My 100 gallon reverse flow build

boomhower · May 8, 2012

Never smoked any BBQ before, but I got inspired by a thread on another forum. Over the course of the build, I gleaned a lot of info from here while lurking. I figure I'll post the build here for you who are interested.

I wanted something small enough to fit in my small back yard in a subdivision and hopefully not upset my HOA too much, but still big enough to cook for 100 people or so.

Found a old 100 gallon air compressor tank on craigslist...

boomhower · May 8, 2012

Thought about using this old semi-tractor muffler for the chimney, but it was too rusted out on the inside...

rubbin butts · May 8, 2012

Welcome to the forum, alot of great info here and everyone is always ready to help out with info.

Air compressor tanks work well because of the thicker shell. Takes a little longer to heat up but will hold the heat much better.

Post plenty of pictures during your build.

I'll be watching this one.

boomhower · May 8, 2012

A buddy cutting off some of the brackets and inlet and outlet bungs......

boomhower · May 8, 2012

Cut off the legs and reused them to mount the tank horizontally...
Cutting the smoke chamber doors out.... (in background cutting steel for firebox)

The tank main cylindrical shell is made from 1/4" (.250") thick steel. The formed endcap "domes" where made from .287" thick steel.

Notice the tank was full of vermiculite.....

/ message attachments

boomhower · May 8, 2012

Cutout for the firebox connection......

boomhower · May 9, 2012

Firebox welded up...

Top, bottom, sides and back are made from 3/16" plate. Front "frame" of firebox is made from 3/8" x 2" wide flat stock for a little more beef around where the hinges, seal, and door latch will go...

Bought these hinges to use on all of the doors....

Firebox door welded up and installed.....

Door is made from 3/16" plate, 3/4" x 1/8" thick angle iron arouind the perimeter, and 1/4" x 1/2" flat stock for the "X" support ribs.

sunman76 · May 9, 2012

Looking good

shoneyboy · May 9, 2012

rubbin butts · May 9, 2012

Looking good, I believe you've done this before.

daveomak · May 9, 2012

Boomhower, Welcome and morning...... Nice job on the smoker.... The wheels are especially cool and inovative..... Nice design on the door framing too......

I'm in for the rest of the build..... Great photography...

....

Dave

jrod62 · May 9, 2012

Looks great so far. Will be watching for the rest of the pictures

boomhower · May 9, 2012

Milling out the holes for the inlet vent....

Vent finished and welded on....

Closed....

Open....

boomhower · May 9, 2012

Rubbin Butts said:
Looking good, I believe you've done this before.

Never built a smoker before. I have built lots of other stuff though.

DaveOmak said:
The wheels are especially cool and inovative.....

The wheels you see now are temporary, they came with the compressor tank. I left them on to make it easier to roll around the shop. This all gets mounted on a trailer. Pics coming as soon as my last post gets moderator approved.

bruno994 · May 9, 2012

Can't fool us...you may be new to smoking BBQ, but you are a pro at metal working. Looking great, can't wait to see this finished product.

boomhower · May 9, 2012

Marking the firebox for the firebox to smoke chamber connection....

Firebox cutout....

arnie · May 9, 2012

alelover · May 9, 2012

Looking good so far. Nice to have the tools for that sort of thing. Wish I had a Bridgeport.

boomhower · May 9, 2012

alelover said:
Looking good so far. Nice to have the tools for that sort of thing. Wish I had a Bridgeport.

Yes, It is nice to have tools and a shop. However, everything I have done here, I could have done in my garage with a torch, welder, angle grinder with cutoff, and some other simple tools. I've seen many smokers here built with those same tools in a driveway or backyard. Tools just make my life easier.

Also, close, but not a Bridgeport per se. It is a Clausing Kondia. Not quite as nice as a Bridgeport, but it is CNC.

daveomak · May 9, 2012

Boomhower, I have a question.... the firebox to tank cutout...... It looks like the cutout fits perfect inside the radius of the tank end..... How did you know where to cut the firebox to match the two different radii in the end of the tank ??? I'm going to assume a compass scribe technique was used.... Anyway, it looks perfect to me.....

I need to learn something today and you are my "go-to-guy" at the moment.... Dave

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