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Electronic vs Manual Ignition and Shipping Rate to EU?

Inquiry: 

I am very interested in the PowerFlamer 160 but I have some questions, it said something about the electronic ignition not being reliable, does this mean the built-in pilot doesn’t work that well, or does it mean that it’s best to have a manual lighter nearby to light it the first time? What is the difference between the Plus and the non Plus variant?

Is the flat shipping rate to Europe the only costs or do extra customs tax gets added?

Outdoorstirfry: 

Electronic ignition stove does not have a pilot.   Electronic ignition is convenient to ignite the main burner without additional igniter.  However, the ignition flame needs to be turned off after main burner is lit, to protect its electric wire insulation.    Once the electronic ignition fails, you can always use a long nose BBQ igniter to ignite the main burner directly.     

Pilot only exists in our manual ignition stoves.   The main burner of a manual stove is lit by a long nose BBQ igniter first.  Then the pilot can be lit by the main burner and adjusted.   Between dishes, the pilot can stay to help ignite the main burner for subsequent dish cooking.  Pilot flame length can not be long to interfere with the main burner flame.   One issue is that short pilot flame is susceptible to wind. 

For difference between 160 and 160 plus, please read https://outdoorstirfry.com/faq/what-is-the-difference-between-the-powerflamer-160-and-the-powerflamer-160-plus/.   160 plus is new and we are in process of optimizing it.  160 is fully optimized and should provide the better cooking experience at this point of time. 

The flat shipping rate is to cover shipping costs charged by the shipping carrier.  At import time, you will be asked to pay for import duty, VAT and brokerage fee etc.

Inquiry: 

What would you recommend, the manual or electric ignition? I do turn off the burner a bunch of times so a pilot flame would be nice to have. Also, is it treated for rust or is it bare cast iron? 

Outdoorstirfry: 

The stove surface is with paint resistant to high temperature.  However, those paint areas with flame will burn off and left with bare iron. 

If you cook more than 1 dish, pilot is nice to have.   Electronic strike for each dish cooking isn’t that much a hassle either, without needing to find that piece of long nose BBQ igniter.    The last resort is the main burner which can be turned down to low flame between dish cooking in case pilot windblown or electronic ignition failed. 

Inquiry: 

Most of the time when I stir fry, I aim to make about 8-14 portions (fried rice for instance). It takes me about 3-5 batches for this amount, I’m hoping a better burner would fix this. 

Outdoorstirfry: 

More powerful burner should help.  What are you using now?  Maybe a link is helpful for us to understand.

Inquiry: 

Here’s a link to the product, I Don’t know if the site will work since it’s Dutch. https://vuurenrook.nl/en/products/gas-wok-branders-stoves-50491601

Outdoorstirfry: 

Thank for your link.   The stove in your link is about 20kBTU/Hr max in our experience.   This is not a bad stove to use.  

Inquiry: 

Would the stir fry capacity increase with the wok? I don’t mind spending money, but tax and customs feels like I’m getting scammed haha. 

Also, how is the build quality? Are there a lot of (possible) defects? If something were to happen to it while in transit, is this covered by some kind of warranty? 

Outdoorstirfry: 

In theory, you can cook more if the stove is more powerful.   Unfortunately, we can’t do anything to tax and duty etc.  We will send replacement parts if thing is damaged during transit. 

Inquiry: 

Is it possible to get a video of the difference between the electric and manual ignition? Or do you recommend one? 

Outdoorstirfry: 

Please watch https://outdoorstirfry.com/how-to-start-a-powerflamer-propane-160-electronic-ignition-stove-both-ignition-flame-and-main-burner-flame/?v=0b3b97fa6688 for electronic ignition version.   Please watch https://outdoorstirfry.com/how-to-start-a-powerflamer-propane-160-manual-stove-both-pilot-and-main-burner-flames/?v=0b3b97fa6688 for the manual version. 

