Second build - 40" Propane tank offset

[tinspark]

It all looks delicious!
Nice build- something to be proud of for years to come!!

[SheffSmoker]

Thank you!

There's a few things I need to tweak from how it performed during the cold weather, I'm sure adding more charcoal at intervals will help with a lot of it, but I'll be adding some extra vents to the FB for sure, and looking at a quick and dirty way of insulating it by simply wrapping some ceramic wool kiln blankets around the FB and securing with some steel wire I have kicking about. It's feeding us at Xmas so has to be on point, as I know I'll be quite merry on Xmas day. Hic.

[Dirtytires]

One thing to remember is to only add “lit”charcoal if possible. Adding “cold” charcoal will take a long time to light and give off a lot black smoke in the process.

Look into the “minion” method to build a long, consistent burn time. I would fill my basket with cold charcoal and then dump a lit chimney of charcoal on top. If you restrict the air properly, it will slowly burn down thru the basket and give you 4-5+ hours of cook time.

[SheffSmoker]

Yes DT - I always start it off in the chimney then add it when hot, learnt that lesson pretty fast on the first el cheapo!

I was just super keen to try a wood only cook in the new one, but time and temp were not my friends that day. I reckon I'll need the charcoal bed to keep the FB temp up in this weather, and not get greedy with the wood.

[Dirtytires]

The key to maintaining a coal bed with logs is to add a consistent amount of wood at consistent intervals. The current coals are from wood you added 45 min ago and probably look perfect and your first thought is to leave it alone. If you want coals in the next 45 min tho, you had better add wood now.

Two small splits (16-18 inch long, 2-3 inch diameter) every 45-50 minutes (I actually set a timer) work for me.

[SheffSmoker]

Been a while since I made any additions, been too busy cooking and home schooling the kids during this covid sh_t show.

I'd added the bottom rails for a rack when I first built it, but was waiting for some nice wood to turn up before I carried on. Found a bloke selling solid oak planks for a very reasonable sum within a few miles of me so bought a few and got to work.

They were rough sawn so spent a while planing and sanding, then finally 3 coats of Danish oil.

[dacolson]

[Zroadn]

Nice build SheffSmoker

[SheffSmoker]

Thanks Zroadn - from the sounds of yours they must be the same style of tank!