How many boils do you get off of a 5 gallon propane tank? - Page 2

**andysim** · 11-22-2009, 12:46 PM

I'm getting 3-4 uses. These are 60 minute boils, starting with 8.5 gallons of liquid.

BA_from_GA · 11-22-2009, 01:56 PM

hmmm... I got 7 brews (5 gal batches) out of the left overs from a nearly empty 20#/5gal tank that was too low in pressure to run my gas grill. And i've already done 3 brews on the refill of that tank, and it still feels/sounds full.

I build an 18ga steel box that fits around the burner/stand that funnels the heat all directly toward my brew pot. i keep a boil with a much lower flame now. I figured it improved my propane efficiency but i didn't realize it did that much.

EvilGnome6 · 11-22-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BA_from_GA

I build an 18ga steel box that fits around the burner/stand that funnels the heat all directly toward my brew pot. i keep a boil with a much lower flame now. I figured it improved my propane efficiency but i didn't realize it did that much.

Can you post a picture of it?

Clonefarmer · 11-22-2009, 02:28 PM

I got at least 6 AG from my last propane tank. I turn the flame down once the wort comes to a boil and keep it at a low boil. I also have a spare propane tank so I can use up all the gas in a rhino tank before exchanging it.

**nebben** · 11-23-2009, 03:41 PM

I got three hours of boiling wort action on my last brewday (2 batches). I thought the tank was almost empty when I started, but never ended up actually using up all the propane when the wort was done. I think the answer is really YMMV. My HLT is electric, so I've got the benefit of starting with ~145-155F stuff on my propane burner anyway. If I were heating strike/sparge water with propane, I would think that my usage would be way up.

**rico567** · 11-23-2009, 05:04 PM

I get 4 brews. But. There are lots of ways to heat, and people do it differently, even with 5 gallon batches.

1. I heat my preheat water in the house, where the propane is MUCH cheaper than in 20# cylinders. The preheat water later becomes my sparge water.

2. I heat the strike water on my propane burner in the garage- but I'm using a fairly small (for 5 gal. AG) brewpot, only 30 qt., AND it's insulated (I used automotive firewall insulation from JC Whitney).

3. For the boil, I do not attempt to get the "volcanic" boil that is seen on many videos. I just shoot for a nice barely rolling boil, and leave the gas set there.

So- I get 4 batches, but someone who does things differently is likely to get different mileage from a cylinder.