Looking for a Propane Burner

[Jim_C]

We live in an area prone to outages on windy days. I have the grill and the smoker, but would like a propane burner. I know there are a bunch of folks on this forum who have experience with propane burners and I thought I'd ask for some advice.

I did buy a propane burner on Amazon. It's a single burner rated at 260,000 BTU. The reviews mention it runs more like 200,000. The burner is large. 16" square. I would not be able put anything smaller than an 8 quart pot on it. Although the 3-4 times a year I boil crab it would probably do one heck of a job, it just seems like overkill. I'm likely going to return it.

The size I think I'm after is more in the single burner 120,000 BTU range. The reviews for the ones I am looking at on Amazon suggest they actually run in the 20,000 - 40,000 range, which may be a bit small.

So......I'm after advice. Throwing out the BTU ratings and user reviews; What propane burner would be good for something dependable in adverse weather, small enough to use our daily cookware on, and hot enough to not leave me wishing I had something that sounds like a jet engine and would double as a flame thrower.

 

[zwiller]

Long time homebrewer here and have had a number of these including the 200k BTU jet engine soot maker. 40k BTU "banjo" is much nicer, quieter and no soot. More than enigh heat for all but the largest of boils like 15G. I routinely sear stuff on it and use to heat my wok. It's not ideal but it works. I keep putting off making a stand for it.

 

[radioguy]

here is what I did without breaking the bank. I do large seafood boils cook salsa , canning.
You have to increase gas flow. Red 20lb regulator. I already had a burner frame

All can be has on Amazon

RG

DOZYANT 4 Feet High Pressure... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J63DYI6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

CAST IRON BURNERHEAD

There are no limits on creating your dream burner. It's a jump up from a childhood lego set into a customized stove. Our 50250 Cast Iron Burner head will accompany you to wherever your imagination takes you! Specifications Material: Cast Iron Dimensions: 11 x 5.2 x 2" Weight: 3 lb Fitting: Type...

gasone.com

 

[SmokinEdge]

We have a Camp Chief 2 burner but they make singles. We can, boil and generally do larger type cooks with it. It folds up and stores real nice. More than enough horsepower.

https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-EX60LW-Explorer-Outdoor/dp/B0006VORDY

 

[JckDanls 07]

I have a two burner coleman camp stove... uses the little bottles of propane... They also have single burners... Look through thier site... https://www.coleman.com/grills-stoves/camping-stoves/

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

Blichmann hellfire. Btu range is 80 k up to 140 k. Great burner. Can find them easy on fb marketplace.

 

[Fueling Around]

I have many.

I started with an "Outdoor Cooker" (now Camp Chef) 2 burner basically the same as Eric ( SmokinEdge ) posted. What a work horse. I bought it for canning. Use it to boil bagels. Great with a larger skillet or a cast iron griddle. 30 years old and lived most of its life outside and still going strong. Coating is starting to peel in a few places.
If you want only 1 unit I highly recommend it as your "one and done" selection.

I also have a Coleman Roadtrip 2 burner that I got for RVing. I don't like cooking highly aromatic stuff such as bacon in the truck camper. Got griddles and a stove top rack for it. Not a high BTU unit for big pots, but is a great unit. I prefer the aluminum griddles over the cast iron.

I bought a Coleman party ball years ago. Compact unit that folds down. Starts with rack for pots. A grate goes over the top for grilling. I don't think they make it anymore.

I bought an outdoor deep fryer after my electric unit died. It is basically the unit Sam ( zwiller ) and radioguy talk about with a stand. Great burner, but I prefer the working height of the Camp Chef.
Look into the offerings from https://gasone.com/ as they are decent priced and have some flame thrower models as well. The flamethrower burners may not work well with a traditional 20#er tank. The over fill protection (OFP) valve standard on LP tanks may not support burners over 20-30K BTU. They have a built in safety to shutdown high gas flow.

