Buffalo or Burco

[verno]

Hello, I am delving into AG and my birthday is coming up so I am allowed to splash out on a boiler rather than build my own. I have whittled it down to a choice between Buffalo and Burco. Can anyone suggest which I should go for as they look fairly similar. Burco seems to have exposed elements but Buffalo doesn't:

http://www.nisbets.co.uk/products/produ ... Code=CC192
http://www.nisbets.co.uk/products/produ ... Code=CE706

Any opinions, votes, advise etc much appreciated.

[72mgb73gt]

If you can stretch the budget a bit further, I would go for one of these.

[Graham]

Modern Burcos do have concealed elements.

However, one of the problems with the modern redesigned Burcos; I believe that the black plastic bit on top (if you look at the picture) is all there is of a lid. The whole top (the metal bit) does not come off. This could be a blessing when it comes to accidental boil-overs, but in practice if you want to put modifications inside, such as a hop strainer, you might not be able to get it in through that little aperture. I would never have been be able to get the perforated false bottom that I have fitted to my (old-style) Burco through that hole. Someone with that style of Burco might be able to comment on this.

The Buffalo looks better because the whole top comes off, but it could be difficult to get spares for it. The Burcos are British built, so it is fairly straightforward to get spares.

[jmc]

Hi

I have an older 27L 3Kw Burco and it works well now, after a modification to move the heat sensor.
see This topic

Easy to clean up after a boil and solidly built.

Not sure if off-the shelf Buffalo or Burco boilers will give a rolling boil without modification.
Others likely to know though.

I've just got a 30L Burco from ebay (model C30SE)
Ebay Link
Its lid looks like the one in your link, however the full lid comes off on mine, not just the plastic handle.
Maybe I've got an older model?
Not tried this with a brew yet, I have to clean off a lot of scale first...

ATB
John

[Graham]

Its lid looks like the one in your link, however the full lid comes off on mine, not just the plastic handle.
Maybe I've got an older model?
Not tried this with a brew yet, I have to clean off a lot of scale first...
John

Sorry - I've given duff info then. I wasn't sure, which is why I used the phrase "I believe" and suggested that someone might confirm or deny it. I based that statement on a tiny little mini-burco that I have, about 8 litres I think, and on that one only the plastic bit comes off with a sort of twist-lock action. Obviously the whole lid comes off on the big ones, so there is no objection. Sorry about that.

[verno]

If you can stretch the budget a bit further, I would go for one of these.

I looked at that but it implied 2 leads, which I think means needing 2 separate plug sockets. I think I might struggle for that in my garage. If anyone could highlight whether thats the case or not then I think it might be worth the extra.

On the Burco, the nisbets website says the following:

Temperature Range : 0 to 300 degrees Celsius

Does that not mean I could set it to 120 or something ensuring a rolling boil?

[boingy]

300 degrees C ???

That has got to be a typo.

[verno]

Well I figure thats probably whats on the dial, so unless you put jam or something in there, its hypothetical?

[oxford brewer]

Wonder what the evaporation rate is at 300oC

[polymoog]

300c ??? sorry that just has to be a mistake!
would be nice though as a 90 minute boil would only take 30 mins

[Graham]

Well I figure thats probably whats on the dial, so unless you put jam or something in there, its hypothetical?

The specs on that site are screwed up - laziness on the part of the webmaster I guess. You can not have a 'speed' of 45kg for instance.

You would be better off looking at the Burco website:
http://www.burcodean.com/products/manua ... thermostat.

However, the Burco website does state that the boiler has a twist-lock cap, which to me says the plastic bit. I am now confused. Unless you can get to physically see a brand-spanking new 30 litre Burco, I'd go for the Buffalo.

[jmc]

Hi

I don't want to appear negative to Graham's comments.
I just wanted to (hopefully) point out a possible reason for the confusion.

The spec for the Burco C30STHF 30 litre safety boiler
on http://www.burcodean.com/products/manua ... thermostat
currently includes a spec. section as follows
>>
New patented Twist Lock Safety tap which also has dual functionality and non-drip design
New flush fitting safety lid handle protects your hands from burns
New Safety lid design reduces scald risk from condensation as you lift the lid
>>

I think the Twist Lock bit relates to the tap not the lid

I also think the phrase as you lift the lid indicates the lid comes off

I'm sure that the big plastic handle on the lid of the Burco is a lot easier to use than the small one on the Buffalo and would be likely to have less chance of getting a burn by touching the metal part of the lid.

One thing I should mention is that some Burcos don't have handles.

Like the one I've bought.

I didn't notice this when I bought it on ebay.
The one I bought does everything it was sold as doing, but I would prefer one with handles as they are useful if you want to pour the balance of say liquor into a mash tun to avoid large (5L?) dead space below tap.

Useful when cleaning too.

ATB
John

[Graham]

Yes, right. Yesterday was not a good day for accuracy from me - was it?

One thing is that The 'T' in the model number C30THF means that it is fitted with a thermostat.
The 'E' in C30SE means that it is fitted with an energy controller, not a thermostat.

Strangely the 'E' versions are not on the Burco web site, but they are on sale in various places.

[verno]

One thing is that The 'T' in the model number C30THF means that it is fitted with a thermostat.
The 'E' in C30SE means that it is fitted with an energy controller, not a thermostat.

Do you see this as an issue? As long as I can adjust the heat output then I should be able to work out what keeps 30 or so litres at a rolling boil and just re-use that setting each time? Not sure which one is on the link I posted.

So in summary so far it seems about even but if the lid comes off the Burco (as it looks like) maybe this just slightly pips it?

[Graham]

Do you see this as an issue? As long as I can adjust the heat output then I should be able to work out what keeps 30 or so litres at a rolling boil and just re-use that setting each time? Not sure which one is on the link I posted.

So in summary so far it seems about even but if the lid comes off the Burco (as it looks like) maybe this just slightly pips it?

No it is not an issue. I thought that I'd point out that there are two versions of each Burco boiler, as the Nisbet site does not quote the model number. Sometimes people (and web sites) confuse an energy controller with a thermostat because it has a control knob.