New 120 Gal Grill / Smoker on Small Trailer
- Thread starter randya
- Start date
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PROJECT COMPLETE:
Picked up the smoker from the sandblaster last Saturday and it turned out better then I was expecting. Took it home and seasoned the inside. Wanted to check out the temperature range again and I am really happy with it. Took the ranges from 190F to 360F with no trouble at all and leveled it back down to 225F using 5-lbs of charcoal and 3 small oak pieces. Please take a look at the final pictures and let me know what you think. At the end I am posting a little after action report on what I learned the hard way and what will help me on my next project which is a 250gal smoker.
Found the tank in Clearwater Fl.
Now you see why I modifiled my cherry picker.
Completed and ready for snadblasting.
Back from blasting and painted. Going through the seaoning of the inside and testing the temp control again.
225F
Added the spare tire, lights, and fenders. PROJECT COMPLETE!
AAR:
Over all, very satisfied with the project! Will hit a few bullet remarks on the do's and don’t I learned with the help from a lot of you.
1. I purchased a small trailer from Harbor Freight. NO GO
· I will build the trailer to my tank and not make the tank fit the trailer.
· Had to redo the tongue it was just to short for the 120 gal tank.
2. Smoker Ratio Calculations for Circular Firebox. GO
· Tried a small 40lb blaster myself at first, did not do the job I wanted.
· Found a local guy here in Bradenton (Hy-Pro Sandblasting – 941-713-3116).
· Owner Jody – EXCELLENT JOB for $120.00
Really had a good time building this project! Thanks again to all that viewed and help me.
Picked up the smoker from the sandblaster last Saturday and it turned out better then I was expecting. Took it home and seasoned the inside. Wanted to check out the temperature range again and I am really happy with it. Took the ranges from 190F to 360F with no trouble at all and leveled it back down to 225F using 5-lbs of charcoal and 3 small oak pieces. Please take a look at the final pictures and let me know what you think. At the end I am posting a little after action report on what I learned the hard way and what will help me on my next project which is a 250gal smoker.
Found the tank in Clearwater Fl.
Now you see why I modifiled my cherry picker.
Completed and ready for snadblasting.
Back from blasting and painted. Going through the seaoning of the inside and testing the temp control again.
225F
Added the spare tire, lights, and fenders. PROJECT COMPLETE!
AAR:
Over all, very satisfied with the project! Will hit a few bullet remarks on the do's and don’t I learned with the help from a lot of you.
1. I purchased a small trailer from Harbor Freight. NO GO
· I will build the trailer to my tank and not make the tank fit the trailer.
· Had to redo the tongue it was just to short for the 120 gal tank.
2. Smoker Ratio Calculations for Circular Firebox. GO
- With the help of calculator.
- JOK3R catching my error on the inlet location on the fire box, and BBQHEAD catching my error on the size of the heat transfer from fire box to smoker.
- This made the temperature control work out GREAT.
- Will either use my torch or rent a gas powered cut saw next time.
- Used a lot of small cut blades and just think I can do better and faster with the torch (until I get my Plasma Cutter).
· Tried a small 40lb blaster myself at first, did not do the job I wanted.
· Found a local guy here in Bradenton (Hy-Pro Sandblasting – 941-713-3116).
· Owner Jody – EXCELLENT JOB for $120.00
Really had a good time building this project! Thanks again to all that viewed and help me.
Man that thing looks awesome..There has to be something said about doing it yourself..i wish I had the ability to do something like that...Great job..Cant wait to see some pig on that thing..
rod guy
Smoke Blower
the iceman
Smoking Fanatic
Man great job! It really looks nice all prettied up!
Is anybody else with me...It seems like a person could make some contacts with all the smokin brethern in florida and make a vacation "circle tour" staying as a guest for a couple of dinners then moving on to the next person on the tour!
It would be a wlecome vaca in the middle of Dec. for us northerners to see how Q is done by the southern masters of the pits!
Come on anybody and everybody with me!
Here we come just me and a fewof my closest SMF friends!
Is anybody else with me...It seems like a person could make some contacts with all the smokin brethern in florida and make a vacation "circle tour" staying as a guest for a couple of dinners then moving on to the next person on the tour!
Here we come just me and a fewof my closest SMF friends!
Just caught this thread. When I made mine I added a valve on the underside of the smoke chamber to drain the fat out. You may want to consider adding one to your rig.
I will bein Florida from 19th trhru 31st so Im with you....Im taking all 12 kids with me so its gonna be a party...WooHoo...What we eating....
bbqhead
Smoking Fanatic
red stick bbq
StickBurners
Wow, I am impressed, I think you gave me the courage to start my 80 Gallon soon.
Can you give me some tips on how you made your hinges.
I know to cut the hinge are first and secure the hinges then cut the rest.
Also do you suggest a counterweight?
Can you give me some tips on how you made your hinges.
I know to cut the hinge are first and secure the hinges then cut the rest.
Also do you suggest a counterweight?
j0k3r-x
StickBurners
Randy that is outstanding! I wish I had your knowledge and tools! Great job and a very informative tutorial for all of us. Now get some Q on that thing and get it dirty!
Thanks SQWIB. The best way to get started is to just do it. With the help of the people on this site you will not have any problems at all.
On the counterweight, I have not used them because the size doors I cut, was not heavy enough to call for them. I have a 250 gal and it has two doors and just does not need them with their weight. I would guess when you get into the 500 gal or fabricate a 250 gal with one door, the counter weight would be needed.
On the hinges, it really comes down to what you want to use. I myself like to make them out of steel pipe and rod. I use ½” steel rod and 7/8” OD (5/16” ID). To fabricate them I cut 2ea 2” pieces from the pipe and one 4” piece of ½” steel rod.
I am now also cutting 2ea 1”x1/8” flat bar and welding the 2” piece of pipe to them (1 on one side and the same on the other). I am finding this helps aligning them better when welding to the door and smoker. After mounting and make sure all is aligned and door open freely, I weld one end of the rod to the pipe allowing the other end to row freely when opening the door.
Please reference the pictures below and contact me if I not making it clear enough. Can’t wait to see your project.
On the counterweight, I have not used them because the size doors I cut, was not heavy enough to call for them. I have a 250 gal and it has two doors and just does not need them with their weight. I would guess when you get into the 500 gal or fabricate a 250 gal with one door, the counter weight would be needed.
On the hinges, it really comes down to what you want to use. I myself like to make them out of steel pipe and rod. I use ½” steel rod and 7/8” OD (5/16” ID). To fabricate them I cut 2ea 2” pieces from the pipe and one 4” piece of ½” steel rod.
I am now also cutting 2ea 1”x1/8” flat bar and welding the 2” piece of pipe to them (1 on one side and the same on the other). I am finding this helps aligning them better when welding to the door and smoker. After mounting and make sure all is aligned and door open freely, I weld one end of the rod to the pipe allowing the other end to row freely when opening the door.
Please reference the pictures below and contact me if I not making it clear enough. Can’t wait to see your project.
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