Tweeking a pipe burner for horizontal build, help please.

[10sne1]

Thanks for looking to help. I am a bit discouraged. I had a 30gal air compressor (35 inch long- 15 inch wide) turned into a nice horizontal grll, Hoping to fuel it with propane. I have read a lot about gas pipe burner build. But oviousley not enough!
I have a one inch 32 inch long black metal pipe, at what i'll call zero inches I have an end cap with (4) 1/4 air holes and an 1/8 Hole in the middle for the high pressure regulator, 8 inches up the pipe I drilled holes every inch and a half on both sides of the pipe for approx 22 inches. With a full prone tank, removed from the grill, I lite the pipe, it burns long yellow/orange dancing flames that don't like to stay lit. I have enlarged the air holes in the cap no luck, I have lessened the air in the cap no luck. Obviously the flame is wrong color and length, and having the flame go out for no reason is not exceptable. I have more money in this grill than I am comftable with so any help with dialing in the pipe burner would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Tomm

 

[michael ark]

How large are your burnner holes?

 

[10sne1]

Hole size, i am able to put a large paper clip end in the hole, but a tooth pick is tight, if pushed hard I can get to tooth pick into the hole. I can get my drill bits out tomorrow and see if I can find exact size? That would be a variable I have not tried.

 

[daveomak]

What size orifice did you install in the gas line inside the pipe ???  drill size would be a good number to start with...

Here are Joe's instructions for building a burner......   Dave

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?28224-pipe-burner-build-instructions

 

[10sne1]

Thanks for the help, Joe's instructions are what I followed from the start except for cutting the pipe with the saw. My tank is small and I did not think I wanted that much flame. The drill bit size I used was
5/64. Looking at it now this seems very small! But what size to go tonext? I guess I can just work my
Way up in bit sizes and hope to find a good result? Thanks for your thoughts in my next step. Tomm

 

[daveomak]

Tomm, morning... Orifice size is what determines the "amount of heat"... If I remember correctly, (without having to reread Joe's build" he used a contact/guide tip from a wire feed welder... I think it was 0.030" tip... that is what the propane came through to enter the burner pipe.... You may need a smaller orifice... say .020 or .015" .....

I don't know sh*t about this... only what I read....

At a given pressure and a given orifice dameter, you will get a given BTU output..... and need a given amount of make up air thru the holes you drilled in the pipe cap.... and holes in the pipe for the propane/air mix to come out of and burn.....  After that bit of evasive/vague knowledge, I am of not much use to you.... 

Anyway, that is the theory as I know it...  It ain't rocket science... trial and error here will teach you more than I.... GO FOR IT !!!! .. We are behind you 100%... 

Maybe someone who is more knowledgeable about the specifics will jump in here....  

Dave

 

[10sne1]

Got it dialed in, I enlarged the flame holes and it is now a true blue flame. No flickering and will burn low. the temp range is 220 to way hot, I still need to season the inside of the grill then for my first cook. Probably basic hamburger and work my way into trying to smoke with this grill.
Glad to see I may get a great grill/smoker out of my $$ and effort. Will post photos when I get a chance. Thanks to everyone for your help! Tomm

 

[local 157 pipe]

i just made 4 26inch pipe burners and they work great

 

[boykjo]

Tomm, morning... Orifice size is what determines the "amount of heat"... If I remember correctly, (without having to reread Joe's build" he used a contact/guide tip from a wire feed welder... I think it was 0.030" tip...

Dave

Didnt use a contact tip. I Used the correct regulator with the correct orifice. Some one bought the wrong regulator with a large diameter hole and soldered in a .030 tip. It works also. The only problem I see with drilling holes in your pipe burner is they will blow out easy. The slots in the burner are the way to go. They are very wind forgiving

Joe

 

[ribwizzard]

I prefer 1/16 holes, tightly placed.  45% from each side. Does not waste fuel, and gives you great heat control.

 

[10sne1]

Thanks, I have had the pipe burner working for a while. Wish I was able to post the finished grill and some of the great food it has cooked, but I am not photo posting savey. If anyone wishes to PM I will love to. Share a photo or two.

 

[daveomak]

Tomm, evening.....  In the reply box, at the top, 8 from the right, "insert image" when moused over, click on it.... find your image in your computer, double click it.... and post it.....   immediately after it appears, hit return twice.... that will make a space under the picture for the next pic or for typing words....    Dave