gas burner/stoves

[baphomite51]

well iv done about three brews now, two BIAB, one extract but im having trouble keeping my 33L pot on the boil iv even droped down to a 5 litre batch and its still not the best i have to keep the lid on it otherwise it simmers, i was looking at gas burners but they all seem to be week on this side of the water compared to the americans best i could find was 50,000 BTU or 12.5 Kw. so what is everyone using to get a good boil going

[Will_D]

If you can't get a good boil with 12.5 kW then you must have a serious problem, like:

500 Litre boiler!


A 2.5 kW electric element will give a good rolling boil on an insulated 30 l boiler with 5 gallons of wort.

2 x 2.5 kW will boil the socks of 40 l in a 50 l boiler

12.5 kW should boil most batches up to and beyond 100 l

[Jacob]

8.8kw - ~45l and no problems with good boil.

[baphomite51]

the americans seem to use boilers between 100,000 and 200,000 BTUs for there 5 gallon brews, but 12.5Kw converts to like 50,000 BTUs? would a 8Kw burner give me a good enough boil yes?

[baphomite51]

8.8kw - ~45l and no problems with good boil.

thats the one i was just looking at in that case i think ill go for that one how are they on gas? are they expensive to run

[Jacob]

One bottle of calor gas is enough for 7-8 brews, 40-45l each.
Also using it to heat the strike water.

[baphomite51]

gonna go for the burner above but can anyone tell me which gas to go for butane or propane and wat kind of regulator thanks?

[mr hoppy]

I use propane because I brew outside. It's supposed to be better when it's colder although you can't use it indoors because of cabon monoxide.

There's a standard regulator for propane in ROI which is different to the UK one, and I think it's the same situation for butane. You should be able to get a regulator where you get your gas but I got my stuff from Hamilton Gas: www.gasproducts.ie. I rang them up and told them what I was up to and they sold me what I needed, so I can't recommend them enough.

In terms of getting to the boil it takes a little while with a 25l pot: I put a few tiles around the base of the boiler to block out wind, and on my last brew I put the lid on and put a heavy, quilted blanket on top of the lid (being careful it was well away from the flame) to give a bit of insulation.

[baphomite51]

im mostly gonna be brewing inside so i think ill have to go for the butane but cheers for the reply. all ill need is the gas bottle, a regulator, low pressure tubing, and two jubilee hose clips?

[mr hoppy]

The Hamilton guys said to use high pressure tubing, but apart from the boiler that's it.

[baphomite51]

sound cheers for that gonna order it tomorrow

[Ciderhead]

Don't understand why you would even consider using a portable gas appliance indoors, it's an accident just waiting to happen.
Please some other brewers that brew indoors advise IR how you do it with electricity.

[baphomite51]

is it really that dangerous, even in a well ventilated room? whats the danger exactly, is it from toxic gases or threat of explosion?

[Ciderhead]

If your brewing indoors electricity is your best bet for loads of reasons, don't take my word ask hamiltons.

[RichC]

Don't understand why you would even consider using a portable gas appliance indoors, it's an accident just waiting to happen.
Please some other brewers that brew indoors advise IR how you do it with electricity.

+1
Gas leak outdoors- wind will disperse it, gas leak indoors-BANG!
Also CO poisoning, and all the other possibilities of causing a fire. I brew electric, wouldn't do it any other way indoors