Heat Stick vs Burner

you say you have a small outside deck, a 10 gallon pot and want to boil 5 gallon brews?
why can't you use an outdoor propane burner? what am I missing? cats and all other animals avoid fire, always. plus the noise is scary enough.

propane anything must be used outdoors, no exceptions. and you want some clearance from the structure or anything combustible. in addition, you should have a garden hose, 5 gallons of water or fire extinguisher available near by if you are concerned. that said, a foot of clearance is substantial if not ideal. you can place your burner over a water soaked old bath towel if you are worried about boil overs dripping onto to your neighbors.

if your apartment allows bbq's on the deck, It is a safe bet that a controlled 5 gallon boil is ok too.

don't be fooled into thinking that boiling 5 gallons with electricity is somehow safer. for one, water and electricity don't mix well, 2 a heat stick is every bit as hot as a flame and 3 overloaded wires have a nasty habit of degrading over time. fine today, questionable next batch, flames in your walls third time for example.

a small Cajun cooker outdoors would be my first choice.

lastly, call the local FD and ask their opinion. its free and this is exactly what they are trained to do. offer advice, explain code and educate.
Cheers.

 

Not true, I have a 6-burner propane range in my home. My blichmann burner is actually safer (less CO) than my range, hurricane burner is slightly more than the range tested with a gas meter. The problem is the efficiency of many outdoor burners leads to incomplete combustion and CO with improper venting. Another is the obvious fire hazard if kicked or not properly buffered.

Agree, definitely an underutilized resource. Although my guess based on the OP's description, it would not be fire marshal approved.

 

Unlike a typical gas grill, a burner emits a lot of radiant heat downward. I use my burner on a concrete patio and have noticed that water that runs under the burner evaporates very quickly. I'd be concerned about a wood deck.

 

Mom had a propane stove while I was growing up. I had a propane furnace when living in the country.

Both cases had the tanks outside,which is a safety requirement.

 

it is a safety requirement for larger tanks, but you can have up to 200lbs of LP within your house. I am NOT trying to advocate anybody brings an outdoor burner inside their house unless they care to willing to be a recipient of the Darwin Award, but it is not technically violating any laws.

 

Billandsuz stated: “3 overloaded wires have a nasty habit of degrading over time.”

I used to have an electric range that I used to boil wort. There was one extra-large element and that is the one I would use for wort boiling. The multiple one hour boils with high heat (i.e., high electricity usage) would wreak havoc on the receptacle that the heating element plugs into. I would frequently (every 1-2 years) have to replace the receptacle unit since the high electricity usage would lead to wire/connection failure. I have no idea whether there are replaceable parts on these heat sticks. If not, that means you will have to replace the entire unit if the wiring degrades from high electricity usage.

Cheers!

 

I use concrete pavers underneath my a big boy burner (KAB4) when I use it on top of my wooden picnic table and/or composite deck...no fire hazard issues.

 

I have a wooden brew stand - My SP10 sits on OSB covered in only one layer of this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflecti...ulation-BP24010/100318552?N=12ky#.UeltQaxnDAo

Works like a charm. I just replaced it for the first time in 3 years because it was getting a little worn, but for $10 a roll I don't mind.

Edit: Photo included

 

I should have clarified by stating that any propane appliance not specifically made for indoor use should be used outdoors (and vice versa)

I have a propane stove, propane on demand water heater and propane clothes dryer, so clearly propane is fine for indoor use. each appliance has specific venting and clearance requirements.

a hurricane burner is not an indoor appliance though, and the temptation to set up indoors seems to be a danger. it's a "portable" appliance.
Cheers.

 

Claiming ignorance will more than likely just wind up in you wasting money since you still wont be able to use the burner after you get caught and could get you on your landlord's shit list (never a good thing).

I see that you said you will only have a standard outlet to work with but will you have an electric stove or washer/drier? I have been contemplating using an induction cooktop (240V) with with SS kettle (has to be a magnetic kettle) when I move to my next place and hook it up to the outlet that either of those. I am not sure of all of the details but it looks like it could be a viable option.

If you have a gas stove and a large enough pot you can put it on multiple burners (which I currently do). Its a bitch in the summer since you need to keep windows/door open to ventilation but works great in the colder months.

 

It's almost like we're all parents!

Easier to store: yes. Uses less fuel: almost a certainty (electric resistance heat is virtually 100% efficient). But the fuel is damn expensive. But then, like most worthwhile endeavors, cost is, at best, a tie breaker.

Once all the decisions have been made, the hobby becomes uninspiring. Thankfully, there's always something that begs for an upgrade.

 

For the last 8 months or so I was completely content with my equipment. Unfortunately, what you just said here is way too true. By the time I move again (probably in a year or so) I have put together at least $750 more in equipment that I want (want being the operative word, maybe $150 being necessary). However, I am hoping that it will all be worthwhile and improve my beer, brewday, convenience, and timing. (I love justifying unnecessary expenses)

 

Quick interjection - can your brew pot fit across 2 burners on your stove? I get a nice rolling boil on 7.5 gallons this way with no issues. I think this is probably only an option with a gas stove, though that may just be my bias against electric stoves showing.

EDIT: I see this suggestion has been made already. Definitely try this first, it works like a charm and requires no fiddling with anything.

 

Can the BK reach over 4 burners? That is what I am able to do and get a nice rolling boil.

Edit: Its not 100% over each burner but each burner is under the kettle with some flame reaching up the sides.