Designing a new Smoker, Please Help!!

[smokinhansen]

I am looking to build the baddest smoker/grill around here!!

I saw one that Kid Rock built at the auto show here and have been out of my mind since!

I have access to an aluminum fuel tank from a semi truck cab. The tank is approximately 5 foot in length, I would like to put burners in it so I can use it as a large portable grill. I would like to put an offset wood burning box on it for the times I have the time to smoke for a crowd. We belong to a car club, and often get 50 or more members at the bigger functions, what a blast to turn them all into little smoker junkies lol! 

Questions; how do I get that diesel smell out? how does aluminum work for this application? I have owned many smokers over the thirty plus years I have been smokin' I can't say i have ever seen an aluminum tank used!?

I am open to any and all suggestions!!

Thank You for all your help!!

 

[shoneyboy]

Most people will burn the them to get the residue and smell out....I really don't know about the aluminum...I feel that you may have a problem with it trying to melt on you if you try to burn it out...., but I'm not sure...Hopefully some one with better knowledge of this type of build will be along soon to help out.....SB

 

[dragons breath]

Aluminum has high thermal conductivity which means the heat radiates well from it. I suppose you could build it from the aluminum tank but the welding and cutting - no oxy torch - would be different from steel and stainless. Also because of the thermal radiation you would probably want to either insulate or some how protect yourself and others from getting burned from it. If not insulated it might not be efficient with fuel, again the thermal radiation. Lots of luck and let us know how it turns out!

 

[smokinhansen]

thank you for the response! My partner in this project is a tool and die guy with good welding skills, i am lucky there!!

Do you think the conductivity is going to make it uncomfortably hot to be around? I know aluminum is a great conductor of heat, is it going to be as hot on me as it is my dinner inside? I generally grill around 350 and smoke at 225. Any suggestions on how I might insulate ??

I can't help but think the aluminum color is going to be a real eye catcher if done right!

 

[dewetha]

I would do a google search about aluminum and heat. probably a FDA thrown in the search term. i recall reading something bad about that.

 

[daveomak]

Smokinhansen, evening....  I built a smoker for a friend, used an old fridge and electric hot plate....   sugar from the fish dripped on the wood chunks in the smoker pan sitting on the electric element....  caught fire....  melted the aluminum angle used for supporting the shelves....  From my experiences, won't use aluminum again inside a smoker.....  fires are a normal thing from grease and heat....  too much work to build stuff twice......   

Dave