120 Gal RF build. First build advise welcome.

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regularjoe

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Jan 22, 2011
84
11
I have been a member for a while now and have done lots of research on RF smokers. I got a 120 gal tank out of storage that I got from work and it measures 24x64. My neighbor got me 3/16in steel plate from where he works. I have 6pcs 2'x2' that I will make my fire box out of. It gives me 143% size differential. I have a 2ft x 4ft to cut down for the RF plate and 2ftx4ft expanded medal for cooking rack.  I put all the info in Feldons pit calculator and it gave me a 16.78in opening fire box to cooker. I am not sure how deep to set the fire box in though. Also how much of a opening I need where the RF plate ends and the other end of tank. I was trying to go off this build a bit because of the similar sized tanks.I was using a lot of the sizes and info from this build.  http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/121415/my-100-gallon-reverse-flow-build/60 I have been smoking on a Webber 22.5 kettle and really need something bigger. I think I will buy an trailer to mount this to. I will post pics as I build it but I think it will be a slow build. All advise is welcome.


 
Remeasured my tank. The rolled steel area is 54in and each end cap is 6.5 to the peak. This will change my numbers a bit but not too much. I also am a bit confused on the chimney placement. How far to place into the smoke chamber. I was just told that I may want to consider stainless for the cooking grate instead of regular steel. I did some research and see some are using regular but season it well. If I regular steel I may change the design to have removable racks in case they need taken out to be cleaned or replaced.
 
Jason, afternoon.....  Removable racks are easier to clean, and an upper rack can be removed for more space for turkeys or larger hunks of meat...  

This is not a real good pic but....  the cook chamber has 3 lines in lt.... bottom is the RF plate and the upper 2 are cooking racks...   the plenum on the end provides smooth air flow to the exhaust pipe....  placement is usually around the lower cook rack so the upper portion of the CC maintains heat...  

If I totally confused you.....  TOUGH!!!!    Suck it up.....   LOL  .....    Hey I'm here anytime to help....    Enjoy your build....   I love watching a great smoker come together....   

Dave

 
 
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Thanks Dave. I like the idea for the second rack on top that can be removed if needed. I will draw something up and post it so and get some opinions on it.
 
Looks like that tank might be galvanized.  Has it been hashed out here if Galvanized steel is OK for use as a CC or not? 

Other sources seem the say it's not worth the risk of zinc poisoning if it is.     Sorry to cause alarm but I'd hate for anyone to get sick if that's the case.
 
Thanks. I think k this is going to take me longer than I thought. I sure seem to have trouble making time to work on it. Some good news though, my neighbor is a farmer and he gave me a free beef brisket 10 lb said he will provide meat but I need to smoke and give half back. He loved it and said he has 9 more. Seems like a good deal to me. He also said I can have this old trailer my new build. He is taking the top off and giving me the frame. It is solid and will work great. I have a few different ideas but will run it across a friend who builds trailers to be sure it is safe and will work.
How can I tell if it is galvanized? It is painted gray and rusted where the paint chipped. I thought galvanized did not rust easy?
 
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Sounds good David. I went down and scraped some paint off and it does not have the multi color look and I just talked to the neighbor who works with steel and he said he really don't think it is galvanized but we will torch it to be sure. Thanks.
 
GRRRRRR.... I am researching for a 120 gallon build.. this is the exact same size as my tank ... was hoping to see more info on the build ... hopefully the OP is still active here (3 weeks since last visit)... Is it done ? how's it work ? what would you do different , if anything ?? Looking at Dave's drawings, the bottom one with all the measurements are for a different size tank ...
 
I'm trying to get started with a 120 also and hoped to get something out of this.  Also PM'd a member who had offered  sketch-up drawings if his build but have not heard back.  I hope to get some drawings so i can use them to learn sketch-up and modify the plans as appropriate to my situation.

Saw  (somewhere) suggestions on the arc for cutting the door/s.  I see to recall the suggestion to stop short of top-dead-center (about 11 o'clock or so, to hold heat in).  I'd assume you would start about 8-9 o'clock. 

Dave, if you are listening, is there a recommended arc?

Jerry
 
 
I'm trying to get started with a 120 also and hoped to get something out of this.  Also PM'd a member who had offered  sketch-up drawings if his build but have not heard back.  I hope to get some drawings so i can use them to learn sketch-up and modify the plans as appropriate to my situation.

Saw  (somewhere) suggestions on the arc for cutting the door/s.  I see to recall the suggestion to stop short of top-dead-center (about 11 o'clock or so, to hold heat in).  I'd assume you would start about 8-9 o'clock. 

Dave, if you are listening, is there a recommended arc?

Jerry
Jerry, evening   start a new thread on your build...    we will go from there......  start it in Reverse flow smokers....
 
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