Turbocharging a gas barbecue.

[Tim Downie]

Well, not literally but once again I find myself in possession of a gas barbecue who's heat output is less than I'd really like. Even with plenty of preheating things "fizzle" rather than "sizzle" on it. (A B&Q "Barcelona" barbecue)

I *do* have a spare adjustable HP regulator kicking around but it's fiddly to get adjusted right and it needs a different cylinder so it's not terribly useful. Hacking into the existing regulator to up the pressure doesn't appeal greatly (although I have done it before for a different crap barbecue) and I'm wondering whether it would be possible to fit larger (or enlarge the existing) jets?

Before anyone says it, I *know* that this is no doubt illegal, dangerous etc. but a gas barbecue that *doesn't* perform to my expectations is injurious to my mental well-being. I may blow myself to kingdom come or the barbecue may self immolate but I don't care.

I went along to our local Calor main agent to see if I could get replacement jets but they don't keep any spares and I suspect trying to order up spares for a Chinese barbecue from B&Q is a bit of a non-starter.

Any suggestions (apart from "don't" which I'm incapable of hearing/reading)? Are gas jets fairly standard sizes and threads and would I be able to get something that fits from somewhere else?

Tim

[mrcheerful]

my mate used to drill jets oversize for gas cookers in Chinese restaurants, problem is if you go too big, you then need a blower for the air supply. you can reduce a big jet by brazing it up and redrilling it.

Have a play.

mrcheerful

[TonyK]

hearing/reading)?

Butane or propane? I only ask because I find BBQing on butane a real PITA

[[news]]

rejet it and add a bit of acetylene to the mix ? perhaps have it gas flowed ? how about a touch of NOS ? you could buy a new barbie, maybe test it first ?

RT

[Mary Fisher]

You need to get out more :-) Women have to put up with things which don't perform to their expectations all the time.

Mary

[Tim Downie]

Hmm, interesting point. I'm currently running it on Butane. Would the heat output be higher on propane or does it only make any difference when you been using it for a while and the gas cylinder has got cold?

Tim

[Fred]

Perhaps they should learn to

1 Say yes more often. 2 Ignore those headaches. 3 Get even more sleep during the day so they're not so tired at night. 4 Think about things other than the shopping list.

[al]

Perhaps a new hoover for you then my dear ... yours must be sub-standard??

;o)

a

[Mary Fisher]

LOL! Perhaps you should learn that there are more things in anyone's life than copulation and shopping.

I hate shopping.

Mary

[Mary Fisher]

I don't need one. He uses an Oreck.

Mary

[Paul]

propane has a higher heat output

[Owain]

Forget gas barbecue, get yourself a boiling ring intended for tar boilers, and a big wok or griddle.

Owain

[Mike]

Anybody see that programme on Ghengis Khan last night ? (Yes we know you didn't Mary) Conquered half the known world and still found time to fertilise a significant percentage of the females in Asia.

[Fred]

Perhaps women should realise that copulation is far higher on the men's list than they imagine it to be! I suppose wine and song aren't far behind though.

Mind, I spend too much time fixing the hoover and washing machine, when will they learn to fix them themselves? :-)

[Tim..]

Are you on a blue or red cylinder? Red propane will give you a much hotter flame, and if you harness this with an ajustable reg you'll really be able to get the thing cooking!

Tim.

[Tim Downie]

I thought propane was actually less calorific than butane? I'm not disputing that with the extra pressure it may run hotter though.

Tim

[The Natural Philosopher]

that's because their expectations are based on marketing, silly comics, and infantile romance.

[The Natural Philosopher]

1. realize that while men don't need the foreplay as much, it actually improves their performance.

[The Natural Philosopher]

No one has made teh simple comment.

What on earth is the point of a gas barbecue anyway?

Its just a gas stove that doesn't work as well as teh one indoors. Get an oild drum and some charcoal, and use the bits from te gas barbecue to make the griddle.

And get some proper flavour in the meat.

[Fred]

You'd have thought women would have learnt to administer that themselves by now. Mind it does give them something to moan about men. Where's 5?