Building my first smoker, need some advice

[Big vin]

Hi everyone, i would like to build a RF smoker out of two LPG tanks. This is my first smoker build, but i know how to weld and fabricate a bit.

I have picked up a 60L (16 Gallon) LPG tank to use for my firebox, emtied it and removed the fittings. This is now venting in my backyard, i will fill it with soapy water when i am going to cut it. The diameter of this tank is 14.2 inches, length is 25 inches





I am having some trouble finding large LPG tanks for the smoking chamber so i may have to use two similar tanks and weld them together. I would like to find a bigger diameter tank, somewhere around 20 inches, but will a 14 inch tank work if i cant find one? I am cooking for somewhere around 4 to 10 people most of the time.

While i am looking for a suitable cooking chamber i would like to get started with the firebox. I know that the ratio between firebox and chamber is about 33%, but will it hurt if the firebox is bigger than 33%? I will start using my smoker with coconut or charcoal, but want to try it on wood allso.

I am planning to use the tank lengthwise, so chop off one of the ends to make a door. Can someone suggest how to fabricate this so it will close off properly? At what hight in the tank should i put the grate, and where should i place the air inlets? I know how to calculate the size of the inlet etc, found a nice website with a calculator on it. It might be wise to build a inlet that is easy to convert to use with a stoker system, any suggestions on that?


I know, these are a lot of questions, i am very gratefull for your time!
I already browsed the internet quite a bit but cant find direct answers to my questions.

[The Czar]

Where about are you at ? The fire box can be bigger but try not to go to much bigger if possible......

Have you looked at http://smokerplans.net/ for some ideas?

[Big vin]

Im from The Netherlands, so the chance somebody is near me is quite slim ;)
I have looked at the plans etc, but they are a bit out of my price range. I will have to make do with everybodys advice on here ;)

[Rodcrafter]

Your question: "I am planning to use the tank lengthwise, so chop off one of the ends to make a door. Can someone suggest how to fabricate this so it will close off properly?

I sort a want to ask questions, but to try to answer yours I would say it would be the same as cutting the door in the side as far as sealing it. Use flat bar strips of steel around the edge to overlap the cut. You will need to use a different type of hinge so it would allow the round end with the strip on it to open/close. I see this method on this small of tank becoming hard to cook with as it will make it hard to reach the meat unless you pull out the cooking tray like a drawer each time you open the door. In this case it would work ok, it would loose alot of heat each time as it would be open longer than the other choices. I think it would be hard to cook for 10 in this small of CC, unless it was pork shoulder or brisket. ribs would be the hardest. my $.02

[Big vin]

Hi rodcrafter,

Is am planning to use the tank in the picture as a firebox, and use that with the door on the end. The cooking chamber will be opened normal.
48 gallons in to small to properly make ribs? What size would you recommend as a minimum?

[Rodcrafter]

Well that answers the question I wanted to ask. 48 gallons would do fine, (what is the dims?) I understood you to say it was only 14 inches in diameter. If you look around on this site at the patio builds you will find some really good info that will work for your size cooker.

[Big vin]

I am looking for used gas tanks, hoping i can find one thats 20 inch in diameter, or should i look for an ever bigger tank?

[Jethro]

If your lookin for pipe, check with oil or well drillers in your area, they could have pipes they can't use, and they have all size

[Gizmo]

I think 20 is a great size for a lot of reasons. I built Edgar at 20 inches deep and laying out the meat works great - ribs especially.

[Big vin]

I went ahead and cut of one bell end of the tank yesterday. Im going to weld on the tabs on the inside to support the fire basket and the steel lip around the bell end to make it seal on the tank today.

A pic just because everybody seems to love those around here ;)

[The Czar]

....and those are the about pics....get use to it....

[Big vin]

Sorry o great czar,i didnnot know bout the rulez, better comply then Lol

[Big vin]

About the air intakes, i am thinking i will weld one or two pcs of pipe on the side of the tank. This way i can easily make the dampners , and it would be a lot easier if would ever want to use a controller.
What diameter is commonly used on those fans?

[Gizmo]

THe 25cfm fan I bought with my guru is about the diameter of 3/4 inch black pipe so I had an adapter turned to allow the fan to plug in one side and 3/4 inch pipe thread on the other side. Works very good - been using it a couple years now.

[Big vin]

Strip to seal the tank is welded on, i left a piece unwelded so i can make the hinges there.

[Fiveflat]

Looking good! I have something in mind with a small 20lbs propane tank like this for camping...

[Big vin]

Hinges are welded on, i needed to split the ring in a couple of places so it would fit nice. The fit was actually to snug.
Now it fits like a glove, i think it will seal up quite nice. Next thing on the list is to weld up the splits in the ring, and make a rail to put the fire basket on.

Can someone give me some suggestions on the hight of the rail inside the tank?

[Frank_Cox]

if you mean the rail for your log rack, I would make it just above the top of your air inlet or 4" up from the bottom

[Big vin]

Yep, that was what i mean.

Happy newyear!!

[Tom_Heath]

Ya. what Frank said.


And that thing looks great. I like the lid.

[Big vin]

Thanx tom.