Gas
smokers offer great portability and versatility, especially
propane fueled units. It's as simple as moving your smoker
and propane
bottle where ever you need them.
Maintaining a proper
smoking
temperature is very easy with a gas unit, just adjust the steady
burning flame. Propane is a clean burning
gas so clean up is a
breeze. Nice models run about $175.00 dollars.
If you
can use a gas
grill you can use a gas smoker.
Always follow
the manufactures recommendations for cleaning and
care. Nothing ruins your smoking like clogged burner jets and
replacement parts add up quickly.
Monitor
your fuel supply, running out
of propane halfway though twenty pounds of baby back
ribs isn't fun.
Consider purchasing a spare propane tank as a back up. I also have a
gas grill so a spare propane tank is a must.
Natural
gas smokers are also available. If you plan on installing a
permanent smoker as part of an out door kitchen a natural gas smoker
may be right for you. The biggest drawback is running
a gas line run to
your smoker.
On the plus side natural gas is cheaper than propane, and
you don't have the hassle of switching bottles. Those
considerations
aside natural gas smokers share the same advantages
as propane units.
Gas
vertical water smokers are all
around outstanding units. The portability, ease of operation, and
cleanliness of propane units make them our number one pick. New
smoker chefs and old hands needing versatility can't go wrong
with a gas propane smoker.
Highly Recommended BBQ
Smokers
Maintaining a gas smoker
To
maintain the wonderful
searing/grilling performance of your cast iron grates or griddle, as
well as their longevity, some special care is required. As with any
cast iron cooking tool, proper seasoning is most important.
First time use:
Before using a cast iron grate or griddle,
wash it thoroughly with a mild dishwashing liquid to remove the
protective wax coating applied for shipping. Rinse with hot water and
dry completely with a soft cloth or paper towel.
NEVER ALLOW TO DRAIN
DRY, OR WASH IN A DISHWASHER. Now season the grates/griddle to prevent
rust and sticking.
Seasoning:
A solid vegetable shortening is recommended for the
initial seasoning. Spread a thin coating of solid vegetable shortening
over the entire surface, including all corners,
with a paper
towel. Do not use salted fats such as butter or margarine. Proceed as
follows:
Preheat
grill for 15 minutes, place
grates/griddle in grill. Turn burners to Medium-Off-Medium with lid
closed. Allow grill to heat grates/griddle for 1 to 1½ hours. Turn all
burners to OFF, and leave cooking grates/griddle in grill until they
are cool.
Having trouble lighting your
gas smoker?
If you can light the grill
with a match
you may have an ignition switch problem. Check your igniter switch. Is
it making a clicking noise? If the igniter does not click, it is not
aligned correctly with the gray rocker switch.
To align it, remove the
control panel (consult your owner's manual for instructions). Once the
control panel is removed, check the position of the igniter. It should
be tightly secured with the lock nut in the smaller hole of the keyhole
frame.
If the igniter has clips on the sides, rather than a lock nut,
make sure it is completely “snapped" into place. If the igniter is
aligned properly, make sure the control panel is not loose. There
should be two fasteners holding the panel in place.
Next,
check to see if the igniter wires are loose. The white and black
wires should be secured at both ends. Then check the position of the
metal tab protruding from the cookbox where the white wire attaches.
This tab must be 45 degrees away from the cookbox to avoid a shorted
circuit.
Finally,
very humid or rainy weather can cause moisture to collect on
the end of the probe and make the igniter unable to spark. To remedy
this condition, light the grill with a match. The heat from the grill
will warm the probe and should fix the problem.
If you
cannot light the grill with a match you probably have a
gas flow problem.
Have you cleaned your burner tubes recently? It is
very important that the portholes of the burner tubes are clear of any
blockage.
If the gas flow is restricted, the igniter will struggle to
light.
To clean your tubes, brush the portholes with a steel wire brush
in an up and down motion. This cleaning should be part of your routine
maintenance.
