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Hi Members,
I would like to incorporate a gas heater in my new nearly finished smoker.
Any suggestions from members how I can control the temperature with sensors and a controller for switching the gas on/off. The internal dimensions are 750X750X1700 H.
or is there a better/cheaper or more reliable way of doing this by using 240Volt.
Regards,
Jan.

crustyo44 wrote:Hi Members,
I would like to incorporate a gas heater in my new nearly finished smoker.
Any suggestions from members how I can control the temperature with sensors and a controller for switching the gas on/off. The internal dimensions are 750X750X1700 H.
or is there a better/cheaper or more reliable way of doing this by using 240Volt.
Regards,
Jan.

Hi Jan, what are we doing -- hot or cold smoke??

Hi Robert,
I like to cold smoke and hot smoke. The temperature top limit would be around 72 centrigrade.
The smoker is ID 155 cm high, 75 cm wide and 80 cm deep. fully insulated.
Electric heating requires an electricity outlet to be put in, about 40 metres away.
With Gas, I only have to bring a full bottle but need to have all the valves, solenoids etc etc.
I am just trying to determine what the most economical and easier way of going about this.
Cold smoking is nearly impossible here most of the year.
Best Regards,
Jan.

Hi Jan, you would only need a low wattage element to obtain those temps if your smoker is well insulated, the element could be controlled by a PID, with reference to the electrical supply have you priced up a battery and a inverter set up ? you could probably arrange for a solar recharger to charge the battery to save keep moving it for charging this would also be silent as opposed to a generator. Going gas would be more difficult with solenoids, gas valves etc.

Regards Gary.

I would recommend also you stay with electric. Unless you can find a complete kit that has all the safety features (a pilot control valve is a must) putting a gas control together yourself can be quite dangerous.
Here's an example:
http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51291
This guy was very very lucky from a lot of angles.

Hi,
After seeing that burnt lower arm, I have decided to stay with electricity.
It's cheaper to run underground wires for a powerpoint next to my new smoker than create possible problems.
With gas heating it is too difficult to get local sourced parts and know-how here.
Thanks to all members with their suggestions and advice.
Regards,
Jan.

I use gas for mine (without a 'cut-off'). I an very aware of the safety issues and would not recommend anyone to do so (unless appropriately qualified).

In mitigation I don't use gas within the smoker, I have a commercial boiling ringunderneath the smoker:



It should be noted that virtually all of the bottom of the chamber is missing - the theory being that if the burner goes out the propane will drop downwards as it is heavier than air, making it no more dangerous the using the same burner in the open air. That's what I comfort myself with anyway! However, as soon as finance allows I'll be changing to electric.

Phil