propane fueled vertical smoker build - don't hate!

[DMW]

Ok, I know that in some circles it's heresy to smoke meat with a gas flame, but this is the kind of smoker I want to build.
I have no space for a woodpile here in the city with my 12x12 backyard (!) and I like the convenience of gas. I've had excellent results with my crappy home depot propane smoker, but it's time to replace it. After about ten years its literally falling apart (oddly it still works great!).
One of the reasons my backyard is so small is that half of it is occupied by my metal shop, so I'm psyched to build a smoker!
Anybody on here made a propane fueled vertical smoker? What plans would be best to get that could be adapted to use propane?
Thanks for any advice and flame away!

Steve D in DC

[Big T]

Welcome aboard! Pete has a nice vertical cabinet that is propane so he could probably give you some pointers.

[DMW]

I'm a little afriad of Pete bc I have been a tourist in Buck's Cty, PA.

[Dirtytires]

Good point....them Pennsylvania folks are scary.

Even when they move away!

[Pete Mazz]

I'm a little afraid of Pete bc I have been a tourist in Buck's Cty, PA.

I'm watching you!

http://petemazz.x10.mx/smoker_build.htm

This has most of the changes since the start . Different burner to achieve lower temps, electric element for cold smoking , new racks (not shown )

http://www.smokerbuilder.com/forums/vie ... =17&t=4972

Most important thing : Leave opening under the burner to let gas escape should flame go out . Propane is heavier than air.

[DMW]

awesome - thanks Pete! (i'll be sure to wear camo next time im in New Hope antiqueing)

this is a cool forum - folks interested in metalwork AND BBQ. I'd like to see that Venn diagram.

did you use GMAW for that SS smoker? with SS wire and tri-mix gas?
or SS fluxcore? I used that stuff once and it was not pretty.

is that burner from a turkey fryer? do you know the BTU's?

you got that thing up to 500*?!?! my crappy home depot gasser (which I will be replacing) barely gets to 300*.

i did notice in the design of gas fired smokers that they are open at the bottom - a big difference from wood burners. dont want gas in an enclosed space!

thanks again!

[Pete Mazz]

mig. Just used 75/25 with ss wire. Typical turkey fryer burner 55,000 btu replaced the original banjo burner . 10 psi regulator with needle valve . i start by setting the regulator to a high flame , needle valve wide open then use needle valve to adjust .