Caution never thought about this!

[scorpion]

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/story...nty-man-killed-meat-smoker-explodes/20433943/

 

[azbohunter]

Propane is dangerous if proper safeguards are not in place. Most of use who build "home built units" don't think it will ever happen to us.

This is why thermocouples are used!

Sad day for this family and I am sorry to hear of this loss.

Prayers sent

 

[brooksy]

That is why propane makes me nervous! Definitely don't think you should use it as a set it and forget it type smoker.

 

[jp61]

Wow.... I'm truly sorry to hear of this tragic incident. May he rest in peace.

Unfortunately, many people (myself included at times) do not take potential safety hazards seriously enough. Stuff does happen and not always to the other guy.

 

[ssorllih]

Safety valves for propane can be bought. They are available with pilot and thermocouple and capillary bulb main burner valve controls. A careful knowledgeable person can design a safe system but attempts at cost cutting can be very dangerous.

 

[jp61]

During the process of smoking, is it possible to have one's sense of smell desensitized (from smoke) to a point where he or she cannot smell leaking LP gas? Could other possible factors or combinations of influence the sense of smell, like fatigue, medication, alcohol, etc.? I'm trying to understand how someone could attempt to relight a smoker under the conditions described in the article as "evidence". 

In this case, it sounds like the smoker's location was indoors and assuming vented to the outdoors. So, smoke probably wasn't a factor?

 

[gary s]

Such a sad ending to something that started with such good intentions.  Really have to be careful with propane Iv'e seen that happen quite a few times (No one was Killed)  

Gary

 

[cecil]

The thing to remember about propane as opposed to natural gas is that it is heavier than air and when it leaks it will cling low to the ground and spread or hang in the smoker. Natural gas has a specific gravity of .60 and will rise. Not to say it is not dangerous when it leaks but the lower explosive limit is 4.5ppm in an air gas mixture and upper limit is 14.5 ppm. Above or below those limits it won't ignite with out the proper air/gas mixture. I am not sure about the propane limits. When ever you use any gas operated equipment you should always soap test all connections where gas could possibly leak.

 

[jp61]

 
Such a sad ending to something that started with such good intentions.  Really have to be careful with propane Iv'e seen that happen quite a few times (No one was Killed)  

Gary

Very sad ending indeed. I hope people will learn from this poor guy's mistake.

 
The thing to remember about propane as opposed to natural gas is that it is heavier than air and when it leaks it will cling low to the ground and spread or hang in the smoker. Natural gas has a specific gravity of .60 and will rise. Not to say it is not dangerous when it leaks but the lower explosive limit is 4.5ppm in an air gas mixture and upper limit is 14.5 ppm. Above or below those limits it won't ignite with out the proper air/gas mixture. I am not sure about the propane limits. When ever you use any gas operated equipment you should always soap test all connections where gas could possibly leak.

X2

"Evidence indicates that the flame on the LP burner went out and as a result the gas continued to accumulate inside the smoker,"

"And when he went to relight the burner, the spark from the lighter caused the gas to explode."

How could he have not smelled the gas? Or, he did and thought it wasn't that bad? 

 

[hamrhead1971]

How could he have not smelled the gas? Or, he did and thought it wasn't that bad? 

Since he was inside a building, the smell of smoke may have overpowered the smell of the gas.
I myself do not have a gas smoker, but I do have two gas grills both of which I have had go out because of strong winds. When this does happen, I always open the lid to give the gas time to clear. This does cause heat loss, but it will reheat unlike a life that cannot be regained.
My condolences to his family.