I had a 2 burner white gas Coleman cook stove with a propane conversion similar to the unit Keith ( JckDanls 07 ) has in his arsenal. Had was a key word. I bought a replacement at a garage sale about 6 years ago. I love the white gas option as it is much hotter than using the propane conversion. White gas also works much better than propane in colder temps. Well shortly after the purchase I no longer freeze my tail off in cold winters.

I hope you got some ideas.

 

[801driver]

By what I am reading, a standard turkey fryer from bass pro or Atwoods might work for what I understanding your needs might be. I have two. Both I can put a small sauce pan pot on simmer for cheese sauce, or a small 8 in or bigger cast iron skillet, 17 in wok or the big boil pot to fry a turkey or do a shrimp or crab boil in. Don't know what size it is, but a 20 lb turkey will easily fit in it covered with oil. I have also put a camp chief cast iron griddle on it a few times.

As "radioguy" suggested above, and most important in my opinion is to get rid of fixed regulators that come with any of this kind of stuff and get a "red knob" adjustable 20 lb manual propane regulator from amazon, Lowes, home depot or even wal-mart so you can really adjust your flame heat to where you want it. I do that for all my outdoor burners. You can have an eighth inch flame for low heating sauces or a two inch blowtorch out of each little hole flame if you want to make the bottom of your pot red hot or anything in-between by just turning the knob.

Good Luck to you, report back of what you have found to work for you.

 

[forktender]

We have a Camp Chief 2 burner but they make singles. We can, boil and generally do larger type cooks with it. It folds up and stores real nice. More than enough horsepower.

https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-EX60LW-Explorer-Outdoor/dp/B0006VORDY

I had the C.C. three burner that Costco sells, it was great for canning or anything that required outdoor cooking on a stove top. I had the griddle that covered two of the burners, which was great for camping or cooking in the yard. If I was in the market again, I'd buy the two burner in a heartbeat, as the three burner was kinda heavy, nice but heavy to move around for me. The thing I liked about it was the ability to turn it down low enough to cook omelets and hot enough to boil live crab in a massive stock pot, it was perfect. This is the one I had, I added the folding covers and wind guard, the wind guard is a must, it looks like it comes with it now, it didn't back when I bought mine.

https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-Tahoe-Triple-Burner/dp/B0000ASCRS/143-8916785-5235402?pd_rd_w=vOOUF&content-id=amzn1.sym.6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_p=6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_r=RB9MCS5DRX4YW9Z8V39T&pd_rd_wg=CCgbr&pd_rd_r=a3ebc495-dbab-4bb2-b8d6-829fd17bbcd4&pd_rd_i=B0CXFDCNXT&psc=1

These are prob made in the same factory as the C.C. stoves.
The little side tables/covers are super convenient to have as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Bestfire-Windpanel-Ignition-Regulator-Backyard/dp/B0DQPPP4FJ/143-8916785-5235402?pd_rd_w=LPr59&content-id=amzn1.sym.6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_p=6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_r=5Q5B1WV5VYKF75ZPZMZQ&pd_rd_wg=FyXrc&pd_rd_r=4093da17-f236-475e-a4fd-3f7f1a0c01f8&pd_rd_i=B0DQPPP4FJ&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Propane-Windscreen-Waterproof-Detachable-Backyard/dp/B0F7RM4T55/143-8916785-5235402?pd_rd_w=vOOUF&content-id=amzn1.sym.6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_p=6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_r=RB9MCS5DRX4YW9Z8V39T&pd_rd_wg=CCgbr&pd_rd_r=a3ebc495-dbab-4bb2-b8d6-829fd17bbcd4&pd_rd_i=B0F7RM4T55&th=1

 

[Jim_C]

Long time homebrewer here and have had a number of these including the 200k BTU jet engine soot maker. 40k BTU "banjo" is much nicer, quieter and no soot. More than enigh heat for all but the largest of boils like 15G. I routinely sear stuff on it and use to heat my wok. It's not ideal but it works. I keep putting off making a stand for it.

