New guy build 275 gal vertical reverse flow offset

[Dragonbreath]

Hi everyone! Kinda been looking for a while trying to figure out how to build a smoker from an oil tank. Recently 2 oil tanks found their way into my back yard for free. Also a bunch of scrap at my work popped up so my build got kick started early so now I am scrambling. It's going to be a 275 gal vert. reverse flow. The firebox is double wall insulated. Internal is 1/4" @ 27"x30"x30". Will have 1" of ceramic fiber insulation the skin will be 10ga. My biggest questions now are what dimensions to make the CC to FB. The Feldon says 22.25 diameter for half moon. I have read that the Feldon calculator is too small but if I go bigger then I start to get into the flat part of the tank. Looks like its a 13" radius on the tank. Do I have to go bigger or does the 22.25 work? Also what size should I make the door open in the fire box? I am putting the door on the side directly across from the CC/FB opening.

[Big T]

Is this a vertical CC with the FB underneath or is the FB offset ?

[ajfoxy]

Welcome... free material is always helpful.

[Dragonbreath]

The firebox is offset.

[Pete Mazz]

[Dragonbreath]

So it looks like if I go with a 24" diameter half moon with 1" of a grease dam I should be good?

[Dragonbreath]

This is the pattern I decided for the air intake for the firebox. Should allow for plenty of air flow.

[Big T]

Nice

[Pete Mazz]

If you haven't already

http://www.smokerbuilder.com/forums/vie ... =11&t=3152

[Dragonbreath]

Thank you Pete. Looks like there is a lot of good info, pics and thread links in there. Will make the time go by quickly on my long train ride to Manhattan on Friday. This forum is almost as dangerous as me watching YouTube videos of people smoking stuff. You look at one and next time you look at the clock its hours later and the wife is giving me the evil eye.

[Dragonbreath]

Just need to weld up the inner FB.

[Big T]

[Dragonbreath]

Tacked on some wood screws as spacer and to help hold insulation.

[Dragonbreath]

[Chromeski]

Looks great

[Dragonbreath]

[Dragonbreath]

[Big T]

[Dirtytires]

Nice progress

[Dragonbreath]

It's slowly getting there. The figuring things out as I go really slows down the process. What's on paper never ever works out as planned.

I didn't weld the outer because I was afraid of it warping and making it difficult to slide the inner inside. Has anyone welded up against the ceramic insulation before? Did you have any issues? Just wondering if I should go ahead and weld it or separate it weld it up and put it back together.

[Chromeski]

I think you will be fine welding it. The insulation will burn a bit right where the arc hits, but won't hurt anything and won't ever be seen.

[Dirtytires]

Yes, I have and had absolutely no issues.

[Dragonbreath]

Finally got it all welded up and sanded

[Dragonbreath]

[Dragonbreath]