For long lasting/reliability, we would recommend manual.  For convenience, we would recommend electronic version. 

Inquiry: 

Oh that’s great thanks! I hate to ask this, but, how’s the build quality? I don’t know anyone who owns one of these and I can’t see/feel it in real life. Are there common problems or anything? How long have you been making these and what’s the oldest still working one? 

I apologize for all these questions, I always thoroughly check everything. 

Outdoorstirfry: 

I can’t comment on the quality as different people have different standards.   Also our quality would keep improving as it is the case in our history longer than 20 years.   There are some common problems like https://outdoorstirfry.com/customer-feedbacks/white-on-paint-and-smoke-questions/.   The paint should be the same as your other stove, dark gray.  

Inquiry: 

That’s fair. Do you know of customer that’s been using a 160 for that long as well? Do you sell replacement parts? Is there something that needs replacing within a few years that I can order with it? Are the legs aluminum? 

Is it possible to take the legs of and make a stove for it? Is it stable without the legs?   Once more, thanks for your time and patience

Outdoorstirfry: 

We sell 160 stoves for over 20 years.  Of course, the look of it was dramatically different than it is now.  We are still support those if people want to maintain them.  You can contact us if problem occurs. 

The long legs, if tighten, should provide stable support to the stove.  The long legs are galvanized steel.  They can be detached, and the resulting short leg version can be placed on a table and should be functional fully. 

 

 

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Does electronic ignition stove have a pilot flame?

Customer

One more question: I couldn’t quite tell if the electronic ignition version is the same as the manual other than the igniter. Does it also have a pilot light? So if the igniter fails eventually, will I just have a manual version?

Outdoorstirfry

None of electronic ignition stoves has a pilot light.   The electronic ignition tip can NOT serve as a pilot light.   The ignition flame needs to be turned off after the main burner flame is lit.   Turning off the ignition flame is necessary to protect burning of the ignition wire.  Once the electronic ignition fails, you can use a long nose BBQ ignitor to ignite the main burner directly.   Between cooking dishes, you can turn down the main burner flame to preserve fuel.  

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pilot light question

Inquiry: 

Hello. Does the PowerFlamer Propane 160 with electric ignition allow for pilot light? If so, can the pilot light remain on while cooking if you need to turn the main burner off and then back on? Thank you

Outdoorstirfry: 

Pilot flame feature is only present on our manual stoves.  Electronic ignition flame on any electronic ignition stove needs to be shut off after main burner is lit to protect the ignition wire insulation. 

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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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Questions on Tank/Bottle, Stabilizers, Pilot Flame for PowerFlamer 160.

Inquiry: 

Hi, Do I have to buy a tank or bottle with the 160 long lead time model? I’d like to not have to do this. Also, what exactly do the leg stabilizers do? How do they work? And does the cover custom fit the burner or is simply a square tarp? Lastly, is there a pilot flame without the electric ignition start or the pilot flame only exists if you have the electric ignition option?

Outdoorstirfry: 

  1.  We do not sell tank or bottle.   You will need to get them from your local hardware store or gas station.  We only sell stove that works with tank or bottle.
  2. When people cooks, they may toss the food in the wok.  Since the food can be heavy, lifting the wok from stove may not be complete.   The result is that the wok is carrying the stove to a tilt.   Leg stabilizers help to stabilize the stove.   Please look at the “Usage Examples” section at the product link https://outdoorstirfry.com/product/long-leg-stabilizer-for-long-leg-stoves/.
  3. The stove cover is a custom hand-made piece for our stove.   Please look at the “Usage Examples” section at the product link https://outdoorstirfry.com/product/stove-cover/.
  4. The electronic ignition version does not have a pilot flame.   The electronic ignition flame needs to be completely turn off after the main burner is ignited.   Our manual version has the pilot flame that can stay during cooking. 

Hope we answer your questions.   Let us know any further question.

