Increase Propane smoker heat output

[Bodra]

i have a vertical Smoke Forge from Lowes , its great smoker, but no insulation for the body and only 15,000 BTU burner.

i tried it fully loaded with 40lbs of beef ribs on a -2 Celsius weather and i couldn't get it over 180F with the highest flame for over 6 hours.

i am thinking about drilling the orifice using the 1/16 drill size to increase heat output to the 27,286 BTU, following this guidance on orifice sizes for propane https://ssl.ca/wp-content/themes/sinclair-supply/pdf/Gas-Orifice-Capacity-Chart.pdf

any ideas, advices or recommendation? i am a bit worried that the burner overheats as i am almost doubling its heat output

 

[SmokinEdge]

Welding blanket from Harbor Freight will do wonders. Also give plenty of pre-heat time for the cooker. 40# of cold meat is a lot to over come for most pits.

 

[mike243]

X2 on the moving blanket, its more than drilling the orifice, if the throat of the burner cant pull enuff air in it will burn yellow and dirty, much easier to wrap a blanket around it and secure with a couple of bungie cords imo

 

[daveomak]

Yes of the welding blanket thoughts... 40#'s of meat is SUCKING up BTU's like crazy... As the meat heats up, moisture is released and that lowers the meat temps also... As the meat sweats, it act as a coolant just like when you sweat it cools you...
Once smoke is added, your kitchen oven will work perfect for finishing the cook... I do that VERY often... It's made for cooking food....

 

[Bodra]

Many thanks guys! i would also think adding chunks of charcoal in the wood chip box to increase heat , rather than fiddling with the orifice, any thoughts..?

 

[Bodra]

Yes of the welding blanket thoughts... 40#'s of meat is SUCKING up BTU's like crazy... As the meat heats up, moisture is released and that lowers the meat temps also... As the meat sweats, it act as a coolant just like when you sweat it cools you...
Once smoke is added, your kitchen oven will work perfect for finishing the cook... I do that VERY often... It's made for cooking food....

my wife will mock my walk of shame holding these racks out of the smoker to the oven! i WILL NOT DO THAT! :D

 

[daveomak]

my wife will mock my walk of shame holding these racks out of the smoker to the oven! i WILL NOT DO THAT! :D

Teach her something....

..

 

[SmokinEdge]

Teach her something....

..

Finishing in the oven is no shame. Do it sometimes. Remember once the smoke is there, then heat is heat. The meat knows nothing Different.

 

[Bodra]

Oh here is the solution that really did it, get a 6x8ft welding blanket, wraped it around the smoker, cut holes for ventilation and screwed back the handles and all fixtures again over the double layered welding blanket.

 

[rc4u]

in my smoke hollow 44 some times i dont even use the propane just load bigger smoke trays with lump charcoal.. now that with the propane will get ya there