Building a Cooker from a Propane Tank

[Puff]

GEEZ...I don't know why I was reading about a trailer. Sorry for this odd piece of info

[forty_creek]

I was thinking 8-10"s of clearance would be adequate. Just needed to calm my spinning head as I am trying to get this build right or as close as possible with a first time build.

I am already thinking about another...definitely smaller (but that is a ways in the future)

Thanks again fellas

[forty_creek]

Puff- no problem. Once a day for the past week I have reread all the post on this thread...just to keep my notes straight and double checked from all the advise from all of you

[Puff]

Hey Forty-creek,

I did the same thing. I'm no fabricator. I restored antique American motorcycles for fun but that was no where near what this is. Although some things from that stuff did come in handy.

I REALLY wanted to make sure the first one was right. But these guys are great. They won't let you screw up...but you gotta ask questions just as you are. Much luck in getting this first one to fly. I say first one because ...like potato chips... YOU CANT JUST EAT ONE!

[Big T]

If you're going to use the WC for cooking more than warming then I would say to insulate it but you may need to put a couple of vents in the WC so you can bleed off some heat if you need to. Once the heat builds up in an insulated WC it can't escape through the walls so it could be hard to keep it around 140 degrees without vents. jm2cw

[forty_creek]

Thanks Big T
I plan to use 2" insulation on FB and WC. Will have an exhaust on the WC.

This week is shot as far as getting anything done and the wkend. Hopefully next week I can get started on it. I'm pretty much ready to start cutting...

[forty_creek]

Next question- I am going to make square doors/square the front of the CC. I had originally thought to make 2 separate sets of doors, therefore separate sliding racks on the top and bottom rack. I am leaning more to one opening with just two doors. slide bottom rack out as one piece and the top rack the same... then I am concerned with weight,,, I looked at TQ's 30x88 build. I am thinking what's another 20"s...LOL

Any thoughts?

[Puff]

All of my rf smokers use square doors and racks that slide in and out from top and bottom. I am planning a center rack in my rf tank as there is enough space between the two. I believe that since heat will escape more rapidly in a fully open top, that the square door concept helps retain heat to a degree.

Weight concerns for which part?

[Rodcrafter]

I want to bring you back to what Big T said about your insulated WC. I believe you may not have grasp what he said be cause of your following comments. He is right, if you insulate the WC and don't put cool air inlets in it it will never be a WC it will only be a CC. (in my opinion) As for the doors I would make it have three doors two doors get the same racks and the third being next to the FB getting it's own racks. This would give you plenty of space to cook whole hog in the double and the hotter door would be like a chicken cooking door of finishing butts that are wrapped or whatever might need a little more heat.

jm2cw

[forty_creek]

Thanks RC- I was missing Big T's point. I gotcha now.

I like the idea of having a set of separate cooking racks.

Thank all of you

[forty_creek]

Puff the weight of the racks fully loaded at 36x108.

I am going to break up the racks for separate cooks like RC stated.

[Rodcrafter]

[forty_creek]

On a RF wouldn't the hottest area of the CC be the opposite end from FB above the RF opening? Thinking about door placement for the smaller cooking section.

[Big T]

You don't want any grates past the grease dam on the BP or it will let grease down in the bottom of the CC. Normally the hottest part is the end nearest the FB. I make my door about 1/2'' before the end of the BP and once I get my rails in place for my grates it puts the grate about 3/4'' short of the grease dam.

[forty_creek]

BigT-10/4

I didn't think about not putting a grate over the end of the BP.

Thanks
Reed

[Rodcrafter]

Both of you are right, the hottest spot would be in the direct flow of the draft. But that is like a no fly zone. But the hottest spot of the cooking zone is the FB end.

Good question

[forty_creek]

RC- thanks for the feedback

No progress to post pics of. Things been a lil busy at work...

But I have been fine-tuning my plans

[forty_creek]

So the party begins...well the work! Party to follow

Got the steel in the shop sorted and stacked out like we need it or should I say "think" we need it!

[Puff]

Nice to be king! The guys look like they do this all the time. Terrific

[forty_creek]

I can take a little credit... I did layout the cuts. But my cuts aren't near as nice as theirs are so I let them do the cutting I do the grinding...LOL

Lil progress. Going to lower the WC from 48" to 38". As you gurus already prolly knew you would have to be 7' tall to do anything with it at 48T and overall w/ FB 80T plus 8-10"s of ground clearance... so we are going to cut 10"s off. 38T x 36W x 36L will be plenty for the WC/SC.

Gonna wack 10"s off

Throat is close...we will work it out

[Rodcrafter]

Cool nice place to do this

[Tom_Heath]

An overhead crane would be awesome.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Big T]

Looks like you're off to a great start.

[Smokeone]

Lookin good!

[forty_creek]

Thanks fellas. Yea I ma very lucky to have access to a great shop.

Question: exhaust/stack the recommended height is that from the top of the CC or if it is placed lower do you need to clear the top of CC by the recommended inches?