TT’s Old Iron Brewery Smoker Build

[TTsOldIron]

My name is TT and I am opening a Brewery, Taproom & BBQ restaurant. I have acquired a decommissioned 500gal tank to make my reverse flow smoker for the brewery out of. I have built several small smokers but this will by far a much bigger project than I have tackled before. I am planning to make doors squared out to add a bit more cooking capacity. One of the hemispheres will be removed on one side and I am planning on attaching a 34x34x34 firebox that will be insulated because I live in PNW and will be cooking in the winter time. I have filled the tank twice with Dawn soap and water and let it sit for a week each time before draining. I am still looking for the best ways to make sure the tanks is safe to cut into to get started. I have attached my drawing and a pic. I am excited to get going on this project and will have questions for you all I’m sure. Cheers!

[towtruck]

Looks good. I'm sure the calculators won't steer you wrong on that build.

[Pete Mazz]

Welcome

[TTsOldIron]

Here is a pic as it is right now.

[Dirtytires]

Big project....take your time and do it right. Interested to see what you come up with.

As far as the “safe to cut” it sounds like you are ready. Most will either leave it full of water or co2/nitrogen purge it for the first cut. The water or inert gas will displace any propane vapors still in it.

[ajfoxy]

Welcome.... a brewery and a BBQ restaurant... sounds like my kind of heaven.

[Chromeski]

Can I come sample some brew and que?

[Big T]

Welcome aboard! As DT stated above, those are the 2 most common methods of making the initial cuts.

[TTsOldIron]

Thanks Big T and DT. I have lots of CO2 tanks around since I have a brewery so I will purge the tank with those for my first cuts. I made my first cuts today on the firebox metal. I am using 1/4” steel plate for the box so it took a few grinding wheels to get the pieces cut out. Gonna be a good time making this beast, very therapeutic. Cheers everyone!

[TTsOldIron]

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[temurf]

Welcome to the gang.
That is going to make a mighty fine cooker.

[TTsOldIron]

Firebox start

Got four of the plates to the firebox welded together today, I need to round up a few more sheets of metal for the rest of it.

[Irwinb]

That looks like a great project, like others noted take your time and enjoy the process!
I will be watching your build and would love to swing by and try it out when you are up and running.

[TTsOldIron]

I have 5 sides done on the fire box now. Have a couple of questions, when building the door how big should I make it? Should it be as big as the side of the box(34”x34”) or should I make it smaller like 24x24 ish? I plan in making the door go to the bottom of the box so ash can be raked out easy. Next question is how high up from the bottom should I put the intake openings. They will be 16”x4” on both sides. I was thinking 4” up. So far everything is all from the scrap yard so it’s been easy on the wallet. That’s all I have for now, Cheers!

[Chromeski]

I like the idea of a large door. Makes it easier to load fuel and clean ashes. I don't see any reason not to have it full side.

[Big T]

I would recommend an ash pan, it makes clean up a lot easier. The vents need to be at the same level as the bottom of your fire basket or lower so that the air has to be drawn through the coal bed. You should start a build thread over in the design and build section so that others can find your build later on.

[TTsOldIron]

Thanks for the advice Big T. I will make an ash pan and have started a new thread under reverse flow smokers. Cheers!