How to Make a Forced Air Propane Burner

In this video, I show you how to make a forced air propane burner. This type of forced air burner design can be used with many styles of gas forges. Not only is it simple, quick to make, and cheap, It also offers fantastic thermal output. In addition to this video on how to make a forged air burner, I have an additional materials list pertaining to this build at my website: www.blacksmithpdfs.com.
Some homemade forge burner videos out there on KZbin are of a good design, while others are lacking. I think you will find this forced air gas burner quite satisfactory! I walk you through the process for this forced air forge burner build and I assemble it from scratch.
I've made some videos on DIY Blacksmith forge:
There are four parts to our video series on building a gas forge:
Part 1: Making the Forge Body • Propane Tank Forge Bui...
Part 2: Adding an adjustable stock rest (optional) • Adjustable Stock Rest ...
Part 3: Lining the forge with Kaowool • Lining a Gas Forge wit...
Part 4: DIY Gas forge burner • How to Build a Gas For...
Visit my channel at / christcenteredironworks . I will another video on a forced air burner design in the future.
You can purchase a digital download that includes a material and tool list, plus step by step at my website www.blacksmithpdfs.com for $3.99.
** eBay and/or Amazon affiliate links below **
Some other resources for this video are:
(1)1 ½” Strainer: amzn.to/2hUvSs0
(1)Coleman Quick Pump: amzn.to/2wEV8Gg
(1) Number 1 to 60 Drill Bit Set amzn.to/2wEGChr or #35 drill bit (below)
(1) #35 Drill Bit amzn.to/2vxBBaB
(1) Gas Regulator 0-100 PSI with Braided Hose ebay.us/6oHFIK

[@dcrahn]

Okay which size drill is it? You said .035 which is a #65, your link is to a #35 which is .110.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Sorry about the mix up, it is #35 drill bit.

[@daleminkel2816]

@@dev-debug I wish there were a way to upload pictures but that orifice hole, like you said, is fairly large but rather than drilling a hole through (whatever that piece of metal was) that cap (?) where the fuel meets the air (right at the T - I have some ⅛"stainless steel tubing that has an orifice size of about 1/16" and I also have stainless tubing that is 1/16" with a I.D. of roughly 1/32". I just happened to notice that you can take ¼" stainless tubing and put a ⅛" piece very snugly into it, very solid fit and now the 1/16" stainless fits snugly into the ⅛" tubing.

[@daleminkel2816]

KwazyWabbit I wish there were a way to upload pictures but that orifice hole, like you said, is fairly large but rather than drilling a hole through (whatever that piece of metal was) that cap (?) where the fuel meets the air (right at the T - I have some ⅛"stainless steel tubing that has an orifice size of about 1/16" and I also have stainless tubing that is 1/16" with a I.D. of roughly 1/32". I just happened to notice that you can take ¼" stainless tubing and put a ⅛" piece very snugly into it, very solid fit and now the 1/16" stainless fits snugly into the ⅛" tubing. Would this be the better option, if indeed there is a better or worse option?

[@user-zx7tg4ph5r]

#35 = 0.1100 inches 1/8 = 0.125 inches

[@meramriah]

@@user-zx7tg4ph5r can i put the pipe of gaz without drill, what happen?

[@edgarderschmied4497]

That was the best burner I've ever seen. And you know what's the best? It was also the best video about a burner build. I think I can rebuild it, so thanks for that!

[@lanehill6123]

Definitely one of the best burner making videos I've watched

[@jimhenry1262]

This really helps! I`m a coatings formulation chemist. I was in a R&D meeting currently developing ultra high temperature coatings,that need testing well above 1500F. I built my own micro furnace, with fire bricks, in the lab, but the big propane burner would not exceed 700 F. I just came back from my meeting,and your tutorial was running. Could not have been better timing!!! I got the plumbing described on this video,and am on my way! Sincere thanks.

[@aidanclarke4676]

any results on what temperature you reached?

[@aintthatashane8173]

This video took my forge from Nay to Yeah! Thank you. I used your design and can reach and regulate temperature within seconds. God Bless.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad I could help!

