Vertical 250 gallon smoker

brokedana35

Newbie

Original poster

Jan 10, 2012

25

10

Tuscaloosa Alabama

• Jan 10, 2012

• #1

Hello smokers,

I am new to smoking (other than the BBQ low temp stuff) and I started a build that may be out of my league. I had a 250 gallon propane tank that I cut the ends off to make a chimania. Well the center tube section was sitting around just calling me...smoker smoker smoker. So I came up with a plan to cut doors in it, shelves etc.

So far this is what I have.

 

scarbelly

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

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Jul 26, 2009

14,315

73

• Jan 10, 2012

• #2

Looks like a great start - keep en coming 

 

adiochiro3

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Apr 19, 2010

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Bay Area, CA

• Jan 10, 2012

• #3

WOW!  

 

frosty

Master of the Pit

Oct 25, 2011

1,666

32

Houston, Texas, USA

• Jan 10, 2012

• #4

Well, it looks good so far, I think it will be great!  NO problems that I can see so far.

Keep up the good work.

 

brokedana35

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 10, 2012

25

10

Tuscaloosa Alabama

• Jan 10, 2012

• #5

Some folks are telling me I would never be able to keep it warm with charcoal. I have plenty of hard wood available but felt like that would keep me tending the fire all day. Any thoughs?

 

solaryellow

Master of the Pit

SMF Premier Member

Jul 26, 2009

2,893

63

Orlando, FL

• Jan 10, 2012

• #6

Why do you think charcoal won't work?

Nice Heep btw.

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2012

brokedana35

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 10, 2012

25

10

Tuscaloosa Alabama

• Jan 10, 2012

• #7

I think it WILL work. Some of my naysayer buddies are thinking it is too much metal to warm up. I say.." I don't care if it takes a cord of wood to cook a rack of ribs."

Actually I do. I really want it to work. I plan on having lots and lots of adjustments to tune it up and make it work.

 

brokedana35

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 10, 2012

25

10

Tuscaloosa Alabama

• Jan 11, 2012

• #8

Did a little more work on the smoker. I am trying to set up a pizza box between the firebox and the smoke box. It will be part of a baffle for the smoke and heat to go around. The heat will be forced to go around the box before entering into the smoke box through adjustable slots.

I am hoping to get enough heat in the middle smoke free box to actualy cook a pizza.

  I have no experiance that tells me I can get the box up around 350 deg.   If not it would be a good spot to cook beens or keep something worm.

Any way, here are some pics!

 

dragons breath

Meat Mopper

Oct 8, 2011

274

13

Stockton, Cal.

• Jan 11, 2012

• #9

Looks like you have some good ideas going on. I'm going to enjoy watching this build.

 

sprky

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Jun 26, 2007

2,932

41

Hutchinson Kansas

• Jan 12, 2012

• #10

 so far cant wait for more.

 I like a good build

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2012

JckDanls 07

Legendary Pitmaster

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Sep 10, 2011

8,017

2,651

Tampa area, Florida.

• Jan 12, 2012

• #11

This is great.. but whats the pipe in the center hole for ?

 

brokedana35

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 10, 2012

25

10

Tuscaloosa Alabama

• Jan 12, 2012

• #12

Had some time to fab up some sliding shelves. Yikes!...another 60 lbs

. Please someone tell me this thing can't be too heavy.

 

brokedana35

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 10, 2012

25

10

Tuscaloosa Alabama

• Jan 12, 2012

• #13

The center pipe vents the fire box striaght to the top. It will have a flap on the top of the stack that I can adjust or close off. I thought it would give me a little more adjustment on temp, especially trying to cook pizza.

  I probably would have it open durring start up.

. OK OK that is a hard question for a newbee, I think it was more just because I had a piece of 4" pipe laying around 

 

sunman76

Master of the Pit

Feb 18, 2011

1,421

20

Duncan Oklahoma

• Jan 12, 2012

• #14

cool build cant wait to see how the pizza oven part works, as I have been thinking about how to incorp one onto my RF

 

brokedana35

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 10, 2012

25

10

Tuscaloosa Alabama

• Jan 12, 2012

• #15

sunman76,

That is a really nice trailer build! Makes me feel better about all the 1/4" plate I have. It is looking like this thing is going to be 700 lbs.

I have a ton of newbee questions..

.

How long does it take to get to temp?

Is it practical to smoke only 2 or 3 racks of ribs?

Do you think my setup will be practical for 2 or 3 ribs racks and a bag of charcoal?

Do you burn just wood?  I thought I would try it.  It is free and I have plenty of it.

 

roller

Smoking Guru

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Mar 10, 2010

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57

N.E. Louisiana

• Jan 12, 2012

• #16

Looks real good so far..Its gonna be different and I like different...

 

sunman76

Master of the Pit

Feb 18, 2011

1,421

20

Duncan Oklahoma

• Jan 12, 2012

• #17

brokedana35 said:

sunman76,

That is a really nice trailer build!  (THANK YOU)  Makes me feel better about all the 1/4" plate I have. It is looking like this thing is going to be 700 lbs.

I have a ton of newbee questions..

.

How long does it take to get to temp? I built a crappy propane burner I crank on to light my wood and during Christmas setting out at 40 degrees

                                                       it took me almost a hour to get it up to temp and even out with some TBS. 

                                                       SQUIB has some really good plans for a propane burner.

                                                       I like having the burner because you can just use it with a stick of wood by to make some smoke

                                                       if you dont want to be just a stick burner..lol

Is it practical to smoke only 2 or 3 racks of ribs?  Heck yea I look for any reason to light up....  practical just have to add some ABT'S

 

Do you think my setup will be practical for 2 or 3 ribs racks and a bag of charcoal? I think once she is up to temp you could use the minon method.

Do you burn just wood? wood and propane  I thought I would try it.  It is free and I have plenty of it. I like to use wood, just because most of the time

my son likes to cook with me when we smoke.  There is something about kicking back and stoking the fire here and there just hanging out!

Click to expand...

 

alelover

Master of the Pit

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Jul 9, 2010

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Concord, NC, near Mt. Pleasant, 2 houses past the

• Jan 12, 2012

• #18

I like it. Can't wait to see how that pizza oven idea works out. It looks like it will.

 

brokedana35

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 10, 2012

25

10

Tuscaloosa Alabama

• Jan 12, 2012

• #19

Thanks sunman76!

I had to look up the acronym list. I love jalepenos. Can't wait to try that! Maybe using the minion method (I had to looked that up too).

I guess I have a BWS that some may call an UDS. But to me, it will be the CATSASS. You guys are great!

 

JckDanls 07

Legendary Pitmaster

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Sep 10, 2011

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Tampa area, Florida.

• Jan 12, 2012

• #20

brokedana35 said:

The center pipe vents the fire box striaght to the top. It will have a flap on the top of the stack that I can adjust or close off. I thought it would give me a little more adjustment on temp, especially trying to cook pizza.

  I probably would have it open durring start up.:33: . OK OK that is a hard question for a newbee, I think it was more just because I had a piece of 4" pipe laying around :biggrin:

Click to expand...

Not so sure I would vent straight from fire box out of the smoker.. Isn't the reason for a fire box to heat the smoker, not the outdoors ? You would use your intake vent to control the heat. Don't know tho, just my thinking... A pro builder will be along soon and have some input..