first time building a reversflow smoker.

[que616]

Hello to all. I'm new here and could use some guidance. I have a 250 gallon propane tank I'm turning into a smoker reverse flow. And would like a idea of what metal ill need to make this happen? Any advice is helpfull

 

[qwikrnu bbq]

Hello welcome from a fellow Michigander! Is this going to be a stationary build or on a trailer? A rough sketch or a few pics of what your after (something similar) will help a lot. At minimum you will need some expanded steel for cooking on, some angle to frame it in and hold it in place,some 1/4 inch plate is needed to build the fire box and reverse flow plate. Something for a stack.You will also need small things like handles and hinges. These are typical (thickness of steel style of grates etc,) as I can think of at least a hundred different ways of building it. We need to know more about how YOU want it. Take the time to look through the builds section to get a few ideas. There are a lot of great ideas here, some basic and some well, a little more time consuming. Any questions, just ask. A lot knowledgeable folks here.

 

[ribwizzard]

One sheet 4'x8' , 1/4" thick hot rolled plate.  (approx $165.00)

One sheet 4'x8" #9 x 3/4 flattened expanded metal  ( approx $45.00)

Three sticks (21ft each) 3/4" x 3/16" wall angle (approx $ 12.00 each)

One stick (21ft) 1/8" flat bar, 1.25" or 1.5" wide ( approx $10.00 each)

Four ft of 6", 3/16" wall pipe  ($30-$40)

That should get you started.

 

[uga fan]

One sheet 4'x8' , 1/4" thick hot rolled plate.  (approx $165.00)
One sheet 4'x8" #9 x 3/4 flattened expanded metal  ( approx $45.00)
Three sticks (21ft each) 3/4" x 3/16" wall angle (approx $ 12.00 each)
One stick (21ft) 1/8" flat bar, 1.25" or 1.5" wide ( approx $10.00 each)
Four ft of 6", 3/16" wall pipe  ($30-$40)


That should get you started.

Wish I could find metal that cheap!!

 

[ribwizzard]

Tampa bay steel is the bomb. Once I found out that most of the other steel distributors buy from them, I started going straight to them.

I recommend spending a little time on the phone calling around and comparing prices, think this will be true in most places as well.

 

[bishgeo]

No kidding I paid $30 for a 17x48 piece they wanted $250.00 for a sheet.

 

[ribwizzard]

I think I actually paid $152.00 or something like that. Most of those prices I rounded up. The expanded is less than $40., I do know.

Alro steel wants $60 some bucks for the expanded, and the 1/4" plate is over $200. And their stainless is three times as much. Chapman is way up there as well.

I feel like a kid in a candy store when I go to Tampa...

image.jpg

• ribwizzard
• Mar 23, 2014

image.jpg

• ribwizzard
• Mar 23, 2014

 

[uga fan]

I just paid $212 for a sheet of 1/4" and that was the cheapest around. Some places were over $300!

 

[ribwizzard]

I'm sure, the farther from a port, the higher the price, just like gas.

 

[pettybilt]

We buy steel from Pennsylvania steel at work. They have the best prices around. Worth checking in to.
They're not just in PA.

 

[que616]

Hi and thanks for the advice! I will be putting up pics of my progress as I go.