Calling all propane builders...... advise needed and a picture to boot !

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

finch12

Newbie
Original poster
Jun 14, 2010
23
11
Left of Centre
Well I have been busy in the shop making myself a propane smoker, ( Time well wasted ) This is my first build and I am quite happy with the build with one exception. I am unable to get sufficient air in the tube to mix with the propane for complete combustion. It is pretty close to good at very low levels but at higher levels it is a no go. I fired this bad boy up today just to see what would happen and how it would perform. I was able to get a steady 170 on a pretty low flame and held it for one hour. I also hit the 250 mark and easily hold it as well. I am quite sure if I wanted 500 is also quite achievable but for this purpose not needed. In the picture you can see the burner I have selected. I have the damper wide open allowing the most air it can take and as you can see there is sufficient room around it to get more air at this point . The real problem will surface when I install the bottom in this. I will be leaving a one inch gap between the burner and the bottom all the way around. The top of the burner will also sit 3/8 " above this bottom That will cut down on the combustion air a little I am sure.

I am sure others have had the same issues with designs you have made. How have you overcome? May be even a store bought design has had combustion issues for you

At this point I am not even sure that this is the proper burner for what I want to do. The sales man I bought it from on line assured me it  would do well for my purpose. Here is the
5c07a63e_smoker%20001%20(Large).jpg
link to the burner that I have.... what do you think

http://www.barbecuegrillsandmore.com/Bayou-Classic-BG10-BAY1112.html?refID=EV1

I would greatly  appreciate any advise you could share with this rookie builder

Thanks
 
Got a little advise from Hank Hill today down at the propane store. LOL... I did a little detective work and it seems I was given orifice for natural gas instead of propane. I rigged up a smaller orifice and tried again. I got a better flame but still not what I want. It seems I need the venturi outside the box. I have ordered another burner that will allow me to do that and should have it Monday and we will try again. In the mean time I will do all the detail work in the smoker and get it ready to paint and make the door gaskets
 
Got a little advise from Hank Hill today down at the propane store. LOL... I did a little detective work and it seems I was given orifice for natural gas instead of propane. I rigged up a smaller orifice and tried again. I got a better flame but still not what I want. It seems I need the venturi outside the box. I have ordered another burner that will allow me to do that and should have it Monday and we will try again. In the mean time I will do all the detail work in the smoker and get it ready to paint and make the door gaskets
Venturi definitely on the outside of the box.

I built several pipeburners and they are on the outside of the box.
 
That pipe burner looks good. I will know early next week how it all shakes out but I suspect no issues once I get the venturi outside the box
 
High Pressure.

Its for my RF Build in my signature, man it throws some heat
LOL---I don't even have to look at that Build. That beautiful flame you got there is etched in my mind from when you were building it!

Bear

Matt,

Get it like that one, and you'll think you're in heaven!

Bear
 
OOOOPS, 

Sorry Finch & Matt, I meant that comment about SQWIB's flame for you (Finch). Those two will help you---They know what they're talking about.

I'm a lazy MES owner myself,

Bear
 
Isn't that a high pressure burner? It is the same type thats on my fryer's. I wanted to build a gas smoker and I was thinking of the larger diameter but lower pressure burner. Have seen them at lowes next to the one you have. Also the venturi needs to be outside the box... Might get better result's
 
ok.  I never have seen any updated pics.  Is the Frankensmoker all ready for the show yet?
No, not yet, But I did install the log starter (pipe burner) and did a test burn, 5 splits ignited with burner on for about 30 seconds on high.

The pipeburner in the firebox doesn't burn as clean as the one in the smoke chamber below the RF plate but it sure does ignite them logs.
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky