Mini reverse flow build under way.

[ribwizzard]

Ok, finally ready to start my Mini build. These tanks are off of forklifts and I basically have an endless supply of them, Plan is to build some smokers that I can use as Christmas presents this year. Going to start with these two as an experiment and come up with a simple , cheap, easy to use mini smoker that my friends can use on their back porch or tailgaiting or whatever. Just big enough for a whole slab of Ribs, no bigger, something to replace those cheap brinkman R2D2 looking things they have.

Here are the tanks, the tank minus the valves and handles measure 12" X 22", should be just right

 

[ribwizzard]

plan is to mount firebox under the tank like this:

 

[ribwizzard]

Question;  These tanks are fresh off of forklifts, Im worried about how long to soak them before cutting on them.  Is a week ok? Or do you think I should wait longer?  I will be starting firebox fabrication tonight, and will probably have a week on that before I'm ready to get into the tanks.

 

[ribwizzard]

Cylinder-type Cook Chamber	"Tank" Cook Chamber	Rectangle/Square Cook Chamber	Calculations
Diameter inches Length inches	Tank volume gallons	Height inches Width inches Length inches	Cooker Chamber Size cubic in. Recommended Firebox Size cubic in.

Firebox Dimensions
Enter the dimensions for your planned square or round firebox.
An undersized firebox will require more frequent fueling and may not adequately heat the cook chamber. An oversize firebox provides little benefit.

Firebox Dimensions (Square)	Firebox Dimensions (Round)	Calculations
Height inches Width inches Length inches	Diameter inches Length inches	Specified Firebox Size cubic in. Recommended Firebox Size (1/3 of cook chamber) cubic in. Size Differential %

Chimney Size
Enter the diameter of your chimney pipe to find out how long it should be.
A chimney that is too short may produce insufficient draft (drawing of air). A chimney that is too long may cause the air to cool before it exits, reducing effective draft.

Chimney Pipe Diameter	Calculations
Pipe Diameter inches	Recommended Chimney Volume (5% of firebox volume) cubic in. "> Length of Chimney inches

Firebox Air Inlet Opening
Enter the size of the firebox air inlet (intake) from the outside.
The size of your firebox air intake controls how much oxygen is available to your fire. If the calculator determines the size is too small, you'll need more than one intake.

Firebox Intake (Square)	Firebox Intake (Round)	Calculations
Length inches Width inches	Diameter inches	Recommended Air Inlet Area (firebox volume * .003) square in. Number of Intakes

Firebox-to-Cook Chamber Opening
Enter the size of the firebox-to-cook chamber opening.
If the calculator determines the size is too small, you'll need more than one opening.

Opening Size (Square)	Opening Size (Round)	Opening Size (Half Moon)	Calculations
Length inches Width inches	Diameter inches	Diameter inches	Recommended Firebox-to-Cooker Opening Area (firebox volume * .008) square in. Number of Openings

 

[ribwizzard]

well copy and paste didnt work so well

 

[JckDanls 07]

:popcorn :cheers:

 

[jarjarchef]

I am by no means a metal fabrication expert. I was talking with my brother in law a few weeks back about cutting fuel/propane tanks. When he was in construction he would build gas stations and also do repairs. They would have to cut fuel tanks on occasion. He told me they would put dry ice in the tanks before cutting them. He was saying that 10# would be enough for a tank that is 24"x72". I will see if I can get the numbers from him for factoring how much to use.

 

[bluffton smoker]

I like the exhaust of a (current emission) vehicle. The (warmed up) catalytic converter will burn any oxygen from the exhaust providing a non-combustible mixture to displace the oxygen in the tank. If you only have one hole in the tank, I'd use a small hose and divert a portion of the exhaust into the tank. Like tape the small hose to the tailpipe and tape up enough of the remainder of the tailpipe to create backpressure, which will force the exhaust thru the smaller diameter hose.

Give it 5-10 minutes and you are good to go. I know I will start a conversation of auto exhaust is not oxygen free and is still combustible... AND how we should be sure the vehicle is running properly.

We used to do this before catalytic converters were on vehicles and worked on gasoline tanks that still had gas in them, and gas is MORE (combustible) than propane.

Fire needs 3 things:

1. Ignition Source
2. Fuel
3. Oxygen

Take any one of these away and you are safe.

BUT you have to be sure you are removing one of these completely.