If you buy something through a link in our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.
If you are a homebrewer who only wants to make the best beers that are nothing short of high quality, then you need the best brewing equipment, such as a burner. A good burner will provide you with heat control, even heat distribution and speed. Here, I present you with the best burner for brewing.
Contents
My Top Brewing Burner
Burners for brewing come with a series of features; each product with its own unique characteristics. I have sifted through the various brands and have handpicked what I believe to be the best choices for you when it comes to burners for beer brewing.
Blichmann HellFire Floor Standing Burner
The HellFire Floor Standing Burner is specifically produced for homebrewers. This burner for brewing is the most expensive on my list, but it has unique features that make it the best. For example, it is the only burner on this list that has a dual-use setting; 140,000 BTU per hour for high-powered heating and 80,000 BTU per hour for regular, high-efficiency use.
Furthermore, it has adjustable retaining bars that enable it to handle kettles that are as large as 20 inches in diameter. Also, it can handle well over 20 gallons of wort at a time. Just like the Edelmetall, this burner is made of stainless steel and it has a clip-on heat shield for resistance.
One disadvantage of this burner is that it sits too low to the ground. However, leg extensions can be used, not included in the package, to increase its height. Also, one might find it a little difficult to maintain lower temperatures when needed.
Pros
- Made of stainless steel, which guarantees its durability.
- Has a dual-mode capacity, affording you the ability to control the flame.
Cons
- Sits close to the ground for you, which could be uncomfortable for you, and also requires additional expenses of leg extensions.
- Difficult to maintain lower temperatures.
- Specially designed for home brewers.
Edelmetall Brü Burner
The Edelmetall Bru Burner is not only built for homebrewers, but also by homebrewers. It has a solid, stainless steel build with a copper coating that facilitates cleaning and gives it a classy look. It is easily adjustable to take any pot or kettle of any size up to 19 inches in diameter.
Although it has a similar build to the Hellfire Floor, this burner offers more in terms of aesthetics. It produces an output of 72,000 BTU, with flames emitted from about a dozen jets, thereby evenly distributing heat. At a go, this burner can handle over 20 gallons of wort and produce speedy results.
Also, its precise needle valve lets you easily control the flame to your desired level and prevents boilovers. It has a tall windscreen that keeps things going no matter the weather. However, like the Hellfire Floor, you might be needing to purchase leg extensions, as it has a low height.
Pros
- Tall windscreen makes it ideal for bad weather.
- Even heat distribution to prevent burning.
- Sturdy stainless steel and copper finish construction, ensuring that it lasts for a long time.
- Classic look
Cons
- Might need leg extensions to increase the height
- Copper finish wears off quickly
- The last propane burner you’ll ever need—or want—to buy
- 72,000 BTUs of finely-tuned firepower that goes from zero to full boil in no time flat
- Precise needle valve that banishes boilovers and allows for crucial adjustments
ROVSUN Outdoor Propane Burner
If you are looking for an efficient and affordable burner to brew your beer, the ROVSUN Outdoor Propane Burner is your best choice. This burner is built with cast iron, making it heavy duty. It has a BTU of 200, 000, which is incredibly higher than that of most of the other products on my list. Also, it has a 20 PSI pressure regulator and is light and easy to carry in the event that you want to brew in a different location within the house or outdoors.
This outdoor burner has an adjustable flame control verve, letting you choose your preferred intensity. Unlike the Hellfire Floor and Edemetall Bru, the ROVSUN outdoor burner rises about 12 inches from the ground. This means that you do not incur the extra expense of purchasing leg extensions.
However, it does not have a windscreen and also has a loose connection that could make gas leakages more likely. Despite these few flaws, however, this burner offers good quality and efficient output that won’t hurt your pocket.
Pros
- Pressure regulator ensures safety during the heating process
- Made of cast iron that promotes sturdiness and durability
Cons
- Unlike the Edelmetall Bru, it lacks a windscreen makes rewinding in bad weather difficult
- Prone to gas leakage
- High Pressure ★ Have higher output than ordinary propane burner. This cooker has 200,000 BTU. A...
- Multi-functional ★ You can use wok, grill or kettle on this burner. Perfect for brewing beer,...
- Sturdy & durable construction ★ Built with heavy-duty steel, our propane burner is super durable...
