Dimensions:

Max capacity per shelf tier: 125 lb

Max capacity per burner tier: 250 lb

Max capacity per utility shelf: 50 lb

Lowest height of bottom tier: 19". (juse enough elevation to drain into a carboy)

Max height of upper tier (bottom of pot) 72"

Max pot diameter: 20"

We weren't satisfied with selecting just any burner for the TopTier™, so we developed and tuned our own! While many manufacturers claim an impressive BTU capability, all they're talking about is the input energy -NOT- the actual energy entering the pot! Isn't the whole point to heat wort not the atmosphere?

Our requirements?

• High efficiency
• Fast heating
• Non rusting fume free stainless frame
• Excellent outdoor flame stability
• Quiet operation
• Great low setting performance without yellow flame ( blackens bottom of pot)

Our Result:

A 72,000 BTU/hr burner that is a great blend of heating power and efficiency - and does so whisper quietly! In addition, low flame combustion is clean, wind performance is outstanding, and the heavy stainless construction is built to last a lifetime! For operation on natural gas expect 15% less power and 15% longer heating times due to the lower BTU contelt of natural gas vs. propane.

We also documented that the published BTU of competitive burners varied wildly from actual measured results. And measuring the performance is straightforward: simply run the burner for an hour at full power and measure the weight of the propane used in lb. Then multiply the weight in lb X 21,000 to get the burner rating in BTU/hr. For example. the Bayou Classic has a published rating of 180 KBTU/hr but only measured at 68 KBTU/hr!

 

 

TopTier burners run great on natural gas! Due to the lower energy content of natural gas compared to propane there is a 15% derate. But still plenty of heating power! Approx heat output is 60,000 BU/hr.

Requires 6 in H2O gas pressure which is typical for residential locations. However - we do NOT recommend installing this product indoors! Consult the manual for required minimum distances from structures.

For floor burners, you will need the floor burner gas conversion kit. (Pic above R) It includes an orifice ported for natural gas, and also a needle valve for flame height control. We recommend that you have a professional plumber do any piping to the stand. You will not need the propane regulator and propane orifice included with the stand so store that away should you ever wish to operate on propane in the future. Requires a separate gas shutoff valve which is not included with the kit.

For stand burners (pic above L) all you need to do is switch out the orifice and remove the propane regulator. We do recommend hiring a professional plumber to install the gas to your stand and ensure the installation meets local codes. Requires a separate gas shutoff valve which is not included with the orifice.

Compare to the competition and you'll find that the Blichmann Modular Brew Stand is truly "TopTier™"!!

* Truck freight can cost $200-400+ depending on your location.

 

Why do I need to build a fuel manifold and what is required?

Can I mount more than 3 tiers on my stand?

I am having trouble lighting / adjusting my burner.

 

Why do I need to build a fuel manifold and what is required?

Due to the modularity of this product, which is it's best feature, it does require the customer to purchase a couple pieces of 1/2" pipe and assemble a gas manifold for it. For example, you could have 1,2, or 3 burner tiers (balance being shelves) needing fuel, and these can be installed on any of the 4 faces and at any height. Had we designed a limited fixed configuration stand like others offer, we would have included the piping. But that means you'd be stuck with that configuration and could never change it as your equipment, batch size and brewing process changed and developed.

Fortunately we do include nearly all the fittings you'll need. With the product you'll receive a black iron tee and a brass flare adapter for each tier, and also a plug to cap off the top of the manifold. All you'll have to provide are the straight lengths of pipe which are readily available in a variety of lengths at your local hardware store or home improvement center. If you want a specific length, many of these stores will cut and thread your pipe to length for free or for a small fee. If you don't have a plumbing supply store nearby McMaster.com is an on-line source for these parts. The manual provided with the stand includes detailed instructions and photo's on assembling your manifold which is a very simple to assemble. We also provide a nice stainless steel bellows type gas hose to connect the burner to the manifold, and hardware to mount the pipe manifold to the stand - these are the more difficult and expensive parts to aquire that are not available at the above stores.

We believe that this small inconvenience is greatly outweighed by the great flexibility this product offers...

Can I mount more than 3 tiers? <back to top>

The TopTier stand is highly engineered and designed to safely hold a maximum of 3 tiers (up to 30gal pots per tier). For safety and liability reasons we do not recommend additional tiers be installed, and we do not sell additional mounting arms for this reason. However, we do offer a 10" X 10" utility shelf (50lb max), pump brackets, and chiller brackets to allow you to customize your stand. In addition, we include spare mounting nuts for you to add your own accessory items to the t-slot system. For details on those items check the photogallery accessories tab.

I am having trouble lighting / adjusting my burner. <back to top>

It is important to read the manual closely before igniting the burner. Please contact your retailer if you did not receive a manual, and do not operate the product until you have received, read and understood it.

The TopTier burners are very high efficiency very low noise burners. You do not need to crank up the gas pressure to get them to max power, and doing so usually makes the flame unstable, loud, and easy to blow out in windy conditions. Remember, these are not jet type burners! When properly adjusted you will barely be able to hear the flame and you should see pale blue flames on each nozzle about ¾ to 1” high at max power.

Always ignite and adjust the burner with a pot on top of it (filled). Lighting the burner without a pot will cause unsatisfactory adjustment!

Igniting the burner: Prior to igniting the burners, turn the air damper so that it is open about half way.  Turn the regulator fully counterclockwise to the “off” position.  Then turn on the tank valve to the full on position.  You will use the regulator to control the gas flow by turning it clockwise to increase fuel flow.  Make sure you are using the regulator included with the product.  This burner will not operate correctly with other regulators. To ignite the burner, simply turn the regulator slowly clockwise.  When you hear the gas flowing immediately ignite the gas through the burner ignition hole.

Fine tuning the flame: Once the burner has ignited, you will adjust the regulator and air damper to reach the desired heat setting with the red knob on the regulator, and will adjust the flame quality with the air damper.  You do NOT need to have the regulator fully open to reach maximum power!! Looking through the flame inspection hole at the flame, turn the air damper until the flame is slightly yellow.  Then slowly turn it back until the flame turns pale blue (the yellow will be gone) and is still touching the nozzles in the burner casting.  If the flame lifts off of the nozzles, or you hear a low grumbling from the flame it is getting too much air through the damper and you will need to close it slightly.  If it is yellow, there is not adequate air flow and you will need toopen the damper.  As you increase the gas flow via the regulator, it may be necessary to readjust the air damper.  Note that optimum heating speed and efficiency can only be achieved with a properly adjusted flame. And again, you do NOT need to have the regulator fully open to reach maximum power!!