500 gallon tank smoker build

[jsawright]

I have begun my smoker build. I have a 500 gallon propane tank as well as finally found a trailer which I should be able to mount tank on this weekend. I have had a difficult time making building decisions. I have decided to build an off-set with tuning plates and with 60/40 doors so if I decide to cook larger meats or whole hog. However, I have so many questions still and would appreciate any and all suggestions you guys have. I have very limited welding experience so what is the best way to build an insulated firebox. I will be trying to attach some photos later.

[Frank_Cox]

sounds good! we will do what we can to help you with your build!
in the mean time if you would want some plans, here is a link...
http://smokerplans.net

[Tom_Heath]

Welcome to the site jsa,

Glad you found us, and I hope we can help ya out.
As far as insulating your firebox, you will need to double wall it and then locate a source for fire rated insulation. Most guys I see with insulated boxes are using about a 1 1/2 inch air gap between the two walls.

[jsawright]

I am trying to find ceramic fiber blankets somewhere local to insulate the firebox.

I have attached link to photos of the tank and will attach more photos once tank is on the trailer.

http://s1097.photobucket.com/albums/g345/jsawright/

[Tom_Heath]

Sweat tank. I really like the larger helical ends like this one has.

My computer is still pretty trashed, I cant even load a page that I do not have saved in fav's.

Try looking for fire retardant insulation at Lowes. I found some pink bats that look like standard bat insulation there and it had a fire rating of like 1700 degrees.
This is the one that I want to try.

With some luck I can get the comp in better shape by tonight or tomorrow, my comp service guy worked on it for several hours last night with not much luck yet.

[jsawright]

Thanks Tom,

I will have to go by and check out the insulation. Is it mineral wool insulation? When you mention the 1 1/2 inch air gap is this in addition to the gap for the insulation?

[Tom_Heath]

No on the additional gap.

Fill what gap you have with insulation.

And when I say 1 1/2 inch that seems like that is what the guys that are using the koal wool.
I think I may go with 2 inchs and use the stuff from lowes. It looks just like reg oll pink insulation but it has a high fire rating.

[Tom_Heath]

I think this is what I am gonna try to check out at the store. This is what I want but I think this one is 3 1/2 inchs thinck and I want 2 inchs tops.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_138683-1278-RXC ... facetInfo=

Looking at there site I do not see the one I was talking about that was pink.

[jsawright]

Well we got the tank on the trailer. It became quite an adventure. Had 3 neighbors, a jack, a shop crane, concrete blocks and a 4x4 post and after nearly an hour we finally got it raised enough that we were able to back the trailer under the tank. I will get photos posted soon. Now to the fun part, beginning the build. I know I am building an offset smoker with tuning plates but look forward to any and all suggestions.

[Frank_Cox]

well that's the worst part... wrestling that thing up on the trailer. sounds like you got plenty of help hangin around. let me know if ya need help with the pics

[jsawright]

Here are photos with tank mounted to trailer.
http://s1097.photobucket.com/albums/g34 ... rent=2.jpg

[Two Bears]

You might want to make it a reverse flow smoker. I made a 500 gallon tank smoker with reverse flow and it cooks even temp all the way across this way you don't have to mess with tuning plates and no hot spots to worry about.

I am using that same insulation in my gravity feed insulated smoker. It will work great.