a 110 CFM be enough, or go with 210 CFM? I’m planning for around 18’ of 4” duct. Thinking more for safety concerns and some smell also.

Save your dollars and time.. as it is not requires..

Your over thinking this ventilation thing.. take the word of those who have yrs over you in the hobby..

Mars

[HmBrwr Whsky Drnkr]

Thanks!