A brewing burner is unquestionably the first major investment you make once you venture into home beer brewing. Acquiring a high-quality home brewing burner is imperative. A substandard one will not only compromise the taste and quality of your beer, but it will also turn into an exciting hobby into an annoying nightmare. An excellent brewing burner guarantees uniform heat distribution, and it’s instrumental in preventing scorching. It also hastens the boiling process, substantially lowering the amount of time you spend waiting around. Here are considerations to make when purchasing the best brewing burner.
1. A number of BTUs Generated:
BTUs are units for measuring the amount of heat generated by the burner. Generally, one BTU adds one degree Fahrenheit to a pound of water that is at room temperature. You will find burners with BTUs of between 55,000 and 210,000. Bear in mind that a bigger burner doesn’t always translate to a better operation. While high BTU output is ideal for all kinds of grain brewing, certain lower output models are more reliable due to their ability to distribute heat more efficiently. Read more reviews about your prospective burner before making a purchase decision.
2. Quality of Metal Used:
All models of brewing burners are built from either cast iron or stainless steel. Cast iron is a bit thicker and tougher but weighs more and can rust easily. Thus, cast iron models are not suitable for outdoor brewing. However, if you are looking for a lighter model or you want to do lots of outdoor brewing, then a stainless steel model will serve you well.
3. Windscreens:
If you expect to do a lot of outdoor brewing, you should go for a model that has a durable windscreen. It will shield your flame and keep it lighting even when a strong breeze comes. Windscreens guarantee a smooth boil and make home beer brewing a sensational experience.
4. Height:
Outdoor propane burners tend to have longer legs compared to your traditional stove. The long stand allows you to brew your beer comfortably without compromising the health of your back. However, you should go for a model that sits nearer to the ground, if you will be dealing with a huge batch of boiling wort. Models with shorter stands are sturdier than those with longer stands.
Top 3 Brewing Burners:
1. Edelmetall Bru Burner:
This burner has lovely copper accents and stylish nameplate. It is made of refined stainless steel and copper. It produces a maximum of 72,000 BTU per hour. This burner boils a huge kettle of wort within a few minutes.
2. Bayou Classic KAB4 Banjo Burner:
This brewing equipment offers a high amount of uniform heat. It generates more than 100,000 BTU, which is sufficient heat to boil a couple of gallons within minutes. Its 22-inch cooking surface can accommodate most brew kettles. It comes with a 4 ft rubber hose, a brass control valve, and 30-PSI regulator.
3. Dark Star 2.0:
This propane burner can generate about 65,000 BTU of heat an hour. This burner is easy to use, and it can heat a maximum of 15 gallons of brew. This 6-inch diameter burner comes with an adjustable regulator, a wind guard, and lighter power.
Choosing the best brewing burner is all about addressing your needs. Look for a model with features that are most crucial to you. Other than quick boil times, a quality burner offers a big surface area that can comfortably hold large brew pots.
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