[@tomharrell1954]

YOU SIR ARE THE MAN !!!! Excellent design Excellent build Excellent construction!!!

[@markkoons7488]

Those are some good looking flames you get. I've watched dozens of burner videos in the last couple of weeks but learned as much from yours as any, much of it new to me. Thank you.

[@GreenOrgyKing]

Within one day of even discovering this concept, I gasped in amazement as I lit up my first self-built forced air/propane torch. BTW my application is glass blowing. Almost all glassblowers are convinced that propane/oxygen is needed. I saw many other videos like yours, but I needed the grasp the underlying principles so I could adjust things for my slightly different situation, and my limited metalworking tools. This was the video that did it. Thank you so so very much!

[@neilhay2155]

Thanks, very good explaining how it works. Most just show "do this", but you have explained how so now you can do slight changes to suit what you want or need with what you have to use. Very helpful.

[@54suburban5]

I just made one to your specs and it works fantastically. Thanx for posting your video.

[@Cr1msonFir3]

Thank you so much for the full explanation. Been trying to build a proper propane burner for a while now.

[@ancellsadventures]

Roy I just made this burner for my forge! I was having a hard time getting my materials hot enough with my two burners I made and two I bought! So I saw this video and gave this a shot. What can I say, this thing will blast! It’s pretty loud to run but it’s worth the noise! I barely have to open the gas valve and before I was running two burners wide open and burning through all my gas fast. This was a great build you shared! Thanks so much for what you and your wife do to share the knowledge! I follow your every post and often build what you offer up! Well wishes to you and yours God bless! Ps. I wish I could add a picture lol

[@chriscorbelli7709]

This is a great video. I made this burner to heat a small forge made from bricks to heat steel rivets. This burner works great, gets the rivets really hot. Thanks for putting this video together.

[@1369buddy]

Very nice tutorial,, I really appreciate those folks who take the time & effort to explain ,,reminds me of the 1970's when metal shop was still around,, thanks

[@TheHollowjock]

great video! Very detailed and easy to understand. I bought the item list and brought it to a hardware store and they found everything with ease and assembly was simple as well. I cant wait to try it out, Thanks you!

[@adamkendall997]

That's a globe valve. A gate valve has more of a guillotine like wedge that blocks flow.

[@anthonymosher4336]

Common knowledge for a Fire Sprinkler Fitter :)

[@rosswiddison6699]

Well done Roy, really appreciate what you share, I will do this for my gas forge, thanks again mate.

[@rosswiddison6699]

thanks, you are good people, love to meet you when I come to the States again.

[@thomasgallaspie9040]

Glad you made this video, because the forge I just built, wasn't producing the flame I needed, so I added air from compressor, but the nozzle sat along inside of coupler, next to orfice hole, and used a lot of electricity, so now I will reconstruct it like yours, using 12v blower from RV gas furnace, so it's still mobile.

[@craigljardine]

Just trying to watch all of your videos to get some ideas about a forge set up . Your burner is probably the best on I've seen so far , and let me tell you I've watched a lot of burner videos. Thanks again Roy for all you do. God bless you and keep on forging

[@HickLif3]

Great video with great explanations! You basically made a giant cut off torch I love it

[@donaldparkerii]

Great video, can't wait to upgrade! The explanations and build are the best I've seen!

[@HaLo2FrEeEk]

This is neat. Very similar to a ghetto burner I threw together last weekend. I had a harbor freight weed burner that I took the burner tube off of, leaving just the gas feed tube (there's a needle valve built in to the handle). I went and bought a 1" 90° elbow and a 1" x 12" black iron nipple. I drilled a 3/8" hole in the outside of the elbow pointing straight down one side of it, the side which I thread the 12" pipe into, then I just sorta snug fit the gas feed end from the burner wand into that 3/8" hole, and attach an air supply hose, from a mattress inflator, to the other side of the elbow. It works perfectly, although I plan to add a better fitting for the gas supply because it is kinda dangerous as it is. Also the orifice in the gas tube is too big, so I'm gonna get a fitting to screw in a .030 mig tip into. I don't bother with a high pressure regulator, I just use the needle valve on the original weed burner wand for now. It really does work great. Complete combustion, outside of the burner tube (as long it's in the furnace, without a flare). Not counting the weed burner, which I already had, I spent $10 on the elbow and pipe nipple.

