Wade E

Recipes 

Im getting a 185, 000 btu burner tomorrow but am wondering will a 5 lb propane tank last at least through a 5 gallon AG brew day or should I have 2 on hand. If it will last 1, how many would it do?

Bytor1100

Recipes 

No matter what type of burner, a backup tank is always a good idea

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30 Gallons - Malty Moe APA

kaptain_karma

Recipes 

I agree with having a spare tank. Going to the gas station to pick up a full tank is a real pita, especially if you've had too much to drink to be driving and have to carry the full tank home.

TheDom

Recipes 

What's stopping you from getting the standard-sized 20lb tank?

Wade E

Recipes 

Okay, maybe Im an idiot for stating a 5 lb.prop. tank as I dont even know what I have. I have what normally comes with a gas grill, so on average, how long will that last and i will fill my other tank but just want to have a basic idea.

Blender

Recipes 

I get at least 5 batches out of my tank. I have a good rolling boil going for about 75 minutes. I boil about 7.5 gallons.

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Gary

Jeffro

Recipes 

I'd still like to see the manufactures specs that say these burners are 185,000 BTU.

BTU's are usually assumed as being BTU's per hour. My 60,000 BTU/Hr Camp Chef can get 7 gallons of cold tap water from about 45* to full boil in under 20 minutes. Also, I can heat enough water to mash, sparge, and do hour long boils for 4-5 gallon batches as well as grill a few steaks in the meantime on one 5 gallon tank.

FWIW 5 gallons of propane is 336,000 BTU.

TheDom

Recipes 

Bahh, not an idiot, just underestimating. You've most likely got a 20lb tank. I have a 155btu burner, and I'd say I could get at least a good 5-6 brews out of it.

EvilTOJ

Recipes 

yea I was going to say, if you're using a 5 lb tank, you should get one good brew session out of it before you have to refill. But if it's the standard tank that comes with a BBQ, then it's a 20 lb tank and you're fine.

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

malkore

Recipes 

This is a 20lb propane tank:


most likely what you have. it'll last for a full batch. but when you can afford it, get a backup tank.
and remember you can refill propane before its empty, and you'll only pay for what's filled (unlike CO2 which you need an empty tank and always pay for a full fill)

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Malkore
Primary: English Mild
On tap: Pale Ale, Lancelot's Wheat, English Brown Ale, Steam Beer, HoovNuts IPA
Bottled: MOAM, Braggot, Raspberry Melomel, Merlot, Apfelwein, Pyment, Sweet mead, Cabernet
Gal in 2009: 27, Gal in 2010: 34, Gal in 2011: 13, Gal in 2012: 10