Propane Burners vs Electric

A spot to talk general homebrew
Post Reply
McGrath1990
Registered User
Registered User
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 12:01 pm
Name: Josh

Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by McGrath1990 » Wed Dec 20, 2017 4:49 pm

Hey All,
Slowly getting into the all grain brewing and had a couple questions.
1. Propane Vs Electric?
2. If I pursue propane, what kind of BTU load would I need to boil 5,8,10 gallons?

Looking forward to your input!
- Josh

User avatar
sleepyjamie
Award Winner 5
Award Winner 5
Posts: 2482
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:05 pm
Name: jamie
Location: Calgary

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by sleepyjamie » Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:31 pm

I prefer electric over the finer control, consistency, hands off, etc but its more complicated equipment.
On Tap:
Falconers Galaxy IPA
Simcoe SMaSH
Topaz SMaSH
Cranberry Rye Saison
Monde Souterrain (Dark Saison)

McGrath1990
Registered User
Registered User
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 12:01 pm
Name: Josh

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by McGrath1990 » Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:40 pm

How so?

I don't know anything about electric? What would your setup be?

User avatar
sleepyjamie
Award Winner 5
Award Winner 5
Posts: 2482
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:05 pm
Name: jamie
Location: Calgary

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by sleepyjamie » Thu Dec 21, 2017 12:53 am

When I say more complicated I mean you have to deal with a 240V electrical source, GFCI, a pot that has an element, hood range as you likely are brewing indoors.

With propane you simply need a burner or two (in most cases).
On Tap:
Falconers Galaxy IPA
Simcoe SMaSH
Topaz SMaSH
Cranberry Rye Saison
Monde Souterrain (Dark Saison)

User avatar
mckay75
Award Winner 6
Award Winner 6
Posts: 750
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:36 pm
Name: Mark
Location: Truro
Contact:

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by mckay75 » Thu Dec 21, 2017 9:07 am

Electric hands down. It's alot cozier brewing in my basement brewing than watching the forecast in the winter time waiting for a break in temp.

User avatar
joe_r_harvie
Registered User
Registered User
Posts: 90
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 8:10 pm
Name: Joe Harvie
Location: Middle River, Cape Breton

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by joe_r_harvie » Fri Dec 22, 2017 10:37 pm

Electric is way cheaper in the long run and you can get a good boil with 2 x 1500 watt elements (2 x 120 circuits) rather than setting up 240. But propane works too and a simple lobster boiler will be more than enough for 5 or 10 gallon batches, but the propane is expensive and it can be a bit dirty to clean.
Primary -
Secondary -
On tap - Golden Ale, Standard Bitter, Best Bitter, Blonde, Best Bitter, Premium Bitter, IPA

User avatar
Woody
Award Winner 4
Award Winner 4
Posts: 1182
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:39 am
Name: Derek
Location: Truro, NS

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by Woody » Sat Dec 23, 2017 11:41 am

I've been converted to electric and love it. I'll always feel like a propane brewer at heart but don't miss lugging all my gear outside or into the garage. Electric is like having all the utensils in the kitchen when cooking and propane you need to move it all. That is at least my experience. When I did propane I used the KAB6 210,000 btu propane burner for 10-12 g batches and it was a breeze. Others have used allot less power with success & propane savings ha ha. I'm sure 72,000 btu's would do the trick if it's not cold outside for 5-10 gallons. I don't miss frozen propane tanks on brew days. If you are able I'd go electric. I now run a 5500-6000 watt element on my hot rod stick and have everything wired into a spa panel in my basement. I had allot of help with my set up but love it.

User avatar
sleepyjamie
Award Winner 5
Award Winner 5
Posts: 2482
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:05 pm
Name: jamie
Location: Calgary

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by sleepyjamie » Sat Dec 23, 2017 1:46 pm

Another option which is very cheap is induction.
On Tap:
Falconers Galaxy IPA
Simcoe SMaSH
Topaz SMaSH
Cranberry Rye Saison
Monde Souterrain (Dark Saison)

User avatar
Halifax_Jeff
Verified User
Verified User
Posts: 553
Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2014 1:12 pm
Name: Jeff
Location: Beaver Bank

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by Halifax_Jeff » Sat Dec 23, 2017 5:24 pm

joe_r_harvie wrote:Electric is way cheaper in the long run and you can get a good boil with 2 x 1500 watt elements (2 x 120 circuits) rather than setting up 240. But propane works too and a simple lobster boiler will be more than enough for 5 or 10 gallon batches, but the propane is expensive and it can be a bit dirty to clean.
do you use 2 x 1500w elements now? if so I'm curious what the cost was to get that going.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk


