250 Gallon Propane Tank Build

[kmmamm]

I always put my cc door gap strips through a roller until they are on a slightly tighter radius than the tank. Makes them easier to weld and the slight undersize seems to help the door hold its shape better and longer. If you don’t have a roller, the Harbor freight ring roller will work almost as well, I simply use a small diameter due on the center roller and larger dies on the other two. Flanges of the large die support outside edges and the smaller die bends on the center of the strap. Also found a few blind welds on the outer edge helps stop distortion further down the road.

 

[Johndeere1]

I always put my cc door gap strips through a roller until they are on a slightly tighter radius than the tank. Makes them easier to weld and the slight undersize seems to help the door hold its shape better and longer. If you don’t have a roller, the Harbor freight ring roller will work almost as well, I simply use a small diameter due on the center roller and larger dies on the other two. Flanges of the large die support outside edges and the smaller die bends on the center of the strap. Also found a few blind welds on the outer edge helps stop distortion further down the road.

I do have access to a slip roller. I will do that. I have 2” x 1/8” flat bar to use for strips. Should be able to roll that.

 

[kmmamm]

1/8” will roll like butter. Good luck

 

[Johndeere1]

Worked on getting the doors trimmed out with 1/8” metal. Made the door handles and got them welded on. Waiting on 1/2” NPT half couplings for mounting thermometers on the doors. Plan to remove all the old paint off the tank this weekend and prep for painting.

 

[Johndeere1]

Welded on half couplings for thermometers and half moon guards.

 

[InThePittBBQ]

The guards are a nice touch, those therm aren't cheap it's one of the things I like about some brand X pits that do them that way.

 

[Johndeere1]

Welded on supports for stainless shelf under CC doors. Think I’m finally ready to sand off old paint and prep metal for new paint. Supposed to get 8 to 10 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow so may not get much done this weekend.

 

[Johndeere1]

Finished sanding off old paint. Ready to paint.

 

[Johndeere1]

Finished paint. Cut out the stainless shelf under CC doors. Installed the 2” drain valves. Ready to mount and weld onto the trailer. Hope to do that this weekend.

 

[banderson7474]

Man that's some impressive metal work. I initially thought there wouldn't be enough air flowing into the firebox b/c all I saw where the 3 holes up top. Looks like you have holes on the bottom of both sides. Plus You could always just keep the door open too right.

 

[InThePittBBQ]

When are you going to start taking orders JD1? This is an awesome build! I just took delivery of our first Shirley Fab cabinet cooker and learned the hard way the cabinet door latch smacks into the right side door thermometer when you open it.

I'm going to ditch the River Country therms on it and replace with Tru-Tel like you used for this build, wanna sell me two thermometer protectors to weld on when you have some time to fab them?

I love this cooker your building, like a moth to a flame whenever new pics go up lol.

~Great work on this man, it's really turning out to be a top shelf pit can't believe it's your first one.

 

[Johndeere1]

Man that's some impressive metal work. I initially thought there wouldn't be enough air flowing into the firebox b/c all I saw where the 3 holes up top. Looks like you have holes on the bottom of both sides. Plus You could always just keep the door open too right.

Thank you sir. It’s been a lot of work but fun. Yes there are four 3” holes on each side low on the firebox. I put the upper holes in across from the CC/Firebox throat per Dave’s recommendations. I hope it’s draws good.

 

[Johndeere1]

When are you going to start taking orders JD1? This is an awesome build! I just took delivery of our first Shirley Fab cabinet cooker and learned the hard way the cabinet door latch smacks into the right side door thermometer when you open it.

I'm going to ditch the River Country therms on it and replace with Tru-Tel like you used for this build, wanna sell me two thermometer protectors to weld on when you have some time to fab them?

I love this cooker your building, like a moth to a flame whenever new pics go up lol.

~Great work on this man, it's really turning out to be a top shelf pit can't believe it's your first one.

Thank you very much. It is my first pit build. Have done a lot of other metal fab work in my 40 years of welding. But this has been a challenge. So many different ways of doing things trying to pick the best is what is hard. For the thermo guards I just split a piece of 4” scheldule 40 pipe in half. Could fix you up with some if you like.

 

[InThePittBBQ]

I would have never thought to split 4" pipe to make guards, I think even my limited fabrication ability can handle that lol!

I'm anxious to see your finished results when you get some fire in it, from the looks of the design and upper / lower air controls on the firebox I'm confident this is going to perform right up there with the best pit builders in the business.

 

[kdfiter]

Very nice work ..looks great painted

 

[Johndeere1]

Very nice work ..looks great painted

Thank you.

 

[Johndeere1]

If all goes well should get it mounted on the trailer tomorrow.

 

[Johndeere1]

Got the smoker fitted and welded in the trailer today. Touched up the paint. I think this part of this build is ready to cook. Now I’m ready to start on the grill that will go next to the smoker.

 

[kmmamm]

Got the smoker fitted and welded in the trailer today. Touched up the paint. I think this part of this build is ready to cook. Now I’m ready to start on the grill that will go next to the smoker.

Hey JD1,
It is looking good! Might be a silly question, but it looks like the tail on that trailer is awful heavy....is the grill going to be heavy enough to get the weight forward of the axels and onto the hitch?

 

[Johndeere1]

Hey JD1,
It is looking good! Might be a silly question, but it looks like the tail on that trailer is awful heavy....is the grill going to be heavy enough to get the weight forward of the axels and onto the hitch?

I had the trailer hooked to a truck today. It is a tad light right now but after the roughly 500 pound char-grill is mounted on the trailer also it should be about right. Also will have wood and coolers in the front box area. The tandem axles help a lot with the welght. This trailer had only one axle under it. We added the tandems to help with the weight.