Lawrence Brewers Guild

Considering buying the cheaper SQ14 or the slightly higher KAB4 (sometimes listed as a KAB5 with or without the drip guard).

Points I'm wondering...

Is the the SQ14 underpowered at 55,000 BTU's, but the top seems very stable.

Is the KAB4 overkill at 210,000 BTU's. Seen three different variations of this model all listed as same model #. Some are as low as 10" from ground to cooking top.

Both are listed as being able to hold a 16"+ pot (big enough for a keggle).

SQ14 - Can get delivered to Ace Hardware for $50




KAB4 - Amazon has them for $80 with shipping

I use the SQ14 on with no problems on 11 gallon batchs.

I think Belden also has the SQ14 and he's doing 24 gallon batches on it. I'm sure he'd rather have the 200k btu at this point, but the 55k seems to work fine.

I've been looking into upgrading my setup lately, but I need to calculate the cost of the new burners vs the advantage to having them. It's all about cost w/ toys for me. $$ is short, so I have to prove the benefits to myself, or at least fake 'em so I feel okay about it

No replacement for displacement.

Blktre wrote:No replacement for displacement.

wow, haven't heard that for a while, and never associated to a friggin' propane burner! LOL

but, still a good point. We are Americans after all.

Rob I had both for sale ...just sold both this month ($50 for the KAB4, even posted it on the LBG ).

I have used both. The KAB4 is a jet engine, 30 psi regulator and you know when it is on. It is surprisingly controllable at low settings for so much BTU. Mine was modified so a keg would be cradled and held in place, but it was still very low to the ground.

I still have a SQ14, 15 PSI regulator and is a nice burner. Mine sat outside for several years in the weather. Cleaned out the spiders (I have no idea why, but spiders love to nest inside propane plumbing/burners) and it fired right up. Use mine for frying food. Over 15 gallons it is a bit noticeable the time to boil compared to the KAB4 (duh...200,000 vs 50,000). It is a nice height off the ground and is rock solid stable.

If you are planning on doing larger batches or heating an HLT, I would spend the extra $30 and get the KAB4.

Jason

Ordered the KAB4 from Amazon and received it today. There are basically two different makes out there. One is the picture I used above, which shows the cooking arms to be more flush with the burner. The other looks like this one.



I got the latter. I placed my keggle on top and it just barely fit. Multiple webstores and the box it came in, directly from the manufacturer, says this has a 17" cooking top. A keggle is 15 1/2" across, so I thought it would be fine. Turns out the cooking top is actually barely 16" and the cooking levels curves down so the flat part is less than 16". With a keggle at 15.5", one little bump and the keggle would no longer rest on their evenly which is over 50% of the reason why I bought a new one to begin with.

(My picture I posted on Amazon's review page)


For those that have used the KAB4 in the past with a keggle, or still uses this with a keggle - what are your thoughts? Right now, buyer's remorse is kicking in.

I'd just weld on extensions and rock and roll. If you need help with that, I have a portable MIG (120V)

sam wrote:I'd just weld on extensions and rock and roll. If you need help with that, I have a portable MIG (120V)

Thanks Sam. I'll keep it in mind.

Problem solved...thanks Sam!

You're surely welcome and likewise. Your brews were excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed.