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My free Brinkman converted to propane for less than $20!

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jeepman1128

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I'm a college student so funds are tight. However, my dad and I being new to smoking came up with the idea to convert my free brinkman to propane. We only need to purchase a burner and valve. H depot supplied the burner, while Johnstone supply in Tolleson got us the valve we needed. The burner has a hole drilled thru the shell and I use a flame deflector from our grill to adjust valve. On top of the deflector (whatever its called), I made my chip holder out of a coffee can with drilled holes. The deflector is so that the flame wont immediately boil everything I put in the water pan and also serves to hold the chip container. I still stay pull all nighters for family gatherings, but dont dose off worrying if the temp will fall. I can crank the valve open and for test sake, got the lid temp up to 375*. I dont smoke this high, but have to turn the valve so low it whistles, to keep it at 200* loaded with 15+ lb brisket and 3/4 full water pan.
 It's no Smokey mountain, but so far I have done chickens, brisket, ribs, and pork shoulder to amazement for a tenth of the cost. In order to keep a certain particulate matter, every other chip refill I put a handful of lump charcoal on top.  I've also installed a thermom on top to better monitor lid temp. Someday I'll have the maverick wireless. Also, we've drilled out a 2" relief on lid with a simple sheet metal cover which rotates via screw. On the first 20 lb propane tank, I totalled about 65 hrs of smoking or about 4-5 weekends. Compared with lump charcoal, possibly a little less overall cost. To add a last fancy gadget, we put in an igniter which can be seen in pics. Its surrounded by bricks for heat retention, and dirt is below it for catching wild drippings.

Dont be afraid of what other say or try a new idea! Enjoy the pics!
Total Cost of Project:
1. Brinkman smoke n' grill   $ free given as xmas gift
2. Valve $10 or so at Johnstone supply
3. Burner $7.99 at big orange home store
4. Analog Thermom $ 16 at wally mart
5. Igniter $ 8.00 H depot
= $ 17.99 for just the necessary parts.

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#1 - May 12, 2009, 03:24:07 pm

RangerJurena

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Hello Jeepman,

Great ingenuity and the conversion look sweet, especially the ingniter.  I just have one issue..its gas.

Just speaking for myself, I'd rather see you burn something or serve up raw chicken on that Brinkman that was turned it into a gas oven.  However, if r dayour happy with the product and the grub it produces than that is all that counts.

With the ingenuity I see on that Brinkman, I'm thinking you and your dad could create a wood or charcoal cooker that would be awesome.

Good luck out there.
#2 - May 12, 2009, 04:06:53 pm
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Mike (AZBarbeque)

  • Karma: 171
Great retro, it's good to be able to play around and create what works for you.  ;)

#3 - May 12, 2009, 06:29:38 pm
Michael J. Reimann
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