First Project

[Blutick]

This an air receiver tank that I just acquired - Its looks to be approx. 330-345 gallons (30" dia x about 118" long).
The cylinder without the bells measured is 299 gallons.
The tank was built by Karkard Industries in 1977
Looking for any help with figuring the capacity so I can enter it into the calculator

Here's a picture

[Blutick]

Cleaned up a little -

[jafo28]

Looks like it will make an awesome smoker.

[El Gato]

Like they say . . GO BIG OR GO HOME!

[Blutick]

need to make a correction - Is a Kargard Industries tank - 30" x 117" - wall thickness is .321 - bell ends are .238

[jaybird302]

At 30" diameter and 117" long you could cut that joker in to two pieces and it still be plenty big enough and still be managable to build and aslo still be able to move it. Nice score!

Jay

[Blutick]

ok it official it a 350 gallon tank, so now I have a starting point -

Here's what I got:
28" x 28" x 36" Fire Box ID 105%
8" Chimney 28" long
28" x 2" x 2 FB intakes # of intakes 1.51

Here's my dilemma - FB to CC opening if I use a half moon opening (segment) the largest it can be is 28" dia x 10" hgt for a total sq inches of 204.50 where its recommended to be 225.80 - So how bad will this effect flow? and as long as I make my baffle plate gap equal will I be ok? Should I reduce my chimney volume as well?

The dia of the tank is whats causing the grief - its only 30" for a 350 gallon tank - It should hold plenty of heat with the wall thickness of .321 and the baffle plate and FB thickness of .500

[Blutick]

At 30" diameter and 117" long you could cut that joker in to two pieces and it still be plenty big enough and still be managable to build and aslo still be able to move it. Nice score!

Jay

Thanks Jay - Yes It would make to very reasonable smokers. I just don't like that flat end look - I had ample opportunity to get dia large pipe and I chose to just wait and see what came up - this tank came from a decommissioned phosphate dragline and was its air receiver tank - 5/16 walled from 1977 - I'm just going to take my time and see how she turns out - may not be what I expect but here's hoping...

[jaybird302]

Blutick,
That's the cool thing about this forum, so many guys on here with really cool ideas! I'm excited to see where you take it. With a 1/2" BP that thing is going to be crazy heavy! As if it's not already.... Anyway, looking forward to watching you turn this beast into a dinner making machine!

Jay

[SmokinFF]

If you think it's too long, cut an end bell off, cut out a section and reattach the bell. It's up to you, but most guys use 1/4" for the FB and BP. This will be a nice build either way.

[Big T]

That's going to be a big smoker !! I would say cutting your throat opening by 10% is probably not a good thing especially on a cooker of this size. I would probably make my stack over size so you can have a little extra draft just in case you need it. I have heard of others using 1/2'' for the BP and not having any problems, my BP is 3/8'' and it takes a little bit to get evened out and then it's fine. If you can draw a sketch and post it on here I'm sure some of the guys can help you out on any problems that you may encounter.

[Gizmo]

I have to admit - that's the highest aspect ratio tank I've seen since I've been in this hobby. It's length is writing checks it's diameter can't cash ….. Sorry - I couldn't resist….

On a 30 inch diameter tank you should be able to go to 15" so wheel the numbers in the pit calc. with a 13 inch height (you're at 10" now?) on the throat 'eye' opening. This makes about a 2" drop below your main grate and the BP. Earl had only a 2 inch drop and worked fine - it's just smoke circulation in there anyway.

[Rodcrafter]

I would think the radiant heat from the BP on the FB end would be much higher than the other end because of the length. It will cook and smoke but you would need to expect a large difference even in ambient temp from one end to the other.

jm2cw

[Gizmo]

RC makes an excellent point - since the 2 ends are in different zip codes ….

[Blutick]

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement so far (heck I haven't even started cutting off all the crap that's attached to this this - lol ) -
I have lost a wee bit of sleep on this last night and I'm considering welding in a center plate to split the halves internally - then construct (2) FB's so that the ends mirror each other (fire both ends or just one depending on need)

Here's the calcs

175 gallon each section (everything x 2)
40425 cubic in. CC
20"x27"x27" FB (top of the FB will also extend in to the tank as the BP)
6" chimney - 26" long
12" x 2" intakes
FB to CC opening (half moon) 17 1/4" x 8 5/8" or 18" x 9" to make it easy = 127.28 cubic in

I would think the radiant heat from the BP on the FB end would be much higher than the other end because of the length. It will cook and smoke but you would need to expect a large difference even in ambient temp from one end to the other.

jm2cw

Rod - I'm guessing by adjusting the length as I have proposed this will help with equaling out the temps? Does having the BP as part of the top of the FB an issue or is this design OK? I like the idea of it being one piece as long as it will function properly. Could I just elevate that end of the cooking rack a couple inches or just rotate food through that area to keep things even?

I know it's not a smoker but here's my grill / fire pit - this is the grating that I will be using as my cooking surface (Yes, it's 1/4 woven SS mesh w/ 20 - 1/2 burgers on it!) What was that? Go BIG or go home? lol

[Blutick]

Ok change of heart again - - Here's the latest (have to get these all out of the way early) I'm thinking a combo 250 gal + 100 gal = 1 for small groups, 1 for med groups, Both for a Grande group.... How's that sound?

[Smokeone]

Nice pit! Go big or go home=TWSS!

Anyway, you can make the BP a continuation of the firebox top, it will work fine.
As for the divided tank, I think that is a great idea. I actually started a 10' by 38" cooker. It is divided into to 5' cook chambers. One will be a 5' RF, the other will be a 5' cf rotisserie. Life has gotten in the way and I haven't worked on it, but hope to finish in 2014.
The build is on here, it is titled the dream. I'll try to post a link later.

As I typed you were too, so your new idea would work too.

[Rodcrafter]

Yep, either way will work fine. I like the 250/ 100 that gives you more options.

[Blutick]

Ok so its final - 125 gal and a 225 gal . Numbers look very promising.

So far so good!

[SmokinFF]

Can't wait to see this one come together.

[dwwantasmoker]

Is he compensating for something seems like someone always has to have a larger smoker than the neighbor

[Blutick]

The vision in 2D - Thoughts?

[Blutick]

Having a bit of difficulty loading the file - Please Stand By !

[Blutick]

second attempt

[SmokinFF]

Can't wait to see it in 3D