which burner do you prefer

[andy77]

I can't do a pro and con. I use two banjo burners and a Gott cooler as my 3 vessel brewhaus. I like my banjo burners. Powerful as all get out, can send flames 1 foot up the sides of your kettle if you want. Reliable, gets me to my temps pretty quickly. I also keep a full LP tank on hand at all times, just in case, because they can burn through some gas if you aren't careful.

[aleguy]

I use three of these:
http://www.agrisupply.com/cast-iron-bur ... n/5400001/
They are cheap, bulletproof and the can crank out more BTUs than the small banjos, (at least according to the supplier,) and nearly as much as the large banjos.

[SeanGC]

aleguy,

Those burners you put up, do they boil quickly? Also, what regulator hoses and valves did you purchase along with those burners? I'm stuck on purchasing burners right now, most are much more expensive.

[Imakewort]

I use a 10 inch high pressure banjo burner for all 3 burners on my bruits 10 clone, I have tried using cast iron burners with mixed results (still have them in the shed)and seen other brewers use different types of jet burners with less than wanted performance. The cast iron burners make a good hot flame but they concentrate the flame way to much in the center and seemed to burn the mash and burn the wort in the boil kettle, the jet burners are either on or off and smoke below full on. My banjo burners burn very clean and are fully adjustable from barley on to full on and do not smoke,they are pretty close to the same diameter as the bottom of my kegs and zero burn areas, and you need to use a adjustable high pressure regulator with them and I also use needle valves to control the flame. i would never use anything else but my banjo burners from now on and the cost I paid about $45.00 each locally and I seem to get more use from a tank of propane over the cast iron burners. I will put my system against any system in my home town for ease of use and adjustability of system to meet any type of mash or boil regime.


http://bayouclassicdepot.com/kab4_banjo_burner.htm

[SeanGC]

GREAT SETUP man, looks great. Thanks for the advice btw, you're right about the flame. I forgot I had read somewhere that heat distribution from the burner is important so that you won't burn the mash or wort.

While my burners are going to be used for the sparge/strike water and the boil kettle, My mash tun is going to stay insulated with no flame.

Thanks for the advice tho, I'm going to look into it.

[aleguy]

The burners I bought are High-pressure burners running at 170,000 BTU full on. I don't run them full on except for the HLT. You need a 30 PSI regulator or higher. I'm pretty sure any hose rated for propane will do. Right now I'm planning on running Stainless tubing (1/4" I.D.) with Swagelok fittings on the stand. Only the run to the tank and regulator will use rubber hose. As far as burning/scorching the wort, it just hasn't happened. I doubt I could even manage kettle caramelization with these, though I expect to try at some point when I decide to brew some Highland ales.
There's no need to spend a huge pile of money on burners. BTUs are BTUs.

[fastdogbrewing]

I run two 170K BTU NG jet burners on mine. I run the HLT burner at about 90% and adjust the BK burner accordingly for 5 gallon or 10 gallon batches. I have never had a problem adjusting them down using a basic NG ball valve. Yes they soot a fair amount and make the bottom of my BK and HLT black and dirty, but so what. They work just fine.

[aleguy]

NG is great if that's what you want to use. Around here in Cajun country, we use propane because it's portable and we like to get together and brew in a parking lot every so often. (Like for National Homebrew Day.) With energy supplies being what they are, I'm also looking at using wood fired burners in the future. Almost anything's better than electric in my opinion. At least if you can brew outdoors. I would only consider using electric if I had to brew in a basement or spare room.
By the way, my sister lives in Temecula, Fastdog. I wonder if you're the homebrewer she keeps talking about. Though I'm sure there are probably a few hundred in your community.