As you may be able to tell from all my recent posting, I’m really getting excited about brewing again. (been listening to The Session) So, I took some measurements today, did some planning and made a material list. I’m going to put a small addition on the mancave, so I can do my brewing right here. Looking at the pic I posted, I’m coming out from the front wall 8 foot. and then, from the end wall on the right, I will come over 6 ft 8 in. That will put me about four inches off the window. Sure, it’s not huge (that’s what she said) just a little over 53 sq ft. But, with careful planning, I think it will be very workable, and useable. I’m very organized, and keep things in their place, so it will be fine for me. Not including flooring, to get the structure up, I’m only looking at about 350$ I am installing a floor drain, with tile floor, for easy clean up. Of course, an good vent hood, and I will plumb it, and put a good slop sink in. As I do not have water out there, I will just put a garden hose conection on the outside, and hook up the hose for brewing. Cold water only. I think I will have 18" counters on two wallsthe front wall, and looking at the front, down the left wall. I’ll thow in some cabinets as I am able to pick them up free of cheap, down the road.
As far a burners and a stand go, I think down the right hand wall, I will fab and install some type of hinged fold down two burner system. A March pump is in the works, so, single tier will be fine. I am also thinking of hard plumbing my burners, and run it outside, so my propane tank is outside while brewing. That’s my plan. Now, I need help. What suggestions do you all have? Besides making it bigger, that is not an option, what what you do different, and what am I forgetting to add?
I have one similar to THIS ONE…110v, makes a couple of gallons of very hot water in 15 minutes.
Just make sure you drain it when it gets cold, or leave it plugged in on the “frost free” setting. You could install an air hose connection in your plumbing to blow it out when done.
Image extrapolation and enhancement has verified that Weaz has NO PANTS, I repeat, NO PANTS in this photograph.
Carry on citizens.
I would say design everything with restaurant kitchen design in mind - prep area, cold side, hot side, storage, etc. Keep your cleaning supplies all the way to the left, then your grains, then kettles, then cooler, etc. It’ll save you from having to run all over the place during your brew-day.
Update, looks like I have a nice pile of cash coming my way in the next month or two, so it’ll be a go. No, I plan to add two new jet burners, I 30# propane tank, maybe a plate chiller. And maybe, just maybe a conicle. This is almost to good to be true. 8)
Nice! Congrats. Tax refund? Lottery?
Dead grandmother, actually. And, change of plans. Addition will now be 8x10.
Cheer to grandma.
You will always think about her when you are there.
All I can say is “Go for it!!!” I’m jealous. A dedicated space for your brewing will be awesome.
Got a name for this enterprise yet? American Bacon Brewery?
Beers for Men Who Wear Skirts? :
It’s a KILT dammit!
When I remodeled my garage for brewing, the first thing to go in was a floor drain with the floor at a 1/8" per ft. slope down to it. It’s the best part of the brewing space. When I re-remodeled last fall, I added an under counter water heater in the base cabinet for the sink. I can’t tell you how great it is to have hot water. I suggest you consider both things.
This is huge. When I moved into the new house, I thought it was pretty nifty that the garage had its own hot water heater (to heat water for the mother in law apartment).
Having brewed several times and cleaned a ton of gear, I can’t believe how ridiculously wonderful it is to have hot water right there.
I couldn’t agree more. I have to haul my kettles out to the patio for cleaning after every brew session. What a PITA it can be. I have a utility basin in my cellar but need one in my garage where I currently brew.
When I was planning my “man cave”, I wanted a few things for my brewery. First, a commercial stainless 3 bay sink and overhead sprayer (Craigs list $200) with a tankless water heater, A floor drain was next. Clean up is a lot easier and quicker. I put the green sheet rock around my brewing area, in case I splash water on it. If I were brewing close to the wall, I’d consider something water proof and fire resistant.
As an added bonus, which I haven’t used yet, while they were installing my tankless water heater, I had them stub off a propane connection both inside and outside so when hooked up, I won’t have to mess with propane tanks.
It is sooo nice to have everything I need within a few feet of the brew stand. I used to have to drag the stand out of the garage and several trips to my “junk room”. DW likes it too because it doesn’t wake her early during Brew Day. More bullets, right!
Have fun and I hope it all comes together like you want it!
I did forget to mention, that a floor drain is already planned. Also, Despite what I said earlier, I am now stepping up to 10x8. Been keeping my eye on Craigslist for a SS sink. Not sure why, I don’t have the coin yet. When the time comes, I may just have to go with a two bowl laundry tub. Is hot water really that big a deal? I was considering a small water heater, tankless is just not in the budget. But, then I decided I could just save the water from my chiller. All I really need hot water for is cleaning my boil kettle. Maybe I will have to reconsider. I could plug it in the night before, and be ready to go the next morning. Now I’m second guessing myself. I also really like the idea of an overhead sprayer. Think I’m going to steal that one.
And yes, the brewery has a name. Rocky Mountain Buckeye.
I don’t have the hot water, but I’ve been plotting how to get it in my brew area. I do sometimes use an electric turkey fryer to have hot water on hand, but that ain’t nothing compared to a more usable amount of hot water under house pressure.
I can’t believe you didn’t go with Men Who Wear Skirts.
Well, belive it! ;D
I was actually thinking of doing the same thing you are saying with the turkey fryer. I’ll put a valve on the kettle, and keep it stored over head. Won’t be preassurized, but gravity fed will be better than nothing.
How about a good exhaust hood to vent all the steam? Do you still have the one from the ol’ Three Taverns?
Perhaps some heat for the winter?
If you have a big air vent on the floor, you can walk over it and your skirt will blow up.