Quick rookie question - controlling temps on a gas smoker

lonestarmedic said:

 
Finally back on line. Ok, most needle valves that are use have 1/4'NPT male threads flowing to 1/4" NPT female threads. Arrow on side body of valve shows this. The modern propane smokers of the Box and Warehouse store variety all seem to use the same setup now. Regulator with a permanent hose attached. And the smoker end has a #6 SAE female swivel flare. The smoker then has the #6 SAE male flare end. Do not confuse #6 SAE with #6 JIC. NOT the same!!

Solution #1) Cut the hose, use nipples with 1/4"NPT on them and hose clamps. (Not my thing on propane.)

Solution #2) #6 SAE Female to 1/4"NPT male fitting. Then a 90 degree 1/4" NPT fitting. Needle valve. Then a #6 SAE Male to 1/4" NPT fitting.

Depending on whether you want the valve vertical or horizontal will dictate the 90 degree fitting. The tough fitting to find is the #6 SAE Female to 1/4"NPT. I ran it down at Tejas Smokers in Houston.  I have done this to my Masterbuilt small 2 door and recently to my Smoke Hollow PS4400 two door from Sam's Club.

I will do my best to put up some fitting pictures this week. I have a brand new set to install for a friend. Then a couple pictures of the mounted valves.

Also the cast iron skillet trick works great on the units with a single round 15,000 BTU burner. A 10'-12" with a set of bolts for trivet legs set wide enough to go to the outside of the burner guard. With my Smoke Hollow I had to totally redo the bottom end. Put in new rails for pans and new cast iron pans. End result was a great setup for chunk wood.

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lonestarmedic said:

Not an expert on this but have a couple propane box units.

1) Get a good thermometer for both the meat and the inside of the box.

2) Yes, you do adjust the propane valve on the front of the smoker.

3) Top open and adjust side vents is normal way to regulate. But top can be adjusted also.

4) Wood chips will burn up quickly in most steel pans inside propane smokers. Switch to cast iron container. And switch to chunk wood.

5) Good chance that even on low the inside will be too hot. Several ways to fix.

a) Install a UL listed needle valve in the line

b) Can sometimes turn the valve between Off and High and get a lower adjustment just before off. I do not like doing this on a control.

But it does work in an emergency.

c) Put a wood wedge in the door to keep it open a bit and bungie it shut. Yes it wastes smoke etc. But it will save a cook!!

6) Invest in a good gasket material for the door(s) I suggest the 1/2" wide by 1/8" thick Lavalock stuff. Self adhesive and stays stuck.

7) Not all foods require water in the pan. Poultry does better with a pan full of sand as a heat sink and a slightly higher temp.

8) High temp RTV is only good for 500 degrees F. continuous and 600 degrees F. intermittent. Propane unit running on high can hit 500 easy.

Rutland furnace cement will withstand 1200 degrees at a minimum. Us it to seal corners in box etc. that might need it.

Good luck and ask questions.

J.B.

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