Love Those Needle Valves !!!

[davef63]

ryan, you can fine tune the flame with a needle valve, highly recommended. but... when the flame gets very low it becomes unstable.[at least it does on my smokeshack] you may have to fiddle with vents to get your target temp.
dave

 

[schoms]

What would the difference be between an adjustable regulator and the needle valve that you guys are talking about? Any feedback would be great.

 

[onytay]

What would the difference be between an adjustable regulator and the needle valve that you guys are talking about? Any feedback would be great.

The only adjustable regulators I've been able to find are high pressure revulators, most of the commercially available smokers use low pressure regulators. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[sprky]

The only adjustable regulators I've been able to find are high pressure revulators, most of the commercially available smokers use low pressure regulators. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

 Good point. My propane suppler also added that using a HP regulater with a LP burner is dangerous.
 

 

[toad94]

Got my needle valve from the local propane supplier.  Cost a little more, but hey, had it in hand.  Got the fittings at the hardware store.  Hooked it up and tried it out.  Sure can fine tune, but flame goes out when really low.  Was able to hold around 100* with nothing in the cabinet.  It will help keep temps down when I make jerky.

.

 

[tjohnson]

Toad,

You really have to be careful!!

If the flame goes out, you'll still be dumping gas into your smoker

TJ

 

[toad94]

Yeah, thanks for the warning TJ.  I really don't plan to run it that low.  Before I could only get down to about 225-250 without propping the door open.  I really like to keep temp at 180 or so when smoking jerky.  But I had to see how low it would go and keep a flame going.  Great mod in my book.  Thanks to the forum for that one.

 

[tjohnson]

Someone should post a WIKI for a Needle Valve Mod, and include where to get one

TJ

 

[bluto]

Someone should post a WIKI for a Needle Valve Mod, and include where to get one

TJ

Good idea sir, done:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/needle-valves-for-gassers

 

[pimpc1972]

So I bought the needle valve and am trying to install it in line with the adjustable regulator. This fitting going into the regulator will not budge and I'm afraid I'll strip it if I try too hard. Anyone else have this issue? My assembly is 10PSI with the braided steel covering. If I can't get this bolt loose, can I splice into the line?

 

[Dutch]

pimpc-look at dick Bullard's post and pics dated 2/10/10. You can see where he cut the gas line and inserted the needle valve. Make sure the direction arrow points to the appliance and not the tank.

 

[bluto]

So I bought the needle valve and am trying to install it in line with the adjustable regulator. This fitting going into the regulator will not budge and I'm afraid I'll strip it if I try too hard. Anyone else have this issue? My assembly is 10PSI with the braided steel covering. If I can't get this bolt loose, can I splice into the line?

Depending on if the mfr used pipe dope or something, sometimes they are hard to get moving. I had to use my bench vise and a big crescent wrench on one of mine to get it moving. The brass threads are pretty forgiving, but if you still aren't comfortable, just spice it.

 

[clw2112]

How do i know what psi my current regulator is at? I would like to just buy one of the Bayou Classic setups but i really dont have a clue what psi i will need. I have a CharBroil CB600X smoker.

 

[s2k9k]

How do i know what psi my current regulator is at? I would like to just buy one of the Bayou Classic setups but i really dont have a clue what psi i will need. I have a CharBroil CB600X smoker.

Then just buy the needle valve instead of the whole regulator and hose assy.

 

[kerbos5]

I just wanted to chime in on this thread, I almost went and bought me a new smoker, because I was getting frustrated with my SMV, albeit I did not have much time to smoke last year ( I still lurked on the forums), I went ahead and did this mod and the one with the veggie basket, and will be trying it out tomorrow on a lamb (Martini Lamb), but wanted to tell you that I got it set up relatively easy like, I but my Maverick on it to test the High and lows, and man I can really manage these temps so much better!! I think this is gonna be a good smoking year, got to make up for last year and the lack thereof. :)