Propane Tanks for Cookers

[The_Kapn]

Learned something new today whilst having my small tank filled.
I know several of the Brothers are wanting to build their smoker and the steel prices are killing the projects.
Here is what I found--New 250 Gal tanks- $899 (ouch). Used 250 Gal tanks- $699 (smaller ouch). :twisted:
Then she recommended "condemed tanks".
Mid sized tanks--around 250 gal--$25. Not a typo--Twenty Five US Dollars :lol:
She said that a tank will be condemned for minor problems like a dent with a crease in it, rust that goes below the surface, bad threads in the fittings, etc. Takes almost no damage and they are condemed.
She said they had sold several for smokers. Most of them go to Farmers who cut them in half for livestock water or feed troughs.
They can not easily dispose of them, so they just charge enough to pay for the paperwork and fork lift time.
To cut them open--fill with water and cut away. They require a waiver from the buyer that explains the procedure. My welder says--YUP, that's what he does.
Now, I ain't recommending this--do your own research and make your own decision. I will just pull out the MasterCard when I am ready for something bigger :lol:
But, I can not imagine a cheaper source of quality steel for a smoke or fire chamber.

Anyone with experience doing this??????

Just FYI. I thought it was interesting.

TIM

[kcquer]

Been looking for a deal like that for 2 yrs now, can you find me some of them there condemned tanks a little further north?

[The_Kapn]

Been looking for a deal like that for 2 yrs now, can you find me some of them there condemned tanks a little further north?
Scott-
Try the old fashioned "phone call shopping" trick :wink: :wink:
Sounds like a road trip to me if you can not find one locally!
Take home a load of Primo Pecan or Primo Oak while you are at it! :lol:
Ya need to get out more anyway :lol:

Really have no idea what is going on elsewhere--just what I found here in lil ole Marianna. She indicated it was "common" to have condemed tanks. They even had a couple of new ones condemned after delivery by a (now unemployed) fork lift driver.
Safety rules are Nation wide--I find it hard to believe these condemed ones are not available within your "radius of travel".

TIM

[parrothead]

I did a cooker out of a fuel tank. Learn before you cut. I found out as much as I could, and still could have killed myself. It was fun to say the least.

$25 happens to be what I paid for my tank. Not good steel though. Turned out a bunch of geat pigs for the neighborhood though.

[Neil]

There are condemmed tanks at just about every propane dealer around up here. Stopped and checked one out in Kalamazoo (Yes there really is a Kalamazoo) the other day and he sells them for $50. Saw a picture of an offset made from a 250 gal.(chamber) and 40 gal. (fire box) propane tanks on the internet some where once.

[jt]

Been looking for a deal like that for 2 yrs now, can you find me some of them there condemned tanks a little further north?
Been working on this for ya - nothin' yet

[jt]

geat pigs
How did these turn out? :D

[Mark]

What Neil said. Maybe we should collaborate on a design? I got some ideas.

[jminion]

Every year more than one or two die cutting tanks, if your going to use a propane tank have a Pro do the cutting. Want to see you all around to cook on that cooker.
Jim

[Mark]

Here's a informative and entertaining thread on the subject

http://www.barbecuenews.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=401&whichpage=2

Is that you in it big belly?

[hrchdog]

I had a tank off a vertical compressor given to me, it's 80 gallon. Looks like it will make a decent sized cooker with a offset firebox and a vertical on the other end. Anybody ever used a compressor tank b to make a cooker?