325g RF

[ScootersSmoke]

I was able to make a deal today and secure a 325g tank for a great deal. Seems that this tank is an odd size. Anyone have any experience with this size tank?

[jadstar]

I was able to make a deal today and secure a 325g tank for a great deal. Seems that this tank is an odd size. Anyone have any experience with this size tank?

I will agree that 325 Gal. Is odd 250-500 is the norm . Having said that the calculators available here will work with any size [emoji106] a deal is a deal ! Keep us posted with progress.

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[ScootersSmoke]

I read on a different forum a post from years ago that the length of a 325 might give me issues with heat retention due to the 30” diameter and the length being nearly 10 foot?

[Dirtytires]

Definitely a possibility. Obviously it depends on what you want to do with it (and how big you need) but I would cut it down to 5 feet or so. With 30 inches you can put in a third rack and end up with a ton of space.

Heck, cut it in half and you can make 2 pits out if it. Keep one and sell the other to pay for yours.

[Pete Mazz]

The bigger tanks are usually heavier gauge so heat retention is typically pretty good as long as you don't skimp on the BP.

[ScootersSmoke]

I’m thinking of cutting it down to about 6 or 7 feet, then attaching the FB to the cut side which will make it all 90degree cuts to mount the FB to the CC. It will be a few weeks before I dive into the project, I’m just trying to brainstorm a plan. Thanks

[Mo Smoke]

Don’t shorten the length bro. 500 gallon tanks are 10’ Long also but larger diameter. If you build it right , with the specs the calculator gives you for the firebox and everything else you will be fine. Once that heavy metal heats up it’s gonna hold plenty of heat. Use a 2 door design so you don’t have to let so much heat escape each time you open it to tend the meat. If you plan on cooking whole hogs you can put a single door on the opposite side. Once you get it done you won’t regret it. You will be able to cook enough meat to feed an Army !


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[Buffalo]

I was going to ask why not do the math and use part of the tank as the fire box? Might cut down on some fab work.

[Mo Smoke]

Is the tank ur talking about the one in the picture at the end of your post looking for steel pipe ?


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[ScootersSmoke]

Yeah Mo that’s the tank.
I would hate to cut it down so hopefully I can keep her whole. With the Pit Calc all the dimensions of the throat and FB seem feasible

[Mo Smoke]

Man that baby will be a beast ! If you really want to make your cuts and connections easier tho, just cut the bells off each end or just the FB end, and cap them off with flat 1/4” thick plates. You can cut your FB throat before you even weld it on. In That should leave you at least 8.5 to 9 feet which is still huge and uses most of the tank. Definitely still big enough to put a single door on one side for whole hogs and a double door on the other side for working with smaller meats, or whatever design u decide to go with. Man once u roll that monster out on a trailer with a nice paint job, you’re gonna be the envy of everybody!


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[Mo Smoke]

A few pics I found on the web u might like. If you like the idea of adding a warmer or a grill then having a flat end on the FB side will make it easier. Plus You don’t have to do it now if it’s not in your budget.


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[Buffalo]

Is that a 325? Or a 500 tsnk?

[Mo Smoke]

I think 1 of them was a 500 and the other 325. From the info I found The difference between 500 and 325 propane tanks is diameter. Both are 10’ Long. Oil tanks and others may be different.


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[Buffalo]

Only reason I asked was I wondered is you could have 3 racks in a 30" tank and be enough space for boston butt?

[Dirtytires]

It would be close but should work. Don’t think I would try 3 shelves in anything less than a 30 inch dia tho.

[Mo Smoke]

You would have enough room for a Boston Butt with 3 racks in a tank that’s 30” diameter. My tank is 30” and I have 4. Although configuration is weird because 1 was a mistake. The thing is that depending on the size of the Boston Butt you may have to take 1 rack out which is what I do depending on what I’m cooking.


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[Mo Smoke]

I just measured the space between my main racks and I also measured a big Boston Butt I have in the freezer. Rack space is approx 5.5” and Butt measures about the same. Based on this I say put 6.5” between racks 1 and 2 and the Butt can easily cook on either rack. Then add a 3rd rack about 4.5” above the middle one. It will be about 3/4 the depth of the others tho because it’s toward the top of the tank. The first two will be your main racks and you will have room to cook a ton of meat on them. The third rack is a bonus when you choose to use it. Not the same height or depth but Good for chicken thighs, wings, and sausage. Mine has a difference of about 25-30 degrees in temp between the 1st and 2nd racks while the top rack can be 100 degrees hotter than the bottom. It’s nice because you can cook low and slow, but also have a hotter and faster zone when you need it without adjusting your overall cook temp.


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