I build my BP out of flat plate and install them level from front to back and left to right. I put a 2'' grease dam on the end at the BP gap and a 2'' drain on the same end. I have never had any issues with this design. I've found that the majority of grease and drippings burn off while cooking. I use a scraper in between uses to scrape out any left over pieces that fall through the racks. I don't feel that it's worth all the work that goes into building a trough down the middle. jm2cw
Here's a few pics. I received this "smoker" and thought I could rebuild it into a decent cooker. Cut off the legs and hinges and had to weld the whole tank back together. It was cut completely in half which was not the door type I wanted.
Ok, so I might have scared myself out of it last night. The tank I received has been used as a direct heat charcoal grill for years. The inside is coated in black soot or seasoning. The outside is a dull gray and rusty color. I thought it was paint. No issues or funny smells as I have been welding and grinding on it. Should I be worried about a zinc coating or do you all think I'm alright using it? Can I just grind it all to clean metal and not worry?
I can't tell from the picture but if you've been welding on it and have noticed it bubbling up and leaving a yellow powder near the weld or smelled any nasty fumes, it probably isn't galvanized. It can be removed with a grinder or flap wheel but that's a lot of work. I've heard of guys using muriatic acid to remove the coating but I've never tried it. I would try to figure out if it is before you go any further. I don't use galvanized metal on any smoker that I build, some guys may say different but this is how I do it.
Thanks for the info! No strange fumes or bubbling so it is probably paint. I may still grind it clean and do a big burn out after. Spent the spare time today cutting and putting the outside on the WC.
So today I spent a little more time on the WC and I tried to make a wheel to see if it would work. For my first try I'm pretty happy, now just 3 more to go! I built it out of a piece of 8" pipe and 8 little spokes from 1/2" rebar.
Update on the last few days. I wanted to ease my mind on the tank coating. Never had the white or yellow funkiness when welding but I just wanted to be certain, so 2 days later and a ton of grinding, and a quick acid dip, I now have no worries about any off gassing from the tank. Also got the other 3 wheels built and all are now mounted on the base. Kinda rustic looking but when I saw the prices of any wheels that I liked I was blown away. So I'm pretty pleased with these, and it even rolls pretty good. Started on the FB door today but will have to finish that tomorrow night.
So had a pretty fun day. Started teaching my 14 year old a little about welding.(all I know is a little!) we got the CC and FB on the stand and got the trim on the CC door. So question, do you guys recommend double welding stuff like the 1/4 plate on the FB. Like on the inside as well as the out?
I completely weld the outside and usually put a few small welds on the inside, normally in the corners if building square. I have built quite a few of them that were only welded on the outside and haven't had any issues to date but they were good solid welds.