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Differences of 160EI and 160IEI and Stand Question

Inquiry: 

I see the FAQ about the differences of 160EI and 160IEI. Other than the separate knobs, is one system more reliable than the other or lower maintenance? If the electronic ignition has issues, are there parts to replace? Is there any warranty on the wok burners?

I am interested in the steel stand, but see it is currently out of stock. How does the powerflamer 160 mounted/secured to the stand?

Outdoorstirfry: 

Both systems should have about the same reliability and maintenance.   Some people prefer integrated knob control while others prefer separate control.   Since the IEI ignition has a cover, the cover can protect better the ignition section to be damaged in case the stove falls.   If the electronic ignition has issue, its entire assembly will need to be replaced entirely.  We support our customers on whatever problem they are facing.  However, we don’t offer any warranty.

On how to use the stand, you can look at the “Usage Examples” section of the product web page.

Inquiry: 

Is the stand plug and play or do you need to install it?.  Also is the stand more sturdier?

Outdoorstirfry: 

The stand goes as parts.  Customer will need to install it.  Installing it is straight forward.   We don’t provide installation guide.   The stand is quite light weight, 11lbs.  It does not provide better stability than the stabilizer approach.  To increase stability, heavy objects like concrete block/bricks are needed to be placed on the stand.  For usage examples, please see “Usage Examples” section of the product page https://outdoorstirfry.com/product/stove-stand-stainless/.  

Inquiry: 

Is the stove significantly more stable in the cart compared to when it’s on legs?  Does the stove cover fit over the cart as well? If not, do you know of a cover that does?

Outdoorstirfry: 

The stand is quite light weight, 11lbs.  It does not provide better stability than the stabilizer approach.  To increase stability, heavy objects like concrete block/bricks are needed to be placed on the stand.  For usage examples, please see “Usage Examples” section of the product page https://outdoorstirfry.com/product/stove-stand-stainless/.  

Our stove cover fits the stand as well.  For pictures, please see “Usage Examples” section of the product https://outdoorstirfry.com/product/stove-cover/

Inquiry: 

Will the stove stand with bricks to weigh it down be more stable than the stabilizer approach? My #1 concern is that the setup doesn’t tip over.

Outdoorstirfry: 

With heavy objects on both stand and stabilizers, stability depends on joints in the system.  For the stand, joints are between legs and top cover, between legs and lower shelf.  For the stabilizers, joints are between the stabilizers and legs, between legs and stoves.   In this case the stand might provide slight better stability. 

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Difference between PowerFlamer 160EI and 160IEI

Inquiry: 

I am trying to determine the difference between your Powerflamer 160EI and the Powerflamer 160IEI. Is the ignition and throttle just wrapped in a more aesthetic enclosure on the 160IEI? Do both units perform the same?

Outdoorstirfry: 

PowerFlamer 160EI has separate knobs for ignition and main burner flame control.  PowerFlamer 160IEI has one knob for both ignition and main burner flame control.  The control of the PowerFlamer 160IEI is closer to indoor gas range knob. 

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How tall should the cart be for an averaged height person?

Inquiry: 

Is the Power Flamer with IEI a newer model to the Power Flamer with EI?  I assume there is a benefit for the extra $60? From your videos, it looks like the burner configuration has changed?
Also, If I build a wide metal cart with a properly sized hole in the middle to hold the wok, how tall should the cart be for an averaged height person?   Thanks in advance

Outdoorstirfry: 

IEI is a newer addition to our product list.   It comes out because of one of our strongest patents.   Sometimes people like indoor gas range single knob approach.  For further difference between EI and IEI, please read https://outdoorstirfry.com/?s=difference+IEI+and+EI.

We would recommend table height around 2.5’.

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Questions on electronic ignition options, stand and cover.

Inquiry: 

Hi, I’ve seen many people on YouTube cook with your burner and it looks to be the best for outside wok cooking. I have a few questions.

The difference between regular one and integrated electronic ignition is just the auto starter right or are there more differences? Do both have pilot flame for low heat cooking times?

I really like the stove stand, I assume that fits your burners perfectly right, just put them in and be done?

What are the stabilizers and curious what color the stove cover is? If I get the stove stand do you have cover for that as well?

