My first build out of a old propane tank, need help please.

[blue diamond]

Hello guys, I am new to this forum and was hoping to get a little help on building a reverse horizontal smoker from a propane tank, I took this propane tank out of my Ford pickup, not sure how many gallons it is but i do have some measurments on it. It is 48" long and 63" round in circumference (all the way around). Also if I measure end of tank all the way across the center, it is roughly 20" across (I guess that would be the width). The calculaters available for to figure out specs kind of confuses me as far as the cubic inch deal. Well to you pro's out ther I'm sure it's a piece of cake so here goes.

1. What distance should I weld the baffle from the bottom of the propane tank?

2. What gap (horizontal gap) in inches should I leave between the end of the baffle and propane tank? 

3. Also since the tank is 20" wide, what dimensions should i use for my firebox?

4. I wanted to go with a 5" or 6" exhaust and wanted to install it starting close to my bottom grid, question is how long should I go and what diameter?

KEEP IN MIND IM ALSO IN IT FOR THE LOOKS SO IM TRYING TO MAKE EVERYTHING LOOK AS WELL PROPORSIONED AS POSSIBLE FOR ITS SIZE. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU IN ADVANCE, I REALLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP. I WILL POST LOTS OF PICS ALONG THE WAY.

Keep in mind im also a truck driver so I can only get to the computer from time to time, appreciate any help available.

 

[ribwizzard]

Welcome Blue Diamond.

That would make a nice size smoker.

I'll offer some guidlines to go by, to help you with your questions.

 What distance should I weld the baffle from the bottom of the propane tank?  I assume you are talking about the reverse flow plate, This should sit about 1/3 up from the bottom for a flat plate, higher if you "v" it for a drain or water pan.

What gap (horizontal gap) in inches should I leave between the end of the baffle and propane tank?   You want this to be preatty big, but you want the reverse flow plate to extend as far as the edge of your rack to catch the drippings. Usually , most builders want the door as wide as possible and cut the edge's of the door about 1"  inside of the welds that hold both ends of the tank on. If you want a pull out rack, then the rack will stop at the edge of the door, and extending the reverse flow plate 1" past the end of the rack takes you back to the weld. If your tank is of normal shape, that will be more than enough opening for the air to circulate.

Also since the tank is 20" wide, what dimensions should i use for my firebox?  Go about 20 and 1/4 inch wide, that will blend in with the tank nicely,  I like to make my fireboxes tall, Id go with about 22 to 24 inches on the height.

 wanted to go with a 5" or 6" exhaust and wanted to install it starting close to my bottom grid, question is how long should I go and what diameter?   I think 6" would look a little big for that size smoker, but if it looks good to you, go with it.

Check those measurements out on the calculator and make sure they will work,  then look at the build and see how it looks,   My smoker will look different than the next guy and his will look different than the next guy after that. But there are certain things you have to do to make it breath right and the pit calculator will help give you guidlines.

Good luck

 

[blue diamond]

Ok sounds good, that gives me a idea where to start, if I use a 4" exhaust how long do you think I can go? Also getting a little ahead of myself, what kind of hi temp paint is recommended and where can I find it, I'd like to spray it on with a compressor to get a bettef look.

 

[ballagh]

Lowes has hi temp black paint. Google online for other colors.

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 2

 

[disturbed1]

http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html

go to this site put in your measurements that you have