Insulating a Perfect Flame?

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mgnorcal

Meat Mopper
Original poster
SMF Premier Member
Apr 7, 2009
151
12
Hi all

I'm using a gas smoker from Lowe's - the Perfect Flame, which looks just like the BB GOSM, at least from the outside.
I'm pretty happy with the unit, done a few cooks already.

But I'm wondering about putting a sheet of rigid rock-wool around the outside of the cabinet for insulation. I'm a little surprised I need to keep the burner so high just to keep 250 degrees in there, and this is with an air temp of 70.
I've kept the lower side vents closed and have the top about half closed and I'm using very few wood chips. I put hot water in the water pan.
I'm using a second candy thermometer through the top vent to verify temps.

I've got some minor leakage around the door and I plan to put some silicone gasket material to help seal that

Any ideas?

Reflectix insulation is rated only to 180F, but rigid fiberglass and rockwool are 450+ rated.
 
I'd calibrate all your thermometers just to be sure they are right on. and the water will try to keep the temp even but near boiling. (someone correct me if I'm wrong please)
 
It's definitely a good idea to check your therms for accuracy. What about the quality of the flame? A nice blue flame burns hotter. Could yours be a more yellowish flame? If so, it could be a regulator issue. Just a thought.
 
I have that smoker and have no problem with smoking in 70 degree weather... I have noticed that the stock thermometer is way off .. And i can get a great variation of temps from the top vent to the bottom cooking grate...Get a couple of remote digital thermometers and place them in different spots in the smoker, you will see what i mean...I wouldnt think you would need any heat help, but im sure that even the same kind of smokers are different somehow
biggrin.gif
 
thanks guys

I'll check my thermometers. I'll take a look at the flame too, I recall some yellow at the tips .. I know you can adjust the venturi air intake on most burners like this, I'll see what I come up with.

All this aside, do you think insulating would save gas?
I know there are models at the $600+ range that come with insulated double-walls. The kind of insulation I was thinking of would be <$50 and would be easy to install I think.
Ought to even out the heat within the cabinet too I expect.

My interest in saving gas has to do with reducing the jet of air coming from the burner and not just the fuel savings itself.
Seems like with the burner on high you're creating quite a blast of air into the smoker box. I'd prefer to have less air flow so water and wood last longer and have more effect.
 
Mineral wool has a much higher rating doesn't it? But I would think an additional would improve results much more.


Edit: The guys who build insulated smokers all seem to use 2 inches of insulation. I've seen some squeeze 2 down to 1 and still be happy with results as well.
 
Yeah, I've seen 1200F rating on mineral wool.
Thicknesses in these kinds of products are usually 1", 1.5", and 2"

Here's an example


I'd probably put some waterproof/windproof outer layer over the insulation too.
 
That hardibacker mod looks pretty nice.

I'm a bit confused about the hardibacker material though. Based on the r-factor and its composition, it doesn't seem like a very good insulator.
Seems more like a heavy heat sink. Of course that works pretty good in a BGE -so could it be of use here?
confused.gif


The rigid fiberglass or rockwool panels would be easy to work with, are lightweight, and have a good r-factor.

I'm thinking I could support the weight of the panels by hanging from the top and use high-temp silicone to stick them to the exterior of the smoker.
 
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