[gogreen437]

I'm sure this topic has come up a lot, so apologies, but is there any reason not to go cheap (50 dollar range) as opposed to some of the more expensive options?  These are two I am looking at right now:

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/homebrewing-equipment/boiling-equipment/burners/king-kooker.html

http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-SQ14-Single-Outdoor/dp/B0009JXYQ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335360454&sr=8-2

Thank you for any input.

[ukolowiczd]

I was using that Banjo burner but just purchased the Blichmann burner. I don't have any quantitative data as of yet but it sure seems to boil faster and it is supposed to use less gas. I have actually boiled by mistake my first two strike waters b/c I'm used to it taking longer. It is way, way quieter, with more jets (thus the quicker boil times). And I'm pretty sure I could fire a bazooka at it and it would withstand the blast. That or use it in a weight lifting program. It is solid and seems like it will last forever. I can't say any of this for my Banjo (actually have to replace the burner part of it soon - rusty). 

[davidgzach]

I bought this one 3 years ago for $39 from Amazon and love it!  Highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-SP10-High-Pressure-Outdoor/dp/B000291GBQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1335362381&sr=1-2

Dave

[tygo]

I bought this one 3 years ago for $39 from Amazon and love it!  Highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-SP10-High-Pressure-Outdoor/dp/B000291GBQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1335362381&sr=1-2

Dave

I use the same one.  Looks like it's $49 now which is still a pretty good deal.  It works very well although it's a bit of a propane hog.  Throws a lot of heat.

[sparkleberry]

i have the second burner you are asking about and also got it from amazon.  i've had it for two years and it has worked fine, though it is completely rusted over.  i just recently got the blichmann.  mainly because the burner is twice as big as the bayou classic and it completely covers the bottom of my newer, larger kettle.  i could have saved about $75 bucks but had the disposable income to spend so i thought i'd go with the stainless american burner because i could.  i haven't had time to use it yet but will be tomorrow or friday as weather and work allow.

[Slowbrew]

I bought this one 3 years ago for $39 from Amazon and love it!  Highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-SP10-High-Pressure-Outdoor/dp/B000291GBQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1335362381&sr=1-2

Dave

I use the same one.  Looks like it's $49 now which is still a pretty good deal.  It works very well although it's a bit of a propane hog.  Throws a lot of heat.

I have the same type of burner and it works well.  Until it wears out I have no plans to replace it.  I couldn't justify the cost difference with efficiency alone at the volume I use it.

Paul

[Pinski]

My LHBS sells this one for $85. I love it.
It sure looks like the same jet manifold that Blichmann uses.

[gymrat]

I bought this one 3 years ago for $39 from Amazon and love it!  Highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-SP10-High-Pressure-Outdoor/dp/B000291GBQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1335362381&sr=1-2

Dave

I use the same one.  Looks like it's $49 now which is still a pretty good deal.  It works very well although it's a bit of a propane hog.  Throws a lot of heat.

That's the one I have. And I have been looking at other burners because of the amount of propane mine uses. At most I can get 4 brew days on a propane bottle. And that is heating my strike water in the house on the stove. That is almost $6 worth of propane per brew day.

[davidgzach]

That's the one I have. And I have been looking at other burners because of the amount of propane mine uses. At most I can get 4 brew days on a propane bottle. And that is heating my strike water in the house on the stove. That is almost $6 worth of propane per brew day.
[/quote]

Strange.  I also heat my strike and my sparge water on the stove, however I get 8-10 brews out of my tanks.  A refill at BJ's costs me $14-$17 depending upon the current price of propane so I've been very happy.

[a10t2]

I also have the SP10. Bought it from Amazon about 5 years ago for $29 with free shipping. If you can wait and keep an eye on it, the price jumps around quite a bit.

No rust issues, but I store it indoors. I get 5-6 brew days (75 min boil) out of a 20 lb fill. (Or 4-5 with the 17 lb exchange tanks.) Gymrat, sounds like maybe yours needs to be cleaned.

[mcdanis]

I use the SQ14 from Bayou Classic and have been very pleased with it so far.  Got it for less than $50 about 8 months ago.  For me, it is a good compromise between power, noise, and fuel consumption.  It is sold at Amazon and also Home Depot.

One thing to keep in mind is the size.  Not all of them fit a keggle without a supplemental grate of some sort if that's what you use.  That's another reason I chose the SQ14.  It fits a keggle perfectly with no modifications.

Good luck!

[gogreen437]

I use the SQ14 from Bayou Classic and have been very pleased with it so far.  Got it for less than $50 about 8 months ago.  For me, it is a good compromise between power, noise, and fuel consumption.  It is sold at Amazon and also Home Depot.

One thing to keep in mind is the size.  Not all of them fit a keggle without a supplemental grate of some sort if that's what you use.  That's another reason I chose the SQ14.  It fits a keggle perfectly with no modifications.

Good luck!

I don't use a keggle.  My current brew kettle is 16 inches in diameter, which I assume would be ok with the 13 inch diameter of the sp10 if I went with that. But my next purchase I intend to make is a kettle with a 19 inch diameter.  In my mind I feel like that would still be stable on top of 13 inches, but am I off base with that?