Burner Suggestions

[nsflatlander]

Hello,

For the time being all my posts will start with the comment, "I'm a newbie". I've done a few Festa brews and one extract, with good results. I'm looking to make the jump to all grain, and was wondering if I could get some suggestions on what I should be looking for in an outdoor burner. I plan to do this in an outdoor building (size of a garage). I'd like to stick to 5 gallon batches max, and would like to start with a fairly simple (cost effective) setup while I continue to learn. Are the propane lobster boilers from a hardware stores all I need, or would it make sense to spend a bit more and get something more suited to brewing?

Thank you.

[LiverDance]

Most of us use the ones from the Hardware stores and they work great. Try and find the highest btu one you can.

[nsflatlander]

Thanks Liverdance. I haven't actually looked, I'll have a look next week, but how high is high? I see this one says 60,000 BTUs http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2 ... ?locale=en is that a good bet?

[CorneliusAlphonse]

That's about the right strength. Some places have one listed at 72000, not sure if it would be noticeably better or now

[LiverDance]

Thanks Liverdance. I haven't actually looked, I'll have a look next week, but how high is high? I see this one says 60,000 BTUs http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2 ... ?locale=en is that a good bet?

I have a unit very similar to that one and I found I had to raise the burner up a bit so it was closer to the kettle bottom. But 60,000 on that unit is very good. Like Liam mentioned the most i've seen around here is 72,000 from the big box stores. That one is also a very good price, probably $15 cheaper than the kent ones.

[nsflatlander]

Thanks for the help. Is the fact that you had to raise the burner so that you can get the water to a certain temp higher and/or faster? or is there something else I'm missing? Btw, I love your signature. So so true.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

The burner on that unit is just a bit low - the flames don't direct all their heat at the pot, a lot escapes up the sides.

[BrooklandBrewer]

My 2 cents (even though they are phasing out the penny)...these are definitely decent burners to start with. As the guys previously said, these burners don't direct the flames directly at the pot all of the time and hence are not very efficient. Maybe I've been using a lemon, but the burner I used deteriorated pretty quickly to only burn on one side of the pot. Another big problem was the black carbon that accumulated on the pot during the boil (super messy). If you can get one of these for a good price then it's a good place to start. If you don't mind spending more to get a better burner that you will have for a long time, I would recommend the Blichmann burner. I bought one of these from Noble Grape. Expensive yes (over $200 with leg extension kit) but well worth it after working with the other one for a short time. No carbon build up and super efficient/powerful burner. It can also be used for much bigger batches than 5 gallons. Here's a video that explains how it works. Hope that helps!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80DXdiSVxQI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nsflatlander]

Thanks BrooklandBrewer, I'll definitely keep that in mind before I make the final decision.

[mattvincent24]

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2 ... ?locale=en" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is the burner i have and i love it. It was recommened to me by my father inlaw who uses it for lobster and crab boils. I used one that came with a turkey fryer and it was horrible. It was inefficient and blackened my pots with soot. This one on the other hand is much more efficient, has nice blue flame, easy to adjust and doesn't mess up my pots. Try it out you won't be disappointed.

[RubberToe]

Here's the 72k BTU burner from Kent that many people swear by.

[gm-]

I have one very similar to the Masterchef one, there is definitely some heat escape along the sites, but I partly solved that by putting two bricks under the burner to raise it a bit. Not encountered any soot problems with it.

Here is a pic of it in action

[weir]

Soot is going to happen when the fuel mixture is too rich in the flame (fuel to air ratio is too high). You should be able to adjust your your regulator down a touch to a cleaner flame, if you're using propane it should be blue at the to and clear at the bottom, any yellow and it's a dirty burn with too much fuel.

That said, the amount of energy in the flame (btu's) will reduce if you do this, but the cleaner flame will burn hotter and heat your pot more efficiently and use less propane. So fewer BTU's, but it should heat just as we'll or better.

[sleepyjamie]

I don't get any soot with my blichman

[weir]

I don't get any soot with my blichman

The Blichmann regulator is likely properly adjusted to match the air mixture at the orifice, at least I would hope it is for the price.

A cheapo burner from a hardware store would just be designed to let out as much gas as it can possibly burn at atmospheric pressure in order to jack their advertised BTU rating on the box and make people buy brand x over brand y because one number is higher than the other. Cheap BBQ manufacturers are bad for doing the same thing.

[sleepyjamie]

I don't get any soot with my blichman

The Blichmann regulator is likely properly adjusted to match the air mixture at the orifice, at least I would hope it is for the price.

A cheapo burner from a hardware store would just be designed to let out as much gas as it can possibly burn at atmospheric pressure in order to jack their advertised BTU rating on the box and make people buy brand x over brand y because one number is higher than the other. Cheap BBQ manufacturers are bad for doing the same thing.

yeah your probably right. i also find the blichman heat is more evenly distributed.

[mr x]

Some flashing /heat shield up the sides would make a dramatic improvement in heat efficiency.

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[LTownLiquorPig]

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/fry-and-boi ... rkey+fryer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This guys been "rolled back" at Walmart, in Greenwood at least. Wish I hadn't just bought a burner......

[Dirt Chicken]

If you want a toy, go to Canadiantire or wallymart. But if you want a serious burner, check these guys out. I believe that there are some restrictions with importing certain regulators from America if the regulator is shipped with the Burner. What you can do with purchase the burner separately, then order a 40 PSI regulator from the same vendor. Bottom line is that 220,000 BTU's is much better than 70,000 BTU's. I'm pretty sure that CSA only approves burners up to 70,000 BTU's for home use

http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/propane_burner.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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[Dirt Chicken]

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[Jimmy]

Once again - I'll recommend these guys for burners online; I purchased the burners for my stand from them...good prices, the brokerage/duty is paid upfront so there are no unexpected fees upon delivery.

http://www.wayfair.com/Bayou-Classic-C4 ... ic&rtype=6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With that being said, by the time you pay shipping, duty, etc., you're nearing the Blichmann pricing.

[Dirt Chicken]

Also wanted to add to my note that i have no problems bringing a 12gal batch to boil after sparge in roughly 16minutes in my keggle which is very nice, just saying

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[jeffsmith]

Hopdawgs.ca sells the Bayou Classic burners now as well:

http://hopdawgs.ca/Equipment/Gas-burners" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Been thinking about grabbing one of the KAB6 burners myself.

[Jimmy]

Hopdawgs.ca sells the Bayou Classic burners now as well:

http://hopdawgs.ca/Equipment/Gas-burners" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Been thinking about grabbing one of the KAB6 burners myself.

Did you add that to your cart to see what the total with shipping was?

The reason I'm asking is because NG stocks the Blichmann for $169 - I'm thinking you would be paying pretty much the same. By the looks of it, the burners are the same but you're getting stainless with the Blichmann, along with the ability to add legs. Not saying one is better than the other, I just know I'd prefer stainless if I'm paying the same amount.

[jeffsmith]

Good point, hadn't considered that. I think if I were to get the Blichmann, I'd definitely get the leg extensions, but price would probably still end up being pretty similar to what I'd pay buying from hopdawgs.