Gas burners for a can: types and principles of operation + nuances of selection and use

Some technologies for construction, pipeline installation, and car repair involve the use of a directed open flame. Gas burners on a can are popular in everyday life - small devices that allow you to regulate the direction, strength and temperature of the fire.

Models differ in purpose, design, and type of fuel, so before purchasing you need to take into account the basic criteria and purchase a device that is not only convenient, but also economical.

To make the task of choosing easier, we have prepared a detailed classification of portable burners, provided practical recommendations for determining the best model, and also outlined the rules for the safe operation of gas devices.

Design features and operating principle

Burners vary in design - from basic devices with a nozzle to more complex mechanisms equipped with an air supply device and piezo ignition.

Let's consider the design of a torch designed for welding metal.

Burner design: 1 – oxygen hose connection nipple; 2- nipple for connecting an acetylene hose; 3 – oxygen supply valve; 4 – fuel supply valve; 5 – oxygen channel; 6 – acetylene channel; 7 – check valve; 8 – injector; 9 – mixing chamber; 10 – body; 11- union nut; 12 – seal; 13 – support spring ring; 14 – groove; 15 – tip; 16 – mouthpiece; 17 – additional channel for oxygen; 18 – sealing surface (+)

The design with an injector and check valve increases work productivity and reduces fuel consumption.

Almost all portable household appliances belong to the so-called injection burners, when air is naturally sucked into the burner to support the flame.

Inside, in a special chamber, fuel is mixed with air, as a result of which the fuel ignites after a spark is given.

With the help of adjustment, which not all burners are equipped with, you can achieve the desired size and power of the torch. High-temperature devices have a bluish-blue flame, low-temperature devices have a yellow-orange flame.

From the mixing chamber, the mixture of gases enters the nozzle-nozzle, where it is distributed through the channels. At the end of the structure, at the point where the torch is formed, there are fire holes - the ends of the channels.

Options for nozzles by structure: ring, slot, tubular.

Kinds

A burner is a popular tool, so developers strive to improve the design and increase functionality. The market offers several types of such equipment:

• Gas soldering iron.
• Cutter.
• Burner for tourism.
• Blowtorch.

A blowtorch is one of the types of burners . Shows high temperature and is used for processing metal, plastic and other durable materials.

Each type differs in appearance (design, color , packaging) and purpose. These features are taken into account before purchasing, since this directly determines the final result of processing and ease of use.

Rules for safe operation

Working with flammable materials and open flames is always associated with risk, so when using even a simple hand-held device, you must follow safety rules.

First of all, you need to get acquainted with the design of the device, carefully study the operating instructions and then take into account all the manufacturer’s recommendations (+)

Overheating of the cylinder, which can be caused by the proximity of a heat source, for example, a fire or stove, is unacceptable. The canister may explode and cause injury due to the sharp edges of the torn casing. It is also not recommended to leave it in the sun.

Professional devices that are usually used for a long time require special care. Suppose, in order to preserve the functions of the burner and the power of the torch, after prolonged operation the device is packaged in a catalytic heating pad.

An overview of the best gas-air burners, as well as additional recommendations for choosing a suitable device, are presented in this article.

Which gas burner is better?

Each type of connection between the burner and the cylinder has its own advantages and disadvantages. The device installed on a cylinder should not be covered closely with wind protection to avoid overheating of the cylinder and explosion. For side connections, small cylinders are used for disposable cooking.

The best option is to connect using a hose. The cylinder can be installed far from the burner. The wind protection can be placed as close to the burner as possible. This results in fuel savings, energy conservation and faster cooking. The temperature regime is regulated by a reducer installed on the cylinder.

The most popular tourist mini burners are selected for specific conditions and tasks. There are universal devices on sale, the connections of which are compatible with threaded cylinders and bayonet threadless gas containers. There are options with economical gas consumption and built-in protective screens.

Some models have the function of heating the gas in frosty weather. It is good when it is possible to turn the cylinder over with a small residual amount of fuel. This device has a hose connection and a heating function. One of the effective but expensive models is the integrated burner. It is combined with the boiler, has a connection in the form of a welded radiator, which partially protects from the wind and accumulates heat with subsequent transfer to the boiler.

