Propane Smoker Modifications

[squeezy]

Chrish has made a good point here .... that has never occured to me. I've singed my brows a time or two with my grill not thinking far enough ahead of the dang thing.
Caution ... is the word!

 

[bonniesboytoy]

Please explain the needle valve concept... also the 2 thermometers in the unit sound like the way to go for top/bottom true temp..(as an addition to any smoker..

 

[fat sal]

Hi, all:

The GOSM mod I did was to replace the smoke box with a cast iron frying pan. The pan holds a lot more wood, and the cast iron gets more than hot enough to smolder the wood chunks.

Sal

 

[tailgatingpirate]

I too have a GOSM and i use a cake pan for the smoke box and a big tin foil pan for the water pan

 

[bigarm's smokin]

Hey Tom, I will send you what I have on the needle valve. I have used it alot, as has my neighbor. There are those who have safety concerns, but I personally, have had no problems with it.
Dang, I just saw that I have already sent you this, did I miss something, or is this just a different thread? Oh well.
Subject: Fw: needle vavle #2


Quote:
Originally Posted by Squeezy
I had it down to that item ... thanks for confirming. Now, I don't know much about gas fittings and such so, could you show me a pic of where it is connected or expalin to me where it connects or what it replaces?
Sure would appreciate it. Can't wait to see how much shipping cost I will get slapped with!

Paul

Hey Paul, unscrew the regulater from the hose where it connects to the propane tank. Mine was real tough to get broke loose, then install the new valve in between the hose and regulator. You will need to get bushings for both ends of the new valve, its too big to fit the old threads, I think you need to go from 1/4 to 1/8 in size.
cascadedad

Is the orginal person to come up with this fix.


GOSM Low Heat Fix (w/pics)
OK, as I promised.

I have only been able to get my GOSM down to about 250* to 260* during the heat of the day (temps between 90* and 100*). So, as recommended in another thread, I purchased one of these.

http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/nv1...urner_part.htm

When I went to install it, the threads were not the right size.

I have been busy with work and coaching football so was unable to make it to the hardware store until this evening. The store closed at 8:00 and I squeaked in at 7:55 to get the two remaining pieces. The first photo is what it looked like after the valve was installed.

The next picture is the flame with the needle valve open which is the same flame as I had prior to installing the new valve. The last picture is the flame with the needle valve adjusted down. It works excellent and I think I could take my temperature WAY down low. Probably lower than 200 now without any problem.

So, I would highly recommend this mod to everyone. From what I have read, MOST of the small GOSMs will barely make it down to 225 when it is hot ouside and a lot have trouble getting down to 250.

Thanks for everyone that helped on this.

Oh, before you order one of these valves, you may want to check your hardware store. The store I went to had a couple different needle valves right where all the fittings were. I didn't even look to see if they would work as it was last call for checkout.

YEHAW!

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Subject: needle vavle #2


vbmenu_register("postmenu_88370", true);




Quote:
Originally Posted by bonniesboytoy
Thanks BIG A, I don't have of GOSM yet, but am looking for the best low temp mod for it before it comes...This is it I think..Thanks again..

This should help you guys more, I'm not kidding you, This valve makes ALL the difference.

Hey Skip, a fella(Cascadedad) gave the address for a web site that sells a small brass valve like is used on weed burners. He said to turn the main valve on low, and put the new brass valve behind the main valve and then fine tune with the brass valve. I ordered 4 of them. I think I can put the web site up here? Bayou Classic Depot
http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/
sales@dorightservices.com
Yes!! The valve is like, $4, OK, click on, propane parts, click on, miscellaneous propane burner parts, "view parts", there it is.

Terry
__________________

 

[bbq bubba]

Geez Terry............gotta say, your cut and paste talent's could use some work!!

Got a headache just trying to read that!!

 

[bigarm's smokin]

My whole system needs a general overhaul.

