(2) 500 gal propane tank smoker build. Franklin style.

[rstroup10]

I have been designing and dreaming if this smoker build for the past few months. I have done a lot of research on trailer building and smoker building. I have finally gotten a chance to start this build.

I got (2) 500 gallon propane tanks and a 330 gallon propane tank for a really good deal (free) I purged all of the tanks with water and cut the 330 in half for two fire boxes. The 500 gallons have had the doors laid out and initial cuts in them so that I could drain the water. I aquired my steel for the trailer from a local steel yard. $283 worth. 4 pieces of 4" channel 20' long for frame and cross members and a piece of 2x3 angle for cross members. Here is my progress so far. My hinges are somewhat unique I started out bending my bar stock to try to make the hinges but then remember that I had some pretty unique chain the I salvaged from my grandpas farm.
My initial design. The trailer is now 2' longer. The trailer frame will now imcompass the firebox as well. And the storage up front will be extended by 2'

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• rstroup10
• Oct 28, 2016

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• rstroup10
• Jan 15, 2017

These are the tanks I am starting with.

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• rstroup10
• Oct 28, 2016

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• rstroup10
• Oct 28, 2016

The 330 cut in half for the fire boxes.

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• rstroup10
• Oct 28, 2016

The hinges have been welded to the doors and I will be ready to finish cutting the doors and burn out the first tank. It has been another fun learning experience so far.

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• rstroup10
• Oct 28, 2016

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• rstroup10
• Oct 28, 2016

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• rstroup10
• Oct 28, 2016

Like I said this is a learning experience. I have built a small smoker that I call my prototype but man it is a different game when you have bigger material. Here is the link to my first build.
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/246156/first-smoker-build-130lb-propane-tank

 

[hardcookin]

Nice start Thumbs Up

 

[SmokinAl]

Looks like a great start!

Al

 

[rstroup10]

Thanks hardcookin and SmokinAl

I burned out one of the 500 gallon tanks this weekend. I found out my hinges need a little bit more structural integrity but hopefully that will be an easy fix.

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• rstroup10
• Oct 31, 2016

 

[socalcooker]

Cool build but I've got to say something since no one else will. Building a smoker with your welding skills is one thing but a trailer that will be pulled on the highway is another thing all together. Are you welding the trailer yourself or having a pro weld that? What kind of welder are you using? Check out weldingtipsandtricks on YouTube. Very good source for seeing what a weld and puddle is supposed to look like. There's others on there as well. Just seeing videos of what welding should look like behind the hood helps a lot. Not trying to be an a-hole, but if your going to build something that's going to be on the road it needs to be solid and not come apart.

Kyle

 

[rstroup10]

Cool build but I've got to say something since no one else will. Building a smoker with your welding skills is one thing but a trailer that will be pulled on the highway is another thing all together. Are you welding the trailer yourself or having a pro weld that? What kind of welder are you using? Check out weldingtipsandtricks on YouTube. Very good source for seeing what a weld and puddle is supposed to look like. There's others on there as well. Just seeing videos of what welding should look like behind the hood helps a lot. Not trying to be an a-hole, but if your going to build something that's going to be on the road it needs to be solid and not come apart.

Kyle

You are exactly right socalcooker I dont think you are being an a-hole. Let me start off by saying I would never pull something that I felt was unsafe for the roadway. That being said my neighbor Welds for a living and has offered to help me with building the trailer. He will let me use his Lincoln mig welder (240 volt). I have an old craftsman stick welder that is 240 volt and hasn't more than enough amps for good penetration. I have watched many YouTube videos on welding but more importantly have done a lot of practicing and I have a pretty good understanding of welding. As far the trailer design and strength go I talked to a trailer manufacturer and he gave me some good advice.

 

[socalcooker]

Awesome I'm glad your realistic about it. I've seen some trailers and cars with questionable fabrication and welding.

 

[smokin peachey]

Looks like you are off to a good start. Keep us updated with pictures.