Thanks very excited to have found you guys will do some videos on Facebook and probably get you more customers

Outdoorstirfry: 

  1. For difference between EI and IEI options, please read https://outdoorstirfry.com/faq/differences-of-160ei-and-160iei-and-stand-question/.  Electronic ignition can’t serve as pilot flame.  Only our manual ignition option has a built-in pilot flame.
  2. Our PowerFlamer propane 160 short leg stove can drop onto the top hole on the stand. 
  3. Please click on “Usage Example” on the product page https://outdoorstirfry.com/product/long-leg-stabilizer-for-long-leg-stoves/ to see how stabilizers are used for more stable legs.  
  4. Please click on “Usage Examples” on the stand product page https://outdoorstirfry.com/product/stove-stand-stainless/ to see 2 colors examples. 

Inquiry: 

Thank you for quick response!  So if I want the stove stand and don’t care about using a lighter to initially light it I want the PowerFlamer Propane 160 with short legs and manual ignition?  Since I will have stand won’t need stabilizers correct?

For stand if I get wheels they can be locked it looks like in picture.

Will be ordering today just want to get exactly what I need.  Very excited to get your product and do proper wok cooking!  Right now even when wok is 585 degrees it falls to 180 the sec cold chicken or meat hit pan!  I end up cooking food with steam and not the searing hot pan I want/need!  🙂  I don’t think people realize they NEED your product!

Outdoorstirfry: 

  1. Your selection of short leg manual stove is correct for stand.
  2. The stand wheels have lock.  The stand is not that stable either when considering how people do their wok tossing, please click on “Usage Examples” on the stand product page https://outdoorstirfry.com/product/stove-stand-stainless/ to see pictures of heavy objects on the stand lower shelf for more stable cooking.
  3. Please watch 2nd video “How to know when to stop increasing power to a PowerFlamer propane/natural gas 160/120 stove?”  on our product documentation page https://outdoorstirfry.com/support/product-documentation/ when increasing the stove power flame. 

Inquiry: 

Was going to order but a little nervous about comment about stability of stand.  Can propane fit under the burner to give it more weight?  How heavy is burner?  I think my wife would complain if I put bricks on it, maybe I could put some of our cast iron pans we keep inside on it they’re quite heavy.  I could cook with a big cast iron pan on this as well if I want to do seared steaks or smash burgers right?

I have a pit boss flat top grill I plan to get rid of and focus on wok and cast iron pan cooking on your device hopefully.  I want the functionality with something that looks nice so wife doesn’t complain all the time.  🙂

Outdoorstirfry:

The height between two shelves of the stand does not fit a propane tank if you consider height of stove coming down from the top shelf hole.   A short leg PowerFlamer propane stove has weight about 23lbs. 

If your and wife’s wok cooking does not involve much wok tossing which can carry an edge of the stove which in turn affects the stand, you don’t have to worry much about the stability.   We are user to the stove with long legs ourselves for last 20 years.   We don’t have any stabilizers since our cooking style does not involve tossing.  Even if we toss (a few times in last 20 years), we make sure to lift the entire wok out of stove not to affect the stove.

 

FAQ

Below are answers to some FAQ.  If you don’t see answer to your question, please use the search box at bottom of the page to search our site.   In case you cannot find answer by searching, you can always contact us.  

what is the last option of tank and bottle or just tank?

Inquiry: what is the last option of tank and bottle or just tank? I do not understand the difference between the two. Outdoorstirfry: “Tank and Bottle” option enables the burner to work with a 20lbs tank or a 1lb bottle. “Tank” option the burner can only work with a 20lbs tank.

I would like to know what the difference is between PF13L160 and PF13CL160.

Inquiry:  I would love to hear when they are back in stock. Also I would like to know what the difference is between those two. Outdoorstirfry:  You are in the to-be-notified list now. About the difference between PF13L160 and PF13CL160, PF13L160 will only work with a 20lbs propane tank.  PF13CL160 can work with a 20lbs […]

What is the difference between configurable and non configurable?

Inquiry: What is the difference between configurable and non configurable?  I did not understand the explanation. Outdoorstirfry: The non-configurable version can only work with a regular 20lb propane tank.  The configurable one can work with both 20lbs tank and 1lb propane bottle. Let us know if there is further question.

