In a bid to be environmentally-friendly and for the sake of convenience, most outdoor lovers, campers, picnickers and barbecue lovers are now opting for propane burners for cooking their outdoor meals. Coal and firewood were the norm previously and though slightly cheaper they are more bulky and cumbersome, are more tasking, and involve much dirt. Enter propane - a clean source of heat - just a single cylinder can serve several outings. These burners are easily regulated meaning that one has more control over the heat which is necessary for cooking. So, as it seems, it is now a case of good riddance to the old and overused barbeque pits.

So what does one look for in propane burners? The thing first is obviously the amount of heat the burner is able to generate. For outdoor cooking applications, anything around 30,000 BTU should be just fine. The burner’s body should be strong but not become brittle when hot and hence a heavy-duty cast iron body is preferred. It should have a gas lock safety feature, smooth gas control knobs, and should be able to work with standard propane cylinders. Burners with gas control knobs that also control ignition are preferred to other systems. Also, an electronic igniter system is better as it is much safer. Opt for a burner with exterior coating as this promotes its strength, durability, as well as easier cleaning.

There are two main varieties of Propane Burners - the tabletop and the self supporting type, with the latter type being the most preferred for outdoor activities. The self supporting burner carries along the propane cylinder in the same structure. This means that the structure has to be a sturdy one and not one made of some thin supports and sheet metal along with tiny fastening bolts. A firm structure preferably made from solid steel and put together using strong welds should be the minimum. This setup should carry a full propane cylinder with no problems. The final product is bound to be heavy so a set of casters will come in handy for easy mobility.

Some dealers supply the propane burners complete with woks. Woks are taking over as outdoor cookware as their convex nature allows one to prepare various dishes at the same time and healthily at that. Just because such a burner is used outdoors it does not mean that it cannot be beautiful. You can find some very good looking burners replete with their supports, bases and even their woks handles having impressive artistic designs. Some suppliers also offer a personalization service where the wok, the burner, and its structure, can feature your initials, company logos, emblem, or indeed any other designs that you may desire.