[@shadowcastre]

Nicely done! I just got home from a 3 day raft trip and am catching up on your videos. It's similiar to my burner. A couple things different are... if you use a needle valve as well, then you don't need to drill an orface. Just neck your T down to 1/4 inch at the gas inlet. The needle valve will give you fine flow control. The other thing is.. is that a flare is only needed if used outside a burn chamber, or if your chamber is too large for for the burner. The diffuser (the SS cup) is a nice touch. This is the same principle as a ribbon burner uses by spreading/evening out the flame. Thanks for the video..

[@Can_non69]

This is really the best I've seen and I've been upgrading my systems for years.

[@wireedm1]

Outstanding demonstration video! I'm looking to make one on a boiler tank used for our black oxide process and this was very helpful!

[@michaelrobertson8795]

Looks like I'm finally going to get around to building the forced air ribbon burner. "Great video Roy"👍👍👍✌

[@Bobsutubes]

Great video, very well put together. Looks like a really good and reasonable inexpensive burner build. Thanks.

[@Joeandfran]

Thanks so much for the extensive help...great design and build...solid results! However, I am going to source or build a quieter blower...the pitch is a killer!!

[@lalyanasimkin5398]

I looked at a lot of videos about gas burner and I wondered why they never put a screen on the flare like the industry does in their torches. You are the first that put one on and explain why! same for the elbow. and for the blower. I prepare a gas forge and I understand now that I MUST insert a blower in the sketch... Thank you very much, God bless you

[@eightysevenmoore]

Dude... you are a boss!!! Thanks so much!!!

[@Keeganyardley]

Most definitely the most useful video out of 30 I've watched thank you

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad it helped

[@markmanwaring3823]

Thats got to be the best one I have seen yet ,and cheap as chips to build ,very cool dude.

[@caroljohnson8817]

What a terrific rocket flame. Awesome control system.

[@SL-ez7qn]

That’s brilliant and a n efficient burner. I’m currently using a straight Venturi burner which is very fuel thirsty and not as hot as this one. I’m going to have a go at building this one. Excellent video.. thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@josephgkrestan3044]

Excellent! Detailed explanation especially for a new guy like me. Thank you. Joe

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad you found it helpful Joe!

[@tamsunaskarstass7637]

God bless you for this video. Thank you.

[@idleartisans778]

Thank you very much! I'm making such a burner, your video is very detailed explain each step and matters needing attention, very big help to me, thanks again for your help to me!I am your fans from China。

[@aymanbaroud7631]

thank you very much, your explanation about elbow and flare was great help to me to build successful burner. again thank you and best regards.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

+ayman baroud I'm glad you enjoyed the video thank you so much for watching God bless

[@Dannysoutherner]

That was impressive. I never really thought about a forced air before. Great explanation as to how it works and why. Thanks!

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

You're welcome thank you for watching

[@youtubeisapublisher6407]

@@ChristCenteredIronworks Hey CCI, just a question, is the metal plug between the gas line and air line strictly necessary?

[@haydendenley3035]

That was the best video I've seen...best safety precautions...I give you a 10/10 for that...Thank you very much....keep up the good work

[@maxinpains6937]

Wow 😳 this video is very educational and it's covers everything that I was wondering about. I just wanted to make a burner with foot cranking 2 belows as a Air supply for Chinese wok but this seems more than what I needed .but then it made me interested into forging metals . Thank you.

[@efrainpalermo]

Hey thanks a lot, very clear and instructive!

[@jimmorrison3035]

You sir know. Your stuff, great video great burner lots oh knowledge. Thank you 🙏

[@thorsforge4517]

thank's for sharing tis videdo. I have build several gas forges and burners but your design has been the best so far. made one yesterday It works fantastic and it's going to save me a lot of propane in the future.

