Brass and stainless steel are two of the most common materials used in the manufacture of stovetop burners. While they do come in a range of designs and sizes, they all often have one job, to channel heat to the pot.
In order to produce a flame, the manufacturer will often punch holes in the metals to allow the gas, either natural or propane, to pass through and produce a flame, the holes are separated at different intervals to create uniformity in flame production and output.
Often, people will wonder which material to choose for their gas burners. This article goes through the pros and cons of each of these materials so that you can be in a better position when you need to make the choice between brass burners vs Stainless steel.
STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel is an alloy material that is made from two or more separate materials (mainly iron and chromium) melted together. It has many common uses and is used both for household purposes as well as industrial use. It is easily recyclable and is corrosion resistant.
According to the British Stainless Steel Association, “Stainless steels are corrosion-resistant steels with a minimum of 10.5 percent of chromium (Cr)”. This makes it useful in a wide variety of uses in different applications.
Advantages of using stainless steel
- Stainless steel is often regarded as more economical as compared to brass. It is less expensive than brass, which is likely 3 times the price of stainless steel. The price of course depends on the category and grade of stainless steel that is used.
- Manufactured from recycled materials. According to the International Specialty Steel Forum, Over 60% of stainless steel comes from recycled scrap.
- Corrosion Resistant: The chromium in stainless steel gives it corrosion-resistant properties which makes it more durable.
- Unlike Brass, Stainless steel is lead-free.
- Stainless Steel is a bit easier to clean than brass.
Disadvantages of using stainless steel
- Stainless steel is not considered as durable as other materials. When used as a gas burner, it is vital to remember that it would need replacing often, In fact, low-grade stainless steel burners may need replacing every three years.
- Many manufacturers will not issue a lifetime warranty on stainless steel gas burners. This is because of the nature of the material that is likely to oxidize especially when left out in the weather elements. Most of them will issue a five-year warranty.
BRASS
Brass is a material that is an alloy of copper and Zinc. These materials can be varied in proportion to achieve different properties as required. Due to its stunning gold appearance, it is often used for decorative purposes.
Brass is denser than common materials and is commonly used in high temperatures and will not oxidize or pit. It is used in different applications including electronic components, decorative applications, and marine hardware.
According to the Industrial Metal Supply Company, brass is highly popular as “it exhibits durability, corrosion resistance, and high electrical conductivity”. It has microbial properties and therefore is additionally useful in medical applications as well as making bathroom fixtures.
Brass burners are more expensive, have superior heat retention consequently, will spread heat more evenly. Additionally, they are resistant to stains and grime. Materials made from brass are known to be durable.
Advantages of Brass Burners
- Brass has a goldish brown color that makes it look premium and aesthetically pleasing.
- Brass material has longer shelf life making the burners durable and perform well in outdoor weather elements.
- Brass has a high melting point and it is not likely to buckle due to prolonged use.
- Manufacturers of brass burners will often issue a lifetime warranty on the brass units due to the nature of the materials used that are corrosion resistant.
- Brass has a higher level of conductivity which makes it heat faster and more efficient than stainless steel.
Disadvantages of Brass Burners
- Brass is expensive. Depending on the composition, size, and materials used, a brass burner might cost almost three times the cost of a stainless steel burner.
- Unlike stainless steel, Brass does contain some portion of lead.
- Given its premium nature, brass requires more maintenance than stainless steel
- Brass has a tendency to tarnish when exposed to weather elements for long periods of time.
Summary: Brass Burners vs Stainless Steel
In a hurry? Here is a summary of each of the pros and cons of each metal.
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Other types of burners
Apart from brass and stainless steel, there are a number of other burner types you can choose from.
Cast Iron:
Cast iron is made by melting pig iron, or scrap steel, in a furnace with flux. The melted liquid is then poured into a mold, where it cools and solidifies into the desired shape.
While not very common, cast iron is also a good alternative material for stove burners. Cast iron has good heat retention properties though lower levels of conductivity mean its heats slower than brass.
Cast iron is less corrosion resistant than both brass and stainless steel and is also easily stained.
Aluminum:
Aluminum is one of the most common metals in the earth’s crust. It is also one of the most abundant metals on earth.
Aluminum is made from bauxite ore, which is mined in places like Jamaica, Australia, and India. This ore is then heated to high temperatures to extract pure aluminum metal.
Many traditional gas stove burners will come with aluminum burners. Aluminum has a lower melting point than brass which makes it prone to deforming over time.
While it absorbs heat faster than brass, aluminum also doesn’t retain heat for long which means it’ll cool down a lot faster.
Aluminum is also less durable than brass and cast iron.
Conclusion
It is important to understand all the advantages of selecting one material over another. Keep in mind to select the right burner based on your budget, use cases, and aesthetics if you care about those.
Most gas stoves come with stainless steel burners due to their affordability, however, if you do not mind spending more, then brass burners won’t be a bad choice either, especially if you care about aesthetics.
It is also very important to take care of your gas burners appropriately. Use a cover to protect them from being ruined by water or other weather elements and be sure to clean them regularly with non-abrasive chemicals.
Many gas burner manufacturers will issue warranties on the product but will be quick to have exclusions or restrictions in the fine print. Read the fine print to get a general idea of how durable your burners might be.
The choice of brass burners vs stainless steel is an important consideration when shopping for a gas stove, here are a few other things to keep in mind when shopping for a gas stove.
