In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently brining
air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature above
freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)

Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc into
this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a possibility
of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to prevent
it.

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 23:08:48 GMT, "Gregor" >
wrote:

>In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
>storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
>outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently brining
>air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
>winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature above
>freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
>
>Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc into
>this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a possibility
>of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to prevent
>it.
>

I too was concerned about mold, but in my basement in general. I read
that if relative humidity is kept 50% mold isn't a conern. 50%-60%
you might have mold. >60% you have mold issues.

So, I'm guessing this is the same with your 'cold' room. I'm
wondering, is this cold room an unfinished basement? Having vents
designed to be opened to the outside sounds like a crawl space.
Either way, those vents are probly there to control humidity issues,
and you might be creating serious rot problem with wood and other
things. Might want to do some research before blocking those vents
off.

hth,

tom




***************** Check Us Out *****************
http://www.FindMeShelter.com
Free Text Real Estate Ads!
FSBO's and Agents Welcome.

Hi,
I also live in Canada (Ontario) and my cold cellar (cantina) is in the
basement made of 4 concrete walls with two 4" vent holes to the outside. I
also block the vents in the winter. I have never had mold problems but then
that's what the vents are for. Just make sure to unplug the vents in the
summer. I make my wine and beer in the basement but only use my cantina for
storage. So without having the room wet or damp it shouldn't pose a problem.
I have a temperature/humidistat in there and the humidity is usually about
68% and the outside temp is about 20-26 C the past few weeks.
Hope this helps,
Al

"Gregor" > wrote in message
news:4q4Ac.57826$%i1.49400@edtnps89...
> In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
> storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
> outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently brining
> air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
> winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature above
> freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
>
> Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc
into
> this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a
possibility
> of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to
prevent
> it.
>
>

Thanks!!

"Alfonse" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> I also live in Canada (Ontario) and my cold cellar (cantina) is in the
> basement made of 4 concrete walls with two 4" vent holes to the outside. I
> also block the vents in the winter. I have never had mold problems but
then
> that's what the vents are for. Just make sure to unplug the vents in the
> summer. I make my wine and beer in the basement but only use my cantina
for
> storage. So without having the room wet or damp it shouldn't pose a
problem.
> I have a temperature/humidistat in there and the humidity is usually about
> 68% and the outside temp is about 20-26 C the past few weeks.
> Hope this helps,
> Al
>
> "Gregor" > wrote in message
> news:4q4Ac.57826$%i1.49400@edtnps89...
> > In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
> > storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
> > outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently
brining
> > air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
> > winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature
above
> > freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
> >
> > Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc
> into
> > this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a
> possibility
> > of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to
> prevent
> > it.
> >
> >
>
>

its an add on to a basement, unfinished, the rest of the basement is
finished. The outside walls were cut and the room added on to add on the
kitchen addition direclty above. The went is covered with insulation in
the winter, air still passes thru but at a smaller rate, otherwise it would
be freezing down there.
> wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 23:08:48 GMT, "Gregor" >
> wrote:
>
> >In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
> >storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
> >outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently brining
> >air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
> >winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature
above
> >freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
> >
> >Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc
into
> >this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a
possibility
> >of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to
prevent
> >it.
> >
>
> I too was concerned about mold, but in my basement in general. I read
> that if relative humidity is kept 50% mold isn't a conern. 50%-60%
> you might have mold. >60% you have mold issues.
>
> So, I'm guessing this is the same with your 'cold' room. I'm
> wondering, is this cold room an unfinished basement? Having vents
> designed to be opened to the outside sounds like a crawl space.
> Either way, those vents are probly there to control humidity issues,
> and you might be creating serious rot problem with wood and other
> things. Might want to do some research before blocking those vents
> off.
>
> hth,
>
> tom
>
>
>
>
> ***************** Check Us Out *****************
> http://www.FindMeShelter.com
> Free Text Real Estate Ads!
> FSBO's and Agents Welcome.

"Gregor" > wrote in message news:<4q4Ac.57826$%i1.49400@edtnps89>...
> In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
> storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
> outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently brining
> air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
> winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature above
> freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
>
> Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc into
> this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a possibility
> of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to prevent
> it.

About cold rooms: Air circulation (not humidity level) is the most
important factor to avoid any mold problems. Are your vents just holes
in the walls? Normally, You should have a pipe going down near floor
level from one of the vents and another pipe at a higher level. This
will insure good air circulation and take care of any mold problem.
Air flow should be maintained all year round. You can put an air flow
regulator on your pipes to manage excessive cold air. Blocking the
vents should be the last resort since this will help put in place
conditions of mold formation.

