Re: Window Ventilation

Chris, Is this a heated or un-heated garage? Actually some of those consumer fans work pretty well. I have been using one to filter and exhaust vent saw dust laden air for a few years now. No problems. The challenge is catching the hot humid air before it reaches the roof or ceiling. To do this, you may need to run the fan fairly fast or develop some sort of a hood arrangement to help the fan gather that moist stuff. Initially I used a similar system but became tired of boil-overs coating the wall. Currently I have a Vent-a-Hood suspended with chains over the brew kettle and auxiliary stove. It seems to work well and vents through a 6 inch round tube. As Mike mentioned, make up air is important. In most garages this isn't that big of a deal but in (air) tight buildings, it is possible to back-draft chimney vented appliances like water heaters. Make sure the exhaust fan has adequate make up air or leakage so it doesn't draw air out of your house. The most important part of ventilation is safety and I can't stress enough the value and need for a C0 alarm. The best ones have a display but any alarm is better than nothing. Planning on hosting a tour? Best regards Rick Oftel MHBA Now that I've got my brewing system in more of an enclosed area (the upper level of my garage), how do I properly ventilate it? The upper level has a door on one end and a window on the other and ventilation all along the soffits. The window is 44" x 19". I doubt one of those consumer-grade window fans will work. The brewing system will be right by the window so the exhaust will be hot and humid. I could suspend a hood over the system but because it could be close to the window, should I just rig something up in the window? Thanks, Chris