Is using this burner as simple as attaching a propane tank to it and turning it on?

[Beer Viking]

Hello everyone!

I am switching to all grain and getting all of the pieces together for my next batch. It appears as if my ceramic stove top probably won't support a 5 gallon batch so I was just going to bite the bullet and get a propane burner. In the future I'll be doing 15 or even 20 G batches anyways.

Here is what I have been looking at:

https://torontobrewing.ca/collectio...ring-hellfire-floor-standing-dual-mode-burner

With one of these do I just hook up a propane tank and light it and I am good to go? Does this come with all I need to attach a propane tank? Also, I know this is capable of doing a 20 G batch, but will it get to hot if I am doing a 5 G batch?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

 

[Broken Crow]

Hello everyone!

I am switching to all grain and getting all of the pieces together for my next batch. It appears as if my ceramic stove top probably won't support a 5 gallon batch so I was just going to bite the bullet and get a propane burner. In the future I'll be doing 15 or even 20 G batches anyways.

Here is what I have been looking at:

https://torontobrewing.ca/collectio...ring-hellfire-floor-standing-dual-mode-burner

With one of these do I just hook up a propane tank and light it and I am good to go? Does this come with all I need to attach a propane tank? Also, I know this is capable of doing a 20 G batch, but will it get to hot if I am doing a 5 G batch?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

Yes. It's a well-respected burner on here and you'll simply have to watch the temperature and ride the propane valve.
Since you had been using your stovetop, just some food for thought: I started on my stove, but then built my own electric system and I just pull out my stove and borrow the power outlet to run. Have you considered an electric setup?

 

[mac_1103]

Yes, that burner comes with everything you need except the propane. I got one for free with a 10 gallon G1 kettle. Haven't used it yet but that combination would suggest that it's not too big for five gallon batches. Outdoors only, please.

 

[PCABrewing]

Hello everyone!

I am switching to all grain and getting all of the pieces together for my next batch. It appears as if my ceramic stove top probably won't support a 5 gallon batch so I was just going to bite the bullet and get a propane burner. In the future I'll be doing 15 or even 20 G batches anyways.

Here is what I have been looking at:

https://torontobrewing.ca/collectio...ring-hellfire-floor-standing-dual-mode-burner

With one of these do I just hook up a propane tank and light it and I am good to go? Does this come with all I need to attach a propane tank? Also, I know this is capable of doing a 20 G batch, but will it get to hot if I am doing a 5 G batch?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

I would say no at the displayed price (389). The Hellfire is listed at 198 on Northern Brewer.
NM, I didn't notice the Canada location.

 

[mac_1103]

The Hellfire is listed at 198 on Northern Brewer.

OP is in Canada. So shipping, customs, exchange...

 

[PCABrewing]

OP is in Canada. So shipping, customs, exchange...

Just noticed that.

 

[Broken Crow]

I would say no at the displayed price (389). The Hellfire is listed at 198 on Northern Brewer.

Welcome to Canada!
That's why so many of us build stuff from bits bought on ebay amazon and aliexpress and you see a lot less Blichmann, SSBrewtech and Spike and a lot more Mash King, Brewers Best and Chapmans (and that's not even getting started on the generics!)

 

[user 246304]

Hello everyone!

I am switching to all grain and getting all of the pieces together for my next batch. It appears as if my ceramic stove top probably won't support a 5 gallon batch so I was just going to bite the bullet and get a propane burner. In the future I'll be doing 15 or even 20 G batches anyways.

Here is what I have been looking at:

https://torontobrewing.ca/collectio...ring-hellfire-floor-standing-dual-mode-burner

With one of these do I just hook up a propane tank and light it and I am good to go? Does this come with all I need to attach a propane tank? Also, I know this is capable of doing a 20 G batch, but will it get to hot if I am doing a 5 G batch?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

Only thing I recommend, and it's almost certainly not a problem with a name-brand unit, is that when I brewed and was using my DIY system below, each and every time I fired up I hit all possible leak points with soapy water to ensure nothing was leaking. At a combined 512K BTU's when all vessels were firing, last thing I wanted was to blow up.

 

[Skeeter686]

At a combined 512K BTU's when all vessels were firing, last thing I wanted was to blow up.

I giggled a little when I read you mention a half million BTUs for brewing beer in your driveway... that's so awesome!

 

[day_trippr]

So that's why there's "Global Warming"

 

[camonick]

At a combined 512K BTU's when all vessels were firing, last thing I wanted was to blow up.

What size of tank is that connected to? That many BTUs is impossible with a tank smaller than 150 gallons at 60°F. Most household appliances don’t draw that many BTUs when they’re running.

 

[day_trippr]

My rig has a pair of Blichmann "Floor Burners" rated at 75KBTU on 10 psi propane but with three 20 gallon G1 kettles doing 11 gallons to the carboys I've rarely run it above ~50K. And I saw a Hellfire on full bore propane back when Strange Brew (RIP) was still in business and that was some crazy intense heat output. So...I'm guessing he was running in the not-quite-Hellfire range

Cheers!

