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Is there an easier way to get my gas smoker up to temperature?!?!?

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jharpe06

jharpe06

Fire Starter
Original poster
Nov 29, 2015
34
10
I am wondering if there is an easier way to get my propane smoker up to temperature? Right now I am cracking the tank and then turning the flame down as low as it will go without blowing out. Once the temp levels out or even drops a degree, i will open it up just a hair more and repeat until i get tot he 225 range. There has to be an easier way? I feel like im wasting a lot of fuel
 
I don't understand why you are turning it down as much as possible when you first start the burner. I start my GOSM with the valve set where it was on the last smoke. It comes up very close to the temp I last used. As for cracking the tank.........go ahead and open it all the way. Use the control on the smoker to regulate the temp.

If you don't already have one, I highly recommend you install a needle valve in the line between the regulator and smoker. Only time I ever have to change the valve is when there is a 25+ ambient temperature change. I open the tank, turn the smoker valve to highest temp and start burner. Then simply control the burn with the needle valve. After using this process a few times you will find your smoker will return to the almost exact temp last used.

Now don't got confused after bringing the smoker up to temp.....adding a mass of cold meat and seeing the temp drop. Between the cold meat and the door opening, that is normal. From here is a waiting game and requires patience. Don't get discouraged.

Good luck.........Lamar
 
Right now I am using an adjustable regulator that I got approved by several propane guys in my area. Today was the first day I used it. i have done nothing but adjust the flow every 15 minutes it seems like. Will a needle valve hold a little Steadier than an adjustable regulator?
 
I suggest you get rid of the adjustable regulator. It is not really designed for real close adjustments needed for the smoker. The fixed regulator that came with the smoker and a needle valve will give you the stability you need for smokin'.

This is the way many of the guys and gals on this forum control smoker temp. I can hold +/- 5-10 degrees from 0-90 degrees ambient.
 
Ok thank you. I know I can probably do a search but what is the best way to go about doing a needle valve setup? Do I absolutely have to order parts or is this stuff I can find at Lowe's?
 
There is an online place that I ordered my valve from a couple of years ago.....don't remember the name of the place but is popular with this group.. Search will show it up. I got the one with hose barbs on each side. Simply cut the hose.....pushed the valve in the hose....tightened up a hose clamp on each side........soap tested and the rest is history.

To my knowledge, the big box stores do not carry needle valves. Valves - yes.....needle valves - no.

Lamar
 
BTW........when you have a minute........drop by roll call and tell us a little bit about yourself, equipment, and where you are located.
 
trial and error is the process, once yo have used the unit long enough, kept good records of each smoke (outside temps, humidity, wind etc.) and the times and results of the smoke you will know where to turn the gas knob on the smoker to and be close every time.

it just takes time , patience and did I say time to learn how your smoker works where you are. you do not indicate where you are from. yours will react differently than my two propane smokers (due to location) and both of mine work differently from each other even with the needle valve mod.

now that I have my first MES I have not even opened my propane smokers. It is so easy to use cold, warm or hot smoking, a very versatile smoker IMHO

Keep On Smokin,

Tom.
 
If the regulator is adjustable and the needle valve is adjustable........they will fight each other. You need a fixed amount of pressure going into the needle valve and it is the final control.

You have the right company, but the link did not come up for me.
 
jharpe06 said:
I should have already posted in roll call. Also, does it matter that the regulator itself has a needle valve? or what appears to be? ill post a link. Either way it sounds like I need to drop the adjustable regulator and go with a straight needle valve

http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/co...-classic-high-pressure-propane-regulator-7000
Click to expand...

Did you Read the description of the regulator you poste c a link too... this is from your link..

This 10 PSI Propane Regulator is used with your fry burners. This propane regulator produces too much PSI for a grill and pushes enough PSI for units made for 55,000 - 85,000 BTUs. This 10 PSI Propane Regulator includes a type 1 connector and needle valve.

A smoker is basically a gas grill.
Ditch that valve, and reinstall the original with a needle valve. Again, check out the propane section. You can read for days on needle valves and other mods for these smokers.
 
Last edited:
Well now i am wondering if I can just remove the needle valve from the regulator I have. The only problem is that one side is crimped?
 
You should be able to take that one off and adapt it to you original reg. Make sure its installed after the regulator, and in the proper direction. Not sure what you mean by crimped, the pic shows it threaded into the reg..
 
Mowin is spot on. Too much pressure from the 10 psi. Again.......put the original fixed regulator and a needle valve.
 
Mine is slightly different than the picture. I have the male end going into the regulator on mine but instead of a female end, it is crimped. Did not know if there is any way to removed it?
 
Perhaps the best thing to do at this point is to order the needle valve.........take the hose loose from the smoker.......take it along with the original fixed regulator and needle valve to the gas company and have them assemble it for you. Then you won't have to worry about a bad installation.

Good Luck Lamar
 
jharpe06 said:
Mine is slightly different than the picture. I have the male end going into the regulator on mine but instead of a female end, it is crimped. Did not know if there is any way to removed it?
Click to expand...

If you can remove the needle valve from the new regulator, you should be able to get fittings from HD to make it work. Take a pic of both regulators and post them. Make it easer for us to help out.
 
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