 

[rstroup10]

I haven't had a chance to work on the smokers lately. I have been busy with some projects around the house. I wasn't thinking about my calculations from Feldon's calculator I came up with a volume for my chimney of 2102.84 cu.in. I plan on using two 6" square pieces of tubing 36" long for my chimney. Volume wise this is a little more than 5% of the volume of the fire box. Will this work or should the tubing be a little longer to accommodate for the added friction of having two chimney pipes? I have plenty of the 6" tubing so maybe just a single piece that is a a little shorter than 5' will work?
Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[wvuarmyeng]

I called a local place that refurbishes tanks. THey want $0.75 a gallon for scrap tanks. I was just wondering what y'all get them for

 

[rstroup10]

I called a local place that refurbishes tanks. THey want $0.75 a gallon for scrap tanks. I was just wondering what y'all get them for

Mine were free. But I did call around before I came across these and I was told $50-$60 for 500 gallon tanks. When you call make sure you say you want decommissioned tanks. They shouldn't charge more than they would get for scrap. A 500 gal is about 900 lb so scrap where I am is around $.06/ lb. so that is $54 for a 500 gallon tank.

 

[wvuarmyeng]

Mine were free. But I did call around before I came across these and I was told $50-$60 for 500 gallon tanks. When you call make sure you say you want decommissioned tanks. They shouldn't charge more than they would get for scrap. A 500 gal is about 900 lb so scrap where I am is around $.06/ lb. so that is $54 for a 500 gallon tank.

thanks for that info. they did say scrap tanks.  so at their price im lookin at 375 for a 500 gal..... hmmm maybe ill call around to a few other places.  there was also another scrap yard i called about getting scrap angle and any other type of steel i could salvage they wanted 0.50 lb.... i almost laughed at him. scrap is way down here in PA too... i have a friend that just took over a small yard, maybe she'll be able to find me some good stuff

 

[ahumadora]

Seems your going big, why not make it really big and cut the sides out of the 500 gallons and join them together?

You could have monster racks that slide from one side of the trailer to the other.

Split the tanks at the halfway height wise and add plate on each end to fill in the gap.

Would make it about 25-30% bigger then add extra racks.  

 

[smokin peachey]

thanks for that info. they did say scrap tanks.  so at their price im lookin at 375 for a 500 gal..... hmmm maybe ill call around to a few other places.  there was also another scrap yard i called about getting scrap angle and any other type of steel i could salvage they wanted 0.50 lb.... i almost laughed at him. scrap is way down here in PA too... i have a friend that just took over a small yard, maybe she'll be able to find me some good stuff

Where are you at in PA?

 

[rstroup10]

thanks for that info. they did say scrap tanks.  so at their price im lookin at 375 for a 500 gal..... hmmm maybe ill call around to a few other places.  there was also another scrap yard i called about getting scrap angle and any other type of steel i could salvage they wanted 0.50 lb.... i almost laughed at him. scrap is way down here in PA too... i have a friend that just took over a small yard, maybe she'll be able to find me some good stuff

Wow you may as well buy new steel at that price. The yard I go to is .35/lb if they let me walk through and get random pieces. I got my steel for the trailer from a steel yard and they gave me a discount the more I bought.

 

[rstroup10]

Seems your going big, why not make it really big and cut the sides out of the 500 gallons and join them together?
You could have monster racks that slide from one side of the trailer to the other.
Split the tanks at the halfway height wise and add plate on each end to fill in the gap.
Would make it about 25-30% bigger then add extra racks.  

That is a good idea. I just don't have all extra money for steel plate. I have seen some of your smokers that you have built. They look awesome.

 

[wvuarmyeng]

Connellsville Fayette county

 

[wvuarmyeng]

My buddy just got some 14g for like .48 a lb new it drives me nuts how some of these scrap yards try and burn ya on stuff

 

[smokin peachey]

Connellsville Fayette county

Here is the place I got my tank. I paid $230 for it because it wasn't cleaned.

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• smokin peachey
• Nov 20, 2016

 

[rstroup10]

Well I was able to work on the smokers over the thanksgiving break. I got one door completely sealed and a handle put on. I also got the firebox opening cut into the tank as well as the plate steel welded on for the firebox door. I will post some pictures soon when I get a chance to take some.