Running 3 banjo burners

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by LBHops62, Apr 27, 2012.

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  1. LBHops62

    LBHops62 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2010 Georgia

    I am trying to hook up 3 10'' banjo burners on my new horizontal brew system. Does anyone have any suggestions how to do this?

    I thought that I might hard pipe the burners from a main gas line with shut off valves below the burners, but I don't know what size of a regression of piping I should use. Also I am not sure what type of piping to use. I was thinking of just using galvanized pipes, but I saw somewhere that doing that was not a good idea...Not sure why not.. I am running it off of a 20psi regulator from the tank. I want to be able to run at least 2 burners at the same time with the same btu's but am unsure how to feed each burner with the same psi of propane.

    Does anyone have any ideas?
     
    #1 LBHops62, Apr 27, 2012
  2. pecokid

    pecokid Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2007 Pennsylvania

    I think the Amazon description of the Banjo says it must have a 30 PSI regulator. Also, from what I have read standard "black" pipe should be fine. I am not an expert but I am in the process of building my own stand.
     
    #2 pecokid, Apr 27, 2012
  3. ventura78

    ventura78 Pundit (972) Nov 22, 2003 Massachusetts

    I would go with a 1" main feed and then 3/4 to each burner.......Black pipe.....
     
    #3 ventura78, Apr 27, 2012
  4. LBHops62

    LBHops62 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2010 Georgia

    Great thanks! I never saw that about the 30psi, but your more than likely right...they can put out 210,000btu.. I will look into that pecokid. Thanks for the suggestions!

    So you think that having that regression in piping size will allow me to run at least 2 burners at the same btu's? It sounds about right. There's got to be a formula or something for that.. I will try the 1'' main and 3/4'' to the burners though. I'll let yall know how it works out. Thank you for your help!
     
    #4 LBHops62, Apr 27, 2012
  5. LBHops62

    LBHops62 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2010 Georgia

    Dang, just looked at amazon and your right. I need to get a 30psi line. It says it will only work with a 30psi regulator, but I wonder if I should get an adjustable one that I can take up to 40psi since I'll be running more than one burner at a time?
     
    #5 LBHops62, Apr 27, 2012
  6. telejunkie

    telejunkie Savant (1,107) Sep 14, 2007 Vermont

    I'm running 2 banjo burners (hurricane & blichmann) and am using blichmann's regulator attached to the tank (not positive about the psi rating though) running into 1/2" black pipe which acts as my distributor via simple T fitting. I can run both burners full bore without a problem.
     
    #6 telejunkie, Apr 27, 2012
  7. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,421) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    The regulator's job is to keep the pressure at a constant 30psi, regardless of the number of burners it's feeding. Each burner will see 30psi. You simply need to be able to deliver sufficient volume, which is out of the regulator's control. It's analogous to your CO2 regulator. No matter how many kegs you're pushing, you still set to 11psi (or whatever your desired pressure)
     
    #7 mikehartigan, Apr 28, 2012
    telejunkie likes this.
  8. telejunkie

    telejunkie Savant (1,107) Sep 14, 2007 Vermont

    just checked, regulator I have is 10psig. I utilize needle valves to control my flame.
     
    #8 telejunkie, Apr 28, 2012
  9. llllDrGONZOllll

    llllDrGONZOllll Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I use 2 Blichmann burners that I believe are the same as the banjo. My stand has a 10 psi regulator and is controlled individually by the air flow and needle valves. Both burners going at once and I do not have the regulator open much past half way.
     
    #9 llllDrGONZOllll, Apr 28, 2012
  10. halo21

    halo21 Initiate (0) Oct 12, 2004 New York

    Are you installing a burner under your mash tun? If this is your only source of maintaining mash temp, you will scorch your grains. Are you also having a rims or herms system? That's why breweries use steam, not direct fire.
     
    #10 halo21, Apr 29, 2012
  11. OldStyleCubFan

    OldStyleCubFan Initiate (0) Jun 2, 2005 North Carolina

    2 banjo burners pulling off 1 tank?? Doesn't the tank freeze up and need to be pretty full to make that work? Sounds like a PITA to me.
     
    #11 OldStyleCubFan, Apr 30, 2012
  12. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    False bottoms allow one to direct fire the mash tuns.
     
    #12 hopfenunmaltz, Apr 30, 2012
  13. LBHops62

    LBHops62 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2010 Georgia

    Ya thats what I was thinking about doing. I'll see if it works.
     
    #13 LBHops62, Apr 30, 2012
  14. LBHops62

    LBHops62 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2010 Georgia

    Yes. I have a false bottom though. I am creating a herms system. I was thinking about that that might be an issue, but I hope with a false bottom, I won't have a problem. What do you think?

    Also, how could I use a steam application in such a small system? Just build a steam jacket around my tun?
     
    #14 LBHops62, Apr 30, 2012
  15. LBHops62

    LBHops62 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2010 Georgia

    I have been trying to figure out what type of false bottom to use. Previous to now, I was using a contoured bottom, but I feel that that may be too close to the bottom of the tun. What type would you recommend using? One that sits above the bottom a couple inches?
    This is what I currently use. I don't have too many issues with scorching, but it is sometimes difficult to keep a constant temp throughout the mash.
    http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/abt-false-bottom-w-stainless-elbow.html

    I am thinking about using one of these:
    http://www.midwestsupplies.com/all-...e-stainless-steel-false-bottom-15-gallon.html
     
    #15 LBHops62, Apr 30, 2012
  16. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    #16 hopfenunmaltz, Apr 30, 2012
  17. LBHops62

    LBHops62 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2010 Georgia

    #17 LBHops62, Apr 30, 2012
  18. LBHops62

    LBHops62 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2010 Georgia

    #18 LBHops62, Apr 30, 2012
  19. dfess1

    dfess1 Initiate (0) May 20, 2003 Pennsylvania

    I use 3 banjo's, supplied by 1/2" black pipe with tee's at each junction. from the tee, there is a flow control, which feeds into a piece of hose with a flare fitting on each end (one into the flow control, one into the orifice). There is a 0 to 30 (or 40, can't remember) regulator that supplies the black pipe. I run it on a 5 lb bottle from the grocery store. Can usually get two 5 gal batches out of one bottle. It does not freeze.

    i use a Blichman 15 gal pot for my MLT, and use their false bottom. have not (knock on wood) ever had an issue with scorching. I do direct fire my MLT, and run a RIMS system. Seemed much simpler than a HERMS system. Mine is also not automated either. I like having direct control, and having to pay attention to mashes. Here are some pics if it helps at all.

    https://picasaweb.google.com/108796212728122095406/BrewStand?authuser=0&feat=directlink
     
    #19 dfess1, May 1, 2012
  20. LBHops62

    LBHops62 Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2010 Georgia

    Wow! That's awesome! Very similar to what I am building. I am basing my model off of "The Wallace" (http://www.aleiens.com/profiles/blogs/wallace-the-weldless-brew). I am adding 2 pumps like what you have too. So I guess I'm creating a RIMS system not a HERMS. I was confused. I am like you, I like to pay very close attention to my mash.

    That makes me feel better about how I'm setting mine up though. I was just worried about scorching and setting up the gas line. I like how you set yours up though. Do you have the burners any certain distance from the bottom of the kettles? I have mine set at 4 inches except for my boil at 3''. And what kind of lighters do you have on the burners? Are those electric grill lighters?
     
    #20 LBHops62, May 1, 2012
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