Tested Propane Conversion Today!

[dick bullard]

Tested my conversion on my Brinkmann Vertical to propane. Weather was 10 degrees with small breeze. Cranked heat up at first to warm up smoker ....reached 350-400 degrees in about 3-4 min. At that point, lowered the heat way down, opened the door to eliminate some of the hot air and waited to see where temp. settled down to...after a few minutes the temp. reached 150 degrees...so I started inching the heat back up until the dispersed heat from the cabinet in the cold was about equal to the heat I was puting into it....I tweeked this at 250 degrees. Temp. idled at 250 degrees, plus or minus 3-4 degrees for 30 minutes. Checked where my heat control was set and noticed I had plenty of room to back down the heat if weather outside was warmer. I ran this test with no water in the water pan and at this point I do not have control over the air flow (no damper). Will try the true test and smoke some meat this coming week.....looking good at this point though!!! RICK

 

[nickelmore]

Keep us posted, It would be interesting if you can get it to run steady in the 200 range.

Does that burner adjust so just the smaller one burns?

A qview of the flame would be great.

Is that a high pressure regulator?

 

[dick bullard]

Don't know that much about regulators, but the burner came with a large cast ring that attached to it to set cooking pots on and act as a wind break.....figured it was just for a 20# tank (It is a cooking burner)

Yes, the small burner can be used by itself....as you turn the heat control up the single small burner works until the control is about 1/3 the way open and then the large burner kicks in also.

Don't think today there would have been any problem keeping it steady at 200 degrees......the unit itself is about 30,000 BTU and I have several ideas how to handle the heat (possible problem) come warm weather to maintain low temps. This is my first winter with having two propanr smokers.....always ended my smokin around October to mid Nov.....couldn't get the heat up on any of my charcoal or electric ones.

I'll know more after smoking this week for sure....!!! RICK

 

[flash]

Pretty cool. I just use a single burner propane hot plate from Northern Tool. I can just about maintain 250º during the winter months (temps in the 20's). Can only max out at around 335º though.