Homebrew Burner Comparison
When you make the decision to take your homebrewing hobby out of the kitchen, a propane burner may be your next consideration. While several features will influence your purchase choice, one of the most significant is the BTU/hour rating. While the name is obscure (British Thermal Units per hour), it is useful as a comparison of energy output by a burner over time. When considering burners, though, keep a few points in mind. First, bigger is not always better. Very high output burners may not work well at lower settings to keep a rolling boil going. Second, the rating is derived from how fast the burner burns propane, not exactly how much heat goes into your kettle (see John Blichmann’s article on electric vs. gas heating on page 56 for more details — including how to measure your own burner’s rate). Third, I have not run John’s test on these burners; all the figures are from published websites or directly from the burner distributors. Note that none of the propane burners discussed here are safe for indoor use without major ventilation upgrades.
For the burner heads themselves, a few characteristics appear across many models. Most are cast iron while a few are cast aluminum. Two fundamental burner head designs appear in this rundown. Burner castings I have designated as “cup type” (CT) have a profile something like a tobacco pipe: A horizontal stem leading to a bowl or cup under the kettle. The stem provides a venturi effect to draw air into the gas mixture and a star-shaped insert in the cup spreads the gas flow, effectively making gas nozzles to produce a ring of flame. I have designated the other basic style as “spoke type” (ST). These castings have a similar venturi tube leading to a hollow ring with three to eight hollow spokes. The upper face of the ring (and sometimes the spokes) has an array of holes, each constituting a burner orifice and supporting a flame. The ST shape is often referred to by the Bayou Classic brand name as a Banjo burner. For boiling wort in very large kettles, propane jet burners that concentrate the flame in one or two large nozzles are also available. None of the burners in this review use that style of burner head.
Besides the purpose-built burners discussed here, there are others that you may want to consider. Turkey fryer burners and camping stoves from Backyard Pro, Camp Chef, Gas One, Hurricane, King Kooker, Masterbuilt, Sportsman, and other manufacturers may provide an economical start on outdoor homebrewing. In the meantime, this article provides a rundown of the scope and extent of variability and options you may find in your burner search.
Adventures in Homebrewing 14” Propane Burner
Adventures in Homebrewing homebrew shop specifically set out to produce a high-output burner and this is one of two versions they came up with, maxing out at 220,000 BTU/hr. This one has a 14-inch (36-cm) square frame layout with supportive “V” bars extending toward the middle to rest the brew pot on. The frame is black painted steel and a round stainless steel wind guard surrounds a 4-inch (10-cm) diameter cast iron cup-type burner head. The burner stands 11 inches (28 cm) high, includes a 36-inch (91-cm) propane hose, and is designed to support large stock pots in sizes up to 1⁄2 barrel (15.5 gallons/59 L). A 10-psi regulator and a brass control valve are also featured. It is described as suitable for full boils and all-grain brewing.
MSRP: $109.99
https://www.homebrewing.org/14-Propane-Burner–220000-BTU_p_1190.html
Adventures in Homebrewing 18” Propane Burner
Also equipped with a 220,000 BTU/hour burner head, this alternative to the 14-inch (36-cm) burner has a square 18-inch (46-cm) frame and stands 10 inches (25 cm) tall. It is described as suitable for 15 to 20 gallons (57 to 76 L), using a black painted steel frame enclosing a stainless steel wind guard. A full steel “X” bar supports the pot all the way to the center of the frame. It uses a center-bolted 4-inch (10-cm) cup-type high-pressure cast iron burner head. It includes a 36-inch (91-cm) propane hose and a brass control valve.
MSRP: $119.99
www.homebrewing.org/18-Propane-Burner–220000-BTU-_p_3214.html
Anvil Forge Burner
This burner from Anvil Brewing Equipment comes standard with legs that allow assembly at 7 inches (18 cm) or 16 inches (41 cm) high. Optional add-on leg extensions (MSRP $29.99) extend the height to 24 inches (61 cm), allowing for direct drainage of a kettle into a carboy for fermentation. The three support bars give the burner stand an effective diameter of 20 inches (51 cm). It features a high-temperature coating and a deep burner guard for outdoor use under windy conditions. The burner head, a 6.5-inch (17-cm) cast iron spoke-type, is rated at 72,000 BTU/hr. Burner orifices are arranged in radial rows of three around the circular face of the casting for even heat distribution. The legs feature self-leveling feet that allow good stability and assembly directly to a bench or, with more than one burner, set up as a multi-tier brewery. Each burner can support a 20-gallon (76-L) kettle. A 10-psi regulator and hose are included.
