Anxious to get started but intimidated

[streetsmoker75]

Hey everyone I'm really anxious to get started with my build but I really don't know what to do or how to do it.. I've been reading a lot of the forums learning so I've got lots of questions.. What I'm working with is a 30x84 propane tank already on a 5x8 trailer.. The tank was made into a grill and sets sideways on the back of the trailer.. I want to take the tank off and extend the trailer a couple of feet and move the axle back.. That part I have figured out.. On one side of the tank it's dinged up pretty good on the bottom so I was wondering if I should just cut that side of the tank off and make it flat with a square fire box and warming cart.. I've read that if I cut one side flat I'd have to insulate the fire box or something..
The second question is should I cut both sides and make flat or would I be loosing to much cooking area..
How far above the throat does the BP set and how big of a bg will I need..
I also want 2 racks in it but not sure if I want two doors or one big one..
Been looking at several different plans to purchase but not sure which one to get..
I have my first catering event in may so I need to get this done so I can get a few test runs in..
I'm attaching pictures of what I'm starting with to kind of show yall what I got...
Thanks so much

[streetsmoker75]

This is what I was thinking with 2 racks... Pic just for attention

[Big T]

I would recommend buying a set of plans seeing as you have a pretty short deadline and you've never built one. There should be a set for a tank with your dimensions with a left hand FB. There's a lot of info with the plans and they come with customer support so you can get a quick answer to any questions you may have. If you want to do it yourself I would say that you have a 250 gallon tank so you should be able to use the pit calculator and Pete's calculators to come up with your dimensions. If you want a WC over the CC I would cut off the damaged end and build the FB/WC on that end, cut the stack off of the far end and weld the patch back over the clean out. I would leave bell end and the 2 door set up and just build slide out racks.

[Pete Mazz]

With the door cut-outs being higher than the bottom grate it might be a candidate for a square door CC. More work but way more cooking area. I'd also make the WC taller.

Kinda like this:

[Rodcrafter]

I agree with these guys


Making memories!

[streetsmoker75]

Thanks everyone I definitely want a square fb and taller wc... If I cut one bell end off and put fb and wc on that side do I have to insulate that area.. Thanks again

[Big T]

You don't have to insulate it but a lot of guys insulate the top of the FB between the WC.

[streetsmoker75]

Ok everyone iv gots another question.. Do I cut the ends of my propane smoker and make them flat or leave them one side bell shaped and one side flat...

[mp4]

Ok everyone iv gots another question.. Do I cut the ends of my propane smoker and make them flat or leave them one side bell shaped and one side flat...

I left the bells on mine but wouldn't if I was going to install a warming cabinet.

[Pete Mazz]

That^^^

[Rodcrafter]

[streetsmoker75]

Trying to figure out what size fire box I need for a 30x84 propane tank... Not really understanding the calc method.. Thinking about buying a set of plans but which one lol... Sucks be ocd I over annualize every thing... One side will have the bell end and the side for the fb and wc will be flat.. How big of a throat will I need

[streetsmoker75]

[Squiggle]

You want the firebox to be 105-110% on the calc, then punch the numbers for the theoat from the pit calc into the throat calc in Pete Mazz's sig line to work out your throat dimensions. If you still aren't sure then I'm sure a number of guys here will help you work out what's the best for your build.

[Big T]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rodcrafter]

Nice BigT


Making memories!

[streetsmoker75]

Really nice thanks guys.. Appreciate all of your help

[streetsmoker75]

Ok guys here it is have fun with it and please feel free to make any adjustments to it as necessary... I'm going with Pete and putting square doors on it to utilize cc space.. I'm going to have a thousand questions...

1..not sure if length of the square section is right or not cause I'm not sure how far the BP goes past cooking racks before stopping for BP gap.. So I need to figure that part out before I can figure out fb and throat size.. I want cc to accommodate 3 racks 10" apart so figured tank to be 30" diameter I'd start the box half way in the tank and come 19" above the tank... Is 10" a good spacing for the racks..

2..is stack in a good location.. 6" round about 35" tall

3..how thick of metal should I use on cc frame and doors.. Fb.. Wc...

3..want wc to have 4 racks 10" apart if again that is a good spacing.. Not sure about the size of the wc gotta figure out fb size first...

4...guess I need to know size of fb.. Throat size.. And side air intakes and whether or not to install an ash pan.. I want 1.5" insulation between fb and wc with either one or two dampers between it.. You be the judge...

Thanks everyone for your help and please feel free to tweak it how u think it should be... I'm a damn good smoker but not very good at fabrication or design.. The only welding I've ever done is jb welding but not to worry about it brother in law has a welding and fabrication shop I can use for a small price..

[Dirtytires]

Just a quick side topic....did you check the load capacity on that axle? My guess is it will end up being undersized for a smoker of that size. Besides the smoker, you will surely throw a couple big coolers, some folding tables, chairs, an ez up and a bunch of firewood. Weight adds up fast.

Also, at that weight, most states require brakes on trailers. It does not appear yours has them.

[streetsmoker75]

We are extending the trailer a few feet but no don't know the gvwr on that axle.. I have access to mobile home axles as well as a axle out of a 26 foot camper.. Thanks for bringing that up

[streetsmoker75]

[streetsmoker75]

If I'm in over my head please tell me now and I'll just back away and go simple.. I have a catering gig.. My first.. In may of about 150 or so people and I wanna start doing events so that's why I came up with this.. Is there a law in any state prohibitimg the use of homemade smokers made from propane tanks

[Pete Mazz]

Couple quick suggestions:
Extend CC to WC and move stack to top of CC. This allows you to use 1 piece of sheet steel for the sides of both. BP gap is typically 75 to 100% of throat size. Use my BP Gap Calc to work out dims. Move ash pan to bottom of FB and air intake above. I would make racks adjustable in 4" increments for doing large batches of sausages or ribs, etc.

[Stewart]

It's easy to get in over your head. Step back and take a breather. I'd suggest finding a set of plans that close resemble what you want for the money it's gold! Saves you time energy and money in the end. Search out the forums too for similar builds it helped me a lot. Nobody here will steer you wrong I guarantee you that. Good luck.

[streetsmoker75]

Thanks guys