Beginner smoker/welder

[Kevin in OK]

Hi everyone. I'm not much of a bbqer but have always wanted to try, and I'm not much of a welder but have always wanted to get better. I got a deal on some old tanks and thought it would be a cool project so I'm building a smoker. It will likely be offset, non reverse flow, but it's barely out of the planning stage.

Anyways, it's about a 65 gallon propane tank off a truck, and I've got a couple 33-35 gallon tanks to use as a firebox, and one smaller tank, 13 or 14" in diameter by 24" or so long. I'm between computers right now or I would post a picture. Advice is always welcome, and thanks for reading.

[4xAggie]

Check out a bunch of build threads on here (you'll learn more by just doing that than about anything else IMO). Use the calculator.

For welding, tack everything, and then weld it up. Use a grinder to make it prettier.

I'll let the real experts help out from here.
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Gig 'Em Ags!
4xAggie 138 gal Pit Construction

[chaney1320]

Have you cut your tanks or anything yet?? and which tank are you planning on using for your fire box 33-35 or the smaller one?? And I agree with the previous post also you will learn a ton by looking at others builds !! I'm sure any direct questions you have these guys will answer.

[k.a.m.]

Kevin, here you go this may help some. Feel free to ask all the questions you need.
http://thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40941
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[Kevin in OK]

K.A.M., thanks for the link. The tanks are an hour away so I can't give exact dimensions right now. I started cutting doors last weekend, but they are still pretty well attached at the corners and on 3 sides. The tank is probably too small for a whole animal so the two doors are smaller to reduce weight and to help it keep its shape. I want to say they were about 24" wide by a quarter turn.

Both the 35ish gallon tanks are quite a bit oversized for the big tank, but I don't think the smallest one is quite big enough. Conveniently, the smallest tank is about the right size firebox for a 35 gallon smoke chamber if I decide to make a smaller one in the future.

Hopefully this weekend I can get some strap across the top, add hinges, finish cutting out the doors, and cover the rest in strap.

When I finish cutting the doors do I need to fill with water again or once I make the first cut without blowing up am I good to go?

[k.a.m.]

Kevin, in my opinion if you were going to have problems with residuals it would have already happened. I would not worry to much about it if you have made that many cuts already.
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[Kevin in OK]

I haven't made any progress on the project, but I got a new computer so I can post pictures now. I did get a welding cart built/customized so I can move this thing around. I don't really know what else to tell you, so here are some pictures.

The white vertical tank is probably about 35 gallons, the rusty vertical is maybe 18 or 20 gallons and is the smallest of the bunch.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f267/pecanfarmer/IMG_0394.jpg

This rusty tank is 33.5 gallons and weighs a ton, and will likely be the firebox.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f267/pecanfarmer/IMG_0395.jpg
And finally the smoke chamber, I think about 65 gallons.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f267/pecanfarmer/IMG_0396.jpg

You might call this a bit of a budget operation, but I will try not to let it get in my way.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f267/pecanfarmer/IMG_0400.jpg
Hopefully I will have a real update after a while.

[SoEzzy]

Please read PMPNLT650pxOTLS!

Then read this one too!
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Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!