 

[rip]

I have a BBQ Grillware it has the cast Iron woodbox and didn't have a seal around the door. For the firebox I did the coffee can thing and the wife found a fireproof insulation seal at a fireplace store. No she's not that nice she just knew that if I went in there we may have had to sign up for welfare when I came out. Anyway here are the pics of the mods.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/RIP57/DSCF0198.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/RIP57/DSCF0197.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/RIP57/DSCF0196.jpg

 

[rip]

For anyone that is looking they have the fireproof insulation at Lowe's in the fireplace dept. for $10.00 and comes with adhesive.

I think my wife payed $3.00 a foot for ours at the fireplace store.

 

[deejaydebi]

I missed this post eariler ... you did a really nice job there RIP! Very Professional!

 

[johnm160]

So when you replace the wood box on the GOSM with a frying pan you just leave it uncovered? It dosen't flare up with no top on it?

 

[deejaydebi]

No top needed. The only time it's questionable is when you have really high temperatures but then the meat is pretty well shielded by the water pan.

 

[johnm160]

Great Debi,

I will replace it so I dont have to replace the wood so often.

-John

 

[rodbuilder]

Before I made this modification I couldn't get below 300 degrees in my GOSM. Thanks to the help of folks from SMF this is what I ended up doing...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...210#post111210


I also changed out my chip box and use a 10" cast iron skillet. I cut my wood into 1" squares and it works great for me. Now I am able to get my smoker down to 130 for smoking jerky and sausage. I also have stopped using the water pan. I really don't see any change in the final results of my pork butts, ribs, turkey and chicken so far without the water pan...

Merry Christmas to all....

 

[superdave]

Started with a Cabela's electric that had very little if any heat control. After removing the electric element, I installed a 3/16" steel plate on the bottom in lieu of the thin tin bottom. I picked up a standard gas stove burner for $20 and used some steel angle as legs for my wood pan.

On top of the steel angle, I set another 3/16" steel plate as my wood/smoking surface.

 

[jtribout]

I found this propane tank monitor valve at HD. It really give a real feel for how much gas is in the tank.

I've also took the smoker box that came with the unit (Way to small) and turned it upside down over the handle on the side as a shelf for the meat thermo meter to sit on while I'm smokin. I use a 10'' cast iron skillet asmy smoke box.

 

[gobbledot]

JTR does the smoke box you have made a shelf out of get hot? That is a good idea, biengs it was tooooo small for the perpose it was made for... I use an 8x8 alum pan, it seems to get smoke quicker. I had a skillet before I switched to the pan...

 

[jtribout]

Hey Gobb,

The pan gets warm, but not to hot to hold the Thermo unit. The shelf won't hold anything with any weight to it unless you run a screw through it. I just pop it off the handle then I'm done with it. I'm thinking about putting the screw in to keep it in place. I know It will show up MIA being it's so small.

Jerry

 

[dmack]

Keith,
I'd sure like to see a picture of your mod.

dmack

 

[steve s]

Ok a couple things I have done with my GOSM propane smoker to make it even better.

1. the top vent has tabs that keep it from closing all the way, I bent them up so it can close all the way. This gives me better venting control and it helps.

2. I cut 1 inch off the wire chip pan rack legs so it is shorter and now I can use a coffee can in place of the chip box even with the water pan in place. This also helps it smoke much faster. I use the chip box lid on the coffee can to prevent flame ups.

3. I replaced the regulator with a adjustable regulator so I can better control gas flow for lower temps on warm days.

4. I mounted casters to a metal plate and then set the smoker and propane tank on the dolly so I can wheel it around for easy storage in the garage and easy out in the drive for quick use without having to disconnect and reconnect the tank to move it.

5. I mounted a wooden rack on the side with screws to hold items that I like to keep handy. Hot mitts, meat thermometer , cold beer, ect.

6. I took a vent off the top of a old Weber grill and cut into the side of my GOSM and mounted it on the side near the bottom for additional venting when needed.

Anyone got any other improvements send them my way.
steve