Bayou Classic SP10 High-Pressure Outdoor Gas Cooker
The Bayou Classic Outdoor Cooker, like the name implies, is perfect for outdoor brewing, thanks to its 360 degrees windscreen that provides optimum protection against windy weather, a protection that is way better than that of the Edelmetall Bru burner. The longevity of this burner is ensured due to its cast aluminum construction and heat-resistant paint. With a BTU of 59, 000 and 10 PSI pressure rating, this burner offers excellent quality.
No other burner on this list besides the Bayou Classic offers a 48-inch stainless steel braided hose for extra protection and freedom for outdoor cooking. It has a 14 inch surface for cooking and a frame that is sturdy enough to support large pots. However, it is difficult to maintain lower temperatures with this burner, and the black paint coating on the surface burns off on first use.
Pros
- Compact size that is easy to carry around
- Wide legs that offer high stability for your brew pot
- Easy to assemble.
- Has a 360-degree wind guard to protect against the wind in the outdoor.
Cons
- Lacks an adjustable height
- Painted steel chips off easily, reducing its aesthetic value
- Makes a lot of noise while in use
- High Heat Output – a 4-inch cast aluminum burner produces 59,000 BTUs and the 360˚ windscreen...
- Heavy Duty – with a 12.5-inch tall welded steel frame this cooker is perfect for outdoor cooking,...
- Portable – this sturdy one burner outdoor stove is easy to transport and move around for all your...
Concord Deluxe Banjo Single Propane Burner
When it comes to a combination of heavy-duty and great output, the Concord Deluxe Banjo Propane Burner ranks high. Constructed with cast iron and has a weather-proof finish, it is very durable and easy to support brews of up to 47 gallons, this burner is much more durable than all others on my list, and is said to be able to last for a lifetime.
This burner produces a 200,000 BTU, only matched by the ROVSUN burner, which makes it great for speedy brewing. It has a pressure regulator of up to 20 PSI and offers you the chance to adjust the flame. Also, it has removable legs that make storage and transport easier.
However, it has no windscreen, making it unsuitable for outdoor brewing on windy days. Another downside is that the burner is distant from the bottom of the pot, causing some heat loss.
Pros
- Sturdy construction and can handle a lot of weight.
- Detachable legs promote easy storage, making it space-efficient.
- Offers very speedy boiling for your wort.
Cons
- No windscreen to protect against the wind in case of outdoor brewing.
- Distance between the burner and the bottom of the pot leads to heat loss and fuel wastage.
- Concord's Single Propane Banjo Burner is made with Heavy Duty Cast Iron with a powder coated high...
- Our 10" Banjo Burner head can burn up to 200,000 BTU.
- High pressure CSA Certified 20 PSI regulator, hose, and connector included.
Features to Consider for Best Burner for Brewing
Several different considerations have to be made when purchasing a burner for your homebrewing. These considerations ensure that whatever product you finally decide to go for is one that satisfies your brewing needs. The most important ones are:
| Hellfire Floor Standing Burner | Edelmetall Bru Burner | ROVSUN Outdoor Propane Burner | Bayou Classic High-Pressure Gas Cooker | Concord Deluxe Banjo Burner | |
| Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel and copper | Cast iron | Cast aluminum | Cast iron |
| BTU | 80, 000/ 140, 000 | 72, 000 | 200, 000 | 59, 000 | 200, 000 |
| Windshield | It offers protection against wind due to its low height | It has a windshield | It has a windshield | It has a 360 degrees windshield | It has no windshield |
Material
The best materials for a burner to be made of are stainless steel (such as the Edelmetall Brü Burner), cast iron, and aluminum (Bayou Classic SP10). This is because they are strong and offer more durability than other materials. You should consider how well the material used can hold up against large weights, and how vulnerable they are to oxidation.
You would want to consider cast iron if you usually brew in large quantities because they are more heavy-duty than stainless steel. However, while they are very sturdy, they will rust if kept outdoors for long periods, which will not happen with stainless steel. Also, if you do a lot of moving around with your burner, you might want to get stainless steel because they are lighter and easier to travel with.