MSRP: $99.99
www.anvilbrewing.com/product-p/anv-forge-burner.htm
Bayou Classic Brew Cooker SQ84 & SS84
This is a painted vs. stainless pair of burner models from Bayou Classic. The SQ84 has black painted steel legs, kettle support, and wind screen. For the SS84, those parts are made from stainless steel. Other features are common to both burners. Each stands 13.25 inches (34 cm) high and has a square top that measures 16 inches (41 cm) across. Four V-shaped supports are welded to the square frame to provide the burner support, with a 12-inch (30-cm) minimum kettle diameter required. The kettle capacity goes up to 25 gallons (95 L). The heat rating is 60,000 BTU/hour from a 6-inch (15-cm) diameter cast iron spoke-type burner head. The flame orifices are arranged in radial pairs around the circumference of the burner ring. A 48-inch (122-cm) braided stainless steel propane hose, brass control valve, and 10-psi regulator are included.
MSRP: $69.00 (SQ84) / $104.00 (SS84)
www.shopthebayou.com/products/steel-bayou-brew-cooker
www.shopthebayou.com/products/stainless-steel-bayou-brew-cooker
Bayou Classic Banjo Cooker KAB4 & SAB4
These burners are offered under the Bayou “Banjo” burner name, reflecting the 10-inch (25-cm) spoke-type cast iron burner. Burner orifices are arranged in radial pairs around the circumference of the burner and along each of the eight spokes. KAB4 uses a black painted steel frame and wind guard, while the SAB4 is stainless steel. In each case, four welded rod-type legs support a cooking surface 16 inches (41 cm) across. The kettle frame is 12.5 inches (32 cm) high and is rated for kettles up to 25 gallons (95 L), with a 14-inch (36-cm) minimum pot diameter. Each burner features a hose guard shield extending from the wind guard to protect the hose from excessive heat near the burner. A 48-inch (122-cm) braided stainless steel propane hose is included, along with a 30-psi adjustable regulator. The heat output is rated for each at 104,171 BTU/hr.
MSRP: $75.00 (KAB4) / $108.90 (SAB4)
www.shopthebayou.com/products/banjo-cooker-w-hose-guard
www.shopthebayou.com/products/16-in-stainless-banjo-cooker
Bayou Classic Patio Stove SQ14 & 1114
This is once again a pair of similar burners, differing in that SQ14 uses a black painted steel frame and 1114 is stainless steel. The frames are welded, 16 inches (41 cm) square and 13 inches (33 cm) high. The burner head is a spoke-type 6-inch (15-cm) cast iron unit with pairs of burner orifices around the rim. A 36-inch (91-cm) braided stainless steel propane hose is included along with a 5-psi adjustable regulator. The heat output rating is 58,925 BTU/hour. The frame will support kettles up to 25 gallons (95 L) with a 14-inch (36-cm) minimum diameter required.
MSRP: $47.00 (SQ14) / $78.00 (1114)
www.shopthebayou.com/products/outdoor-patio-stove
www.shopthebayou.com/products/stainless-steel-outdoor-patio-stove
Bayou Classic SP31 & SS31
Another homebrew burner from Bayou, the SP31 burner has three sturdy black painted steel legs that take it to a height of 14 inches (36 cm). It is also 14 inches (38 cm) in diameter and requires a minimum kettle diameter of 12 inches (30 cm). The burner head is a cup-type casting made of aluminum, 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. The star-shaped insert in the burner head produces a full ring of flames when in use. A 48-inch (122-cm) braided stainless steel propane hose is included, as is a 12-inch (30-cm) fry thermometer. The burner is rated at 58,000 BTU/hour and will support a kettle up to 11 gallons (42 L). It has a 10-psi regulator and a brass control valve.
An upgraded version of this burner for less than $10 more, the SS31, has legs and burner supports made from stainless steel.
MSRP: $69.00 (SP31) / $78.50 (SS31)
www.shopthebayou.com/products/14-in-high-pressure-cooker-kd
www.shopthebayou.com/products/bayou-brew-cooker
Bayou Classic Cooker SP50 & SS50
Our final pair of Bayou burners in this list is the tallest of that producer’s burners included here. Once again there is a black painted model, the SP50, and its stainless steel counterpart, the SS50. Each burner features welded construction with three legs supporting a 14-inch (36-cm) round kettle ring at a height of 21 inches (53 cm). Three welded V-shaped supports extend inward to support kettles up to 30 qts. (28 L) with a minimum kettle diameter of 12 inches (30 cm). A wind guard of the same material and finish helps with use under windy conditions. A 36-inch (91-cm) braided stainless steel propane hose is included, along with a 5-psi adjustable regulator. A cup-type 4-inch (10-cm) cast aluminum burner head is rated at 41,741 BTU/hr.