Blowtorches are installed directly on the cylinder. Using the diffused flame of these burners, premises and cages for animals, beehives are disinfected, and animal and bird carcasses are burned. The burner is equipped with a long tube. This eliminates overheating of the cylinder or the risk of hand injury. The cutters are made in the form of pistols. These burners are used for cutting aluminum and tin cans, heating PVC pipes for subsequent bending, and lighting fires.

Tips for choosing

To make the right purchase and not regret it after some time of use, we suggest using a few tips from experienced buyers and experts:

• The first step is to decide on the purpose of using the burner. It can be used for soldering pipes or cooking food on the go.
• Construction models are made in the shape of a pistol, since it is convenient to hold them with one hand and hold the material needed for work with the other.
• Pay attention to the dimensions of the structure if you take the burner with you on hikes.
• It is better to take a model with a maximum melting point.
• If you will be working with pipe soldering, then a model with a low operating temperature is sufficient.
• In order to cut and weld steel products, you should purchase a device with high power, which is sometimes called a welding lamp.
• Look at the gas consumption per minute, since this parameter will determine how long one cylinder will last and when you will have to install a second one.

Electric ignition does not work on two burners

In some cases, a gas stove on two burners does not light. Sometimes lighting it with a match helps - everything works normally, without interruption. The cause of this malfunction is damage to the spark plug responsible for ignition. We repair electric ignition as follows: clean the spark plug and look at its condition; perhaps it’s enough just to clean the spark plug’s power wire.

If there is a crack on the element, we buy a new part and put it in place of the old one. The electric ignition may also break down due to a faulty ignition button. Moisture or small debris could have gotten into it, or it could have been damaged mechanically. To fix this, you need to clean the oxidized buttons or replace them if they are mechanically damaged.

Ignition produces a spark, but the burner does not ignite

In cases where the electric ignition produces a spark, but the burner does not ignite, you should try replacing the thermocouple. Sometimes the problem is related to the solenoid valve, and after updating it, the equipment operates normally. You should check the ignition unit, because if everything is fine with it, but ignition does not occur, you need to look for a problem in the power wire or burner spark plug.

If a spark is supplied, the flame lights up, but immediately goes out, try holding the gas button longer. It is likely that the sensors responsible for the formation of the flame simply do not have time to warm up.

How is the efficiency obtained from gas combustion?

When choosing a gas boiler, you should pay attention to the technical data sheet. It indicates the efficiency factor, for example, 93 or 91%. But this does not mean that the efficiency will really be that way. In fact, the formed heating system has an efficiency that tends to 0. The faster the heat leaves the room, the faster the indicator will approach 0%. If this is due to the increased thermal conductivity of building structures, then it is possible to insulate them efficiently. You can use mastic, sealing rubber bands, heat-insulating material and double-glazed windows with a standardized distance between the glasses. But it is worth remembering that infiltration cannot be avoided. First of all, it is provoked by a gas boiler, which requires air to burn gas.

Gas combustion air

If you take air from the common ventilation duct, this will have a bad effect on the operation of the system. This is due to the fact that the ventilation duct has common walls with the bathroom, kitchen or toilet. If the temperature outside is negative, then after a while the temperature in the ventilation duct will be 1 degree, and in the room adjacent to the duct there will be an uncomfortable atmosphere. Agree, it is unpleasant to be in a cold bathroom or cook in a cool kitchen. Therefore, it is not advisable to take air from the general ventilation duct.

Comparison of models

Based on the rating described earlier, we made a table containing the technical parameters of all participating models in the rating. With its help, you can compare burners with each other and identify the best purchase option for your purposes.

Adjustment

The cleanliness of the cut depends on the correct flame setting . Oxygen treatment is carried out with a slightly oxidized or normal torch. The carefully adjusted flame of cutters with concentric nozzles is surrounded by a cutting stream of oxygen. The core of the torch in each section should be symmetrical and not differ in brightness.

Cutting with a torch with the mouthpiece moved cannot be carried out, as this will lead to heating of the edge, which will negatively affect the quality of the cut. The use of self-centering mouthpieces increases the ease of use of such equipment, because the device makes the flame symmetrical.

Sometimes the movement of the gas mixture is hampered due to clogging of the channel, which divides the torch into streams and leads to loss of stability. Such a product not only reduces the quality of processing, but also reduces productivity. Flame adjustment is based on creating a symmetrical flame of the required power in relation to the oxygen cutting jet.

