Propane Smoker Modifications

[sqwib]

Awesome post, I would love to do my GOSM

 

[mudduck]

hailfixer how wide is your door
that look great
i think i have the midle size

 

[richoso1]

Great post and documentation. Points to you.

 

[q dawg]

Great looking job on doing the mod. Maybe I missed it, but where did you mount the heat sensor in the cabinet.?

Thought this might be a nice project for me, but then I got to thinkin......Has anyone considered using a gas oven for a smoker instead of converting a smoker to a gas oven ?

Just think about it....uses natural gas or converts to propane fairly easily, already has automatic temp. control, usually has a window for viewing, has a light inside and a broiler for crispin up that chicken skin....!

All you would have to do is stick on a Smoke Daddy and build it in to a nice lookin structure with a smoke house look......!

Q Dawg

 

[hailfixer]

I forgot to get a photo of that. I'll try and get one up later. I fed it up the inside behind the rack holders to the top of the smoker.

 

[sqwib]

[/quote]

Been searching everywhere for these parts, where did you get yours?

 

[hailfixer]

I got it on ebay, but that was a few years ago. Without the pilot light line you risk having a flame out with the gas still flowing.......... kaboom!

It may never happen but I wouldn't do this mod without it.

There must be many valves out there that would work, I just don't know where to look. You can see from the pics there are three connection points on the valve I used, Inlet, Outlet, & Pilot.

Good luck in your search. If I can answer any questions I'll be glad to help.

Michael

 

[sqwib]

Thanks.
I will keep searching

 

[unarmedone]

MOD could you sticky this please.

 

[asenary]

3/5/11 I did this mod on my SMVS. Took about 3 1/2 hrs. Sadly, The thermostat was defective. Got one on fleabay for 29.95 A harpco 6000S0001. It won't turn off set on any temp.... My unit had only the top vent, so I also added 2 additional vents on the sides. It now stays in the 215 to 225 range set on low. The origional problem was high heat. I still like the idea of set n forget for temp using a thermostat. Hoping the seller has a replacement, as these thermos are difficult to locate.(old type w/o safety). You can use 3/16" copper tubing for the pilot. Pinch the end closed and drill a small hole for the pilot light. Adjusting the pilot below the burner was not a problem. Have a 3/4" flame when off and expands higher when gas on in thermostat. No flame out problems (don't know about windy days though, I'm sure a wind break would be a benifit). You can still control the flame size with the origional valve on the unit.  Be sure to turn off the propane tank when done as the pilot will not go out until you do...

 

[duanes]

Here are my mods to my 3405BGW GOSM.  I built cart with exterior of 2x3's and 1/2 plywood, painted with outdoor deck stain.  Sheet metal edging covers fiberglass insulation.  Insulation makes HUGE difference in enabling smoker to get up to operating temperature in winter and minimizing wind and sun induced temperature fluctuations.  Casters and heavy duty handles make it portable.  Shelf folds down to minimize space (store it in garage with limited space).  Concrete heat sink added to control temperature and bring smoker back up to operating temperature quickly after opening doors.  Old coleman grill works as grease pan.  ET732 thermometer feeds into holes drilled in side.  Insulation and needle valve enables operating smoker as low as 140 degrees without flameout and 400+ and makes it fairly easy to get it set/keep at the desired temp .  Need to be careful with needle valve as setting it too low, risk of flameout - I don't smoke at low temps on windy days.

Of course, having to do it over again, a lot of changes would be made.  I have yet to install gasket for door.  I am thinking of making another heat sink to completely replace the water pan - I have smoked with and with/out the water pan and I can't tell the difference.  This would give me back use of the fourth shelf.  I am also looking to modify the smoke box so it sits much closer to the burner on very low heat - currently I place it directly on the burner.

Finally, I have to paint and add a handle to a box I just built that fits over the propane top that has a 200 watt ceramic heater to keep the regulator warm enough in the winter to keep ice build up from bloking the gas flow (I swear Rhino fills their tanks with 50% water :-) It has a sliding top to open and close it to adjust the temp as needed - ideally a thermostat would work better but it does the job.  Beats pouring hot water on the regulator...

Duane

 

[asenary]

I like your plywood edging. Great idea. You can get a propane scale and hang it off your hook and always know how much propane you have too.

 

[chefrob]

nice job!

 

[asenary]

This is my mod on the smoker.

Thermostat on lower left, chimney w/butterfly top, vents on I

lower sides (l & R), and new temp on door.

 

[joshuacrispin]

By far, the best modification I added to my propane smoker was an external fuel gauge that I can monitor both locally and via my smart phone using the General Electric (GE) Wink App.

ReFuel External Fuel Guage.

00 RefuelPropaneTank.jpg

• joshuacrispin
• Dec 1, 2014

 

[bjigolfr]

Smoker in winter 1.JPG

• bjigolfr
• Dec 7, 2014

Smoker in winter 2.JPG

• bjigolfr
• Dec 7, 2014

Smoker in winter 3.JPG

• bjigolfr
• Dec 7, 2014

Here's my Propane smoker ready for a Northern Minnesota Smoke early December rib smoke.  I have struggled since I started using this smoker about 2 years ago with winter's cold and wind.  I cut out squares of insulation where the chimney sticks out of the top of the smoker and made sure the fiberglass bats extended down nearly to the ground.  I have used metal tape and previously closed the butterfly vents on each side.  Ample air intake from the front exposure.  I actually had to throttle back the flow valve to bring down the temperature.  I consider this seasonal mod a success!  A Facebook page suggested a welders blanket instead of the insulation bats.  Anyone here use a welders blanket?  cost?  pictures?  

 

[jrankin]

So i have a charcoal / wood smoker but after my first few hrs i dont need the wood... so wjat i want to donis add a burner ti assit my charcoal on long burners... i want to be able to have a propane burner that will kick on and off as needed to keep the temp within the range i set. Any suggestions????