I would say that first make sure it is not galvanized. Then we can move on to the thickness, I've seen people build an RF with really thin steel. I wouldn't because it takes as much work to do it with thin steel as it does for thicker steel. And the FB will burn out pretty quick when it isn't thick enough. The CC can be thinner, but I wouldn't because the temp holds better with thicker steel. I prefer 1/4 steel at least on all of it, but that is just me. I know I make things heavier than a lot of folks, but I don't have to make it again. jmtcw
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
Ok I think I might have the throat figured out. The pit calc calls for 11.82" wide dia opening. If I read another thread right that would mean the apex of the arc would be 5.91".
I would say its just tougher to use thin metal but not impossible.....Mike the Forester made one out of an air tank....hopefully somebody can post a link to it or maybe he can jump in on this....
I would post a link to my cooker build but I am not that forum literate. My RF with a thinner air compressor tank works just fine, but like Rodcrafter said, it is at least a little more prone to quicker temp variations. My biggest advice is cut one piece at a time and spread out your tack welds like crazy, because that tank will warp every time it senses heat. This is not an issue unless you design for really tight tolerances and cut everything ahead of time. Also your door will spring, but at least being thin it is pretty easy to bend to a somewhat better shape. In short, your thin tank will be fine and perform just as well as any other smoker, but just roll with the flow of warpage as you build instead of fighting it like I did for a while.
The proper way to overdesign that particular feature is to make that gap adjustable.
And on the eighth day God created barbecue …. because he DOES love us and he wants us to be happy.
Current smokers: Egor (trailered RF) and Easybake (tabletop pellet drive)