With that being said, is your cold room at a temperature that will be
adequate for fermentation? Is ask because mine isn't.

Stefan Mazur

Thanks for your reply! I have a grill type of vent about 1x1 feet, I also
heard about your suggestion with the pipes, I wonder if I should add the
piples into the existing vent (much easier then drilling new holes thru the
cement wall). I'm thinking I'll run one pipe down to floor level, with the
existing grill vent at a higher level. For winter I will build some type of
door to close the top vent, while leaving the pipe in tact and build a new
pipe into the closure that will sit at the higher level, both with air flow
regulators. Any suggestions feedbacks would be appreciated.

I have a number of heating belts, they mantain a steady 23C temperature and
auto shut off. I've used them in my garage with freezing temperatures and
my batches turned out just fine. They're a bit pricey, $25CAN but worth it,
even in ideal conditions they mantain a steady temperature so your batches
tend to finish at a good rate.

"Stefan Mazur" > wrote in message
om...
> "Gregor" > wrote in message
news:<4q4Ac.57826$%i1.49400@edtnps89>...
> > In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
> > storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
> > outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently
brining
> > air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
> > winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature
above
> > freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
> >
> > Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc
into
> > this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a
possibility
> > of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to
prevent
> > it.
>
> About cold rooms: Air circulation (not humidity level) is the most
> important factor to avoid any mold problems. Are your vents just holes
> in the walls? Normally, You should have a pipe going down near floor
> level from one of the vents and another pipe at a higher level. This
> will insure good air circulation and take care of any mold problem.
> Air flow should be maintained all year round. You can put an air flow
> regulator on your pipes to manage excessive cold air. Blocking the
> vents should be the last resort since this will help put in place
> conditions of mold formation.
>
> With that being said, is your cold room at a temperature that will be
> adequate for fermentation? Is ask because mine isn't.
>
> Stefan Mazur

"G" > wrote in message news:<pCBBc.39975$K53.19627@edtnps89>...
> Thanks for your reply! I have a grill type of vent about 1x1 feet, I also
> heard about your suggestion with the pipes, I wonder if I should add the
> piples into the existing vent (much easier then drilling new holes thru the
> cement wall). I'm thinking I'll run one pipe down to floor level, with the
> existing grill vent at a higher level. For winter I will build some type of
> door to close the top vent, while leaving the pipe in tact and build a new
> pipe into the closure that will sit at the higher level, both with air flow
> regulators. Any suggestions feedbacks would be appreciated.

Don't drill new holes. As long as air circulate, you won't have any mold problems.

>
> I have a number of heating belts, they mantain a steady 23C temperature and
> auto shut off. I've used them in my garage with freezing temperatures and
> my batches turned out just fine. They're a bit pricey, $25CAN but worth it,
> even in ideal conditions they mantain a steady temperature so your batches
> tend to finish at a good rate.
>

Oh, then it isn't really a "cold room"

This sounds perfect to me. Happy brewing.

Stefan Mazur

does mold grow in such sub arctic tempuratures or do all metabolic processes
cease ? surprising you even have liquid water in such an environment.
"Gregor" > wrote in message
news:4q4Ac.57826$%i1.49400@edtnps89...
> In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
> storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
> outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently brining
> air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
> winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature above
> freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
>
> Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc
into
> this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a
possibility
> of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to
prevent
> it.
>
>

Hi Teo, hope to see u post again as site as slowed again.
Hi! all long time no hear. Where are u all?
I saw a Burco Mini Boiler yesterday about 3 UK Gal. It was £8. I'm still
pondering whether to go get it. It's all stainless whereas mine has an ally
lid.
Real bargain but don't really need it. I'm a terrible hoarder and trying not
to buy anything else.
Hope to hear from u all soon.

PS who was trying to make that power controller and how did u get on?


"Teotwawki" > wrote in message
...
> does mold grow in such sub arctic tempuratures or do all metabolic
processes
> cease ? surprising you even have liquid water in such an environment.
> "Gregor" > wrote in message
> news:4q4Ac.57826$%i1.49400@edtnps89...
> > In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
> > storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
> > outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently
brining
> > air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
> > winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature
above
> > freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
> >
> > Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc
> into
> > this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a
> possibility
> > of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to
> prevent
> > it.
> >
> >
>
>

Hi Teo, hope to see u post again as site as slowed again.
Hi! all long time no hear. Where are u all?
I saw a Burco Mini Boiler yesterday about 3 UK Gal. It was £8. I'm still
pondering whether to go get it. It's all stainless whereas mine has an ally
lid.
Real bargain but don't really need it. I'm a terrible hoarder and trying not
to buy anything else.
Hope to hear from u all soon.

