Propane smoker not getting to temp

[Bspeech]

Hey all,

I have a propane, Great Outdoor Smokey Mountain (GOSM) and I can’t get it to go over 230 degrees.

It’s been a while since I’ve cranked it full bore but I turned it all the way up this afternoon and cannot pass 230. Anybody have any ideas or have this happen to theirs? The only mods I’ve done is the needle valve but I have been able to hit close to 300 previously. Also, it is the big version of the GOSM.

Thanks!

 

[chilerelleno]

Check your burner and valves for blockages.
Rust,debris, insects, webs and such.
Check your flame for proper color and shape
Take a wire brush to the burner, clean it up and knock anything in it out.
Check condition of gas lines, kinks, pi chests or holes.

Where are you located and how cold is it outside, and is it windy.
Cold and when can really adversely affect how well your smoker keeps a temp and even how high it'll go.

 

[Bspeech]

Check your burner and valves for blockages.
Rust,debris, insects, webs and such.
Check your flame for proper color and shape
Take a wire brush to the burner, clean it up and knock anything in it out.
Check condition of gas lines, kinks, pi chests or holes.

Where are you located and how cold is it outside, and is it windy.
Cold and when can really adversely affect how well your smoker keeps a temp and even how high it'll go.

Thanks! I was going to clean up the burner some tomorrow. Flame looks proper color and shape. Maybe a little smalle than I remember full bore being. Gas lines all look pretty good. I’ll take the pieces apart around the needle valve and see if anything got in there.

In northern Illinois, it was in the low 40s today but calm. In the past I’ve had it at 275 when it’s been in the single digits.

 

[kruizer]

Check your LP gas bottle to see if there is enough fuel.

 

[lspencer23]

Reset the regulator that goes from the tank to the burner. Just google how to reset bbq propane tank regulator and follow the instructions. Should be the same process. I have to do that with mine every so often.

 

[daveomak]

https://www.hunker.com/13408162/how-to-reset-the-propane-regulator-for-a-gas-grill

 

[Bspeech]

Check your LP gas bottle to see if there is enough fuel.

Was a full tank to start this smoke.

 

[Bspeech]

Reset the regulator that goes from the tank to the burner. Just google how to reset bbq propane tank regulator and follow the instructions. Should be the same process. I have to do that with mine every so often.

I didn’t know that was possible. Thanks for the info. I feel like that’s most likely the case. I’ll do that tomorrow. Have some family in for an early Thanksgiving and was planning on smoking the bird so hopefully that’s it!

 

[Bspeech]

https://www.hunker.com/13408162/how-to-reset-the-propane-regulator-for-a-gas-grill

Thanks for the link Dave!

 

[pops6927]

What order do you turn on and shut off your unit? You can get an air lock if done in the wrong order. Turn on the tank first, then open the needle valve, then light the burner. Reverse to turn it off: turn off the needle valve, then turn off the propane tank.

 

[Bspeech]

What order do you turn on and shut off your unit? You can get an air lock if done in the wrong order. Turn on the tank first, then open the needle valve, then light the burner. Reverse to turn it off: turn off the needle valve, then turn off the propane tank.

I turn on in that order. Sometimes I’ll turn off the needle first, sometimes I’ll just do the tank first. I’ll bleed the lines when I start it up tomorrow after cleaning and resetting the regulator. Hopefully that does the trick

 

[lspencer23]

Most likely is the issue. Hope it works for you though and your smoke turns out great!

 

[Bspeech]

Most likely is the issue. Hope it works for you though and your smoke turns out great!

Ended up cleaning the burner, taking apart the fittings around the needle valve and reset the regulator.

It went up to 240 for the smoke which worked well enough. (Turkey turned out fantastic) But still not getting up there like it used too. Maybe the regulator is stuck partially closed limiting the gas flow.