Windscreen
Generally, brewing outside offers way more benefits than brewing inside. However, weather conditions, such as a little breeze or strong wind could make brewing annoying and frustrating if your burner does not have any protective measures. A windscreen covers the source of the flame and ensures that it does not go out.
It does not have to be too tall, but it should be high enough to be effective. This windscreen prevents heat loss, gas wasting, and time-wasting. You would find this in the Edelmetall Brü Burner.
BTU
British Thermal Unit (BTU) is a means of measuring the amount of heat a burner can produce. Typically, the higher the BTU, the more inclined people are to purchase the product, and vice versa. This is because a high amount of BTU signifies a quicker heating process.
However, this is a common misconception. While the amount of BTU produced would affect the time spent brewing, it does not guarantee efficiency or even distribution of heat. This means that a burner with a low BTU might be more efficient to brew your wort than one with a high BTU. The Concord Deluxe Banjo burner boasts up to 200,000 BTU.
Height
Despite the inconvenience that it might cause you, a burner that sits closer to the ground is way better for brewing beer, than one that is tall. This is because more often than not, shorter legs provide more sturdiness, which means that your brew pot has a lower chance of tipping over. In this scenario, a burner like the Blichmann HellFire Floor Standing Burner fits this criterion.
However, a lower height is not advisable if you make use of gravity, rather than pumps, to transfer your wort to a cooler. With gravity, a taller burner will be your best bet.
The best thing to do is to purchase a burner that has an adjustable height, either through the use of leg extensions or movable connections.
Single or Double Burner
Whether you need a single or double burner should be determined by the size of wort you brew by batch. If you do not brew a lot at once, a single burner should satisfy you just fine. However, if you usually brew a large quantity, you might want to consider a double burner.
Double burners are generally more sturdy than single ones, and so they increase the safety of your brew and also save you some time. However, a downside to double burners is that they are more expensive than single burners and might not fit into your spending plan. This makes the Concord Deluxe Banjo that features a single burner more economical.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are new to homebrewing, you most likely have a couple of questions. To help clarify things for you, here are answers to some of the most common questions asked by homebrewers:
How Do I Test for Gas Leaks Before Brewing?
Gas leaks could be very dangerous, especially if they are not discovered early. Not only could it be a clog in the wheel of your brewing, but it could also pose some very serious risks to your life and property. For this reason, it is important to check for gas leaks before you start boiling your wort.
Here are a few steps to follow making use of soapy water:
- Shut off the flow of gas from the tank to the burner by closing the regulator valve and then keep the gas tank valve open to let in gas into the pipe.
- Mix some soap into a cup of water and douse it over the valve connections and hose.
- If you notice any bubbles, this means that some gas is leaking from that area.
- To fix this, ensure that all of your fittings are tight and secure.
- Repeat this test until you are confident there are no more leaks.
- Turn off the gas tank and wait for a couple of minutes before lighting your burner.
Is Brewing Beer Dangerous?
Brewing beer is not exactly dangerous. The only aspect that might pose a little risk is the boiling of the wort, and even then, this is only as dangerous as cooking soup. Here are a couple of measures you could put in place to ensure your safety:
- Always check for gas leaks before and after boiling.
- Do not forget to vent your gas tank during brewing. Ensure that you keep it in an airy, cool, and spacious environment where you could easily detect a leak.
- Do not purchase low-standard or low-quality burners. Ensure that the burner you use is sturdy enough to carry the weight of your wort.
- If you are boiling under high heat, ensure that the process is supervised to avoid any boilovers.
- Do not touch the kettle or pot without any hand protection.
- If your burner has a high BTU, ensure that the pots or kettles you are using with it are strong enough to handle the heat.
How Long Should I Boil My Wort For?
Boiling is very important in beer brewing. It affects the color, flavor, purity, gravity, and taste of your beer, amongst other things. A lot of people believe that like water, wort boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this is a common misconception.
The truth is wort boils at a temperature that is higher than 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
Typically, the time your wort takes to boil should depend on the recipe and style. However, the general advice is that beer should be boiled for 90 minutes under consistent, evenly distributed heat.
Conclusion
If you would pay close attention to your purchase, and consider all of your brewing needs before buying, the burner you get would most likely be a valuable addition to your home brewing equipment. I hope that the list I compiled would have simplified things for you a lot more.
