RF Fire box question

TNbbq · Post by **TNbbq** » January 2nd, 2014, 6:20 pm

Hello everyone! New guy here with advice needed. I was recently given a 500 gal diesel tank to build a reverse flow smoker. Since then I have been looking for material to complete the build including enough 1/4" steel plate to build the 43,560 cubic in fire box. With the materials I have, the fire box is going to be by far my greatest expense. Well today I was given a 250 gallon diesel tank which we could cut down to the needed size and use for much cheaper. I come seeking advice. Would you spend the money to build a square fb from 1/4" plate or would you cut the 250 gallon tank and use it? Thanks

Tinker · Post by **Tinker** » January 2nd, 2014, 6:45 pm

How thick is the 250 gal tank

Forever draggin · Post by **Forever draggin** » January 2nd, 2014, 6:55 pm

I personally would use the tank

Smokeone · Post by **Smokeone** » January 2nd, 2014, 7:36 pm

If the tank is close to 1/4 thick I would use it.

TNbbq · Post by **TNbbq** » January 2nd, 2014, 8:08 pm

I haven't went to get the tank yet so I am not sure yet. I would love to save money but don't know if its worth it if I'm going to be making a big step down in quality.

Post by **Big T** » January 2nd, 2014, 8:22 pm

I think most guys use 1/4'' but some use 3/16'' so I definitely wouldn't go any thinner than that. My FB is 3/8'' and it still loses a good bit of heat.

jaybird302 · Post by **jaybird302** » January 2nd, 2014, 9:06 pm

Are you married to the idea of a 500 gal smoker? I'm thinking the 250 would do as much or more than you'd ever need(totally guessing here) and you'd be able to run it cheaper than the 500. You could build the FB for less as well. Just something to consider.

Jay

Clover Ridge Smokers · Post by **Clover Ridge Smokers** » January 2nd, 2014, 9:38 pm

Good call Jaybird. I was going to mention the same thing. 250 is a much better size cooker than a 500. As far as the FB, I highly recommend 1/4".

Post by **Rodcrafter** » January 3rd, 2014, 7:16 am

I would agree with these guys the 250 makes more since in my world. I mean if the cost of the steel of the FB is a lot to you the price you will pay to cook on the 500 vs the 250 will be a lot too.

jm2cw

TNbbq · Post by **TNbbq** » January 3rd, 2014, 8:31 am

The only thing that will cost me anything after the cooker is built is the meat and I'll be selling it. I have all the hickory/oak I will ever use in my life time on family owned land. I am leaning toward going with 1/4" plate for fire box and rf plate.

Blutick · Post by **Blutick** » January 3rd, 2014, 10:25 am

I'm going to run 1/2" plate for mine - the FB will weight a ton (almost literally) but it should hold up pretty well

jaybird302 · Post by **jaybird302** » January 3rd, 2014, 10:44 am

Blutick wrote:I'm going to run 1/2" plate for mine - the FB will weight a ton (almost literally) but it should hold up pretty well

Hold up to what?!?! A Nuclear blast???? LOL!

Blutick · Post by **Blutick** » January 3rd, 2014, 11:34 am

jaybird302 wrote:
Blutick wrote:I'm going to run 1/2" plate for mine - the FB will weight a ton (almost literally) but it should hold up pretty well
Hold up to what?!?! A Nuclear blast???? LOL!

J- lol yeah well - take what you can get when its "FREE" ;)
350 Gallon tank - Free
3/4" Divider plate - Free
1/2" FB / BP - Free
6k axle for the trailer (yes it will need it considering the whole rig will be like a ton... no seriously "a ton") - Free
6" and 8" stacks - Free

Scavenger at heart I guess!

jaybird302 · Post by **jaybird302** » January 3rd, 2014, 12:17 pm

Blutick wrote: J- lol yeah well - take what you can get when its "FREE" ;)
350 Gallon tank - Free
3/4" Divider plate - Free
1/2" FB / BP - Free
6k axle for the trailer (yes it will need it considering the whole rig will be like a ton... no seriously "a ton") - Free
6" and 8" stacks - Free

Scavenger at heart I guess!

Hey man, Free is the best kind! Well done sir!

bluecatfish · Post by **bluecatfish** » January 3rd, 2014, 7:46 pm

It is impossible to beat free!

dwwantasmoker · Post by **dwwantasmoker** » January 5th, 2014, 9:01 am

FREE that's my favorite word!

O by the way its the only word I can spell I had to ask my wife how to spell the rest of this

How much is the crane going to cost to mount that firebox

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » January 5th, 2014, 9:04 am

I noah couple guys with forklifts ….

Post by **Rodcrafter** » January 5th, 2014, 2:42 pm

Blutick · Post by **Blutick** » January 5th, 2014, 6:56 pm

If you go back and check out some of the pictures from the original posting - you will see I have plenty of cranes to make this work -

- the one sitting inform of the tank is a little 60 ton machine - heck I have all the way up to a 350 ton in my yard - so it's all good

SmokinFF · Post by **SmokinFF** » January 5th, 2014, 7:58 pm

Hope it'll pick it.

dwwantasmoker · Post by **dwwantasmoker** » January 5th, 2014, 8:17 pm

Sorry, I sure wish you were my neighbor! Then I wouldn't need a snowplow

Blutick · Post by **Blutick** » January 6th, 2014, 8:47 am

I'll post a video link showing when we assemble and installing the FB's - gonna cut the doors and FB openings first of this week (probably tomorrow), I'll post on my original so as not to keep hijacking this one.

SmokerBuilder.com