Hello from Manitoba

[CanSmoke]

Hey there. Im pretty new to pit building. I have built one small off set smoker from a 100lb propane tank and im wanting to go bigger, maby something on a trailer. I grew up around my uncle's in west Texas who had a beastly 500lb tank mounted to a modified car hauler with a rib box. But unfortunately its hard to find propane tanks in this part of Canada.

My friend gave me 2 oval heater oil tanks to do with as i please so thats the next best thing i could find. I looked through the Puffs project and i realy like that design. My question is has anyone here done an h2o smoker(like the myron mixon ones) i thought that might work here as well. If anyone has any experience with that style of cooker I would love to here from you.

[Dirtytires]

Welcome to the boards.

Don’t restrict yourself to just used tanks. Big pipe is super versatile and you can always custom build a pit out of plate in whatever shape and size you want. Those oil old oil tanks make a great pit but, as all tanks, can be a lot of work to make them usable.

Good luck and let us know how we can help!

[Big T]

Welcome aboard!! There have been a few guys over the years that used water pans in their cookers but it hasn't been that common of a build on the forum. When I first set out to build a smoker several years ago I planned to build a MM style cooker but the more I read about the reverse flow smokers and the lack of a need to add a water pan, the, more I strayed from a water smoker. I decided to build a RF and see what all the hype was about. I figured that I could use the baffle plate as a large water pan if I needed to add moisture to the cook chamber. I soon found that the meat that I cooked on it was always moist and I didn't have a need to add water. You could go RF and add water if you wanted or you could design a pit that closer resembles a MM cooker either way, good luck and post plenty of pictures.

[Pete Mazz]

Welcome!

I love Puff's build. Solid design and tons of space. Wish he were still around.

[CanSmoke]

Thanks a lot. i have 2 tanks so maby some day i'll try one of each. if i get to it this year, it will definatly be a winter project. I am currently working on some designs.

one question i had was how close together can you put the cooking grates and still get good air flow? the reason i ask is i do alot of appitisers and they dont take a lot of height

[Dirtytires]

Probably wouldn’t go closer than the 3 inch range..maybe 2.5 at a minimum. Could always put in a lot of guides and then adjust shelves as needed to suite your cook.

[Big T]

I would say 3'' is as tight as I would make them.

[CanSmoke]

Thank you all for your input. I live in a part of the world where most people think good bbq is burgers and tube steaks so talking with people that know what they are talking about is refreshing.

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[Dirtytires]

We understand...I mention bbq and all my neighbors start talking about steaks and hot dogs. Guess I don’t take them enough samples of my smokes..lol.

[dacolson]

Haha. Truth. Same in MN. Smoked meat is fish (no complaints there really) and ketchup is hot sauce. Gotta share w the neighbors and spread the love.

[CanSmoke]

So true. There can be no better way to get to know your neighbors than over a bbq sampler. (Which i fully intend to do once i finish this rig)

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[CanSmoke]

Sorry for the poor pic

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[ajfoxy]

Welcome.