PS who was trying to make that power controller and how did u get on?


"Teotwawki" > wrote in message
...
> does mold grow in such sub arctic tempuratures or do all metabolic
processes
> cease ? surprising you even have liquid water in such an environment.
> "Gregor" > wrote in message
> news:4q4Ac.57826$%i1.49400@edtnps89...
> > In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning and
> > storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
> > outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently
brining
> > air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in the
> > winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature
above
> > freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
> >
> > Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine, etc
> into
> > this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a
> possibility
> > of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to
> prevent
> > it.
> >
> >
>
>

Hi Fox,
That would be me. It is coming along I'm almost done gathering components it
is time to drill holes in my beloved beer keg.
I'm concerned about drilling holes in my baby but Its time to move along
with it..
So far its going to be 220v with two heating elements one 1500 watt and one
1700.
I'm going to try the heat controlers off an electic stove we shall see....

"Firefox" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Teo, hope to see u post again as site as slowed again.
> Hi! all long time no hear. Where are u all?
> I saw a Burco Mini Boiler yesterday about 3 UK Gal. It was £8. I'm still
> pondering whether to go get it. It's all stainless whereas mine has an
ally
> lid.
> Real bargain but don't really need it. I'm a terrible hoarder and trying
not
> to buy anything else.
> Hope to hear from u all soon.
>
> PS who was trying to make that power controller and how did u get on?
>
>
> "Teotwawki" > wrote in message
> ...
> > does mold grow in such sub arctic tempuratures or do all metabolic
> processes
> > cease ? surprising you even have liquid water in such an environment.
> > "Gregor" > wrote in message
> > news:4q4Ac.57826$%i1.49400@edtnps89...
> > > In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning
and
> > > storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to the
> > > outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently
> brining
> > > air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in
the
> > > winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature
> above
> > > freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
> > >
> > > Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine,
etc
> > into
> > > this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a
> > possibility
> > > of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to
> > prevent
> > > it.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

"Billstein" > wrote in message
news
> Hi Fox,
> That would be me. It is coming along I'm almost done gathering components
it
> is time to drill holes in my beloved beer keg.
> I'm concerned about drilling holes in my baby but Its time to move along
> with it..
> So far its going to be 220v with two heating elements one 1500 watt and
one
> 1700.
> I'm going to try the heat controlers off an electic stove we shall see....
************************************************** ************
Are stove controllers thermostatic? Do they have thermocouples on them to
check the element/wash temperature?
Or they simmerstats?
If they are temp controlled then the wash will surge, won't it?
Have you already investigated this? Better to find out now than after you
have built it.
I spent more time on my design and investigating the technology than it took
to build it. It was worth it in the end as the end result only required
minor modifications.

HTHs
************************************************** *************
>
> "Firefox" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi Teo, hope to see u post again as site as slowed again.
> > Hi! all long time no hear. Where are u all?
> > I saw a Burco Mini Boiler yesterday about 3 UK Gal. It was £8. I'm still
> > pondering whether to go get it. It's all stainless whereas mine has an
> ally
> > lid.
> > Real bargain but don't really need it. I'm a terrible hoarder and trying
> not
> > to buy anything else.
> > Hope to hear from u all soon.
> >
> > PS who was trying to make that power controller and how did u get on?
> >
> >
> > "Teotwawki" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > does mold grow in such sub arctic tempuratures or do all metabolic
> > processes
> > > cease ? surprising you even have liquid water in such an environment.
> > > "Gregor" > wrote in message
> > > news:4q4Ac.57826$%i1.49400@edtnps89...
> > > > In my house I have a "cold room" that looks it was used for canning
> and
> > > > storage. It is in the basement, unfinished, cement walls, vent to
the
> > > > outside (but not powered). There arent any other vents currently
> > brining
> > > > air to this room. Needless to say it is always a bit chilly and in
> the
> > > > winter the vents are closed with insultation to keep the temperature
> > above
> > > > freezing. (I live in Canada, -30F isnt uncommon)
> > > >
> > > > Now to my question, I have moved all my home brewing of beer, wine,
> etc
> > > into
> > > > this room, and was wondering with all the fermenting, is there a
> > > possibility
> > > > of mold growing from homebrewing? And what have some of you dont to
> > > prevent
> > > > it.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>