Suggest A Propane Burner For Melting

[RogerDat]

Attachment 223374This is what I use. Mine has held up to 75# with no issues.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/out...ildCatid=27742

This is the one I have, I have done a lot of pots that were ~100 lbs. with no signs of strain. I paid a bit more when I bought it at Walmart.

With a dutch oven from Harbor Freight coming in at less than $25 with the 20% off coupon.
https://www.harborfreight.com/catalo...f&q=dutch+oven

I think there are other places online with similar prices. Full as it can be and still stir is over 100 lbs. Side "ears" allow picking it up with heavy gloves to pour out the bottom of the pot if desired. The bail can be used to move also but be advised the bail wire pulls really hard as do the ears and are almost same temp as the molten lead. Use really thick insulated gloves because the weight presses the hot metal against you and compresses the glove. You don't want to find out the fastest way to set down 50# of lead (drop it)

Cut some small angle iron to drop in and you can support a smaller thrift store steel or cast iron pot, not aluminum. Aluminum can fail under weight and heat of melting lead. So if your burner comes with an aluminum pot don't use it for lead. It can literally stretch and pop out the bottom from melting a pot of lead.


In my opinion the biggest advantage a propane tank pot has over a cast iron dutch oven is steel will dent if dropped and not crack. Steel tank also won't crack due to sudden temperature change. Cast iron heats evenly, and has a lid, and is ready to purchase off the shelf for a good price. With side handle ears useful to tip the pot or shift on the burner.

I think a DCrockett over in vendor sponsors is a member makes and sells the propane tank pots. Not off the shelf but might be an option if you wanted to buy a cut off tank pot.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/foru...endor-Sponsors

[Grmps]

I always recommend this for $65 and free shipping.
210k BTU. Very sturdy and low center of gravity.
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/bac...554BPHP17.html

That is a NICE looking burner. IF I didn't already have 2 I would think seriously about getting that one. You'll never crank it wide open but you'll never have to worry about it collapsing.

[jmort]

It is built like a tank and low to the ground with a crazy amount of btu output. The price is more than fair. I use a cut propane tank for the lead alloy. Great set up.

[country gent]

I use the harbor freight 500,000 btu weed burner also. I have mine modified in a couple ways. I put a 90* elbow and nipple under the burner with a set of flat legs to hold it up right under the pot. On the other end I removed the handle and installed 2 valves a needle valve and a lever valve. The lever valve is on off and the needle valve regulates temp. The pot is a cut down propane tank. On a turkey frier stand. I ladle cast from this pot and it holds 125lbs of lead. I can have it molten and up to casting temp in 15 mins when full.

As important as the stand burner and pot is the heat shield around the pot is also a big factor. to tight or long and the burner starves for oxygen or dosnt get good heat flow around pot. to big and heat is lost to fast.

[crandall crank]

I have a low cost set up. I have a turkey fryer (yes, it has the timer, but you never leave it) rated at 55 KBtu and use a cut down 20 lb propane cylinder. My local propane company gave it away since it was in the scrap pile. I have since gotten another tank from them. Plus they even removed the valve for me!

My problem is I do not have enough ingot molds

[lightman]

My problem is I do not have enough ingot molds

Yeah, when you start doing larger batches you need several molds. I typically run about 8 of the Lyman style molds when smelting. Even then, I have to wait on them to cool after about 4 or 5 cycles.

[GregLaROCHE]

Yeah, when you start doing larger batches you need several molds. I typically run about 8 of the Lyman style molds when smelting. Even then, I have to wait on them to cool after about 4 or 5 cycles.

If you or a friend welds, you can cut up some angle iron, weld them side by side with a piece of flat bar across the ends. It works great. I made one for three ingots two pounds a piece. I plan to make one for more ingots. This time I will cut a little opening between, so the lead can flow from one to the other. That way I can just pour in the middle and the rest will fill up.

[Dragonheart]

If you or a friend welds, you can cut up some angle iron, weld them side by side with a piece of flat bar across the ends. It works great. I made one for three ingots two pounds a piece. I plan to make one for more ingots. This time I will cut a little opening between, so the lead can flow from one to the other. That way I can just pour in the middle and the rest will fill up.

Tip: Cut the ends of the angle stock at an angle so all sides are angled. Also weld on a couple of tabs for handles to grab with vice grips.

I noticed on one of the previous photos of a kitchen sauce pan being used. Couldn't tell from the photo but some of these pans have a handle that is spot welded on and could fail if picked up full of lead. Picking any pot up that has pounds of molten lead is a recipe for disaster as these pans are not made to handle that kind of weight. The best solution is a bottom pour, if not that dip it our, slower but a lot safer.

