[delayjoe]

I need to know what new piece of equipment to get. A pump? Or a upgrade my propane burner?

[klickitat jim]

Which ever one helps control fermentation temperature. I know neither does, but that is where I would spend my money first.

[S. cerevisiae]

I own a March pump that I have never used, which should answer your question.

[Stevie]

I would say it depends on your burner and what sort of upgrade you are looking at. I have a $50 square bayou classic that I love. Not fancy like a blichmann, but I get ~4 five gallon batches out of a tank and after a buddy threw a windscreen on I get way better flame control.


I am looking to get a pump after I get a mill, and maybe a fancy keg hopper thing in between.


I am also dealing with 80 degree ground water in the summer which makes chilling a long and water intensive task. A pump would for sure help here.

[delayjoe]

I have fermentation covered, I built a box that I'm using a window unit to keep temperatures controlled. I have a Bayou classic now for my burner, I'm just trying to cut my brew day time down, it seems like it takes forever to boil 6-7 gal coming from mash temps.

[Stevie]

I don't have that issue with mine. I get my sparge water from ~80 - 180 in 20 minutes and get a boil after sparge inn less. Which model do you have? I have this SQ14 and have been happy.




If all you are trying to do is cut time, I would go with the pump.


Edit - Changed photo link. I guess amazon doesn't appreciate linked images.

[ynotbrusum]

I didn't use a pump for the longest time, but my chilling process took quite a while with merely an immersion chiller - I started using the whirlpool immersion chiller by simply adding a little copper and some silicone high temp hoses and haven't looked back...so you might want to consider that.  But I brew 10 gallons typically, so YMMV.  If your burner seems adequate, then you may save more time in your brew day by getting a pump.  Also, the pump can be used to save your back, if lifting is an issue.

That all assumes your burner is relatively adequate, of course, because a poor burner can add a lot of time to your brew day.

[BrewArk]

Only one of them produces fire.  Easy choice for me.

[delayjoe]

The burner I'm using is the bottom of the line Bayou classic the one that comes with the turkey fryers, it's about eight years old

[Stevie]

Is it the type with a single big soot spewing jet? If so, for sure upgrade.



Bayou Classic SQ14 works great with keggles - http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-Single-Burner-Patio/dp/B0009JXYQ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405627070&sr=8-1&keywords=bayou+sq14


Similar burner design to Blichmann (maybe the same?) http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-KAB4-Pressure-Cooker/dp/B0009JXYQY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1405627179&sr=8-4&keywords=bayou+classic

[duboman]

If you are getting less than 3-4 batches of beer from a propane tank and it takes forever to bring to boil I 'd say get a better, more efficient burner for sure, speeds up the day and saves money over time!

[Joe T]

You can't brew without a good heat source. You can brew without a pump.

[Jeff M]

Pumps are great but you can live without them as long as you have gravity.  Burners are slightly more important, if you have a sucky burner i would upgrade to a higher BTU burner and save the old one for the odd double brew or any other times you may want a second burner.

[delayjoe]

Looks like I'm going to get a new burner. Is Blichmann worth the $50 more than the Bayou classic KAB4?

[Stevie]

If you get the kab4 on amazon it's $70 less than a blichmann burner. The blichmann burners are nice and work with near any kettle/keggle you can throw at em. The centering tabs are a smart idea.