[@chrisdaube5435]

Hey Thor's forge, Do you have any efficiency comparison at all against the "usual' atmospheric venturi systems?? Cheers

[@mosesmondoringin8340]

Do you have the list the material

[@chrisdaube5435]

I do,got them 3days ago

[@PALLET_KING]

brilliant video excellent instructions thankyou for taking the time.

[@stargazelk]

Best explanation ever...thanks man

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

***CORRECTION: #35 DRILL BIT FOR ORIFICE*** Some other resources for this video are: (1)1 ½” Strainer: amzn.to/2hUvSs0 (1)Coleman Quick Pump: amzn.to/2wEV8Gg (1) Number 1 to 60 Drill Bit Set amzn.to/2wEGChr or #35 drill bit (below) (1) #35 Drill Bit amzn.to/2vxBBaB (1) Gas Regulator 0-100 PSI with Braided Hose ebay.to/2uyWJA3 These are amazon affiliate links. Full list of parts and materials available for $3.99 at www.blacksmithpdfs.com.

[@rjenterprisefireoileandgas7409]

Christ Centered Ironworks , Thanks sir,

[@rjenterprisefireoileandgas7409]

Christ Centered Ironworks , Good job sir

[@rjenterprisefireoileandgas7409]

Christ Centered Ironworks, I intrested your gas equipment design

[@alexmanning2755]

hey there, can I use this with natural gas, as long as i drill the orifices out to the correct size? Also, is there a way to do this without a welder? thanks!

[@mosesmondoringin8340]

Where is the list of the material

[@jonsey3645]

Thanks Man, just what I have been looking for.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad it helps!

[@laserfalcon]

Great build, looks like a project is coming up in the future for our shop.

[@thefamily_ak1863]

wow thx , im on a project build a new forge 4 knife making you did a great job explaining how it works , peace Gb

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Awesome hope it goes well for you :-)

[@user-zx7tg4ph5r]

Thanks for the design info! I made this without the elbow and it works fantastic! Doesn't require any further turbulence to create a good mixture. I found similar perforated screen instead of the Sink strainer and brazed it to the reducer that may have been why the elbow wasn't needed But what I did do was to add an extension CUP design to the nozzle about 2 inches which was the improvement I found Also I eliminated the air control valve and installed a dimmer switch to the power supply of the blower. This was better as it made the whole assembly lighter which I used for other applications.

[@rcarroll3204]

Still good video. Like "G" you could get rid of that valve & partially cover the squirrel cage blower intake. If natural gas a different orifice & regulator. FYI: your air valve is a Globe Valve, not a Gate Valve (slower opening, straight flow).

[@marciogoncalves8821]

Good ,,,, good ..... Good 😃 muito bom !!! Gostei do que vc fez 😄 ,,, uns dos melhores queimadores que vi aqui no KZbin.

[@ILLYRIANark]

Easily the best video for explaining gas and oxygen mixture as well as the reasons why.. Perfect!

[@mossturn01]

Hi, I've watched your video's and found them, for the most part, informative and helpful. I don't want to criticise but there are a few inaccuracies in this one which I feel need addressing. The valve you use to control air flow is a stop cock, not a gate valve. You can see clear through a gate valve when it's fully open. A stop cock is for water. The fittings are malleable iron, basically cast iron, not mild steel. They shouldn't be welded on anything structural but you're OK here. Finally, The light blue cone in the centre of the flame close to the nozzle is the coolest part, not hottest. It's hottest mid way between the cone end and the tip of the flame. It's still a splendid burner, I may make one myself soon. My coke forge is fine but takes too long to light and heat for a small job.Regards, Ian.

[@cliffharkness6446]

Would brazing the cast fitting not have been better , to stop it cracking?

[@shanecooke6373]

Brilliant and simple explanation. God bless

[@warrenbuitendag5286]

that anvil behind you is the stuff of dreams!

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

+Warren Buitendag definitely! :-)

[@ambroscustom]

Exceptionally well-illustrated video. Thanks mate, it helped alot

[@ryanholtmann9013]

You can tell a good tradesman by the amount of safety they appreciate. Thanks for the video

[@darcykelly7515]

You mean like balancing an electric air blower over a drum of liquid and balancing his burner in his house of cards?One bump and it would have all turned to shit!Like the rest of us he is not immune to doing some dodgy things.Apart from that I thought it was one of the best burner build videos on the tube.

