Help me select the right burner

[Mirilis]

So I sold my house and Im moving to rental house that will not have the right electric setup for me. So I decided to buy a propane burner to hold me over for a few years. I need something that is quiet, efficient, and durable. Ive looked at a lot of different ones at different price points:

Darkstar (BG-12 burner)
Banjo Burner (KAB4 Burner)
Anvil Burner
Blichmann Hellfire Burner

I am open to suggestions.. I am not afraid to pull the trigger on the hellfire but i am just interested in what provides the most utility. I mean if I can get a hellfire for $150 and a KAB4 for $70 and both are about the same then why get the blichmann right?

I brew 5-10g batches and have a keggle, 15g concord pot that I would use on it.

 

[jekeane]

It is my understanding that the KAB4 drinks propane. My buddy has one and next to my non hellfire blichmann it was much noisier. You can find the original Blichmann burners used often, I actually have one with the leg extensions I am needing to sell. Unfortunately I'm in FL and the shipping would probably be killer.

 

[Mirilis]

It is my understanding that the KAB4 drinks propane. My buddy has one and next to my non hellfire blichmann it was much noisier. You can find the original Blichmann burners used often, I actually have one with the leg extensions I am needing to sell. Unfortunately I'm in FL and the shipping would probably be killer.

LOL too bad your not in Chicago .. thats where im moving.

 

[Mirilis]

looks like the hellfire is the better one to go with.. says that its quiet and it has an efficiency mode.

 

[Murphys_Law]

I really can't comment on the exact burners you listed but I will say that I retired my Bayou SP14 (I think that is the model) and bought a pre-Hellfire...couldn't be happier. It is very quite and sips propane.

 

[ChelisHubby]

I really can't comment on the exact burners you listed but I will say that I retired my Bayou SP14 (I think that is the model) and bought a pre-Hellfire...couldn't be happier. It is very quite and sips propane.

X2

 

[Mirilis]

I think ill just break down and order the hellfire.

 

[universalfrost]

So I'm sure you have bought the hellfire by now, and it's the best choice..

I started out with a darkstar from Midwest, moved to the anvil burner and now on the hellfire..

I still use all three but the anvil is used for the hlt/herms coil tank and the dark star I use tailgating or turkey fries and as a loaner when my neighbor who only does five gallon extract batches gets kicked outside by his wife and wants to brew...

All work great, just the progression in quality and efficiency goes up with each other the models listed..all will get the job done..

 

[bruhaha]

I use a Blichmann Hellfire with leg extensions. I do 5.5G single infusion mashes around 150F and do rolling boils for 60 min as an average. I have completed 4 beers on one 20# propane tank and probably will have gas left over after I do beer number 5 this weekend. This thing sips propane and will probably pay for itself quickly as much as I use it.

 

[kh54s10]

I use a Blichmann Hellfire with leg extensions. I do 5.5G single infusion mashes around 150F and do rolling boils for 60 min as an average. I have completed 4 beers on one 20# propane tank and probably will have gas left over after I do beer number 5 this weekend. This thing sips propane and will probably pay for itself quickly as much as I use it.

I hope you are underestimating what you have left. I get 4 or more batches out of a tank with my SP10 burner.

 

[bruhaha]

I hope you are underestimating what you have left. I get 4 or more batches out of a tank with my SP10 burner.

Yes, I hated to sound like I was bragging, but the tank seems possibly still half full after beer #4. I am tracking the use carefully so I'll post my total number when the tank finally kicks.

 

[Morrey]

Yes, I hated to sound like I was bragging, but the tank seems possibly still half full after beer #4. I am tracking the use carefully so I'll post my total number when the tank finally kicks.

I don't consider that bragging @bruhaha, this is simply stating fact. I live close to sea level (if that matters) and I get an avg of 7 beers with my Blichmann Top Tier...the older model. Unless you are maxing out the gas to get up to temps, I wouldn't be surprised if you don't hit 7 beers too. Please keep us posted.

BTW...I have an enclosed brew cave with exhaust fans so the Blichmann's whisper quiet operation is a huge factor to me. I couldn't even hear the radio with my old turkey fryer burner.

 

[MrBJones]

Yes, I hated to sound like I was bragging, but the tank seems possibly still half full after beer #4. I am tracking the use carefully so I'll post my total number when the tank finally kicks.

What did the number end up being? I do 6 gallon batches (preboil volume around 7 gallons; typically 60 minute boils, with a 90 now and then), might someday go to 10 gallon batches. Pretty much set on getting a Hellfire, just trying to consider everything before I pull the trigger.

By the way, my overall goals are to ​

1. Move my brewing to the garage. Believe it or not, I've been doing six gallon AG batches on my gas cooktop (18,000 btu). Yeah, brew day is a long day.​
2. Brew with minimal lifting and carrying of vessels filled with water or wort, without pumps. My chest freezer/chamber is in the garage, and garden hose will reach. Plan on mashing/sparging/boiling/chilling, then using a small platform dolley to wheel the fermenter to the freezer, and a hoist (something like THIS) to lift it in.​

Thanks!
​

 

[bruhaha]

What did the number end up being? I do 6 gallon batches (preboil volume around 7 gallons; typically 60 minute boils, with a 90 now and then), might someday go to 10 gallon batches. Pretty much set on getting a Hellfire, just trying to consider everything before I pull the trigger.

By the way, my overall goals are to ​

1. Move my brewing to the garage. Believe it or not, I've been doing six gallon AG batches on my gas cooktop (18,000 btu). Yeah, brew day is a long day.​
2. Brew with minimal lifting and carrying of vessels filled with water or wort, without pumps. My chest freezer/chamber is in the garage, and garden hose will reach. Plan on mashing/sparging/boiling/chilling, then using a small platform dolley to wheel the fermenter to the freezer, and a hoist (something like THIS) to lift it in.​

Thanks!
​

I'm getting 7.XX brews (following a schedule similar to yours) with my Blichmann burner going 5.5G batches. A 20# propane fill is $9 here now, so I cant imagine getting much more bang for my buck than this.

 

[balto charlie]

I'm getting 7.XX brews (following a schedule similar to yours) with my Blichmann burner going 5.5G batches. A 20# propane fill is $9 here now, so I cant imagine getting much more bang for my buck than this.

$9.00 a fill, where do you live? Ours are $20.00!!

 

[kh54s10]

$9.00 a fill, where do you live? Ours are $20.00!!

Are you getting refills or doing an exchange. The exchange places are almost always more expensive. And they don't fill the tanks as much.

Fills here are $15.00. But I haven't shopped around.

 

[balto charlie]

I use to re-fill, maybe I should go back to that method. I never realized the different prices.