Looks like a good basic unit.

here is what I did without breaking the bank. I do large seafood boils cook salsa , canning.
You have to increase gas flow. Red 20lb regulator. I already had a burner frame

All can be has on Amazon

RG

DOZYANT 4 Feet High Pressure... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J63DYI6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

CAST IRON BURNERHEAD

There are no limits on creating your dream burner. It's a jump up from a childhood lego set into a customized stove. Our 50250 Cast Iron Burner head will accompany you to wherever your imagination takes you! Specifications Material: Cast Iron Dimensions: 11 x 5.2 x 2" Weight: 3 lb Fitting: Type...

gasone.com

Looks similar to zwiller's choice. A basic burner.

We have a Camp Chief 2 burner but they make singles. We can, boil and generally do larger type cooks with it. It folds up and stores real nice. More than enough horsepower.

https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-EX60LW-Explorer-Outdoor/dp/B0006VORDY

The Camp Chef seems to be taking the vote overall.

I have a two burner coleman camp stove... uses the little bottles of propane... They also have single burners... Look through thier site... https://www.coleman.com/grills-stoves/camping-stoves/

I've always had soft spot for Coleman stoves. It goes back to my kid days and the Norman Rockwell type vision of camping out.

Blichmann hellfire. Btu range is 80 k up to 140 k. Great burner. Can find them easy on fb marketplace.

These are pricey, and they look a bit alien, but they look well built. Priced accordingly.

I have many.

I started with an "Outdoor Cooker" (now Camp Chef) 2 burner basically the same as Eric ( SmokinEdge ) posted. What a work horse. I bought it for canning. Use it to boil bagels. Great with a larger skillet or a cast iron griddle. 30 years old and lived most of its life outside and still going strong. Coating is starting to peel in a few places.
If you want only 1 unit I highly recommend it as your "one and done" selection.

I also have a Coleman Roadtrip 2 burner that I got for RVing. I don't like cooking highly aromatic stuff such as bacon in the truck camper. Got griddles and a stove top rack for it. Not a high BTU unit for big pots, but is a great unit. I prefer the aluminum griddles over the cast iron.

I bought a Coleman party ball years ago. Compact unit that folds down. Starts with rack for pots. A grate goes over the top for grilling. I don't think they make it anymore.

I bought an outdoor deep fryer after my electric unit died. It is basically the unit Sam ( zwiller ) and radioguy talk about with a stand. Great burner, but I prefer the working height of the Camp Chef.
Look into the offerings from https://gasone.com/ as they are decent priced and have some flame thrower models as well. The flamethrower burners may not work well with a traditional 20#er tank. The over fill protection (OFP) valve standard on LP tanks may not support burners over 20-30K BTU. They have a built in safety to shutdown high gas flow.

I had a 2 burner white gas Coleman cook stove with a propane conversion similar to the unit Keith ( JckDanls 07 ) has in his arsenal. Had was a key word. I bought a replacement at a garage sale about 6 years ago. I love the white gas option as it is much hotter than using the propane conversion. White gas also works much better than propane in colder temps. Well shortly after the purchase I no longer freeze my tail off in cold winters.

I hope you got some ideas.

Coleman and Camp Chef two burner stoves seem to be the stove of choice.

By what I am reading, a standard turkey fryer from bass pro or Atwoods might work for what I understanding your needs might be. I have two. Both I can put a small sauce pan pot on simmer for cheese sauce, or a small 8 in or bigger cast iron skillet, 17 in wok or the big boil pot to fry a turkey or do a shrimp or crab boil in. Don't know what size it is, but a 20 lb turkey will easily fit in it covered with oil. I have also put a camp chief cast iron griddle on it a few times.

