OK Please help! (new smoker build)

gkyork · 01-15-2013, 07:09 AM

Hi Ya'll, I am lookin for some guidance on building my first smoker. I have a tank from a water heater(30 gal lowboy) for the firebox. My main question is, what to use for a cooking chamber? I am on a fixed income, so finding something from salvage would be ideal, but what to look for? I have some old residential refrigerators, but a welder friend of mine says the metal may not hold up to the heat. Currently, buying enough 1/4 inch steel to build a cook chamber is financially not possible. I want this thing to last a while. Any ideas/ suggestions welcome!

Hawg Father of Seoul · 01-15-2013, 07:55 AM

Boiler tank would work. Old air tank. We use propane tanks, but find some one who has cut one before if you do that. Heating oil tank, same warning applys.

Phrasty · 01-15-2013, 08:54 AM

Look at the 120gal build in my sig. That's a propane tank and it worked out perfect. just make sure you go through the necessary precautions b4 cutting into it.

Cheers

Muscrat · 01-15-2013, 09:03 AM

Depending on how much you want to cook at one time I would say a uds would be the way to go if money is an issue. I have 2 of them and they work great. If you were close to me I'd just donate to ya.

cedstevo · 01-15-2013, 09:24 AM

We used a 500 gal propane tank for our build. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1358263426.428068.jpg

Free from a local gas company.!

Hawg Father of Seoul · 01-15-2013, 12:20 PM

Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but that is not 500 gallons. What are the dimensions?

+1 build a UDS until you find another tank,

Derrick D · 01-15-2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg Father of Seoul

Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but that is not 500 gallons. What are the dimensions?

+1 build a UDS until you find another tank,

Looks like a 250 to me. I have a 500 now and just sold a 250 if that was a five it would have to have 3 doors that size or 2 big doors.I don't build or anything but just from looks that my 2 cents.

DownHomeQue · 01-15-2013, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derrick D

Looks like a 250 to me. I have a 500 now and just sold a 250 if that was a five it would have to have 3 doors that size or 2 big doors.I don't build or anything but just from looks that my 2 cents.

2nd that is def a 250 or smaller in the pic... still a nice looking Rig!

Hawg Father of Seoul · 01-15-2013, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownHomeQue

2nd that is def a 250 or smaller in the pic... still a nice looking Rig!

Yes, it looks very nice. Nice big firebox.

dkryzer · 01-15-2013, 06:35 PM

Here is the 300 gallon I'm in the process of building.

gkyork · 01-18-2013, 12:41 PM

Ok Ya'll
A UDS it will be. But I don't particularly want a vertical smoker... What are the Brethren's thoughts on cutting the drum to use horizontally? Cut in half? A 1/4 cut? Which is going to be the most sturdy build? (Based on an online calculator http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html is the link) My 30 gallon fire box will be perfect for a 55 gallon UDS Thoughts, suggestions? Thanks!

DownHomeQue · 01-18-2013, 02:27 PM

Cut a door in her similiar to what is on the 300 gallon cooker pick.. and cut a whole in the bottom end.. attach your firebox.. Throw on some paint.. and season the inside.. and get to QUING!!!

DownHomeQue · 01-18-2013, 02:27 PM

yea.. your going to want a drain... also...

gkyork · 01-18-2013, 03:30 PM

Ok Any ideas on finding a drum? There is a local petroleum distributor here, but they say nay because of the EPA regs. There is also a cookie bakery here but haven't got a clue who to ask for the barrel(BOO)

J-Rod · 01-18-2013, 03:49 PM

So you say you are going to build a UDS, but don't want it vertical. Can I ask why? A UDS is in fact an Upright Drum Smoker, and they run circles around horizontal drum smokers-not the huge and thick tank smokers, but ones made from a drum. Reason is, the drums are just too thin to hold heat with an offset firebox type setup, they leak, and you will play hell trying to keep a fire going consistently let alone maintain temp. Ask me how I know this. The only way I can describe trying to cook Q with an offset is like running a steam locomotive. You know the filthy guy shoveling coal into the firebox? That will be YOU! Build a proper UDS(vertical) and you'll spend a lot less time playing Coal Tender and more time enjoying beers and later, good Q. Not trying to be harsh, just saying I think you'll get the most bang for your buck with a true UDS, and it's worlds easier to run especially if you are new to it all.