[@ryangomes5029]

I followed this build usin similar sized parts, and it came out working great! Though I found that the burner worked better when using a slightly bigger drill bit.

[@sandrapoyner1353]

WOW very efficient use of simple parts, impressive 👍👍👍🇦🇺😁

[@Barmanji23]

Appreciate your work. It was a really high temperature,

[@stankrieger3137]

I like this video. very much, answered my questions on just what I was doing wrong.

[@JasonVladimir]

Good show, thanks for sharing!

[@ehaballithawy3711]

so nice job , amazing .

[@davey2k12]

Wow thats a beast 😱🧐😁

[@ronaldtremblay4304]

I like your attitude ... lol , subscribed

[@thomasperks8640]

A great burner and I can see it has a lot of potential for other applications and could be the basis for a fairly large forge if two or more burners were used

[@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire]

I'm thinking more along the line of using something like this for a burner to an outdoor grill / BBQ, but with natural gas. About 15 years ago, I had a cast aluminum grill that I re-engineered to use unregulated propane that mixed with air in the normal mixing chamber. It could shoot a flame out of the grill over 6 ft high. Great for searing steaks. I was heating up the unit prior to grilling some steaks one weekend and I noticed something splashing on my shoe. Turned out the I had melted the aluminum and large globs of it were dripping down. Ooops...

[@fp1030]

really great man

[@davidzoroastrian5920]

Very, very excellent innovation! Thank you,God bless you! Very good and useful explanation!

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Thanks God bless

[@maryannmoran-smyth3453]

Great video dude, there’s things I would have done differently but that’s just me and my experience….. keep on rockin brother…

[@Biokemist-o3k]

I had to go and check to see that you were still active my friend.I subscribed because I am building a metal shop similar to yours. I am impressed with the tools that you have amassed and use. my main goal is to make aluminum and then other castings for tooling and parts for obsolete equipment and engines in my small engine business as well my mobile welding . Thank you. It is such a cool build. That is so cool that you did HVAC in another life..lol

[@3amForge]

I've just made a forced air burner similar to this one, but have yet to light it. This has been the best video I have found so far explaining the process and reasoning behind it. I would love to email you pictures of it before I light it to get I your advise / suggestions for any changes I should make.

[@ronaldtremblay4304]

Wow !!! You managed to fast forward through the most important part of the build, wielding in the orifice , and thanks for over explaining the simple stuff !!!

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

+Ronald Tremblay you're very welcome I'm glad you enjoyed the video! :-)

[@DBacaMaker]

I just built two burners following these plans, and they are working beautifully. I posted a video on my channel for it, if anyone is interested, with links back to this one. Thank you Roy and I hope you and yours have an increasingly blessed new year.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Thanks for the shout out, and we're glad you found the plans helpful and handy. Have blessed New Year as well! ~Jessica

[@pavelmenzel6330]

Good job man 👍👍👍

[@remingtonruger]

My pointer finger is dead because I wore gloves on a drill press, and it happened as you said... I got lucky the glue ripped right after it destroyed my finger... Saved my hand and maybe my life...

[@bklynpa]

I appreciate this video, and you are obviously very knowledgeable. I would like to mention that since you are welding stainless steel, and using stainless at the end of the burner where it is getting extremely hot, it is possible that it may release Hexavalent Chromium gas which is an irritant, and carcinogenic. Thanks again!

[@CreativeBorneo]

very useful, really good, thank you

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Thank you for watching

[@freeatleast]

Roy my friend, sometimes you kind of scare me. This makes something like the third or forth time I've been considering a project, come on here and there it is. LOL. I enjoy your videos greatly. You explain things in a manner that comes across informative but never arrogant. Thank you very much.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

+John Thornhill you are very welcome and I do tend to get scary sometimes LOL thank you for all the great comments God bless you

[@marcojaimes8721]

Very nice video thank you for share it, sir

[@phaitoon8183]

You are very good . Good job

[@lowinmetalshop967]

Verry cool. That burner wil make the devil run for his life haha. Good build man

[@karlbe8414]

Best explanation of burner design theory that I have seen! I think you could have more correctly referred to forced "air", rather than "oxygen". I was not sure if an O2 tank was going to be involved for a while... Thanks! Me, I just want to melt some scrap copper into an ingot or two, for cheap.