 

[user 246304]

What size of tank is that connected to? That many BTUs is impossible with a tank smaller than 150 gallons at 60°F. Most household appliances don’t draw that many BTUs when they’re running.
View attachment 860577

My bad, lol. I was going off the burners' listing themselves, and that's by memory. I am technologically inept. Is it enough to say I was pleased to hear "whoosh jet engines" and didn't want to hear "Paul go boom?"

 

[user 246304]

So that's why there's "Global Warming"

No, apparently global warming is due to Gadjobrinus bloviating about his he-man propane system.

 

[jerrylotto]

Propane burners need air balance, you want a blue flame with not much yellow.

 

[Beer Viking]

Propane burners need air balance, you want a blue flame with not much yellow.

What happens if the flame has some yellow in it? Does this mean that the flame is too hot and my batch is at risk of burning? How do I keep the flame blue?

Also I have not considered switching to electric because I want to do 20G batches at some point and I think doing that on a propane burner would probably be easier?

 

[PCABrewing]

Only thing I recommend, and it's almost certainly not a problem with a name-brand unit, is that when I brewed and was using my DIY system below, each and every time I fired up I hit all possible leak points with soapy water to ensure nothing was leaking. At a combined 512K BTU's when all vessels were firing, last thing I wanted was to blow up.

View attachment 860557View attachment 860558View attachment 860559

Nice Build!

 

[jerrylotto]

What happens if the flame has some yellow in it? Does this mean that the flame is too hot and my batch is at risk of burning? How do I keep the flame blue?

Also I have not considered switching to electric because I want to do 20G batches at some point and I think doing that on a propane burner would probably be easier?

Just less efficient burning, and the flame is slightly cooler - not so much that it would make a difference.

 

[mac_1103]

What happens if the flame has some yellow in it? Does this mean that the flame is too hot and my batch is at risk of burning? How do I keep the flame blue?

Yellow/orange means too much little air and incomplete combustion; flame would be cooler, not hotter; burner could get fouled over time possibly? There is an adjustment ring right where the gas hose attaches that lets you control the fuel air mix.

 

[user 246304]

What happens if the flame has some yellow in it? Does this mean that the flame is too hot and my batch is at risk of burning? How do I keep the flame blue?

Also I have not considered switching to electric because I want to do 20G batches at some point and I think doing that on a propane burner would probably be easier?

It just means you're not burning efficiently. You'll get soot, unburnt gas - less heat, more wasting of gas. Blue indicates complete combustion.

Mine, shown here, was also a 20 gallon propane system.

whoops, crossed in the mail. I think the orange flame means it is significantly cooler. I don't have the figures.

 

[PCABrewing]

What happens if the flame has some yellow in it? Does this mean that the flame is too hot and my batch is at risk of burning? How do I keep the flame blue?

No, yellow flame means insufficient oxygen so cooler than possible.
Adjust the damper at the inlet of the burner.

 

[Broken Crow]

What happens if the flame has some yellow in it? Does this mean that the flame is too hot and my batch is at risk of burning? How do I keep the flame blue?

Also I have not considered switching to electric because I want to do 20G batches at some point and I think doing that on a propane burner would probably be easier?

Blue means you've got the right amount of O2 entering the jets... it's an adjustable port. Yellow is 'dirty' and not as hot (efficient).
I dunno how your local gas and electricity rates compare to mine (which are reputed to be the worst in Canada), but from the perspective of energy-efficiency alone; Heat is lost when it's applied externally, such as with gas, whereas an electric element inside the kettle transfers 100% of the energy to the wort. I currently have an electric keggle, but am slowly upgrading to an electric 20G BIAB and I wouldn't even consider using gas.... but that's just me. There are plenty of massive gas based systems, but since I'm consigned to being just around 'dirt-poor' for the rest of my life (disabled on the job for a major corperation in Canada), every cent counts and it would cost me about 270% more to use natural gas... I never calculated that in propane, but I want to keep my brewing indoors anyway.
That said: You've made a sound choice for a burner if going with gas.

 

[mac_1103]

Yeah, propane is the most expensive heat source. But also the simplest way to brew outdoors if that's what you want/need to do.

 

[day_trippr]

fyi, to avoid triggering the propane tank Excess Flow Valve aka EFV, always start with the burner regulator closed, then crack open the tank valve before opening it a turn or two. Then you can slowly open the burner regulator enough to light the burner, before cranking it up.

A tripped EFV will result in significant flow restriction that will probably be enough to light the burner but it will have very little power. To correct a tripped EFV, close both regulator and tank valves, then start the proper way as described...

Cheers!

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Everyone enjoys a hot beautiful flame (brewing systems) but for safety have a fire extinguisher handy.