About to purchase unilow furnace ...

[ardalon]

I've been hunting around for a while for the right kit to boil 100 L batches (with the option to go bigger in the future).

I am about to purchase:
up to 2 bar high pressure regulator
and
Furnace

I just wanted to make sure this is the set up you guys were discussing ? some of the posts are a few years old.

The manual does not say anything about operating above 1 bar (out putting only 12.6kw), but it looks industrial grade and can handle higher pressure but mainly I'm basing it on others experience on here.

I'm assuming the unilow furnace can take the weight of that much liquid (I browsed the manual and didn't see a weight rating) ?

I also looked at the paella burner (seems like a more distributed flame would be better to prevent scorching), I'm assuming this was with the same sort of regulator as above ? I have insulation to wrap the kettle but not sure what was meant by any further heat shielding ?

And finally does anyone have experience with the Jet style burners ? It seems like they are a hassle (jets may not all fire) but can out put 20kw+ ?

I second a big thank you for this thread, its been tough finding info from other brewers using propane in the UK!

 

[Dutto]

Two comments:

1. Regardless of the delivery pressure of the propane regulator you should make sure that it can deliver the kg/hr required by the burner. (I couldn't find the maximum kg/hr the burner requires.)

2. Regardless of the type of burner it may be easier to control the flame output if you use a Variable Pressure Regulator similar to this one ...

http://gasproducts.co.uk/reca-912-0...h-gauge.html?gclid=CNyE-ZDV380CFUQcGwod-kEKqA

... which delivers the 6kg/hr provided by the one you are considering.

Hope this helps. :thumb:

PS

Just checked pdf for your chosen burner. It states:

The furnace requires a propane gas supply at 1 bar (15 psi) regulated pressure.

Back to the drawing board eh?

PPS

Good News - it only needs 0.9kg/hr.

Bad News - the furnace is 230mm high and 300mm x 300mm square. This means that this 100 litre pot ...

http://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/en/stockpots/23-100l-stainless-steel-pot.html

... at 500mm diameter will be overhanging the furnace by 100mm each side. Personally, I'm such a clumsy so-and-so that I wouldn't like to be anywhere near 100 litres of boiling wort that was being heated on such a small pedestal.

 

[Cqr]

That burner is a beast, what size kettle you using
I've a 45cmx45cm and only got a 5 kW burner
Saying that a little more kv would speed things up lol

 

[Sbond10]

Spending that amount of cash I'd consider the blichmann burner that brewuk now sell.

I've heard too much heat can actually damage the stainless.

I use a 7.5kw burner with a 100 litre pan to heat 40-50 litres of water up

 

[ardalon]

1. Regardless of the delivery pressure of the propane regulator you should make sure that it can deliver the kg/hr required by the burner. (I couldn't find the maximum kg/hr the burner requires.)... The furnace requires a propane gas supply at 1 bar (15 psi) regulated pressure....Good News - it only needs 0.9kg/hr.

It seemed like from previous posts that 4kg/hr is possible despite being rated for much less with the right regulator and this particular burner. I was trying to see if anyone else was able to do this and if it was safe.

Bad News - the furnace is 230mm high and 300mm x 300mm square. This means that this 100 litre pot ...

This is also a good point, my kettle is almost those exact dimensions. There would be a good amount of overhang but if it can take the weight and boil quickly i would take the risk.

That burner is a beast, what size kettle you using
I've a 45cmx45cm and only got a 5 kW burner
Saying that a little more kv would speed things up lol

How many liter batches do you do ? 5 kW sounds quite a bit low to get 100 L up to boil in about 40 min esp at 50% efficiency ?

Spending that amount of cash I'd consider the blichmann burner that brewuk now sell.

Thanks for the recommendation, that blichmann burner is out of stock unfortunately, but I think 2 of those would do the 100 L reliably. I've only found 2 "banjo" style burners for sale online in the UK. And quite pricey too. But if it does the job I may have to cough up the money.

 

[Cqr]

I start with 42.7 litres, I'am doing biab
ViB 38 L
Vif 24
45x45 kettle 72L

 

[ardalon]

I did some more digging and um so this is actually a more detailed version of what my original post was asking about

http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=54397

If you scroll down to the photos section. You can see Aleman's paella burner brew kettle/Saturn V rocket ship.

I'm intrigued and terrified. :grin:

I think I might adapt this design though i'm apprehensive about building a shroud like that, shouldn't there be more airflow for safety ? I understand how greatly that helps efficiency though ... If I can get close to 50% efficency at 17kw/2 = 8.5kw to the pot then I think it would be a great setup.

Aleman ? are you out there ? or did your brew rig blast you into space :grin:

 

[Dutto]

As a general rule, the air is introduced close to where the gas enters the main pipe to the burner.

However, whatever design you finally decide on, make sure that you locate the burner high enough to prevent it damaging whatever it stands on. I used a much smaller burner than the one in the photograph on a smoker I knocked up out of a couple of Propane Cylinders ... :thumb:

... and I am still living with the cracked paving stone that it stood on!

 

[ardalon]

As a general rule, the air is introduced close to where the gas enters the main pipe to the burner....make sure that you locate the burner high enough to prevent it damaging whatever it stands on.

Cheers, that is some good advice!

I used a much smaller burner than the one in the photograph on a smoker I knocked up out of a couple of Propane Cylinders ... :thumb:

... and I am still living with the cracked paving stone that it stood on!

:mrgreen: :lol: "Houston we have lift off!"