Hi guys. I have not been an active participant here but am a constant follower of the fun threads and not too bad with a rack of ribs.
I am considering tossing out my first build (a tiny box good for a couple of pounds of meat) and trying out my luck with a new one, slightly lager. I have two tanks sitting around which include: for Smoke chamber a 24" long x 24" dia. water pressure tank and for Fire Box a (skinny but long) 14"x38" gas tank. Each appears to be at least 1/4 steel. I would appreciate any thoughts you may have on my questions or anything else:
1. PLACEMENT: One possibility is to sit both tanks horizontal, the firebox parallel to the smoke chamber, behind and low. Because its long and skinny the FB would stick out quite a bit on both sides of the smoke chamber. Any suggestions on placement? Should I do a vertical setup (the firebox horizontal; smokehouse vertical on top)?
2. HEAT: Should I insulate my firebox from the onset, any experience with this type of tanks?
3. SIZE: Is the proposed Smoke Chamber too fat to hold steady temperature and/or smoke, as its basically square? Also, remember the FB is about half the diameter, this might be inefficient for getting the temp up? Maybe this should have to be a reverse flow?
Thanks in advance for your feedback. Will post pics once I get started.
I am considering tossing out my first build (a tiny box good for a couple of pounds of meat) and trying out my luck with a new one, slightly lager. I have two tanks sitting around which include: for Smoke chamber a 24" long x 24" dia. water pressure tank and for Fire Box a (skinny but long) 14"x38" gas tank. Each appears to be at least 1/4 steel. I would appreciate any thoughts you may have on my questions or anything else:
1. PLACEMENT: One possibility is to sit both tanks horizontal, the firebox parallel to the smoke chamber, behind and low. Because its long and skinny the FB would stick out quite a bit on both sides of the smoke chamber. Any suggestions on placement? Should I do a vertical setup (the firebox horizontal; smokehouse vertical on top)?
2. HEAT: Should I insulate my firebox from the onset, any experience with this type of tanks?
3. SIZE: Is the proposed Smoke Chamber too fat to hold steady temperature and/or smoke, as its basically square? Also, remember the FB is about half the diameter, this might be inefficient for getting the temp up? Maybe this should have to be a reverse flow?
Thanks in advance for your feedback. Will post pics once I get started.