The Texas BBQ Forum

Hello All,
I'm still new here and have some questions. I am converting a Members Mark propane upright to pellets using the hopper unit from Smoke Daddys. My first question is this.
Which method of install makes the best since option # 1 or Option#2? See Image.

In #1 the firepit will be inside the insulated Portion, problem the original drip pan will need to be raised to accomadate a heat diffuser.

In #2 the install is easier and allows for a heat diffuser to be installed without raising the drip pan, problem is does the fire pit need to be enclosed?. if so how much air intake for the enclosure will I need? Also should the enclosure be insulated?
Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.
Mike

Option #2 is the preferable solution but you will need to enclose.
First the problem with #1 is the pellet unit uses forced combustion air and the drip pan that close would cause a restriction. A restriction will cause back flow to the pellet hopper and likely a hopper fire.
That leads to the need for the enclosed firebox. The combustion gasses and heat need to travel through the cook chamber so that the thermal sensor can more accurately control pellet feed. Also if it were not enclosed you would experience wind problems etc.
You don't need to worry about air intake for the enclosure as the forced combustion air takes care of that.

PapaTom, thanks for the reply. Option one would require me to move the drip pan up to allow for the diffuser. Not something that looks fun. where as op2 allows me to have the room. I figured I should at least enclose the last 6 inches of the auger/firepit area. I have already made plans for the template to bend the part. I am allowing for a 1.5" offset so I can put some 1200* mineral wool insulation if needed.

THe lower area is enclosed as it is the storage area

?? any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks
Mike

After looking at the drawing again as long as you have a snug fit between the fire box and the sheet metal bottom pan there is no need to enclose.
The forced combustion air flows in that long square box and around the cylindrical fire box so that long square tube is never going to get very hot.

Papa Tom wrote:After looking at the drawing again as long as you have a snug fit between the fire box and the sheet metal bottom pan there is no need to enclose.
The forced combustion air flows in that long square box and around the cylindrical fire box so that long square tube is never going to get very hot.

Thanks Tom, That's also what Dennis said as well. So this looks to be a no brainer so far.
Will update as it moves forward.
Thanks for your input and insight.
Mike

hopefully your drip pan is at an angle so it can drain?

Well It is now a pellet smoker
I Went with option #2

Here is my Conversion of a Members Mark Propane Smoker to SmokeDaddys Pellet Pro Hopper.
It arrived today and after about 3 hours of install. I have tested it now for about 4 hours. I'm going to like this.
Being an insulated box, it will hold my grate temp at 227-234 in smoke mode with a P setting of 60/15, with nice thin blue smoke. Also will keep temps up to 425 no problem in grill mode. Ambient temp here has been 67*. Will try some ribs tomorrow. Still have some cleanup to do and close some intake holes permanently instead of tape over them LOL!!

I'm really stoked on this. Now I need to order more pellets.
Here's some pics. No pic of my heat/smoke diffuser. but it works great

sounds like you have you a good one!
waiting to see pictures of it in action....

spacetrucker wrote:sounds like you have you a good one!
waiting to see pictures of it in action....

Thanks, and no the drip pan is not titled as of yet.
That's one of those things I will work on next.
Mike

Hi, do you have any pictures of this conversion? your old pics seem to be gone. I'm getting ready to do the pellet conversion on the exact same smoker, and would like to see how you did yours. Thanks!

I have the same members mark lpg smoker that I am converting using a smoke daddy inc conversion kit and would like to see the pictures as well. Please re-post.

Thanks,
BCP