Where are you running your still

[Rrmuf]

I looked into the CO2 output and "internet research" suggests that a 20l fermenter would product about 500l/~.8Kg of CO2 (over ~ a 5 day period(?) ) If I got that right, then it amounts to .15Kg/day. By comparision, an average human produces about 1Kg/day. So, on the surface, based on unreliable sources I don't think it is a concern at least for my situation. ... My wife produces more CO2; but I ensure an air outlet regardless because the biggest cause of her CO2 output (and risk to my personal safety) is fermentation odours.

.... If someone had different more reliable numbers, please correct the above.

[jonnys_spirit]

No one's ever died in my basement and I have at times had a "few" active ferments in 20g, 32g, and 55g fermenters going at once without any special ventilation - just your typical unfinished basement. I did rig up an HVAC supply vent that I sometimes open up but no return...

I have had tastings down there with VIP Guests where folks may have ended up on the floor - I try to make sure that no matter how hard they try we just can't drink it all today... Invariably a few have tried and ended up with a few funny foto's lol..

Cheers!
-j

[Rrmuf]

.... yes, It's a hobby with certain perils

[NZChris]

I'm quite sure that everyone who has died from CO2 in their fermentation room 'knew' that what they were doing was safe.

[Rrmuf]

I've never heard of any such case: DO we know anything about those cases? Volumes of fermentations, etc? To this relatively new guy and I bet many newbies, this is a risk I never anticipated, so it would help to quantify it. Above is my admitedly crude attempt at it. A good understanding could be summarized in the safety section.

I also read elsewhere on the forum contradictory information: Under "CO2 Toxicity"

"by Home Distiller » Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:58 pm

triggernum5 wrote:
so assuming ~30lbs of sugar, you're looking at ~4000L/100h or 40L/hour

It's also worth noting that we humans also produce an amount of CO2 anyways, apparently the average adult breath contains 35,000 to 50,000 ppm of CO2, and the average human breaths 30 to 40L per hour, which means 1 to 2 L per hour of CO2...

Based on your calcs, and the amount of sugar I'm using I came out at about 12L/hr of CO2 which is no more then about 5 adults cohabitating..."

[zed255]

I've had fermentations both kill and incapacitate mice in my basement, most assuredly due to CO2 building up on the floor. The layer wasn't thick enough to cause me problems but certainly made me aware it could happen. Interestingly neither cat would spend any time downstairs at the height of fermentation now that I'm thinking of it.

Now when I use my largest fermenters I ensure the HVAC fan runs to turn the air over and periodically open a door to the outside.

[Rrmuf]

I've had fermentations both kill and incapacitate mice in my basement, most assuredly due to CO2 building up on the floor. The layer wasn't thick enough to cause me problems but certainly made me aware it could happen. Interestingly neither cat would spend any time downstairs at the height of fermentation now that I'm thinking of it.

Now when I use my largest fermenters I ensure the HVAC fan runs to turn the air over and periodically open a door to the outside.

How big are these largest fermenters? Volume-wise, the most I ferment is 45-50l of wash @~9% ABV. Your basement environment probably resembles the same construction as mine, possible exception being mine is a walk-out.

... I was also thinking I could run a plastic hose hook-up from the airlock vent through a window to the outside. The potential gotcha here is it would have to push that (heavier) CO2 an extra meter up before it would slide back down and out....

[Fletching]

I ferment in the utility room and run still in my garage. I have a large garage and haven’t bothered installing ventilation, but some reflux runs when I spend all day in there, I’ll open a couple of doors and run a fan.

I think we can all agree that a separate 30X40 shop with heating/air dedicated solely to the hobby would be great… one can dream!

Interesting notes about the CO2. Never even thought about it affecting animals in the household.

[zed255]

Rrmuf, my biggest volume I can handle is about 210L in a single fermenter, I also have three Brutes and four 'normal' sized fermenters. Only ever noticed effects of fermentation at the 200L mark, usually a vigorous sugar wash or rum.

[Rrmuf]

Thanks zed! That tells me I *probably* have no need for concern, but I'm not off by an order of magnitude.

[shadylane]

Interesting notes about the CO2. Never even thought about it affecting animals in the household.

Or put out the pilot light on a hot water heater.

[Corn Cracker]

I ferment in carboys and buckets the guest bath tub, we only have our adult kids coming over and an occasional buddy, they all know what i do anyway.

I do my 15g stripping runs just outside my garage in the driveway over a propane burner, I'm out in the county on a dead end rd , you'd have to to really stop and look to see what i was doing and the dogs and myself would be greeting ya before you could figure out what i was doing.

My spirit runs are done in my 5g alembic on the kitchen stove, for now till i come up with a better set up for it

[Rrmuf]

.... tough running a still outside where I live ... very secluded though.

[trashcangin]

I run in my basement, still is electric obviously. I built a little fume hood to vent any smells/fumes out a disused furnace vent, but that’s overkill.

[squigglefunk]

I run my still along an ice cold mountain stream that runs through my property. I use the cold, clear water to make my mashes and run my condensers. I can pass the time catching native trout.

[Yummyrum]

I run my still along an ice cold mountain stream that runs through my property. I use the cold, clear water to make my mashes and run my condensers. I can pass the time catching native trout.

[Stonecutter]

I run my still along an ice cold mountain stream that runs through my property. I use the cold, clear water to make my mashes and run my condensers. I can pass the time catching native trout.

+1 keep that kind of glorious sh*t to yourself

[squigglefunk]

ooops mayhaps I brag too loudly

[Stonecutter]

Maybe I’ll put some mountain vista pictures up in the laundry room so I’m not as green, get one of those cheap small water features.
That’s freaking awesome squigglefunk
One day…

[greggn]

I can pass the time catching native trout.

I hope there's mosquitoes there. Big ones.