Modulating gas valves, yes, they make,,,but one that is foot controlled,,,no manufacturer is his right mind would make one of those!

Well, since I donÂt know what kind of valve you are really talking about, I canÂt understand why no one would be interested in making one. Just let me say that I know that I will probably have to do some fabrication. Keep in mind that this device will be used on a patio or driveway and will always be attended.

I did have an idea after posting yesterday. I think I will look into using a cutting or welding torch with a control valve that is designed to be squeezed by the hand. I really know nothing about them outside of looking at some pictures on the www. I could probably pretty easily make some sort of mount to use it on the ground next to my burner. I donÂt know how difficult the plumbing adaptation would be, but it can not be rocket science.

At any rate, maybe this tells you more about what I am looking to do. I really want only sort of pilot and full-on positions. It has to be on a budget too and some sort of modulating valve for a heating system is probably going to be way too expensive.

I suppose that the type of valve you are referring to are more continuously-adjustable and maybe working on a stepper motor or on a relatively fast open or closed basis with flow controlled by open vs. closed time (duty cycle).

The reason nobody would make a valve operated by foot is the safety issue. If you have a valve controlled by your foot and something were to happen you could very easily have an out of control condition that could result is a disaster. And you can't regulate a cutting torch that way. They are designed to run full open otherwise you'd melt the torch tip. No offense but it doesn't sound like you're very familiar with gas whether its for cooking and heating purposes or for torching and brazing. They can easily kill in the hands of the inexperienced person.

Paging Darwin...we need you on aisle one for clean-up

I've heard of flash freezing but BLAST cooking?!!!!Whoa!

I recalled that I have a work associate that knows some about welding torches so maybe he can tell me how those valves work and if they can be adapted. He and I are both used to thinking creatively. I just wondered if the lever I see on the torches are throttling valves or discrete/discontinuous. Mr.havac seems to indicate that the former is true for cutting torches. I can understand that. If I read into your response correctly, a reasonable gas flow must be needed to cool the tip. That would not be an issue in my application.

In fact, I am familiar with the use of many types of compressed and liquefied gasses, flammable, explosive, toxic, inert/asphyxiating. Frankly, propane and natural gas, particularly at the (regulated) pressures I am talking about, are not rocket science. A lot of the risk goes away since this is an outdoor operation.

As far as blast cooking goes, wok cooking is pretty much that. You want high heat for very short periods and it is a pain to turn the burner off, relight it and turn the valve several turns to get back to "blast" mode. It just can not be properly done on a home range top unless, maybe, you are cooking one serving. People may say they are stir-frying, but they are really stewing or steaming. I may be able to get away with a 70-80,000 BTU burner, but the first one that I owned was about 150 K, I think. I have not gotten back into that type of cooking since that burner was under a few feet of water for an extended period a couple of years ago. I am finally getting better organized and I need to replace it.

Mr.havac, your perspective could use some adjustment. The burners on my rusted cooker is controlled by a valve that takes several turns to open and close. Having a foot-operated valve, full on would be a lower hazard level than the normal valve, under reasonable circumstances. Otherwise, we would not have dead-man switches in some vehicles, and cars would still have hand-operated throttle locks.

If I canÂt get something adapted to foot pressure, maybe I will have to go with a valve designed for a gas grill. At least I can go from idle to full-on with a quarter or half turn. Capacity will be an issue and I really have not looked at how those valves are designed wrt connection with the venturi and burner proper.

Oh, the other thing it is not real practical to do on a home range is season the wok efficiently. The easiest way is to just coat it with oil and heat it up until the oil flashes.

Thanks for your help so far.

Maybe find yourself a girlfriend. While you're cooking with your wok she can be playing tweaking the knobs. :-)
Actually if you wanted to spend the money you can go with an industrial modulating gas valve set up.