Ive been using small camping stove and 1lb propane canister so far. Been melting 50lb pots of lead shot. It takes about 45 min. to go from cold pot to pourable melt with pot covered. The stove cover opens up with little side wings that act as windbreak. Its kinda slow but im cheap so i make do. Pretty cold sometimes..was single digit temps on my first smelt so that probly saps a lot of heat as well. 50 lbs is the most i would put on this stove as i dont want it to collapse..not to mention how long it would take to melt it.