Adjustable regulator

[Paul Fraser]

I get a rolling boil but it is only just and takes a wee while. I'm looking to shorten my brew day by getting an adjustable regulator. I have the cast iron 3 ring burner that you get from Mitre 10. Is this compatable with any regulator or do I have to seek a specific type. Or should I just take it to a gas specialist shop?

[JumpR]

I got an adjustable regulator off rectech (link to his listings) on trademe.  He was happy to add the specific attachments I needed to connect to the burner / gas bottle - very prompt delivery (I have no affiliation though!).  The burner goes a LOT harder since installing.

[Liam Callaghan]

just check the burner is ok with a higher gas pressure

[Chad Keven]

how do you go about this?

[Liam Callaghan]

They usually say on the packaging if its high/low pressure, or google the specs on what type of burner it is - mine has a manufacturer stamp on it (Metal Fusion).  It isn't going to explode or anything it just wont light properly or tend to go out - which could lead to an explosion of course :p

Certainly no harm in trying it, just keep a good eye on it for the first few runs if you can't find any specs.  The high pressure have a wide air intake at the back in comparison to the low.  Mine is basically an open mouth instead of holes in a tube.

You can also talk to the guys at your local gas shop, my local BOC guys were awesome, unfortunately not the same crowd now and they know ufckall.

You couls also have a look at some of the other high pressure burners on the market and see if any of them look like yours.  Bayou and King Kooker are the best in my opinion but they are all probably made in the same foundry in China.

[Chad Keven]

thanks, i might try and upload a pic of my burner stand and get your opinion after, my burner isnt that slow but i want it to burn cleaner my keggle gets very sooty

[Kelly Milligan]

I've got one of these too, 

It has made a big difference, but you still can't really turn the adjustable regulator past a couple PSI, the low pressure burners just can't handle that amount of gas pressure and won't stay lit.

Another tip to consider is using a shield of some sort if you aren't already. I use fire bricks, surround the base of my pot so that much less heat disappears out the sides :)

[JumpR]

I use some standard bricks to support the base of my kettle as it didn't sit well on the burner (100L).  They acted well as a heat sink during the mash (BIAB), although I think they starved the airflow (and therefore performance) of the burner - I could blow under the kettle and the burner would surge into fury.  After fully opening the garage which generated more airflow the burner seemed to run harder.  That was my experience anyway.

[Kelly Milligan]

Yea I leave a gap in the bricks where the gas inlet arm is on the burner. I think most of the air the flames need comes in through the gaps where the discs are though doesn't it? still a huge difference, a small gust on those burners without a shield can turn a boil into a light simmer :(

[Liam Callaghan]

My mate has a cowl on the bottom of his kegs as well as a shield around the burner, works really well.  You can also try using a lid prior to the boil to help it get there faster. 

I start boiling as soon as I have my first 5 litres from the sparge so I don't have any lag time from sparge end to boil start - just enough to pour a pint.

You could also look at lagging the boil kettle too if you needed, it would all help speed things up.  I've done about 12 months worth of time motion study on my brewery and how I run it, manged to get it down quite a bit, averages 3.5 hours per session including washing up.  No need to be cutting corners or reducing the quality of your beer.  Especially handy if time is precious, 3.5 hours I can fit in any evening and make a beer, I can't always afford a whole day to brew.

Richard Jack is getting about the same time frames with the way he brews - a very nice drop too :p

[Ralph]

Yeh that rectech guy is good. It will speed up your brew day even with a standard 3 ring. If you turn the reg up too high the flames simply jump off the burner, so you can only turn it up a bit... but you will still get it going way hotter than with a standard. $60 well spent in my opinion.

If you want to upgrade burner then Gas Link in Sydenham have spiral type burners for about $100. They would work well with the adjustable reg.

[Paul Fraser]

Cheers for the info fellas. Something for me to keep in mind then. An upgrade will def be on the cards at some point. I'll start with the adjustable reg first off. I've got a wind shroud made up of sheet metal which helps but it's not enough. Cheers

[Liam Callaghan]

http://bayouclassicdepot.com/bg10_cast_iron_burner.htm

 

http://bayouclassicdepot.com/propane-jet-burners.htm

 

Some good stuff on here, cheap as burners for as little as $12 + shipping and you can dial them up to your hearts content.  My stainless glows cherry when I am boiling :p  Saves me heaps of time as I am rarely waiting for hot water or for the sparged wort to boil.  Averages about 4 minutes from sparge to full boil with a sparge of around 75-80 degrees.