100# cyl. too small??

[bekellog81]

I was thinking today about maybe making a smoker out of a 100 # propane cyl, and am wondering if it would be too small for a back yard smoker. I smoke lots of pork shoulder and some hams. I would think that they would be fairly heavy metal. Any other size tanks make good smokers?? Anyone done this before. Any suggestions??? Any advice is appreciated

 

[maple sticks]

It would be no more work to make one out of a 125 gal. tank and have much more room.

 

[joe black]

A 100# propane tank is not 100 gallons. A 24"x48" smoker works out to be about 94 gallons. The 125 gallon as suggested above would be 24"x64". That's a pretty big backyard smoker unless you're having a lots of parties. My 24"x48" is plenty big for me and I have cooked for 8 and 10 folks without even using all of the lower grate.

I guess bigger can be better, but if it's too large that's just a lot more fuel. That's my $0.02.

 

[maple sticks]

A 100# propane tank is not 100 gallons. A 24"x48" smoker works out to be about 94 gallons. The 125 gallon as suggested above would be 24"x64". That's a pretty big backyard smoker unless you're having a lots of parties. My 24"x48" is plenty big for me and I have cooked for 8 and 10 folks without even using all of the lower grate.

I guess bigger can be better, but if it's too large that's just a lot more fuel. That's my $0.02.

A 100# is not a 100 Gal.???  Really wow, I didn't know that. That is why I love this site the things you learn.

100# is 15 X 46 outside dia.     125 Gal. is 30 X 52

If I was going through the work of building a smoker out of a tank it would not be smaller than a 125 Gal. Which is my opinion. Which I think he was asking for.

 

[bekellog81]

Thanks for  the replys!!  I am looking for a smoker close to the size of my old Pitmaster, that is thicker steel and will not use up a lot of fuel.  I don't want to have to spend hours getting my smoker up to temp.  I understand it will take longer to get up to temp, but I want something that will hold more heat.  The most that I usually cook is a couple of pork shoulders and a ham.  I have not ran out of room on my old smoker yet.  I am just wonder if anyone has made a smoker out of a 100# tank and what the advantages and disadvantages are besides you can't smoke 10 pork butts on it.

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Take a look at some of the builds RIbwizzard has done. He has some pretty sharp small backyard smokers right in the ballpark that you are looking for.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/ne...date&order=descending&type=35&createdbyuserid[]=55772

If you want really small look at this build:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/138246/scuba-tank-mini-reverse-flow-first-build

 

[bekellog81]

Thanks for the links, this gives me some ideas. I have been thinking about using a 100# for the cc and a 20# for the fb, and putting plates in the lower half to even the heat out. Any thoughts on this?

 

[bearded butcher]

Do you have the tanks laying around already? If so then definitely go for it it. And of course we want to see the thread with pictures:biggrin:

 

[bekellog81]

Yes my buddy has several old propane cylinders laying around, probably will not start on one until after planting season,and yes planning on sharing pictures!!

 

[JckDanls 07]

If I'm not mistaking.. the FB should be 1/3 the volume of the CC... what your suggesting is only 1/5 .. hopefully somebody can verify this ...

 

[bekellog81]

I am interested to know too, I am curious about that as well

 

[gorilladeg]

Figured this would be a good spot to post this since you all are already discussing a 100Gal. propane tank for building a smoker. I picked one up from a buddy not to long ago. He was using it for his gas fireplace at his house. He said the tank is empty but I cant be completely certain. My question is how does one SAFELY remove the valve to begin the build process?