User avatar
sleepyjamie
Award Winner 5
Award Winner 5
Posts: 2482
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:05 pm
Name: jamie
Location: Calgary

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by sleepyjamie » Sat Dec 23, 2017 7:29 pm

Halifax_Jeff wrote:
Sat Dec 23, 2017 5:24 pm
joe_r_harvie wrote:Electric is way cheaper in the long run and you can get a good boil with 2 x 1500 watt elements (2 x 120 circuits) rather than setting up 240. But propane works too and a simple lobster boiler will be more than enough for 5 or 10 gallon batches, but the propane is expensive and it can be a bit dirty to clean.
do you use 2 x 1500w elements now? if so I'm curious what the cost was to get that going.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk
Most kitchens have 20A circuit which you can use with a separate 15A outlet.
On Tap:
Falconers Galaxy IPA
Simcoe SMaSH
Topaz SMaSH
Cranberry Rye Saison
Monde Souterrain (Dark Saison)

User avatar
Halifax_Jeff
Verified User
Verified User
Posts: 553
Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2014 1:12 pm
Name: Jeff
Location: Beaver Bank

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by Halifax_Jeff » Sat Dec 23, 2017 7:36 pm

I'm thinking of gearing up to do it in the bathroom in my basement. close to my brew gear and I'm the only one who uses it.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk


elreplica
Verified User
Verified User
Posts: 478
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:36 am
Name: Don
Location: South Shore, NS

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by elreplica » Sun Dec 24, 2017 1:35 am

I'm so vexed that I run propane in the shoulder seasons and run electric when I need to stay inside...that being said I still drink too much of everyone else's beer! The best of all situations though... X)
At Bat: several Czech Pils
On Deck: Cream Ale
In the Hole: Kolsch
Clean Up: Tall Ships Ale clones
On tap: Propeller Pils, Festa Cream Ale

User avatar
joe_r_harvie
Registered User
Registered User
Posts: 90
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 8:10 pm
Name: Joe Harvie
Location: Middle River, Cape Breton

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by joe_r_harvie » Sun Dec 24, 2017 10:02 am

Halifax_Jeff wrote:
Sat Dec 23, 2017 5:24 pm
joe_r_harvie wrote:Electric is way cheaper in the long run and you can get a good boil with 2 x 1500 watt elements (2 x 120 circuits) rather than setting up 240. But propane works too and a simple lobster boiler will be more than enough for 5 or 10 gallon batches, but the propane is expensive and it can be a bit dirty to clean.
do you use 2 x 1500w elements now? if so I'm curious what the cost was to get that going.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk
Yes I use 2 1500 watt elements. I got a friend to hook it up for about $175 including parts. Its pretty simple - 2 elements, plug is welded on back, I use 2 male ended power cords to go from pot to wall. Takes about 20 minutes to get to boil from the mash tun. I use a stainless 19 gallon pot from Everwood.
Primary -
Secondary -
On tap - Golden Ale, Standard Bitter, Best Bitter, Blonde, Best Bitter, Premium Bitter, IPA

User avatar
Halifax_Jeff
Verified User
Verified User
Posts: 553
Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2014 1:12 pm
Name: Jeff
Location: Beaver Bank

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by Halifax_Jeff » Sun Dec 24, 2017 12:32 pm

Awesome. I would love to see a picture of the setup if you have one.

Are you running both during boil? I'm hoping I can get away without a controller and just unplug them when I hit my numbers. Mimic propane while indoors.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk


Spiker
Registered User
Registered User
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2017 1:28 pm
Name: Matt
Location: Waverley

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by Spiker » Fri Dec 29, 2017 12:43 am

Hey guys,
I’m on the same page as Jeff. If you do have any pics that be a big help. I’m not sure if it’s the smartest way to achieve your boil without a controller... but I’d be interested in trying as well.

User avatar
EastCoastHoppers
Vendor
Vendor
Posts: 192
Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:42 pm
Name: Matt
Location: Charlottetown PEI
Contact:

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by EastCoastHoppers » Fri Dec 29, 2017 7:48 am

This is a great thread and a super cheap way to get started with electric brewing (has the most basic controller):

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=4759&hilit=10000w

It's the route I went when I converted from propane and I love it.

Spiker
Registered User
Registered User
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2017 1:28 pm
Name: Matt
Location: Waverley

Re: Propane Burners vs Electric

Post by Spiker » Wed Jan 03, 2018 1:53 pm

Great thanks! its a good read.

helps a lot.

Post Reply

Return to “General Homebrew Discussion”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot] and 22 guests