What is the difference in the pf13L130 and the pf13CL130?

Inquiry: What is the difference in the pf13L130 and the pf13CL130? Outdoorstirfry: PF13CL130 can be used to connect to both a 20lbs propane tank and a 1lb throw away propane bottle.   PF13L130 could only be connected to a 20lbs propane tank.

Difference between configurable and non-configurable stoves.

Inquiry: I have a standard backyard propane tank for my BBQ. Which of these do I order if I just want to attach it to my existing tank. I am a bit confused as to “configurable” vs “not configurable”. Does configurable mean have to buy and add an adaptor to your regulator before I can […]

why the Electronic Ignition is so much more expensive and does it worth it?

Inquiry: I’m interested to order your high pressure wok burner, I see you have 2 products in the list and the difference is basically Electronic Ignition or Manual Ignition (am I right?) while the price is different by $60. My question is why the Electronic Ignition is so much more expensive and does it worth […]

PowerFlamer questions

explain difference between manual and electronic ignitions, tank and bottle options.

PF160 MI or EI

Difference between PowerFlamer propane 160 manual and electronic ignition.

Flat Bottom Cookware Adaptor

The Flat Bottom Cookware Adaptor is only for PowerFlamer 130 stove. It does not work on PowerFlamer 160 stoves.

Flat Bottom Cookware Adaptor Question

No flat bottom cookware adaptor for PowerFlamer propane 160 and natural gas 160/120 stoves. Flat bottom cookware with diameter >13″ can be placed directly on top of the stove.

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Questions on PowerFlamer Stove Options.

Inquiry: 

Hi there. I’m looking to buy one of your PowerFlamer Propane 160 Stoves, and I’m hoping you can help me clarify some things. Is the IEI the only option that has the new 6″ burner? Is the manual EI the only option with a pilot light? If the electric starter on the IEI fails (they commonly do, right?), will you have to reignite between dishes with a lighter? The manual EI ignites with a turn-and-click sort of knob, and no lighter needed, right? Do you sell an option that has the new burner, is easy to start/stop between dishes, and without worry of that breaking? It seems like right now, you can only have the new burner, or a reliable ignition, but not both. But I don’t see why you’d move forward with the IEI if it were majorly flawed. Hoping you can help me understand… Separately, “tankandbottle,” what does this technically add to the stove? Is that an enhancement that I could add later if needed, or it has to be included up front?

Outdoorstirfry

Is the IEI the only option that has the new 6″ burner? – yes

Is the manual EI the only option with a pilot light? – the manual option is the only one having the pilot light.  The EI has an electronic ignition as the right knob. 

If the electric starter on the IEI fails (they commonly do, right?), will you have to reignite between dishes with a lighter? – You can use a long nose BBQ igniter if both IEI and EI electronic ignition fails.

The manual EI ignites with a turn-and-click sort of knob, and no lighter needed, right? – the EI right knob is for ignition.  You do not need a long nose BBQ ignitor when this is working.

Do you sell an option that has the new burner, is easy to start/stop between dishes, and without worry of that breaking? –  You can default to use manual BBQ igniter by ignoring the electronic function even for the IEI version.

It seems like right now, you can only have the new burner, or a reliable ignition, but not both. But I don’t see why you’d move forward with the IEI if it were majorly flawed. Hoping you can help me understand… – you are right, the IEI version is not flawed.

Separately, “tankandbottle,” what does this technically add to the stove? – please read https://outdoorstirfry.com/?s=tank+and+bottle+difference.

Is that an enhancement that I could add later if needed, or it has to be included up front? – yes.  There is an extra piece to connect to a 1lb bottle. 

Inquiry: 

Thanks so much for the fast reply. Quick follow up… So then, are you recommending the IEI for most people, since you consider the gen 2 to be a universal improvement over the EI? Like, the IEI has both the manual and electric ignitions, so you only need a long nose BBQ igniter if both fail? Is it easy enough to turn down the flame ultra low on the IEI, to the point where it’s basically approximating what the pilot would be? Or is it probably going to shut off completely when you try that?

