Best natural gas burner/stand solution

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bdnoona

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I'm trying to figure out the best natural gas burner/stand solution within reason. I don't want to spend $300 or anything like that. Suggestions? I've been using propane to this point, so I have no idea what is required to upgrade to natural gas. The Hurricane burner w/ stand is $100 at Midwest Supplies, but what else would I need? I have an outside natural gas connection begging to be used. Thanks.

Brian
 
You need a modified valve or you would have to drill out the valve yourself for NG. It's a great burner and the stand is well made and strong. You will also need some hose & fittings most likely unless you already have them. You can pick up a 10-12 foot quick disconnect hose from Home Depot for about $40.

The valve http://www.hurricaneproducts.net/PHPCatalog+/?function=detail&id=19 here needs to be modified -ask them if they can sell you one direct as others have said that they are out of stock at several of the online companies. Or you could just start drilling the hole slightly larger in the supplied LP propane valve until you get the correct flame. IMO it is impossible to give you the correct orifice size as everyone's gas pressure is different at the point of use.
 
So, is the only real way to make this happen by DIY-ing a Frankenstein type natural gas solution? I am hesitant to drill out a valve or something like that. I've never done anything like that before. Is there no simple solution or pre-made natural gas burner/stands available?
 
There's not much of a market because 95% of people out there are terrified of natural gas. Just get the NG conversion valve specifically meant for the hurricane. http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/natural-gas-valve-for-hurricane-burner.html Oops, they are out of stock.

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/HURRICANE_CONVERSION_VALVE_P2214.cfm

The only difference between this and the propane connection is the size of the tiny hole that shoots gas into the burner.

You're going to find that the hose itself to the connect to the house is the most expensive part. I priced out a 1/2" x 20 foot flex hose with disconnect and it was $150. Screw that.
 
There's not much of a market because 95% of people out there are terrified of natural gas. Just get the NG conversion valve specifically meant for the hurricane. http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/natural-gas-valve-for-hurricane-burner.html Oops, they are out of stock.

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/HURRICANE_CONVERSION_VALVE_P2214.cfm

The only difference between this and the propane connection is the size of the tiny hole that shoots gas into the burner.

You're going to find that the hose itself to the connect to the house is the most expensive part. I priced out a 1/2" x 20 foot flex hose with disconnect and it was $150. Screw that.

Awesome Bobby, thanks. So if that hose was too expensive, what was your solution? I'm guessing that I would probably only need a 10' hose.
 
I built my own assembly using Goodyear utility hose. I can't recommend it though for liability concerns. I lost my faith in the overpriced grill style hoses when I found the one for my grill chewed to swiss cheese by squirrels and leaking gas into the neighborhood.
 
There's not much of a market because 95% of people out there are terrified of natural gas. Just get the NG conversion valve specifically meant for the hurricane. http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/natural-gas-valve-for-hurricane-burner.html Oops, they are out of stock.

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/HURRICANE_CONVERSION_VALVE_P2214.cfm

The only difference between this and the propane connection is the size of the tiny hole that shoots gas into the burner.

You're going to find that the hose itself to the connect to the house is the most expensive part. I priced out a 1/2" x 20 foot flex hose with disconnect and it was $150. Screw that.

out of stock for another 2 months
 
If it were me, I'd just get the propane and drill the orifice until I had the flame I wanted.

Is the "orifice" that needs to be drilled out, the brass looking piece that attaches the gas line hose to the burner? I never quite understood what people were drilling out. Is the idea that propane is high pressure, so it forces itself through a small hole, while natural gas is not so it requires a larger hole to pass through on it's way into the burner?
 
There is always this option:

http://www.cpapc.com/store/3-Ring-Burner-natural-gas-P2361C244.aspx

It requires this valve:

http://www.etundra.com/1_8__Gas_Burner_Valve-P1766.html

I have 3 sets. I am STILL in the process of mounting them on my cart. Life has been a little crazy.

hey i am curious if you have used this setup at all or have seen in in action. I am trying a new setup for 18 gallon boils (i do 15g batches) and was looking into the hurricane, but its been sold out for a while and i would love to get it rolling. This might be a better option considering the boil volume. any suggestions would be much appreciated.:mug:
 
Is the "orifice" that needs to be drilled out, the brass looking piece that attaches the gas line hose to the burner? I never quite understood what people were drilling out. Is the idea that propane is high pressure, so it forces itself through a small hole, while natural gas is not so it requires a larger hole to pass through on it's way into the burner?

You've got it mostly right but also at the same pressure, propane has more BTU capacity. So, it's pressure and energy density which makes the orifice for propane smaller. If you have an orifice that is too small, you will have a small flame once you get the fuel/air mix dialed in. If it's too big, you will not be able to get enough air into the mix and/or the pressure at which the fuel enters is not enough to pull the required air into the damper. I think trial and error is fine in that regard if you have an assortment of fine increment drill bits. Just keep going bigger until you have the largest blue flame with the air damper nearly full open. Closing the damper a bit will add orange tips to the flame and opening too much will make the burn noisy and the flames will hover over the burner.
 
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