Source for free gas burners.

[websterz]

My buddy and I scrapped out an old natural gas water heater this weekend and ended up with a great burner. It is much more efficient than the old oven burner I am currently using on my smelting rig. I just plumbed it directly into my natural gas line, no need for the regulator from the water heater. As an added bonus the peizo electric ignitor makes for a matchless start. Contact your local plumber and I'm sure you'll have one dropped off in your driveway in no time.

[Tazza]

Nice find, i never thought about the size of the burner on water heaters, but it makes sense, they do need to heat a large volume of water.

If other members go this route, do keep in mind that you need to ensure you use the correct gas type for the burner you get. The jet sizes are different between the two.

[jmorris]

NG burners will have larger jets than propane burners. They are easy to change or you can just stick with the fuel it was set up for.

[dragon813gt]

Why was there a regulator on the water heater? Was it from a commercial unit because those burners are larger then residential ones.

[websterz]

I meant to say a thermostat.

[CastingFool]

I just happen to have one from a ng water heater I replaced for someone else. However, is of no use to me, since I burn propane at home.

[Ken in Iowa]

The original WH control valve contains 3 main components. Thermostat, regulator and pilot safety valve.
Natural gas house line pressure runs about 7" water column. The manifold pressure at the orifice runs 3.5 to 4" water column.
LP gas is another animal altogether. Manifold pressure for LP is normally in the 10-11" WC range.

[jmorris]

I just happen to have one from a ng water heater I replaced for someone else. However, is of no use to me, since I burn propane at home.

All you need is a smaller jet for the burner. I have made fryers using converted NG burners. I did use an adjustable regulator on the tank and ditched all of the thermostat, pilot light/
thermocouple safety stuff though.

[websterz]

I just put a ball valve in the gas line that feeds the burner so I can regulate the gas flow. Wide open it sounds like a jet engine. :-)

[ravelode]

That sounds great, however I just was given a turkey fryer, just needs an o-ring on the nipple end of the hose and it's a little rusty in spots (it was left outside for 3 years).

[jmorris]

I bet you can get away without the o-ring most still have enough brass to seal like they were originally designed to.

[websterz]

He said nipple!

[Tazza]

hehehe child :P

[websterz]

Growing OLD is mandatory, growing UP is optional.

[ravelode]

Freudian humor,:bigsmyl2: gotta love it. I have big box of assorted o-rings.