Hello from Calaveras County

[Silent_hunter]

Wanted to introduce myself, My name is Rodney. I am planning on building a small 100 gal rf smoker. I have gotten a lot of great info from this site already. I am not for sure if I am going to build it on a trailer or patio style yet. I am leaning more towards the patio build, due to cost. I have never cooked on a rf smoker before, so this will all be new to me. I do cook a lot on an open grill and most of my smoking experience is with my propane burner smoker, my electric smoker, and barrel cooker.

The 100 gal propane tank I have is 23" wide inside and 63" long. The tank was built in 1947 and is 5/16" thick. I have a second tank that is 120 gal and is 23" by 67", but it is only 3/16 thick. I chose the smaller tank because of the thicker steel for my smoker, and it was made in 1947 (the same year as my willys cj2). I like stuff with dates and made in USA labels.

[Frank_Cox]

[Gizmo]

Welcome Rodney! Glad to have you you here in the asylum. I believe the line is; "You can check out but you can never leave" ....

[The Czar]

.....

might want to check out the below link to get probably all of your information needed.....

http://smokerplans.net/

[smokendink71]

[maccas66]

Welcome aboard Rodney!, I was in the same boat just 7 months ago, and now smoke every weekend!

[Silent_hunter]

Thanks for the welcome, I filled the tanks with water and soap x2. Last night I got very curious if all the gas was out, and held a lighter near the valve. Well nothing happened, so I guess it is safe to cut. My wife bought me a hypertherm powermax30 plasma cutter for our 16th anniversary. Tracking number says it will be here on Thursday, I think I will wait to start cutting, until I have it set up.

[Frank_Cox]

sounds good! Use a cutting wheel to make a couple cuts in the bottom of the tank or remove the drain plug if it is possible before cutting it.

[Silent_hunter]

The 1947 tank does not have a drain plug, but all the propane should be out. I will probably run my quad exhaust into it, just to make sure.

[Frank_Cox]

so I'm guessing you don't have any water in it then? That is the only reason I would make the cuts is to drain the water.

[Smokeone]

Welcome SH!
Glad to have you aboard! Good luck with the build.

[DUAYNE B]

[The Czar]

The 1947 tank does not have a drain plug, but all the propane should be out. I will probably run my quad exhaust into it, just to make sure.

Its one of those things..by filling it full of water its a sure guarantee that you won't ......and like dot com (FRANK) said make a couple of spot cuts into the lower sides with a cutting wheel to drain it down enough.....don't try to plasma cut against level of water....