Needle Valve Mod

[kampmann17]

Hey guys, I just finished my mod last week.  Not that I am an expert in smoking, I am a pipe guy and know my pipes/threads so I ordered this off of Amazon.  I like the extension on the hose because now I can use propane from my grilling area so that was a benefit for me, might not be a benefit for you.  I notice that I can easily control the flame with this upgrade.  I just look at the burner and adjust the needle valve as needed.

 

[miersc77]

@Xray one thing to think about is the placement of the needle valve, if by the regulator and tank it means moving away from the smoker to adjust the valve, if placed by the burner you can watch the flame while you adjust. Just something to thing about. How was the ribs? You could have shared!
kampmann17 that valve looks like a better fit, although it might need an extension to get it down from the frame but either way it would save on parts. Thanks for sharing your find, I think it's a good one!

 

[kampmann17]

Yeah its 2 part, tephlon and a Cresent wrench. It's really easy.

This is how I installed it so I wasn't extending it off the burner

20150613_074838_resized.jpg

• kampmann17
• Jun 13, 2015

 

[miersc77]

Yeah its 2 part, tephlon and a Cresent wrench. It's really easy.

This is how I installed it so I wasn't extending it off the burner

Two parts? The same valve came up on my phone when I clicked on the links. Maybe we're talking about the same thing. This is the best mod yet!
Mike

 

[kampmann17]

Thanks for that... Need to take hyperlink 101 again.  It was the top link and it should show the gas hose that I purchased with the valve.  Take a look. Sorry.

 

[miersc77]

Thanks for that... Need to take hyperlink 101 again.  It was the top link and it should show the gas hose that I purchased with the valve.  Take a look. Sorry.

It all makes sense now, I just thought it was my phone. I can see the benefits of the extension hose but I like where my valve is and that it's fixed (does not move when reaching for it) but it's all about preference. Thanks again, it is a handy fix!
Mike

 

[smokietreat]

Hi, kampmann17.

This looks like a good (and easy) mod.  Is it safe to extend the gas line?  I know nothing about it, so I was just making sure as this mod seems like it would do me very well.  All I want is a way to turn down the gas a bit lower, and not buy a regulator that is way more pressure than I need.

Thanks!

 

[hollowpoint1911]

 
Hi, kampmann17.

This looks like a good (and easy) mod.  Is it safe to extend the gas line?  I know nothing about it, so I was just making sure as this mod seems like it would do me very well.  All I want is a way to turn down the gas a bit lower, and not buy a regulator that is way more pressure than I need.

Thanks!

As long as all connections are secure and checked with soapy water, it's fine. This is what I run on my smoker!

 

[rons]

Man, I came here to ask about this exactly issue, I got that same smoker a month ago, same issue. Low power 240-250, I've been using charcoal in it and just using the gas to light the charcoal :)

I'd like to actually set it for lower temps. I made Jerky a couple days ago and it's a pain with the charcoal trying to keep 160-180, add coal, up to 220, hour later, down to 150, etc unless you sit there by it all afternoon.

I tried to just turn the valve on my propane tank down but it blows out, but this needle valve  gets it just to that point without it going out?

Question : So if it goes out, it's because not enough pressure amongst all the little holes in the burner right? What if I plugged like 1/3 of the holes somehow, then it shouldn't blow out right?

I wish it had a bit smaller burner in it with less total hole area and a lower gas pressure setting built right in.

 

[hollowpoint1911]

 
Man, I came here to ask about this exactly issue, I got that same smoker a month ago, same issue. Low power 240-250, I've been using charcoal in it and just using the gas to light the charcoal :)

I'd like to actually set it for lower temps. I made Jerky a couple days ago and it's a pain with the charcoal trying to keep 160-180, add coal, up to 220, hour later, down to 150, etc unless you sit there by it all afternoon.

I tried to just turn the valve on my propane tank down but it blows out, but this needle valve  gets it just to that point without it going out?

Question : So if it goes out, it's because not enough pressure amongst all the little holes in the burner right? What if I plugged like 1/3 of the holes somehow, then it shouldn't blow out right?