My 2c.

01-15-2013, 07:09 AM	#1
gkyork Found some matches. Join Date: 01-14-13 Location: Hephzibah Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	OK Please help! (new smoker build) Hi Ya'll, I am lookin for some guidance on building my first smoker. I have a tank from a water heater(30 gal lowboy) for the firebox. My main question is, what to use for a cooking chamber? I am on a fixed income, so finding something from salvage would be ideal, but what to look for? I have some old residential refrigerators, but a welder friend of mine says the metal may not hold up to the heat. Currently, buying enough 1/4 inch steel to build a cook chamber is financially not possible. I want this thing to last a while. Any ideas/ suggestions welcome!

01-15-2013, 08:54 AM	#3
Phrasty Babbling Farker Join Date: 01-19-08 Location: Jamaica Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Look at the 120gal build in my sig. That's a propane tank and it worked out perfect. just make sure you go through the necessary precautions b4 cutting into it. Cheers __________________ 1 - 100 lb. self-made cylinder grill/smoker 1 - 100 lb. self-made cylinder smoker 1 - 20 gal. self-made grill/smoker 1 - 25 gal. self-made vertical smoker 1 - 120 gal. self-made trailer stick-burner http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=88599

01-15-2013, 09:03 AM	#4
Muscrat Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-15-10 Location: Tuscola Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Depending on how much you want to cook at one time I would say a uds would be the way to go if money is an issue. I have 2 of them and they work great. If you were close to me I'd just donate to ya. __________________ Its Si-intistic, Jack! Comp smoker on wheels for sale!

01-18-2013, 12:41 PM	#11
gkyork Found some matches. Join Date: 01-14-13 Location: Hephzibah Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	OK good info, now- some UDS guidance Ok Ya'll A UDS it will be. But I don't particularly want a vertical smoker... What are the Brethren's thoughts on cutting the drum to use horizontally? Cut in half? A 1/4 cut? Which is going to be the most sturdy build? (Based on an online calculator http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html is the link) My 30 gallon fire box will be perfect for a 55 gallon UDS Thoughts, suggestions? Thanks!

01-18-2013, 03:49 PM	#15
J-Rod is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-15-12 Location: Detroit Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	So you say you are going to build a UDS, but don't want it vertical. Can I ask why? A UDS is in fact an Upright Drum Smoker, and they run circles around horizontal drum smokers-not the huge and thick tank smokers, but ones made from a drum. Reason is, the drums are just too thin to hold heat with an offset firebox type setup, they leak, and you will play hell trying to keep a fire going consistently let alone maintain temp. Ask me how I know this. The only way I can describe trying to cook Q with an offset is like running a steam locomotive. You know the filthy guy shoveling coal into the firebox? That will be YOU! Build a proper UDS(vertical) and you'll spend a lot less time playing Coal Tender and more time enjoying beers and later, good Q. Not trying to be harsh, just saying I think you'll get the most bang for your buck with a true UDS, and it's worlds easier to run especially if you are new to it all. My 2c. __________________ "Hey careful man there's a beverage here!!!"

01-15-2013, 07:55 AM	#2
Hawg Father of Seoul is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-14-10 Location: Rogers, AR Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Boiler tank would work. Old air tank. We use propane tanks, but find some one who has cut one before if you do that. Heating oil tank, same warning applys.

01-15-2013, 09:24 AM	#5
cedstevo Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 01-21-08 Location: inman Sc Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We used a 500 gal propane tank for our build. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1358263426.428068.jpg Free from a local gas company.!

01-15-2013, 12:20 PM	#6
Hawg Father of Seoul is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-14-10 Location: Rogers, AR Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but that is not 500 gallons. What are the dimensions? +1 build a UDS until you find another tank,

01-18-2013, 02:27 PM	#12
DownHomeQue Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-11-12 Location: Jonesboro. AR Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Cut a door in her similiar to what is on the 300 gallon cooker pick.. and cut a whole in the bottom end.. attach your firebox.. Throw on some paint.. and season the inside.. and get to QUING!!!

01-18-2013, 03:30 PM	#14
gkyork Found some matches. Join Date: 01-14-13 Location: Hephzibah Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Ok Any ideas on finding a drum? There is a local petroleum distributor here, but they say nay because of the EPA regs. There is also a cookie bakery here but haven't got a clue who to ask for the barrel(BOO)