Abstract: A gas burner design to facilitate use of a gas fired barbecue grill as a smoker. A conductive metal plate is fixed above outlet holes on a gas burner so that when the gas is ignited the flames first must stream horizontally along a protruding horizontal lip on the conductive metal plate. If the gas flow is increased, the flames stream around and upward from the conductive metal plate. A depressed area is formed in the center of the conductive metal plate. Wood chips or other combustible smoking materials may be placed in this depressed area. The gas is turned on at a low rate of flow and ignited. The gas heats the metal plate, which causes the smoking materials to begin to char and smolder. The conductive metal plate also serves to distribute and diffuse the heat generated by the flames making it easier to maintain desirable lower temperatures within the grill for use as a smoker. When the gas flow is increased, the flames stream around and above the metal plate for use of the grill for conventional broiling.