I wish it had a bit smaller burner in it with less total hole area and a lower gas pressure setting built right in.

I run the same needle valve config as kampmann17 and I've had zero issues with flame blowout when running as low as 225F. With my particular needle valve (can't speak for the more common Bayou Classic version), I can bring the flame down a lot lower and probably get into the high 100s, but I've never tried to keep it at that temperature for any duration of time so I don't what the chances of blow out are.

As for plugging the burner holes...I don't have any knowledge or input on that. Maybe someone else will be able to shed some more light on that. I'd probably just try the needle valve first, and if it doesn't work then you can look into other options.

can get my propane burner to run VERY low with my needle valve setup (I'm running the same config as kampmann17), probably in the 150s range, but I've never 

 

[rons]

I'm hoping to have 170 as a low. I got thinking about it, and now I'm sure that's what causes blow out, too little actual pressure distributed between the burner holes so it kind gets 'frizty' and sputters, a milisecond of no gas and the flame would go out. So, now I'm sure plugging some holes would cause more pressure on the remaining holes and stop burnout. With the valve, total gas volume would be low so a lower temp could be achieved without burnout that way. This smoker would be perfect if they would have put 2 small burners in it with two control knobs. You could use just one burner  for like 140-210, then get the other burner going if you need 210 + .

Right now, if I want 205-210, and want to use the propane, I leave the bottom door open about 6 inches to let some of the heat out. It'll run good then, I don't lose smoke since I use my amazen tube above that. But I'd like to even get as low as 140 to smoke salmon for the first hour and not have to deal with charcoal.

It got me thinking of making an internal 'heat shunt' and an adjustable 'side vent', something that would direct some of the heat out the side just above the factory burner and chip tray.

 

[dwhite1031]

I did the same mod on my CharBroil vertical smoker. Made a world of difference.

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• dwhite1031
• Aug 3, 2015

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• dwhite1031
• Aug 3, 2015

 

[smokietreat]

I just installed the needle valve and in a quick test the flame goes much lower.

I am smoking some ribs later, I think this mod is going to do very well.

Thanks for everyone's advice.

 

[smokietreat]

OK.

I feel like I have a new smoker. This is great.

1.5 hours in to the ribs and its holding 225-230 and I have room to turn it down further.

Thanks to this post and forum. Now, let's hope the ribs taste good.

 

[smokietreat]

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• smokietreat
• Aug 9, 2015

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• smokietreat
• Aug 9, 2015

Well, the rub was a little too spicy and a touch salty(it was premixed), but the meat turned out great, which is definitely due to the needle valve.



Time to go pass out.

 

[cdn777]

I took the recommendations on needle valve mods and using TT Ace's recommendation of plugging every other hole in the burner with stove cement. I am now able to control the temp and hold it where I want. 225 is easy now.

 

[tj walstrom]

 
Hey guys, I just finished my mod last week.  Not that I am an expert in smoking, I am a pipe guy and know my pipes/threads so I ordered this off of Amazon.  I like the extension on the hose because now I can use propane from my grilling area so that was a benefit for me, might not be a benefit for you.  I notice that I can easily control the flame with this upgrade.  I just look at the burner and adjust the needle valve as needed.

I just got these parts in the mail. I'll be installing this weekend.  Anything I should know? Thanks for the info!!

 

[realjet]

 
Hey guys, I just finished my mod last week.  Not that I am an expert in smoking, I am a pipe guy and know my pipes/threads so I ordered this off of Amazon.  I like the extension on the hose because now I can use propane from my grilling area so that was a benefit for me, might not be a benefit for you.  I notice that I can easily control the flame with this upgrade.  I just look at the burner and adjust the needle valve as needed.

 
I just got these parts in the mail. I'll be installing this weekend.  Anything I should know? Thanks for the info!!

I just ordered mine too. I was wondering what setting do you leave the "main" valve on? TJ let me know how yours works.

 

[dwhite1031]

Turn the burner knob on your smoker to high, then control your flame with the needle valve.

 

[bhcsmoker]

all

when you do the needle valve mod, can you put the needle valve right after the regulator before the hose, or does it have to go after the hose, or dose it matter?

Jim