[@shepardsforgeh2031]

Wow that,heats up way,faster then my alec steel venturi burner!

[@qxr20]

its funny to watch things explained by folks who dont know what theyre talking about, great channel

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad you enjoyed the video 🙂

[@ronbean8342]

If you already know everything, wtf are you watching the vid for, just to criticize? That's sad really, just scroll troll it's that easy, or make a video, amaze us with your knowledge.

[@striveforselflessness3220]

Can't seem to find an answer for this in all the videos I've watched of burner builds. Would this forced air burner be hotter and more efficient than the typical straight pipe with a choke? It seems to me to be the case but I'm looking for confirmation. Best build video I've seen so far and I've watched dozens. I particularly appreciate the time/care you took and not to mention how well you articulated the whole process of the build. Well done and thank you very much!

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

+StriveFor Selflessness thank you for the great compliment! Yes this forced air burner can be hotter and more efficient than a typical atmospheric burner as you have a greater degree of control overpressure and air flow. Thank you for taking the time to watch hope this helps you with your question God bless

[@brianzinn6354]

I don't think it's any hotter, but it's much more efficient. With an atmospheric burner, the force of the propane is what sucks the air in. You end up pushing out a ton of propane that escapes without ever burning. Because of the natural drag of the propane moving out of the burner, it's impossible to get enough air pulled in to burn all of the propane. At the end, he shows an ample flame with a crazy low amount of propane PSI. That shows just how little propane he uses to get the exact same amount of heat.

[@jessehannah2989]

Absolutly hotter. Venturi burners are very low efficient and wasteful. You have to use 15 psi in a venturi to get even close to what a forced air burner will get with 2 to 5 psi

[@rjenterprisefireoileandgas7409]

Verry nice design,

[@rjenterprisefireoileandgas7409]

[e-mail] Sir please mail, your all equipment

[@balkamp8888]

I know this video has been around a while, but I made my take on it this weekend... Works very well with one exception... I would skip the flare and strainer on the end and replace it with a ribbon burner... This thing gets hot enough to melt the hot end in less than an hour. Very cool 😂

[@CreativeBorneo]

mantap bang, sukses selalu ya..

[@abdel-hadikaddourn2bricola725]

Trè puissant. .....Bravo

[@johnpacker4501]

Great Video, I could not find your material list Thanks for the details

[@SeanTHirsch]

I hit subscribe just because of the name. Looking forward to watching your videos.

[@Entropyyyyyyy]

Just wanted to comment because of how well this works. It gets SO hot. We were previously using a cheap weed burner and a hair dryer and this is like a jet turbine compared to a candle, and I think we're saving a lot more on propane, and not just because the previous one was so inefficient. Another note, I was a little worried about the end getting hot and scaling and corroding like in the vid, and it did at first when I first threw it in the forge, but once I jammed some kaowool in the space between the burner and forge it fixed that problem completely.

[@coryrudd9509]

yes that was an outstanding video, I do see one area that I would attempt to do something different. but right now I am laid up waiting for surgery. I will get back with you soon.

[@user-oh6ex6rk3x]

Very good work sir

[@schmidtforge1946]

Such a great video man. Thank you. Im gonna use my forge to heat treat so im gonna install a pid controller. Where would you install the solenoid for the PID to regulate the temp?

[@RandalLovelace]

Really nice build (despite the wonky air mattress blower). I would think the shop would be loud enough already and would sort some way of having that air come from outside the building, thinking a high speed duct fan cut into the wall.

[@user-jb9nb7gz7o]

Thanks for the amazing guide! Would just using a bell reducer without the screen work well? or at least at the same performance as the ameture venturi/atmosphere style setup(with no screen)?

[@LockBits-ts6eo]

Nice one.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Thanks

[@mbcsteamboiler7228]

Thank you sir