My propane smoker mods

[cmayna]

With all the recent chatter about modifying propane smokers, I thought it would be good for me to get off my back side and find some pics I did to my gasser back in 2015 & 2017. I tried to find my older posts of these pics, but looks like the pics were deleted so here they are again.....

Cast iron skillet support – Needed some way to support the skillet over the burner but not directly on the ring that surrounds the burner which would prevent a good air flow for the flames. Thus my skillet support:

Another mod is using a AMNTS which has made it so much easier. Placed just inside the lower door next to the water tray. No more chips or chunks.

Oh,,,,, can't forget the vent stack. Yes the box has a slider vent on the back panel near the top but I really like this vent

 

[JLeonard]

cmayna did you do anything else to help airflow other than the stack addition. I have the same smoker.
Jim

 

[Winterrider]

Very nice additions. I gave my brother my old King Kooker propane and it could benefit from these mods. Thank you. . .

 

[DRKsmoking]

Cast iron skillet support – Needed some way to support the skillet over the burner but not directly on the ring that surrounds the burner which would prevent a good air flow for the flames. Thus my skillet support:

Hi cmayna, if you don't use chunks or chips anymore , do you still use the cast frying pan. I like where you put the AMNTS, next to the water tray. I will be putting mine there when i pick one yp soon
David

 

[cmayna]

Jim,
No other mods except for maybe the skillet supporter (in my first pics) might actually allow more air to flow up. But, not certain.

David,
Yes, I still use it, but only as a heat sink, since I use the AMNTS setup. Haven't use chunks or chips for quite awhile. Actually this smoker has been earning it's keep recently by being a cold smoker using no gas and using a AMNPS which is down below the burner. I'll take a pic tomorrow.

Regards
Craig

 

[SmokinAl]

Very cool!
My Smoke Vault works just fine right out of the box, no mods. Had it for about 8 years & rebuilt it twice & it’s still my GoTo smoker. I can have it up to temp in about 5 minutes & it will hold a steady temp without adjusting the gas valve. Now If I want to baby sit my smoker then I fire up the Lang, but even the 36 that I have eats a lot of wood. The taste is a bit better from the Lang, but the ease of use with the Smoke Vault is hard to beat. I don’t use a smoke tube, I just add a chunk every 45 minutes to an hour & cleanup is just a couple of minutes. I guess the older I get the lazier I get.
Al

 

[DRKsmoking]

a cold smoker using no gas and using a AMNPS which is down below the burner. I'll take a pic tomorrow.

Yes Craig that would be nice to see where you put the AMNPS while cold smoking.
If i try to use very low heat , than my wood will not smoke so i have to get a tube to use.
Thanks for the info
David

 

[DRKsmoking]

I guess the older I get the lazier I get.

I know what you mean Al, i try not to call it that . More like wise thinking or time management. i know there must be more ways to say it .....lol
David

 

[DRKsmoking]

I think my best mod other than the needle valve would have to be the " Smokers Shack " i love just walking in there as it smells amazing just like going into a BBQ joint down south .
I'm adding things inside the more i use it and see how and where i like things while i smoke items.
David

 

[cmayna]

Here’s some pics of the AMNPS support box for cold smoking. The propane tank stays asleep in the smoking shed. I also have a needle valve on the hose by the end where it connects to the tank. But when I cold smoke, yes, it remains asleep as well.

 

[DRKsmoking]

AMNPS support box for cold smoking

Craig, that's a great way to have the smoke travel up for cold smoking. As for the needle valve you said you are going to add it to the end by the propane tank. You see where i added mine that way i don't have to go outside to play with it

 

[cmayna]

Nice work.
Yes my needle valve is on the hose at the end, near where it connects to the tank, but the hose is pretty short so,,,,, easy peasy.