275 gallon oil tank smoker build

[Fuzzy69]

I am currently in the process of building (rebuilding) a smoker for a friend. he had a old smoker set up that rusted out because he used to put the wood fire directly under the grill more like a cooker not smoker!! I have a newer oil tank that I cut open oval side up and im welding a fire box on one end. My question is should I make this a reverse flow smoker or just let it do its thing???? Also there is a rotisserie hooked up on the other end so my friend can cook a small pig. I'm not sure if reverse flow is better for this option, and if so should I use a pipe or a solid plate steel for the flow?? thanks Fuzzy

[Chromeski]

Standard offset and reverse flow both work. I would vote reverse flow personally, but that's up to you. If your friend is just going to use it as a grill anyways then save yourself the trouble and don't build a firebox.

[Fuzzy69]

Thanks, he’s definitely going to do more smoking than grilling!! I guess I’ll do reverse flow!

[Dirtytires]

You want a solid plate for the baffle plate. A pipe would eliminate some of the benefits of the reverse flow.

[Big T]

[Fuzzy69]

Thanks

[Fuzzy69]

I’m gonna do a solid plate for the baffle, how big shoul the gap be at the end to let up the smoke and heat??

[Big T]

The BP gap is the same size as the throat or up to 25% smaller than the throat. I make them the same size and haven't had any issues.

[Fuzzy69]

Totally Awesome thanks

[Dirtytires]

You found the pit calculator, right?

Plug in your cook chamber and it will give you all the other dimensions.

[Fuzzy69]

Thanks I appreciate the help I used the pit calculator and got the information.