used air tank pipe [Archive] - The BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS.

jt

07-21-2005, 09:26 AM

Anybody ever used one of these (or heard of it) as the pipe for a smoker? Had to leave an auction for a meeting and missed the sale of what looked like a 20 or 24x40 tank from a big air compressor. Found out later it went for $12.50.

These go through the auction from time to time. Just wondering if I should pick one up for 'future use'. Could always use it as an air tank until then.

Kevin

07-21-2005, 10:42 AM

Don't know why it wouldn't work. Just clean it out good. The reason you see these come around is, that according to our insurance inspector, any tank for compressed air that is over 25 years old has to be recertified for use and stamped by a licensed certifier as such. Don't know if that's a state or federal law or regulation, or just our insurance company.

Kevin

Trout_man22

07-21-2005, 11:20 AM

Federal Law (OSHA) and of all things DOT keeps air tanks off public roads if they are not certified. Go figure.

jt

07-21-2005, 11:48 AM

I really regret missing it. Don't know how thick it was but for sure thicker than the Bandera.

chad

07-21-2005, 01:55 PM

It'd sure be safer to convert than a propane tank! Cut it open, sand blast, and go to work.

kcquer

07-21-2005, 02:32 PM

jt, the one drawback to a used air tank it the unknown condition of the inside of the tank. They end up holding a lot of water and long before they're decertified a lot of improperly maintained tanks end up rusting thru the bottom.
A few raps with a hammer along the bottom should tell you if there's enough metal left to be worth the effort of dragging it home or not.

tommykendall

07-21-2005, 02:33 PM

Great price if it was local. Shipping might run some $$

Kevin

07-21-2005, 06:34 PM

Great price if it was local. Shipping might run some $$

Exactly. TK took 10 words to describe what I was trying to say. These things are available if you're Johny on the spot. Can't ship economicaly (cheap) or legaly (as Trout pointed out) in most circumstances.

OK my spellin is for chit, but you get my drift.

Kevin

jt

07-22-2005, 06:14 AM

No, I wouldn't try to ship one. I was there with my truck so shipping would not have been a problem. Just wasn't there when the tank went through.

tommykendall

07-22-2005, 07:41 AM

No, I wouldn't try to ship one. I was there with my truck so shipping would not have been a problem.

Well - you just plain ol farked up then JT 8)

Hoorenga

07-22-2005, 04:05 PM

jt, the one drawback to a used air tank it the unknown condition of the inside of the tank. They end up holding a lot of water and long before they're decertified a lot of improperly maintained tanks end up rusting thru the bottom.
A few raps with a hammer along the bottom should tell you if there's enough metal left to be worth the effort of dragging it home or not.

I second that. The moisture from the compressed air settles to the bottom of the tank. That's why there is a little petcock (insert joke) on the bottom for releasing the built up water. You can have a tank that looks perfect from the outside but it can be rusted out on the inside. Tapping the bottom with a hammer will hopefully find any weak spots.

1MoreFord

07-26-2005, 08:15 PM

Don't forget, there will be some oil residue in the bottom of the tank too. Gonna have to get it outa there also!

spencersx2

07-31-2005, 03:13 PM

I just got through building a reverse flow smoker out of an 80 gal air tank. It is 3/8 of an inch thick. It did have some compressor oil and rust in it, but it wasn't nothing a sand blaster couldn't get out.

Jorge

07-31-2005, 04:07 PM

I just got through building a reverse flow smoker out of an 80 gal air tank. It is 3/8 of an inch thick. It did have some compressor oil and rust in it, but it wasn't nothing a sand blaster couldn't get out.

Welcome Spencer! Head on over to Cattle Call and tell us a little bit about yourself :D

Brauma

07-31-2005, 07:42 PM

2 Newbies that have my attention. Welcome Spencer from Va Beach. Give us a quick bio in Cattle Call so we can welcome you officially.

And 1MoreFord has done a Bandera mod that I want to do: adding a horizontal chamber.

Welcome Bros

Brauma

07-31-2005, 07:46 PM

Or did you add a Bandera vertical chamber on the end of a Chargriller? Either way, thats awesome. How does it work?

thillin

07-31-2005, 08:56 PM

Or did you add a Bandera vertical chamber on the end of a Chargriller? Either way, thats awesome. How does it work?

If I recall, he added the vertical to a Longhorn.

Ty