Quicker boiling times...

[Bulls Beers]

I have a propane burner. I brewed a batch this past weekend outside and noticed that it took awhile for the water to boil (extract). It was windy out and the flame was blowing all over the place. I've seen brewers use wood on 3 sides to help protect from the wind. My question is, is that the way to go or is there a better way??

 

[Funkenjaeger]

I use a shield made of cheap aluminum flashing. I just made a cylinder a bit larger than my keggle, giving a couple inches on all sides, and cut a slot in it for the valve to stick through. Not a bad idea to cut some other slots near the bottom for air inlet for the burner if needed. All it takes is the flashing, a pair of heavy duty scissors (or tin snips, if you want to be more appropriate), and some rivets or bolts to hold it together.

Here's a picture I dug up of my heat shield in use last winter:

This not only acts as a wind screen, it also acts as a heat shield, keeping the heat from the burner concentrated around the sides of the kettle until it exits the top, which makes a noticeable difference in burner efficiency, especially when it's cold out.

 

[SILVER13ACK]

I have a propane burner. I brewed a batch this past weekend outside and noticed that it took awhile for the water to boil (extract). It was windy out and the flame was blowing all over the place. I've seen brewers use wood on 3 sides to help protect from the wind. My question is, is that the way to go or is there a better way??

You could build a 'sheild' with some sheet metal.

Also, if you are good with metal (I'm not) then you could make a tube that would run up the length of your boil kettle. This would force the heat from the burner up the sides of the pot as well and increase efficiency

 

[Gordie]

I used to use quarry stone with my Cajun. I had three pieces I set against the burner frame and left the carb/valve side open. I had some just lying around so it was convenient and actually worked pretty well.

Gordie

 

[Bulls Beers]

I have a square burner, but I guess I could still do it. Thanks

 

[Funkenjaeger]

I have a square burner, but I guess I could still do it. Thanks

I use a banjo burner, and its overall footprint could be considered square as well - and in fact, in those pictures, I was using my old cheap burner, which was the typical square-frame type - but the round shield is fine for both as it doesn't need to tightly surround the burner.