Blichmann Top Tier Burner Review

[gbx]

@Clarke I was wondering the same thing. My crappy dept store turkey fryer is good for at least 8 all grain 5 gal batch on a single tank of propane. It heats from mashout to boil in about 15mins. It is loud when on full throttle but its quiet once I turn it back at full boil. I've been tempted by the blichmann a few times at the homebrewshop but its too pricey for me to pull the trigger. They do look awesome but id need some better stats on its performance.

 

[enkamania]

This will be my Christmas present to myself

 

[Magnus314]

Seriously. KAB 4 vs. Blichmann.
Anyone?

 

[aprichman]

I dig my Blichmann with leg extensions although my 10 gallon kettle is almost too small for it, would probably work best with a 15-20 gallon kettle.

 

[Natdavis777]

I liked how quiet and efficient my friend's top tier burner was as well. I had a banjo at the time that worked well, but I was tired of going through propane tanks, especially for 10 gal batches. Blichmann is solid company. Proud to say they are from IN. I ended up investing in a BoilCoil and couldnt be happier. Hands how best investment (sort of as it was a Christmas gift) to my brewing system.

 

[TriggerHappy]

I like My "jet burner" the price was right. Free is a price right? and I definitely get more than the "3 batches" out of a 20 lb tank. I brew 5 gal batches and have a cooler as my mash tun. So unless I come across a chunk of cash that I don't need I am probably gonna stick with mine, but this is a great ad for Blichman, maybe you can get a free burner out of it. I think thermopens and ferm temp controls would be a better investment.

 

[grrickar]

My cheapo jet burner from Menards does the job, but is slooooow in boiling even 5 gallons of water, and it soots up the bottom of my pot badly. Banjo burners may drink more gas, but they get the job done faster and with less mess.

 

[pretzelb]

I don't recall what burner I purchased but I do remember debating the cost on the Blichmann. I really wish I had bought the Blichmann. What I know now is that wind is a pain and the more your burner shields the flame from the wind the better. Had I known then what I know now it would be a no-brainer.

 

[MagicMatt]

For everyone asking about the comparison between the KAB-4 and the Blichmann, check out the first link here:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=KAB+4+vs+blichmann
The Blichmann is a beast, and the level of craftsmanship is incomparable to anything else. Sure, it reads like an advertisement, but praise needed where praise is due. I've never received anything special from Blichmann, and I definitely boast about some of their products and proclaim of their superiorness when it is warranted. I have no qualms in making a proclamation that this burner is definitely worth the money, but obviously everyone has different values and amounts of disposable income.
Check out these charts that show roughly the level of savings (in both time and fuel) over the competitors:
http://goo.gl/iAmvfz
http://goo.gl/CFGU45

 

[WayFrae]

@BrewSavage that is what I was thinking! I get my tank filled at U-Haul for under $20.

 

[LostBoyScout]

After reading this, I re-boxed my still-new cheap burner. It's headed back today.

 

[jplowe]

This sounds like paid advertisement for Blichmann.
That being said, as an electric stovetop brewer I'd love to try this sucker out!

 

[WayfarerCider]

It may sound a little pitchy but a good product is a good product. It certainly looks like a killer setup to put out some controllable sophisticated heat.

 

[Laszlo]

I am sure you will hate this but the future is electric

 

[ArrrDubya]

My first burner was a turkey fryer I bought from a guy on Craigslist, who was upgrading. I would later find out that he must have spilled wort on the regulator, because it was sticking. I got it working and finished my first batch, the whole time noticing how loud this thing was and how it would leave black soot on the bottom and sides of my kettle. I would later return it to him, commenting on how he failed to mention the regulator issue.
So, I went online and began comparing different burners, wanting to get the best there was for the money (all the time knowing what the best choice was, but was looking for something just as good for less money). What I would soon realize, is that I should probably go with my friend's saying, 'buy once, cry once.'
I cried a little bit when I checked out online, but was quickly consoled once the Blichman arrived. It is solid, well built and creates massive amounts of heat with minimal amounts of propane. Like the author said, I can easily brew five times (5-gallon brews) before needing to get my tank filled. It is quiet and I have recently upgraded my kettle to a 15 gallon, and it can get a rolling boil in that with little to no effort.
If you're on the fence, do what I did. Buy once, cry once, and spend your time focusing on the important stuff.

 

[brick_haus]

I own 3 Blichmann burners and love them. Quiet, efficient etc. I bought them for my first brew over 3 years ago and I have used them for over 100 brews. They're still working like new. I had a SS single tier stand built and removed the burners from the Blichmann frame and installed them on the tier system. They work just as well in this application. I'm brewing 20 gallon batches with no problem whatsoever. These things rock! I also have a KAB4 that I got in a package deal and there is no comparison. Don't know why, they look identical?

 

[KPBrews]

@MagicMatt that first link on the google search is pretty damning, directly comparing his Bayou KAB4 to a borrowed Blichmann.
http://www.superbrewers.com/i-should-have-bought-a-blichmann/
Key points:
"primary design flaw of [the Bayou] burner: there is too much distance between the burner and the kettle support."
"... five-gallon extract batch. My burner took ten and a half minutes to transition from a simmer to a full boil. The Blichmann powered through that transition in the matter of two minutes."
Personally, I'd be all over the Blichmann if I wasn't fairly sure my next step up will be to electric BIAB.

 

[Cyclman]

I am a Blichmann brewer, 3 burners, 3 kettles, and love all their equipment. I can't compare it to the Bayou banjo directly, but the stainless frame in my view is worth the extra $$$. Cleaning is such a PITA when it comes to brewing, something that is easier to clean is worth a premium, IMO.