Outdoorstirfry: 

IEI has only one knob.  There are customers who are used to indoor range and prefer single knob operation.  We would consider IEI more expensive, a bit more powerful than the EI.  IEI may not fit everybody’s budget.   Both IEI and EI have electronic ignition.  You can use long nose BBQ igniter to manual ignite the main burner in case the electronic ignition fails.  IEI does not have manual ignition and pilot light.  Burner flame of all PowerFlamer stoves (manual, EI and IEI) is continuously adjustable.  At minimum, they can be blown off by wind. 

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Burner Comparison among PowerFlamer Propane 160 Stoves

Below is a review article from Blake McNeil (a customer) who posts on reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/wok/comments/19aptbd/outdoorstirfry_buner_6b_comparison/.  As of January 2024, PowerFlamer propane 160 stoves utilize two burners:  one 5 inches (5B) in PowerFlamer propane 160 manual PF13x160, electronic ignition PF13x160EI and one 6 inches (6B) in PowerFlamer propane 160 integrated ignition PF13x160IEI.   We ask the customer to do the comparison.  Below is his review. 


I use my PowerFlamer Propane 160 wok burner from OutdoorStirfry a LOT, it is my principal cooking
device in my home. Stir fry, steamer or even just boiling up water for spaghetti (why use a piddly little
stove burner when you have Godzilla sitting outside?) my wok burner is usually what I cook on. Even in
the depths of a Canadian winter, you can find me cooking outside on my wok burner. -30C, no problem
the PowerFlamer has the jam to do it right no matter how cold it might be.

When I saw that there was a new burner coming out for the PowerFlamer I asked if I could get one and
compare it to the existing burner, these are my findings, but first some background. My ascent into
Asian cooking came about as I wanted to increase my veggies and reduce my meat intake. Being retired I
need to pay more attention to my diet after years of abuse running various startup companies which left
little time for a healthy diet. I suffered from veggie boredom eating the traditional North American fair
and switch to an Asian diet where the endless combinations of veggies and sauces put an end to veggie
boredom. I started cheap and got an Eastman Kahuna Burner and while it was a big step up from wimpy
stove cooked stir fry, it is not a real wok burner. It focuses all its heat on a very small area and isn’t
designed for a wok. Heat management is problematic if you are cooking for more than one person as it
creates a small intense hot spot that easily burns food while the rest of the wok isn’t very hot. Trying to
mitigate this small hot spot I use a 14” carbon steel Yosukata round bottom Wok which dissipated the
heat a bit but it is a heavier wok so I tend to use a Chao technique (more stirring than tossing of a Bao
technique). Use of a Chao technique was also because the Kahuna Burner doesn’t lend itself to moving
the wok as it isn’t very stable and doesn’t have a wok ring.

Once the welds on the Kahuna Burner started to fail, it was time to step up and the search was on for a
‘real’ wok burner for a home user. Enter OutdoorStirfry, a real wok burner, complete with a wok ring
and when I saw the available stand, it was take my money time. The upgrade to the PowerFlamer from
the Kahuna Burner was a bigger upgrade than from the stove top to the Kahuna Burner. The
PowerFlamer allowed me to up my game and flavor big time. Far better control and a far bigger sweet
spot than the Kahuna Burner. When the new burner came out, I was very interested as to what a new
burner could improve upon.

I bought my PowerFlamer with a manual pilot light ignition system as I thought that would work better
for me than an electronic ignition, so to swap in the new burner I got just the 6B burner with no ignition
system and would swap it with my existing burner.

There are some physical differences between the burners. The 6B is bigger and has more flame jets than
the old burner and more significantly over a larger area.

5B burner vs 6B burner
5B burner vs 6B burner

Disassembling my old burner.

5B burner disassembled.
5B burner disassembled.

Then reassembled it using the new 6B burner. The 6B burner fits all the mounting holes etc, but a couple
of things you will notice. First the 6B is longer which means my pilot flame tube comes up a little short,
not a real problem but something to note.

Lengths for 5B and 6B burners.
Lengths for 5B and 6B burners.

The other thing you will notice is the new burner has a slightly narrower throat so you will need to neck
down the screen to fit.

Inlets for 5B and 6B burners.
Inlets for 5B and 6B burners.

These were the only things I found, otherwise the upgrade was pretty much trivial. NOTE I can’t speak
for the electronic ignition systems, but I suspect they can also be converted but not the length change as
that might be a concern.

