Postwar Steamers...Why Convert?

[ben10ben]

On this and other forums, I often see people suggesting that postwar steamers be converted to liquid smoke. I have never thought this to be a good idea, and personally would never do it.

Here's why:
1. The units in their original form can use both pellets and liquid, meaning that a conversion to liquid limits the array of smoke producing materials that can be used.
2. For those who prefer the smell of pellets(such as me), excellent reproductions are available, and these can't be used in a converted unit.
3. Original units can be made to smoke much better than any liquid-converted unit by removing a turn or two of Nichrome wire, and still maintain their ability to use liquid and pellets.
4. Finally, the pellet units can be run dry without harming the unit. This isn't the case with liquid units.

For these reasons, I have elected to repair my burned out units rather than converting to liquid.

I realize that they're your engines, and therefore your decision as to what to do with them. I would like, though, to hear some of your reasons for converting to those of you who do choose to do so.