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Author Topic: Boil Vapors = Bad?  (Read 3310 times)

T100

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Boil Vapors = Bad?
« on: March 26, 2015, 03:52:57 pm »
Many of us boil wort indoors on the stove-top. (Not talking about the obvious gas fumes of propane burners etc...)

Are there any dangers in breathing the vapors from the boil? 

I know grain dust is bad and I'm sure breathing the dust along with the boil vapors could entrench some nasty stuff in your lungs/sinuses.

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2015, 03:56:33 pm »
I don't think so.  That much stream might damage structures over time. Besides that it's like making soup.
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Offline flbrewer

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2015, 04:12:16 pm »
As an admitted OCD sufferer, I will tell you that the most dangerous thing in brewing is the ethanol that you'll be producing.


Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2015, 04:18:30 pm »
Haha!
Delmarva United Homebrewers - President by inverse coup - former president ousted himself.
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Offline duboman

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2015, 04:46:36 pm »
Sticking your face in the fermenting bucket isn't a good idea either, a good wiff of co2 will knock you on your a$$, literally takes your breath away:)
Peace....Love......Beer......

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Offline Stevie

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Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2015, 04:51:12 pm »
Sticking your face in the fermenting bucket isn't a good idea either, a good wiff of co2 will knock you on your a$$, literally takes your breath away:)
I've considered using a snorkel when lifting carboys out of my ferm freezer.

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2015, 04:54:23 pm »
Yeah, no joke - I remember the last Wee Heavy I did (read: a$$load of CO2) I opened the fridge door to check and got hit with a blast of CO2.  Definitely took a second to get my breath.

Edit for lack of proofreading.  ;)
« Last Edit: March 26, 2015, 05:01:21 pm by HoosierBrew »
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Offline yso191

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2015, 05:42:47 pm »
Sticking your face in the fermenting bucket isn't a good idea either, a good wiff of co2 will knock you on your a$$, literally takes your breath away:)

I learned that the hard way when I thought I'd smell the dry hop residue in my Speidel after kegging.  Ooof!
Steve
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Offline duboman

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2015, 05:54:00 pm »
Sticking your face in the fermenting bucket isn't a good idea either, a good wiff of co2 will knock you on your a$$, literally takes your breath away:)

I learned that the hard way when I thought I'd smell the dry hop residue in my Speidel after kegging.  Ooof!
Yup, 2nd batch I ever made, blanked out momentarily and hit the floor! Never did that again!
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010

Offline jeffy

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2015, 06:37:51 pm »
Sticking your face in the fermenting bucket isn't a good idea either, a good wiff of co2 will knock you on your a$$, literally takes your breath away:)

I learned that the hard way when I thought I'd smell the dry hop residue in my Speidel after kegging.  Ooof!
Yup, 2nd batch I ever made, blanked out momentarily and hit the floor! Never did that again!

I almost fell off the catwalk into a huge fermenter when on tour at Jack Daniels after leaning over and taking a big whiff.  I guess there could be worse ways to die.
Jeff Gladish, Tampa (989.3, 175.1 Apparent Rennarian)
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2015, 07:02:57 pm »

I guess there could be worse ways to die.
A vat of Evan Williams?

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2015, 07:04:15 pm »

I guess there could be worse ways to die.
A vat of Evan Williams?

Early Times ?
Jon H.

Offline Three

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2015, 03:11:00 am »
Not really the same thing here..... BUT

I made a Zinfandel of beef in a dutch oven, in my oven, at pretty low temps.  A bottle of Zinfandel in with the beef in the dutch oven.  I opened the oven door and had my face right there, ready to snuff a GREAT BIG snootfull of what smelled absolutely AWESOME.....

Then there was the backdraft moment...  Really, just like in the movie.  The wave of flame singed my hair, beard, eyebrows, nose hairs.... 

Priceless.

Anyone who sings a tune so sweet is passin by........

T100

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2015, 08:37:24 am »
Hrm...

Are wort boil vapors bad for you?

1.) I don't know but I stuck my head in a bunch of C02 and nearly died
2.) I don't know but ethanol is bad for you
3.) I don't know but I almost fell into a vat of whiskey
4.) I don't know but I cooked beef in cheap wine and almost seared my face off

Wow.

Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Boil Vapors = Bad?
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2015, 08:41:34 am »
Hrm...

Are wort boil vapors bad for you?

1.) I don't know but I stuck my head in a bunch of C02 and nearly died
2.) I don't know but ethanol is bad for you
3.) I don't know but I almost fell into a vat of whiskey
4.) I don't know but I cooked beef in cheap wine and almost seared my face off

Wow.

I would read the responses as more like

No, but here are some things you can worry about if you are looking for something to worry about.

Why would you think the steam would be bad?

grain dust, as dust, is an irretent. In an enclosed area it is also an explosion hazard.

steam is a burn risk and a moisture risk to your youse but is in no way related to grain dust.
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