Double-ring gas burner 9.3 kW with stand

01 · TWO RINGS

Flame spread under the whole base, not on one spot

It has two concentric flame rings, Ø 150 and Ø 300 mm, and a single knob that sets both the heat and how far the flame spreads. Two circles of flame heat the base more evenly than a single central fire, without hammering the same spot of the sheet metal every time.

A practical rule: the base of the vessel should cover the whole outer ring. Flame that licks up the sides heats walls and handles, not the water. The enamelled steel body wipes clean with a cloth.

02 · IN THE WAX ROOM

Under the wax melter, never under the wax

It belongs under a steam wax melter or a water-bath wax boiler. The water acts as a buffer between flame and wax, and while there is water left the whole thing cannot go above 100 °C, which is what stops you scorching a batch. It has no thermostat or probe: you are the control, watching the water level and turning the flame down once the load has melted. And melting is not sterilising.

03 · GAS AND CONSUMPTION

A 12.5 kg cylinder lasts a long working day

It runs on LPG at 28–37 mbar, the pressure of standard domestic butane and propane regulators; the regulator is not included. At full flame it burns in the region of 0.7 kg of gas an hour by our rough calculation: a 12.5 kg cylinder gives about 17 hours flat out and a good deal more at half flame. In winter, use propane: butane loses pressure in the cold and the flame falls short.

⚠ PRECAUTIONS

Use it outdoors or in a very well ventilated space, never in a closed room. When connecting it, check the joints with soapy water before lighting. Seat the vessel stable and centred on the stand, and never leave the flame unattended. Wax spilled onto the flame catches fire: always work with water in between. When you finish, close the cylinder first.

04 · BEFORE YOU BUY

Choose by the size of the vessel. A small wax melter is fine on the 6.5 kW ring; boilers of 200 litres or more need the 31 kW industrial burner. This one covers everything in between.