MSRP: $69.90 (SP50) / $119.00 (SS50)
www.shopthebayou.com/products/high-pressure-cooker-1
www.shopthebayou.com/products/stainless-steel-high-pressure-cooker-1
Blichmann HellFire™
This stainless steel unit from Blichmann Engineering can be installed as the burner module in their TopTier™ brew stand system, used as a stand-alone by itself, or fitted with optional leg extensions (sold separately, MSRP $47.99). It is 9.5 inches (24 cm) tall alone, or 24 inches (61 cm) with the extensions. It has dual-mode burn settings rated at 140,000 BTU/hour in high power mode and 80,000 BTU/hour in high efficiency mode. Four adjustable kettle retaining bars accept kettles to 19.75 inches (50 cm) in diameter and are rated to support 30 gallons (114 L). Optional wider legs are available to increase the kettle support diameter to 24 inches (61 cm) and the load capacity to 55 gallons (208 L). These wider legs retail for $54.99. The burner head is a spoke-type 10-inch (25-cm) iron casting with burner orifices arranged in lines of four in a radial pattern along an inner ring and the outer ring, along with groups on four short spokes. A stainless steel wind guard surrounds the burner head and a patent-pending snap-on heat shield protects your valve and thermometer from excess heat. A propane hose with a 10-psi adjustable regulator is included.
MSRP: $149.99
www.blichmannengineering.com/products/hellfire
BrewBuilt AfterBurner
This is a tall, square burner made from Type 304 stainless steel. With a height of 24 inches (61 cm), the square top is 19.5-inches (50 cm) across and includes four welded arms supporting a round wind guard in the center. The frame is rated to support kettles up to 25 gallons (95 L). It can be equipped with optional handles and wheels or bolted to additional AfterBurners to assemble a horizontal brewery. The 10-inch (25-cm) spoke-type cast iron burner head can be operated in an efficiency mode for around 70,000 BTU/hour or in full AfterBurner mode at 100,000 BTU/hr. A 10-psi adjustable regulator and propane hose are included. When not in use, multiple AfterBurners can be stacked for more compact storage.
MSRP: $249.99
www.morebeer.com/products/brewbuilt-afterburner-propane-brewing-burner.html
Brewer’s Best® Element BurnerTM
This is a round black painted steel burner standing 10.75 inches (27 cm) high with a diameter of 18 inches (46 cm). It can support the weight of up to a 10-gallon (38-L) brew pot. The spoke-type burner head is 10.125 inches (26 cm) in diameter with burner orifices arranged in pairs all around the outer rim and along each of the eight spokes. It is rated at 150,000 BTU/hour with a 10-psi adjustable regulator and 36-inch (91-cm) propane hose included. It has a 6.25-inch (16-cm) black painted steel wind guard.
MSRP: $84.99
http://brewersbestkits.com/equipment.html
Northern Brewer Dark Star® 2.0
This round burner from Norther Brewer features a top ring, bottom ring, and three legs of black painted steel rod, welded to spokes that support kettles up to 15 gallons (57 L). Its diameter is 18 inches (46 cm) and it stands 13.4 inches (34 cm) tall, with a 3.5-inch (9-cm) wind guard. The heat output rating of 65,000 BTU/hour is achieved with a spoke-type cast iron burner head that measures 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. Burner orifices are arranged in pairs on top of the outer ring, which has three spokes. A 5-psi adjustable regulator and propane hose is included.
MSRP: $65.99
www.northernbrewer.com/products/dark-star-burner-2-0
Northern Brewer Dark Star® Stainless Burner
While it resembles its painted steel namesake, this all-stainless steel frame is a somewhat different design. It stands at a height of 12 inches (30 cm) on three legs, offering stability on slightly uneven floors. A 16-inch (41-cm) diameter top ring features three kettle support spokes with a capacity to 15 gallons (57 L). The 5-psi adjustable regulator, propane hose, and cast iron burner head are the same as in the Dark Star® 2.0 burner.
MSRP: $99.99
www.northernbrewer.com/products/dark-star%C2%AE-stainless-burner
Northern Brewer Edelmetall Brü®
This round burner stand includes a deep, brushed stainless steel wind guard with three bright copper-finished legs. It has three adjustable stainless kettle support arms that extend to a maximum diameter of 19.5 inches (50 cm). Standing alone, it is 13.5 inches (34 cm) high. Available copper-finish leg extensions (MSRP $48.99) raise it to 27 inches (69 cm). The extension legs are secured with stainless steel cross bars forming a triangular base that offers good stability on uneven surfaces. Capacity is rated to 30 gallons (114 L). The burner head is spoke-type cast iron measuring 10 inches (30 cm) in diameter with burner orifices arranged in pairs around the top of the circumference and on the eight spokes. The output is rated at 72,000 BTU/hour with the included 10-psi adjustable regulator and propane hose. Propane flow is controlled with a precise needle valve that comes included.
MSRP: $149.99
https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/edelmetall-bru-burner
