The gas pig roaster I made for a buddy is back from the sand blaster waiting for him to paint it this weekend, so I decided to start a 120 gallon wood fired one, the section cut out of the bottom of the tank becomes the heat deflector/water pan, I've made quite a few bottom feed smokers,and the temps are vey even throughout, draft control isn't a problem as they draft like a vertical smoker, and stack height isn't a major factor in the construction, I build the cubic inch firebox for a offset, it's just on the bottom. I've had a broken leg since sept, but it's now in a aircast, so I can't do the day job, so I'm building a few smokers to keep from getting Cabin Fever. Tuesday I cut the tank and added the firebox flange on the bottom, yesterday I built the firebox and capped the ends of the tank,and put in the charcoal/wood grate tracks, today I'll add the legs and wheels,so I can take it off the build stand, I build my smokers upside down so all welding is easier, then set it on it's own wheels to add the cook door and grate tracks. This firebox will have side opening "Barn Doors' the firebox open on the opposite side of the smoker from the prep shelf and cook door.
Mike
Mike