Propane Hose in Homemade Smoker?

[hydrostan]

We just completed our homemade smoker. We are running the propane hose inside the smoker to the burner. The hose is a stock rubber hose, is it okay to run that inside the smoker or should we get a braided hose?

 

[Coreymacc]

My opinion is if there is a question on what hose to run then the braided should be the one you use. Im not a person that says its "good enough" or it "should be ok" . Not my intent to sound preachy but I would hate to see someone get hurt or worse.

My opinion
Corey

 

[SmokinEdge]

I ran rubber for quite a while but it always made me nervous, so I changed to a copper flexible one. Black iron would be fine also.

 

[mike243]

Black iron only, rubber wont last long

 

[cmayna]

For a propane smoker I would not run a rubber hose inside. Metal

 

[Fueling Around]

Copper or black iron is best for a propane feed. Black iron only for a natural gas feed.
Sorry @Coreymacc I would not use braided. The plastic liner tube may not take the extended temps in a smoker.

 

[forktender]

Rubber and braided lines inside a smoker is a ticking time bomb/ accident waiting to happen.

Use either this type of appliance flex,

or thread black pipe or "L" copper with braised joints only. Well, I guess Stainless steel or threaded brass would work as well.

 

[forktender]

Copper or black iron is best for a propane feed. Black iron only for a natural gas feed.
Sorry @Coreymacc I would not use braided. The plastic liner tube may not take the extended temps in a smoker.

The flex lines I posted above aren't lined, and can be used for log lighters water heaters, gas stoves, ovens and bbq's.

Braided stainless flex= hell no.

Stainless steel flex= hell yeah.

 

[choochooman442]

40 years as a Propane Tech. As many said above no hoses. Corrugated Stainless Flex, Refrigeration Soft Type K Tubing with flared connections or Black Iron Pipe and Malleable Fittings. You can buy the Black Iron in precut lengths so no need to thread them. Size matters. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Coreymacc]

Copper or black iron is best for a propane feed. Black iron only for a natural gas feed.
Sorry @Coreymacc I would not use braided. The plastic liner tube may not take the extended temps in a smoker.

Not all braided has the teflon liner. There was no mention of it.

Corey

 

[civilsmoker]

I'm just adding that if you have a propane burner in a closed or semi closed fire box, I'm hoping or am going to recommend that a gas safety shut off valve be included in the mix as well.

 

[hydrostan]

Great info, thanks guys. We are in the process of replacing the rubber hose as I don't need to worry about a problem happening so near my house.

 

[hydrostan]

Okay, we finished our smoker, got rid of the rubber hose inside it, and smoked some "Wisconsin Venison Wieners." All went well, but need to figure out why so much difference in temp throughout. Maybe need to hang differently?

the smoker.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Looks great.

I put a second diffuser down just above the frying pan but wide almost as the smoker body. This helps a lot to evenly distribute the heat. Also, heat rises, so the higher in the box the warmer the temp. Find the sweet spot and loop your sausage to stay in that zone, this will all help.

 

[hydrostan]

Looks great.

I put a second diffuser down just above the frying pan but wide almost as the smoker body. This helps a lot to evenly distribute the heat. Also, heat rises, so the higher in the box the warmer the temp. Find the sweet spot and loop your sausage to stay in that zone, this will all help.

Thank you so much for the suggestions! Will give them a try for sure.

 

[mike243]

A fan mounted up top and pointed down might even out the heat imo

 

[JC in GB]

40 years as a Propane Tech. As many said above no hoses. Corrugated Stainless Flex, Refrigeration Soft Type K Tubing with flared connections or Black Iron Pipe and Malleable Fittings. You can buy the Black Iron in precut lengths so no need to thread them. Size matters. Feel free to ask any questions.

Can you recommend a solenoid valve for use with propane and a high pressure regulator? 120 VAC coil would be preferred.

Thanks....

JC

 

[choochooman442]

Where in the piping are you looking to install one and is your intention to have it as a safety shut off?

 

[JC in GB]

Where in the piping are you looking to install one and is your intention to have it as a safety shut off?

I am planning on putting it between the regulator and the burner and I wish to use the solenoid as part of a burner control system.

JC

 

[hydrostan]

Looks great.

I put a second diffuser down just above the frying pan but wide almost as the smoker body. This helps a lot to evenly distribute the heat. Also, heat rises, so the higher in the box the warmer the temp. Find the sweet spot and loop your sausage to stay in that zone, this will all help.

Question: when you say "..a second diffuser" where is your other one? Is the water pan acting as the first diffuser?