Important! The installed combustion power is determined by the thickness of the material.

A normal flame is ensured with the valves slightly open, which makes it possible to make adjustments during operation. When acetylene and oxygen are fully open, an excessive amount of the former is observed. Smooth closing of the acetylene valve leads to stabilization of the process.

Popular varieties

Now let's look at the most common models.

With soldering attachment

This device is intended for heating medium-sized parts, as well as for compact soldering. This occurs due to heating from the sting flame. Such a torch can easily be called a soldering iron without wires. The gas reservoir has a capacity of 8 milliliters. When filling with butane, the flame temperature is 1300 degrees, and the tip temperature is 450. The flame length can be adjusted within 4-6 centimeters. The diameter of the burner is 1.5 centimeters and the length is 13 centimeters.

The price of this model is approximately 400 rubles.

Advantages:

• easy refueling;
• presence of a nozzle for contact soldering;
• the refill is enough to seal several medium-sized parts;
• low price;
• compactness.

Disadvantages: no piezo ignition.

Micro burner

There is nothing in this device except a nozzle with a gas supply regulator and a tank with a filling valve. It does not have piezo ignition and is supplied unfilled. In this regard, you will have to additionally purchase a gas can (can be used for lighters). Such a burner is enough to heat heat shrink or solder two wires without a soldering iron. The weight of such a device is 43 grams, and the length is up to 20 centimeters.

The price of the equipment is 200 rubles. This is the cheapest device of this type.

The advantages are the following parameters:

• easy refueling;
• the lowest price.

Flaws:

• there is no piezo ignition;
• the gas station runs out quickly;
• the flame is small.

Mini soldering iron KVT XZ-1

This is a remarkable device from a brand that produces gas equipment. It has piezo ignition. The set includes: 4 soldering tips, a tip cleaning sponge, and a solder spool.

For contact soldering, the stated power of the soldering iron is 137 W. For a soldering iron weighing 120 grams and 21 centimeters long, this is a lot. Electric soldering irons have never even dreamed of such weight and size characteristics. This soldering iron is not positioned as a torch, but it can be used in this capacity - the flame comes out like a pencil.

The price of such equipment is 2300 rubles.

Disadvantages: high price.

Advantages:

• high thermal power;
• good case;
• there is a set of components;
• convenient for soldering;
• famous brand.

Iris Barcelona

This type of equipment is intended for repairing jewelry and electronic equipment, welding and soldering. Its flame is adjustable. You can refill with a regular gas cylinder, which is intended for lighters. The flame can reach a length of up to 3 centimeters, and the temperature can reach 1300 degrees. It can work for approximately 20 minutes. The length of the device is 20 centimeters.

Such a device costs 1,500 rubles.

Advantages:

• brand;
• presence of piezo ignition;
• small dimensions.

Disadvantages: the flame does not allow processing large and medium-sized parts.

Butane torch KVT X-220

Intended for repair and construction work. Looks stylish. The handle is corrugated and pleasant. The flame ignition system is piezoelectric. The capacity of the cylinder for highly purified butane is 22 millimeters. This volume of gas is enough for 110 minutes of continuous operation. The flame reaches a length of 3-8 centimeters, and its shape is adjustable from wedge-shaped sharp to soft with yellow tongues. The device is 14 centimeters long and weighs 226 grams.

Such a device costs approximately 1,600 rubles.

But the advantages are:

• comfortable handle;
• presence of piezo ignition;
• presence of a stand;
• is a good option for desktop work.

Flaws:

• You can’t get into a narrow place;
• large dimensions. Because of this, it will not fit in your pocket.

Highest flame temperature

This indicator determines the cutting speed of the material and is determined by the properties of the gas-air mixture and the type of fuel. A high value is guaranteed by acetylene; the substance rapidly heats the metal to melt . At the tip of the fire the temperature reaches about 3000 degrees. The farther from this point, the smaller the number.

Welder of the highest category of Progress LLC Degtyarenko V.O: “The increased temperature of the torch also has negative consequences: melting of some of the edges of the workpiece. For this reason, acetylene does not produce the same cutting quality as kerosene or gasoline vapors.”