5B burner in a stand.
5B burner in a stand. Before with the old burner.

6B burner in a stand
6B burner in a stand.  With the new 6B burner.

Performance changes. I did a bunch of tests boiling water and such but really those show that both
burners boil water just fine, but with the old burner you can see there are two heat zones. First at the
bottom of the wok and then part way up the side of the wok, where the boiling begins indicating a
higher heat in these regions.

Boiling water in a wok.
Boiling water in a wok.

With the new burner the entire wok starts to boil at the same time. This indicates a far more consistent
heat distribution with the new 6B burner. This is very significant as stir fry is the movement of food in
and out of heat zones and the smaller the hot zone the harder it is not to burn food or get a consistent
cooking of food. This larger more consistent heating will also allow me to be even more aggressive with
heat as I’ll have a higher percentage of food in the hot zone and will be able to cook even faster and
capture more wok hei than before. I should mention that I’m cooking for a family so my portion sizes
border on overloading the wok, so the more consistent heating is huge for me in getting a consistent
cooking of my dishes. One other problem with small but intense hot spots is an increase in what is call
‘wok poo’, burnt carbonized food (sugars, starches etc) on the hot spot. When you wipe your wok when
your done and it comes up black then you might have wok poo problem. Having a larger sweet spot and
a more consistent heating of the wok will reduce burning and hence wok poo, your wok will be easier to
clean.

At the end of my testing, which burner am I going with, definitely the new 6B burner.

After some uses including woking a cabbage, carrot, lotus root and beef stir fry at –33C with a –44C wind
chill during a polar vortex (I use my burner all year long here in Calgary), this burner is deceptively
powerful. You don’t need a flame licking your eyebrows to cook on, since there are more gas jets, I’d
recommend starting a bit lower flame than your old setting to cook on and working up from there.


Blake has another post “Got a wok burner, get a steamer” at https://www.reddit.com/r/wok/comments/19bnw74/got_a_wok_burner_get_a_steamer/.  White steams come up surrounded by white snow, quite a scene.  

 

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Some Questions for PowerFlamer Propane Stoves.

Inquiry: 

Hi – I had a few questions: on the IEI it says it cannot be reliably lighted so we should have a long igniter.
1, is it hard to ignite the non-IEI version or can we just have the non-IEI and long igniter?
2. what is the benefit of the IEI?
3. is the bottle just a small version of the tank or some other differences?
4. how much does the tank weigh, and how much does the bottle weigh?
5. do you sell the tanks and bottles or where can I buy them?

Outdoorstirfry: 

  1.  Same ignition problem exists for the regular electronic version (EI).  For any electronic ignition, it is usual to strike a few times before successful. 
  2. Please read https://outdoorstirfry.com/?s=difference+IEI+and+EI.
  3. Please read https://outdoorstirfry.com/?s=tank+and+bottle+difference.
  4. When full, the propane in a tank may weigh between 15~20lbs,  it weighs about 1lb in a bottle.
  5. We only sell stoves that work with tank/bottle.   We don’t sell tank or bottle.  You can get tank and bottle from any hardware store.
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Electronic ignition stays on as pilot flame?

Inquiry: 

Question about the pilot light… on your website it says that the electronic ignition does NOT have a pilot light that can stay on. However, in Kenji’s video I see that he has the electronic ignition, and his pilot stays on during cooking. Which is the correct answer? Thank you!

Outdoorstirfry: 

The concern is when the electronic ignition flame stays on, it continues to heat up the ignition tip which carries the heat through the white plastic part and the ignition black wire.   Potential result is that the continuing ignition flame will melt the white plastic tip and the black insulation around the ignition wire.   Temperature on any plastic or rubber part will shorten its life for sure. 

Our PowerFlamer propane 160 integrated electronic ignition stove solves this problem by not allowing the electronic ignition to stay on.  

Inquiry: 

So if I get the IEI version, can I have electronic ignition and have the pilot light stay on? And also, what are the other advantages of the IEI system? 

Outdoorstirfry: 

The IEI version does not have any pilot flame and the integration makes it impossible for the ignition flame to stay on by mistake.   For comparison between EI and IEI versions, please see https://outdoorstirfry.com/?s=difference+IEI+and+EI.