As "radioguy" suggested above, and most important in my opinion is to get rid of fixed regulators that come with any of this kind of stuff and get a "red knob" adjustable 20 lb manual propane regulator from amazon, Lowes, home depot or even wal-mart so you can really adjust your flame heat to where you want it. I do that for all my outdoor burners. You can have an eighth inch flame for low heating sauces or a two inch blowtorch out of each little hole flame if you want to make the bottom of your pot red hot or anything in-between by just turning the knob.

Good Luck to you, report back of what you have found to work for you.

A turkey fryer would probably be a cost effective solution since they are usually priced reasonably. I was headed in the one burner direction. Now I'm not sure.

I had the C.C. three burner that Costco sells, it was great for canning or anything that required outdoor cooking on a stove top. I had the griddle that covered two of the burners, which was great for camping or cooking in the yard. If I was in the market again, I'd buy the two burner in a heartbeat, as the three burner was kinda heavy, nice but heavy to move around for me. The thing I liked about it was the ability to turn it down low enough to cook omelets and hot enough to boil live crab in a massive stock pot, it was perfect. This is the one I had, I added the folding covers and wind guard, the wind guard is a must, it looks like it comes with it now, it didn't back when I bought mine.

https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-Tahoe-Triple-Burner/dp/B0000ASCRS/143-8916785-5235402?pd_rd_w=vOOUF&content-id=amzn1.sym.6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_p=6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_r=RB9MCS5DRX4YW9Z8V39T&pd_rd_wg=CCgbr&pd_rd_r=a3ebc495-dbab-4bb2-b8d6-829fd17bbcd4&pd_rd_i=B0CXFDCNXT&psc=1

These are prob made in the same factory as the C.C. stoves.
The little side tables/covers are super convenient to have as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Bestfire-Windpanel-Ignition-Regulator-Backyard/dp/B0DQPPP4FJ/143-8916785-5235402?pd_rd_w=LPr59&content-id=amzn1.sym.6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_p=6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_r=5Q5B1WV5VYKF75ZPZMZQ&pd_rd_wg=FyXrc&pd_rd_r=4093da17-f236-475e-a4fd-3f7f1a0c01f8&pd_rd_i=B0DQPPP4FJ&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Propane-Windscreen-Waterproof-Detachable-Backyard/dp/B0F7RM4T55/143-8916785-5235402?pd_rd_w=vOOUF&content-id=amzn1.sym.6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_p=6640a844-ab24-4352-ac9b-78899e683a5e&pf_rd_r=RB9MCS5DRX4YW9Z8V39T&pd_rd_wg=CCgbr&pd_rd_r=a3ebc495-dbab-4bb2-b8d6-829fd17bbcd4&pd_rd_i=B0F7RM4T55&th=1

I'm partial to Camp Chef, since I own two Smoke Vault's, but the pricing difference has certainly got may attention.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd like to thank everyone for the input. There is some great discussion on the different types of cook-top stoves and single burners. It is particularly nice to have the input on what works and what doesn't.

I still have the 250,000 BTU burner. Amazon will not allow it to be returned unless is was damaged during shipping. Something about it being a hazardous material. I guess I'll play with it a little to see what it can do.

Along that same note, I'm pretty sure it's usefulness will be limited given the propane tanks I have around. As was pointed out, a 20# propane tank is not going to be the best size to use with it, and I'm getting to where it's a bit more difficult to move the larger tanks around.

I also took note of the recommendation for using the adjustable, red knob, regulator. I have a few lying around, and the 250,000 BTU burner came with one. I will likely add a Bayou needle point valve since I like using them with the Smoke Vault, and to see if it offers any advantages over the control of the flame.

Finally..........I think the conversation has driven me to the 150,000 BTU two burner solution as a good compromise between using a large pot for boiling, and using everyday cookware. That will eliminate the Coleman stove, which is an age-old standby, and drive me toward the Camp Chef. If in fact the $104 stove in forktender's post is basically the same as the Camp Chef two burner stove, I may need to forgo the Camp Chef label on the front. We'll see...................

 

[pineywoods]

Here are some to check out I have a couple from there
Burners