bonfire brewing?

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brumbrew

Regular dufus
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We have a metal stand that fits our boiler, and had all intentions of eventually getting a propane burner for the AG on the cheap setup

But as me and my brew buddy are so bloody tight, we thought, why not brew over an open fire?

Anyone done this before? Only issue(s) I can think it ash and dust getting in, and maybe a Smokey flavour (not all bad) getting into the beer.

Would just be burning logs under the boiler.

Any thoughts?
 
I have no idea, plans to test it with just water are in the works.

Used to be a tree surgeon many moons ago, so I can get plenty of wood :-)
 
Controlling the boil might be tricky but solveable. Crap floating into wort a possibility but it ought to be sterile if it's come off the fire. Moving your pan about with 40L and a fire a possible hazard but I'm sure that wouldn't put off your typical fire taming man. Keeping the fire going for an hour or so should be easy enough as long as you pay attention.

I'd have thought wood smoked beer would be grim though. Not to my taste anyhoo but each to their own.
 
I see one issue.

Two blokes,with beer, plus a fire...

You'll be so busy staring into the flames the pot will boil dry :lol:
 
google how folk in the us fire their moonshine stills, the build a brick/earth enclosure for the fire with a mouth to feed fuel/air, and a steel tube chimney to draw off the smoke.. the flow of air caused by the smokes updraught sucks o2 rich air in to boost the fire, and you control by baffling off the air in passage

an open pot would be vulnerable to smoke/ash deposits partial lidding may help if it wont encourage to violent a boil..
 
If you can get your pot over it somehow, those braziers that look like a metal bin with holes in and a cone on the lid absolutely belt the heat out of the top. You'd get a boil over that. I've seen some people with an old table with a hole in it, the brazier under the table and a soup pot over that.
 
Cheers guys. Some really good comments. I'll inform the brew partner that more of his lawn is about to dissapear ;-)
 
Not a bad idea, something to consider.. I think the lack of control would put me off also, flames licking around me trying to add hop aditions or remove the pot.. I know me.. I would just burn myself.. I can be really clumsy like that.
Not sure I would find it controlled enough for getting to a mash temp either?
 
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