propane vs. charcoal

[iPreach4God]

Just wanting some info... I am getting ready for my first real build... and am now considering a gas smoker. I want to know if you get good flavor from gas... i love my charcoal, but would like ease of gas. Any help would be great...

Thanks and God bless

[Fire it up]

I LOVE my gasser and also LOVE my Chargriller but when it comes to ease, time and temp speeds I go for the gasser, especially in the Winter.
nothing beats a good stick burner for true Q flavor but with a gasser you add some wood and a chunk of charcoal the flavor is really so close (IMO) that many times I will go for the gasser because of ease.
Don't get me wrong, love my stick burner too and it has a LOT more room but the ease of gas is definitely something to consider.
though you can never have too many smokers so could always get one of each and add an electric like a MES to the family

[IrishChef]

If you are actually building it yourself, try and find an old LP range, and steal the burner and thermocouple out of the oven. You'll have awesome temp control.

[Richtee]

Gas is nice... especially in cold climates... but I stick with charcoal, or I do have a gutted gasser with an electric hotplate for sausage and such.

Gassers can turn out some dang good Q... and are convienient. You could possibly build a combo unit too... small charcoal/wood firebox and gas "assist" for the heat.

[iPreach4God]

Alright... Will a smoker like an iron maiden work for a gasser

[Richtee]

Alright... Will a smoker like an iron maiden work for a gasser

What the Hades is an "iron Maiden"?

[tenacious bee]

Far as I know it is a torture device or a metal band that has been around for a pretty good while. On the thread title. I am of the opinion they both have their place. I like just about all forms. Electric, gas, charcoal, stick burner etc. Seems they all have a thing they do better than the others.

[MrZip66]

I like playing with fire. Thats how they did it in the old days, and that whole getting back to basics "thing" is why I smoke. To me, its half the fun of making BBQ. It complicates the process, and to me its more rewarding when you pull it off. Its almost therapeutic. its got more meaning to me that way....

[Mark R]

What the Hades is an "iron Maiden"?

BQE will tell you.

[Richtee]

BQE will tell you.

Ahh yesss..he has named his that... beauty too!

[Wingman]

I had a girlfriend once that I reffered to as the "Iron Maiden"... Feed her onion rings and beer she was a "Gasser"! Damn near killed me a few times. No more Iron Maidens for me.

[iPreach4God]

Sorry, what I mean is a reverse flow smoker... i am pretty sure that is the way i am leaning. My concerns are numerous. I would like a gasser but I love the charcoal for flavor. Also, I am just now learning about gassers and not sure the flavor will be worth it. I know there are plenty of those on here who swear by it, and i am sure it is great... but side by side... not sure if it is gonna be close.

Next, and this has nothing to do with gas or charcoal... is the fact that i currently cater small gatherings, up to 250 people and with my smoker I am cooking for 24 hours at a crack..... so i am looking to go much larger than what i have. So i am not sure if the size of a 100, 250, or 500 gal. propane tank is closer to the size I would need to make it a more doable time. now, i am not even sure if i want to make a tank into a smoker or just build the boxes custom... i know the cost would be more, but then you have true control over size, chamber shape, etc... also, i may be new to this, but so far i have not seen any insulated propane designs. That is something i am leaning towards for sure.

the next question i am facing is trailer design. I have a boat trailer and a utility trailer already... so those can be converted into what i need, but is it better to design a custom trailer from the axles I already have... how do you determine tongue balance and weight... etc...

If this gets to the point i want it to be i will do more than just catering. I have served at 2 small county fairs, and may just do this as a full time gig.... so i am not just looking for a good backyard smoker, but a true competition style rig...

Now i do have an advantage, I am a state certified welder... so i very good with MIG, TIG, ARC, and even a plasma cutter... i can braze, oxy-acetylene... so i pretty good to go on that...

but on the size, fuel, and trailer i will need a ton of help...

thanks in advance for any advice

[Debian Dog]

From a pure scientific point you want wood/charcoal for BBQ as propane gives of moisture when it burns and you may not want that extra wetness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propane..._and_reactions

[minnbill]

I love the flavor from charcoal in my WSM but love the ease of Gas in my smoke vault.Hence ,check out my build from last year.designed from BBQE's reverse flow's.

I heat it with a 22'5 inch weber for heavy meat cooks and pull the grill and replace itwith a 3 burner cooktop stove for large sausage cooks.BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19609 :banana_smiley

[Bearcarver]

I can't help you with the Gas or Charcoal "Smokers", because I am a lazy old Watt-burner, but as far as grilling, I usually use my Weber "Q" gas grill.

However when I want some really great tasting Burgers or Ribeyes, I load up a little charcoal grill.
Gonna do that today, on my little bitty Weber (Ribeyes)!!!


Bear