Aluminum block / plate - between pot and burner?

[84runner]

I have a pretty basic burner similar to the pictures attached. I've read that people use like a 1/4" aluminum plate or block to help displace the heat more evenly. Im just wondering where I can find something like this. I've searched northernbrewer and others with no luck.

Is it even a purchasable item? Or is it something I should go to a metal fab shop and get? Probably not to difficult huh? Just make it a bit bigger circumference than the outer ring on the burner and 1/4" thick or so?

Thanks
Jeff

[Mad Scientist]

try ebay or your local scrap yard....but plate aluminum may be hard to come by.

[84runner]

And also what type of Al?

There are different types which Im going to guess all disipate heat differently...

[Mill Rat]

For your purposes, all common aluminum alloys will transfer heat at pretty much the same rate. By the time you find one that won't, you'd be playing with some specialty (read expensive) alloy that you're not going to buy just on cost alone.

[84runner]

Maybe just bypass the block and invest in a nice S/S pot with the aluminum plate/block built in. Sometimes you gotta spend a couple $'s

[roggae]

when one cooks with a burner similar to the one in the pics how do you cover your vessel so that no bugs,leaves,seeds get into it?

[84runner]

Originally posted by roggae
... how do you cover your vessel so that no bugs,leaves,seeds get into it?

If by vessel you mean the brew pot, I use the lid that came with the pot.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by roggae
when one cooks with a burner similar to the one in the pics how do you cover your vessel so that no bugs,leaves,seeds get into it?

you don't - or at least I don't. Call it part of the homebrew experience. :D

[Payson]

covering during the boil can also result in off flavors. DMS if memory serves me.....

[corkybstewart]

Leave it uncovered. But I don't know why you'ld want to dissipate the heat in the first place. I like a hot blue flame directly on my pot. I'm kind of impatient when I'm waiting for the pot to boil so the more fire I get the better.

[Mill Rat]

Originally posted by corkybstewart
Leave it uncovered. But I don't know why you'ld want to dissipate the heat in the first place.
That would be to distribute, not disspate, the heat. The block would take the place of a nice thick kettle bottom. The block is a quick fix to remedy a scorching problem. If there's not scorching problem, there's no need for the plate.

[roggae]

excellent advice all thanks