Why Is Propane Getting a Bad Rep?

[Big Tastey]

So I use a cheap propane smoker nothing fancy but have made some great tasting food from it and would love one day to move to a stick burner and maybe BBQ competitions. My question is why do most competitions say no propane smokers allowed but electric is fine? I see a lot of guys on here have electric and it's easier and the "cool" new thing but to me in a competition that would be closer to untraditional and use of a crutch then propane! Sorry, maybe I've completely missed the mark with this if so hopefully someone can help me.

 

[solman]

Didn't know most competitions say no to propane. It might be due to risk, same reason why stores say no to propane tanks being brought into their store.

I'd never get a pellet or electric smoker but they seem hugely popular. I love my propane smoker and the high heat it can generate on demand.

 

[Big Tastey]

Didn't know most competitions say no to propane. It might be due to risk, same reason why stores say no to propane tanks being brought into their store.

I'd never get a pellet or electric smoker but they seem hugely popular. I love my propane smoker and the high heat it can generate on demand.

A lot of the competitions I looked at said it could only be used for initial starter and then has to be disconnected. Again, maybe it's just the ones I'm looking at.

 

[indaswamp]

I too love my propane smoker. I basically cook with wood, but use the propane to moderate the temp. swings. I like the instant response to either lower or raise the temp. in the smoke chamber with the turn of a dial. I also love the fact that I can adjust the BTU's by closing off some of the jets. Makes smoking sausages 100-170* a breeze and stepping the temps. up super simple.

I agree with solman- probably due to explosion risk and insurance for the event that propane is not allowed.

 

[solman]

A lot of the competitions I looked at said it could only be used for initial starter and then has to be disconnected. Again, maybe it's just the ones I'm looking at.

I can see how they would permit propane to be used to start a wood or charcoal fire, but not as a smoker. The risk I see is that the flame may go out during an extended smoke and no one notices, gas builds up in the smoker, creates a bomb waiting to be lit.

It baffles me that all propane smokers don't come with a safety shutoff. It's such a simple and cheap thing to add.

 

[SmokinAl]

I have an electric MES for sausage, a charcoal WSM/Guru setup for over night cooks, a Lang 36 patio for relaxing smokes.
But I also have a propane Smoke Vault 24 that I use more than the other 3 combined. It is just too easy to use & clean up is quick, the smoke flavor is very good & I can get it going, ready for food in about 5 minutes. It has been my go to smoker for years!
Al