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Propane vs Electric Cooktop

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:02 pm
by rocketfuel
Hi There, Input wanted! I currently use a propane burner to brew/distill and it seems to take forever to get a double batch up to temperature and I'm always wondering if I have enough propane in the tank to finish the job. Thinking about switching to an electric cook top, any suggestions/advice?

Re: Propane vs Electric Cooktop

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:14 pm
by GAM
Cooktop may be a challenge. An emersion element is what most electrical folks are using.

Sandy

Re: Propane vs Electric Cooktop

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:32 pm
by KB1138
I've done 20l batches on the stove top before, I actually did it for a few years. Splitting the pot over two burners is the key, but even then it was slow. I doubt you'd be able to do a double batch that way

Re: Propane vs Electric Cooktop

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2020 4:38 pm
by Camdrumr
Love my propane. Went the turkey fryer route.

Re: Propane vs Electric Cooktop

Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:07 am
by rocketfuel
Does the turkey fryer bring 20 liters up to a boil in a decent time?

Re: Propane vs Electric Cooktop

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2020 8:46 am
by know1
I've used a turkey fryer burner for years. Takes about 30 mins to get around 50L to boiling from mash temp. I thinks its about 58,000 Btu. The only reason I switched to electric is weather convenience; I still use the propane setup for an occasional single batch brew in a bag.

Gas fired is all about BTU and heat transfer. Ideally you want the pot close enough to the burner to limit heat losses without smothering the flame. A Shield around the burner can also help direct the heat to limit losses to the sides.

The Bayou classic is a prime example:
KAB4-2T.jpg
With that, I do have an unused KAB6 banjo burner rated at 210,000 btu heat output, (burner only, no stand) that I will sell for $50.

OBK sells for$80
https://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/Bayou_C ... /bg-14.htm

I previously had a two burner setup with these bad boys and man does it throw a ton of heat. The only issues I had was freezing up the propane tank and regulator when running two for the sake of so much gas flow, and that was no where near max capacity on the output.

Re: Propane vs Electric Cooktop

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2020 9:45 am
by rocketfuel
Thank you so much for this information, 50L to a boil in 30 minutes is awesome performance and just what I'm looking for. My current propane burner has no shielding and seems hugely inefficient. Many, many thanks.