[ikarus1]

The propane burner I got was a stainless 65K BTU burner (not jet type) from Academy sports and outdoors on clearance for $20. It turned blue but hasn't rusted yet in my garage so I guess it really is some type of stainless steel. Anyhow, worth the investment

it's basically the stainless version of this one they still sell:

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/out...ildCatid=27742

looks almost identical to this one:
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/bac...SABEgLv6vD_BwE

[Soundguy]

I'm trying to get things set up for my next big melt of wheel weights. So far I have my eye on a medium sized cast iron skillet or dutch oven to melt in, but I don't have any idea what burners out there are sturdy enough to support a heavy pot full of even heavier lead.

What burners have folks used? Any to avoid? Any "great deals" out there?

Thanks!

I like the cheap low profile outdoors fryer that walmart sells. cheap and works. also.. I prefer a ci pot instead of a skillet. skilled kets heavy. pot has a wire bail.. and some have a pour spout indention.

[GregLaROCHE]

“Tip: Cut the ends of the angle stock at an angle so all sides are angled. Also weld on a couple of tabs for handles to grab with vice grips.”

That’s good advice. Who says you can’t reinvent the wheel.

[lightman]

It does not take very much, just a few degrees will do. It does help.

[TaylorS]

Attachment 223480

OMG that is the best idea ever!!! Love the adjustment for opening the valve just the right amount great touch! I’ll have to get the welder back out!


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[Soundguy]

Yeah, when you start doing larger batches you need several molds. I typically run about 8 of the Lyman style molds when smelting. Even then, I have to wait on them to cool after about 4 or 5 cycles.

Agreed, starts taking longer to cycle them if you have a full pot of lead.

[GaryN]

This is what I bought for my lead dripping. Have not smelted on it yet.
https://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic.../dp/B0002913MI
If you are concerned about the weight I would support the melt pot with heavy angle irons and blocks and slide the burner under it.

If you want faster they make a double jet for 60$ which is still pretty reasonable IMO.

I cut a chunk out of the outer ring on mine so I could get the dripper ramp over my coolant tank.

Between dripper ladle, and a full load of lead I'd estimate around 100 lbs mine took with no issues.

But, better to be safe than sorry. Also better to do 2 smaller batch's and not risk disaster if in doubt.

Common sense rules.

I bought one of these. I can't see needing more than this. It really puts out the heat. It is also strong enough to hold the weight. I do about 150 lbs. at a time.

[rockydoc]

I always recommend this for $65 and free shipping.
210k BTU. Very sturdy and low center of gravity.
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/bac...554BPHP17.html

++1. On the burner from we restaurant store.com. Mine was stainless steel. It stays outside all the time and no rust. It costs less than any common steel ones I found. I have made a number of purchases from this website.

[RU shooter]

If you haven't already gotten one done rule out a 220V electric burner set up if you have close access to a outlet . My melting /casting set up is an old electric range top . Will melt a Dutch oven full pretty quick . I do the smelting outside Have about a 20 ft cord on it . Take it into the basement to do casting as I'm a laddle dipper . Just throwing out options .

[SwampShooter]

Bass Pro Shops had their small propane fryer on sale for $29.97 this last weekend. I picked one up just for the burner and regulator. I have the next size up stand and just needed to replace the burner (some days I hate cows). At 6'3" I wanted the extra couple of inches in height. Melted my first COWW ever last weekend, went great.

I can tell you that weed burners as mentioned above are a great heat source. I'm a potter and can get a 24"W x 32"H electric kiln that has been converted to an updraft gas kiln up to over 2300* in 4-5 hours (not that I'd want to go that fast). They put out plenty of BTUs.

Eventually I may build a small wood fired furnace just because I can and I am comfortable controlling temperatures with wood as the fuel. I'm not sure I would recommend it for people without a bunch of experience, but it ain't rocket science either after all we haven't had all of these temperature controls all that long and grandma's baking didn't suffer for it.

Swamp

[Bigslug]

I did the cast iron pot on a turkey burner thing for a few years, then ended up with the 65 pound version of Satan's Little Smelter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mukuPU1gXZE

I don't know if they're still around, but contact info from an old thread is satanslittlesmelter@gmail.com

It's more than sturdy enough for the task, heats VERY efficiently, and is MUCH safer and MUCH less fatiguing than trying to ladle your way through dozens, if not hundreds of pounds of molten bad news.

[RangerDan]

I bought a turkey fryer from Cabela's and it doesn't have and automatic turn off. Picked up a cast iron dutch oven from thrift store and it works great.