500+ gallon tank RF first build

krackers50 · Apr 18, 2015

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the great info. I am starting up my first trailer smoker build and will need some assistance.

I am from Australia and smoking meats isn't really a big thing here but I went to the USA and now have a taste for it.

So here is the newest member of the family an old gas tank which measures 1.5m (60inch) x 3m (118inches).
I bought the tank but I haven't picked it up yet. I also just bought a makita metal cutting circular saw for the job.

Just a quick question do you all insulate your FB or how thick steel do you use? 1/4 or 1/2inch?

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krackers50
Apr 18, 2015

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krackers50
Apr 18, 2015

inkjunkie · Apr 18, 2015

Will be starting a rf project sometime soon, I picked up quarter inch for the firebox

rotor head · Apr 19, 2015

Looks like it going to be a fun build good luck with it.

I used 3/8 on mine. insulating is really up to you if I lived in a place where it got cold and snowed I would insulate. From what I read during my research for my build if you lived in a warm place it wasn't needed.

inkjunkie · Apr 19, 2015

From what I have been reading insulation is a good idea no matter where you are. The insulation helps put the heat into the cook chamber....instead of the atmosphere.

rotor head · Apr 19, 2015

I see what your saying. I just undersood that in a hot area you will use less fuel anyways you don't have to keep feeding it fuel to over come the cold.

gary s · Apr 21, 2015

Be looking forward to watching your build. I use 1/4 " works quite well. Check out Dave Omak's pit calculator it is better that Feldon's for RF's I have one but still putting the finishing on it to make it user friendly.

Gary

krackers50 · Nov 14, 2016

Hey Guys,

Sorry a lot has gone on between when i bought my gas tank to trying to build my smoker. I finished off the trailer a couple of months ago but haven't started on the tank yet. Have a look at the trailer and let me know what you think.

By the way i am a amateur at welding so no judgement :)

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Don't worry about the gold paint i will do the whole thing in black once all the welding is finished as it's the only paint i had.

krackers50 · Nov 14, 2016

Here is a picture of me picking up the tank with my new trailer on it's first ride. I still have to sort out the wiring a bit better but i don't want to do that until i have welded the tank on.

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krackers50 · Nov 14, 2016

I got the tank off the trailer and it's been sitting open for a couple of months. I opened up all the ports and got ride of all the left over gas and all the smelly sludge. I have filled it up with water and drained it - so there should be no more gas left in it.

The tank is 2200 litres (581 gallons).

My next step is cutting the doors and welding the hinges so i can burn it all out.

i have done a bit of reading and correct me if i am wrong.

Step 1 - mark all the doors up in tape as a guild line

2 - cut the top of the door

3 - weld a hinge above the cut line, taking into account i will have a steel strip with fire rope underneath to seal the doors.

4 - once hinge is welded on cut the rest of the door

My real question is at this stage - how big should i make the doors?

I was thinking probably having 2 doors instead of 3 as it's a lot more work.

Can you please tell me what size doors do people recommend? I think width wise it will be easy as i will cut 2 inch from the weld seam and piece in the middle about 20 cm (7 inches). Really i just need to know how high and do i need to cut?

I was thinking maybe cutting not directly at the top of the tank but maybe 7 inches below and the bottom cut until it hits the half way point?

smokin peachey · Nov 14, 2016

If you search this form for 500 gallon tank builds you should find lots of info.
When I built mine I made two doors that overlap so there is one big opening.

ahumadora · Nov 15, 2016

How many racks are you going to stuff in that monster?

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ahumadora
Nov 13, 2016

I just finished a 500 Gallon and cut it about 220 mm from 12 o'clock and 80 mm below 3 o'clock.

Left a 4" gap in the center. I am running 3 racks in there though.

I don't need a counter weight on the doors.

Can you get a video of cutting the doors with a a circular saw. I want to watch the part where the blade gets jammed. ;)

Failing that use a 9" grinder with 1/8" cutt off wheel if you don't have a plasma cutter.

krackers50 · Nov 15, 2016

I made some hinges last night after work. (Sorry neighbors). I did the sketch on photoshop, printed it , then cut them out using band saw, grinder and handheld cold saw.

The hinges will need a bit of work to make them sit well before i weld them. Probably need to cut an arv at the bottom which with mirror the tank.

I'll try and cut the doors with the cold saw. I have a plasma cutter but I think mine has always struggled to work well so I don't use it much.

Thanks for the advise on the doors. I'll go with your measurements and see how I go.

The tank is at a mates farm so I want to cut the doors out before he has a big bonfire where I can put the tank on top of. Should I be carful of excess heat bending the tank? I mean this will be a huge bonfire.

I think it might be wise to just use some of the wood to burn the inside and slightly around it. Thought?

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ahumadora · Nov 16, 2016

Don't get too carried away and heat your tank until it warps.

I find once the doors are cut out and tank is open for a few days most of the smell goes.

Usually I run the temp to 400F or so on the first run to see if anything warps and clean out any smell.

krackers50 · Nov 20, 2016

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krackers50 · Nov 20, 2016

Doors almost cut but hinges are welded on and installed. And yes the cold saw jammed the saw blade like no tomorrow :)

ahumadora · Nov 21, 2016

krackers50 said:
Doors almost cut but hinges are welded on and installed. And yes the cold saw jammed the saw blade like no tomorrow :)

Yeah, this ain't my first rodeo with a steel horse! Been there done that ;)

Don't go gettin all carried away welding the flange solid to the door. Do as Dave O suggest and every 4 " notch the door a little with the grinder. Clamp your flange onto the door and put a small weld where the notch is on the INSIDE. After you are done touch it with the grinder to remove anything sticking up on the weld. You will have a clean looking door seal for not much extra work.

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