Gas Burners Comparison
Your burner is the heart and soul of your brewing operation. A stove burner will be alright for small batches or starting out but you’ll want to move to a dedicated burner eventually. A bigger batch can struggle to boil on a stove and just one boil over will ruin your life. I’ve compiled a comparison of common burners used for brewing.
Before we begin the comparison it’s important to point out what a brewer wants in a burner. First and foremost you’ll want enough power or BTU’s to get a good boil. BTU’s or British thermal units is a measure of how much heat the burner puts out per hour. Next you’ll want a stable platform that is both durable and long lasting. Price is of course important when you can always use extra funds for other gear. Finally you’ll want any bells and whistles you can get.
Burners Sorted By Price:
*Price may have changed since I wrote this. | Affiliate links are included for many of the items.
Bayou Classic SP10 High Pressure Outdoor Gas Cooker
Price: $49.99
BTU’s: 57,000
Construction: Cast iron burner, Painted steel
Burner Surface Size: 14 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 25 gallons
Notable Features:
- A 360 degree windscreen
- A 10 PSI regulator
- A 48 inch hose
Bayou Classic SQ14 Camping Stove
Price: $55
BTU’s: 55,000
Construction: Cast iron burner, Painted steel
Burner Surface Size: 16 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 25
Notable Features:
- Heavy duty 13 inch Frame
- A 29 inch hose
Dark Star 2.0 Burner
Price: $65.99
BTU’s: 65,000
Construction: Cast iron burner, Painted steel
Burner Surface Size: 17 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 15 gallons
Notable Features:
- A 3.5 inch windscreen
- A 6 inch banjo burner
Bayou Classic KAB4 High Pressure Banjo Cooker
Price: $86
BTU’s: 210,000
Construction: Cast iron burner, Painted steel
Burner Surface Size: 17 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 30 gallons
Notable Features:
- A 30 PSI regulator
- A 10 inch cast iron burner
- A 48 inch hose
Anvil High Performance Burner
Price: $99.99
BTU,s: 45,000
Construction: Cast aluminum
Maximum Brew Size: 20 gallons
Notable Features:
- Modular legs allow for 7, 16, and 24 inch burner heights
- Self-leveling feet for stability
- Integral heat shield protects your valve and thermometer from heat damage
- Deep burner ring for brewing in windy conditions
Camp Chef Burner BE400
Price: $99.99
BTU’s: 60,000
Construction: Cast iron
Burner Size: 18 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 20 gallons
Notable Features:
- Standard height 10.5 inches with leg extensions included for burner height up to 22 inches
- Sturdy design
- The high-pressure regulator allows for great flame control
Bayou Classic SS2 Stainless Steel Double Jet Cooker
Price: $105
BTU’s: 120,000
Construction: Stainless steel
Burner Surface Size: 18 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 40.5 gallons
Notable Features:
- A 30 PSI regulator
- A 48 inch hose
Bayou Classic SS84 Stainless Steel Brew Stove with Windscreen
Price: $102
BTU’s: 160,000
Construction: Stainless steel
Burner Surface Size: 16 x 16 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 25 gallons
Notable Features:
- A 10 PSI regulator
- A 360 degree windscreen
- A 36 inch hose
Bayou Classic KAB6 Bayou Cooker (My personal burner. Here’s a review of it.)
Price: $112.99
BTU’s: 210,000
Construction: Cast iron burner, Painted steel
Burner Surface Size: 22 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 40.5 gallons
Notable Features:
- A 30 PSI regulator
- A 10 inch cast iron burner
- A 48 inch hose
Camp Chef Stainless Steel High Output Single Burner Cooker
Price: $139.99
BTU’s: 60,000
Construction: Stainless steel
Burner Size: 15 inches
Maximum Brew Size: N/A
Notable Features:
- Removable and reversible legs for storage and portability
- 10 PSI regulator
Blichmann Hellfire Burner
Price: $149.99
BTU’s: Up to 140,000
Construction: Stainless steel
Burner Size: 19.75 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 55 gallons with optional gear
Notable Features:
- Leg extension available for 24 inch height
- Clip on heat shield
- Adjustable retaining bars
Edelmetall Brü Burner
Price: $149.99
BTU’s: 72,000
Construction: Steel, Copper plated steel
Burner Surface Size: 15 inches
Maximum Brew Size: 30 gallons
Notable Features:
- A large windscreen
- Leg extension available for height up to 27 inches
- A 10 inch burner
| Burner Name | Price | BTU's | Construction | Surface Area Inches | Maximum Brew Size Gallons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayou Classic SP10 High Pressure Outdoor Gas Cooker | 49.99 | 57000 | Cast Iron Burner, Painted Steel | 14 | 25 |
| Bayou Classic SQ14 Camping Stove | 55 | 55000 | Cast Iron Burner, Painted Steel | 16 | 25 |
| Dark Star 2.0 Burner | 65.99 | 65000 | Cast iron burner, Painted steel | 17 | 15 |
| Bayou Classic KAB4 High Pressure Banjo Cooker | 86 | 210000 | Cast iron burner, Painted steel | 17 | 30 |
| Anvil High Performance Burner | 99.99 | 45000 | Cast aluminum | N/A | 20 |
| Camp Chef Burner BE400 | 99.99 | 60000 | Cast iron | 18 | 20 |
| Bayou Classic SS2 Stainless Steel Double Jet Cooker | 105 | 120000 | Stainless steel | 18 | 40.5 |
| Bayou Classic SS84 Stainless Steel Brew Stove with Windscreen | 102 | 160000 | Stainless steel | 18 | 25 |
| Bayou Classic KAB6 Bayou Cooker | 112.99 | 210000 | Cast iron burner, Painted steel | 22 | 40.5 |
| Camp Chef Stainless Steel High Output Single Burner Cooker | 139.99 | 60000 | Stainless steel | 15 | N/A |
| Blichmann Hellfire Burner | 149.99 | 140000 | Stainless steel | 19.75 | 55 |
| Edelmetall Brü Burner | 149.99 | 72000 | Steel, Copper plated steel | 15 | 30 |