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don’t understand how to turn on the pilot

Customer (PF13L160EI): 

I have the wok and have been using it. I don’t understand how to turn on the pilot without having to use an external flame? Could you please help.

Outdoorstirfry

For your stove, the right knob is for electronic ignition.   After the tank is turned on and hearing two clicks or wait for about half minute, you can turn the right knob by about 90 degrees.  Along this 90 degree turn, you should hear hissing sound indicating gas coming out from the ignition small copper tube.  By 90 degrees turn of the knob you should hear a click sound from the piezoelectric within the electronic ignition head.  At the same time, you should see a spark at the tip of the ignition small copper tube.  By 3~4 tries you might be able to get one spark to ignite the gas to a flame to shoot to the top of the main burner.   Hope this helps.

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How does the electronic ignition work?

Customer (PF13L160EI):

    I just got a 160 propane w electronic ignition. How does the electronic ignition work? No documentation. All can light and adjust it manually. It also looks like it is mounted too far back from the burner.

Outdoorstirfry:

Attached is the user installation guide.  Basically when you turn the right knob, you should hear gas coming out of the ignition tube.  When you turn the knob further, a spark should strike the gas.   Usually it takes 3~4 strikes to get the flame shooting out the ignition tube to reach the main burner.

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Pros and Cons of electronic ignition

Inquiry:

Can you advise me pros and cons of having the electronic ignition?

Outdoorstirfry:

With electronic ignition option you do not need a long nose BBQ manual ignitor.  However you will need to strike a few times to get the burner going.   Manual ignition has a pilot flame.  Typically you light the pilot up and light up the burner from pilot.

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Electronic ignition etc

Inquiry:

Good Morning, I’m interested in the above burner for outdoor wok cooking. Can you tell me a bit more about the electronic ignition and any other notes I should be aware of. From my research, this appears to be the most popular work burner out there. Thanks!

Outdoorstirfry:

The electronic ignition is a piezoelectric spark type.  It cannot serve as a pilot flame.   If you scroll down our home page and use the search box,  you should be able to come up with the information of your interest.

Inquiry:

Gotcha. What configuration do you recommend for outdoor wok cooking?

Outdoorstirfry:

We usually like simple set up, a long leg manual ignition stove with a table on its side for spices and ingredients.

Inquiry:

leg stabilizers?

Outdoorstirfry:

You can have the leg stabilizers if you toss during cooking.  For most sturdy cooking with heavy tossing, we recommend to have the short leg version on a table.

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I’m trying to understand what your warning about the electronic ignition melting really means (for PowerFlamer propane 160 electronic ignition versions).

Inquiry:

I’m trying to understand what your warning about the electronic ignition melting really means and how that effects how to use the burner during cooking.

1)  Does your electronic ignition actually run on batteries and it has an on/off switch that can be left in the on position?  In it does have a switch that can be left in the on position then you are warning about the constant cycling of the ignition spark will melt the wires so the switch has to be turned off immediately after the pilot is lit?  Is this the condition you are warning about?

2)  Or do you mean your electronic ignition is actually a manual strike piezo electric ignitor and that the PILOT LIGHT cannot stay on after the main burner is lit or the wires will melt?  So what you actually mean is that the Pilot Light has to be turned off after the main burner is lit or the wires will met?  Is this the case?

3)  If 2) is the case does that mean I have to re-light the pilot every time I turn the main burner off during a cooking session?

4  If I order the manual version I can leave the pilot light running and only have to light it with a match once per cooking session.  Is that a correct statement?    Best regards,

Outdoorstirfry:

Very good questions.   Your 2), 3) and 4) are true.

Inquiry:

Thank you for your quick reply and for providing the detailed operational information and cautions on your new product design.  This is very helpful.   There are many design improvements so I see you are continuously upgrading your product and offerings.

I have found Kenji’s video’s very helpful and this is what got me trying outdoor wok cooking and indeed it was the restaurant style cooking and wok hei flavor I am after.   Best regards ,