Need Help w/ figuring out RF Fuel Tank Smoker/Cooker build

[daveomak]

Straight across is fine...   A little bigger than recommended would be good also...   The heat and air are taking a 180 deg U-Turn and some resistance could be encountered...    Anything can be built bigger than the tutorial recommends...   Smaller is not recommended.. 

 

[thunder835]

Straight across is fine...   A little bigger than recommended would be good also...   The heat and air are taking a 180 deg U-Turn and some resistance could be encountered...    Anything can be built bigger than the tutorial recommends...   Smaller is not recommended.. 

Gotcha! Thanks Dave!

Actually, quick question about the type of steel to use. I'm planning on using 1/4" for the FB and warming box. What type of sheet steel would you recommend?

 

[daveomak]

1/4" on the FB and 1/8 or 10 or 12 gauge, for the WB ...  The CC, tank you are using, is fairly thin metal... 12 gauge...  0.109"... or close..
[h2]Tank Composition[/h2]

• 
  The most common tank within the oil heating industry is the steel tank, states Oil Heat America.com. Its steel walls are of 12 gauge thickness for strong and durable oil containment. In addition to the steel wall composition, many tanks include composites, such as corrosion resistant layers, that are placed on top of the steel. This extra layer protects the tank from deteriorating over time due to the weather. A common 275-gallon size tank measures 44 inches long, 27 inches wide and 60 inches high.

 

[thunder835]

1/4" on the FB and 1/8 or 10 or 12 gauge, for the WB ...  The CC, tank you are using, is fairly thin metal... 12 gauge...  0.109"... or close..


[h2]Tank Composition[/h2]

• 
  The most common tank within the oil heating industry is the steel tank, states Oil Heat America.com. Its steel walls are of 12 gauge thickness for strong and durable oil containment. In addition to the steel wall composition, many tanks include composites, such as corrosion resistant layers, that are placed on top of the steel. This extra layer protects the tank from deteriorating over time due to the weather. A common 275-gallon size tank measures 44 inches long, 27 inches wide and 60 inches high.
  

Dave,

I was actually looking for the type of steel. Hot Rolled plate? Not exactly sure....

Mark

 

[daveomak]

Hot rolled is fine... less expensive... etc...

 

[thunder835]

Hot rolled is fine... less expensive... etc...

That's what I was thinking as well!

So I'll be using 1/4" for the FB and RF plate, 1/8" for the WB. Was thinking of 8" OD ERW pipe for the exhausts. Expanded flattened steel 3/4x9 for the grates. 1" square tubing for the grate frames. And a whole bunch of 1 1/2" angle and 1/8" flat bar.

Am I missing anything? LOL

 

[bubba0161]

I am doing a similar build. I have two questions?

1. How far high above the throat opening should you put the RF plate and should it be able to hold water or no?
2. How tall should you make the legs for the tank to stand on? or is it just preference?

Thanks for the help.

 

[daveomak]

 

Hot rolled is fine... less expensive... etc...

That's what I was thinking as well!

So I'll be using 1/4" for the FB and RF plate, 1/8" for the WB. Was thinking of 8" OD ERW pipe for the exhausts. Expanded flattened steel 3/4x9 for the grates. 1" square tubing for the grate frames. And a whole bunch of 1 1/2" angle and 1/8" flat bar.

Am I missing anything? LOL

 I don't know what ERW pipe is...   looks as if it is a rolled strip and welded as it is rolled..     Anywho, exhaust pipe will work also if it comes in 8"...

Well, my list would include ice cold beer...

 

[daveomak]

I am doing a similar build. I have two questions?

1. How far high above the throat opening should you put the RF plate and should it be able to hold water or no?
2. How tall should you make the legs for the tank to stand on? or is it just preference?

Thanks for the help.

The RF plate can be welded to the top of the FB or above it..

If you want water in your smoker, put it in a foil pan and set it on the RF plate at the far end from the FB...  You only need a small amount of moisture to up the humidity to be of benefit to the meat....

 

[thunder835]

 I don't know what ERW pipe is...   looks as if it is a rolled strip and welded as it is rolled..     Anywho, exhaust pipe will work also if it comes in 8"...

Well, my list would include ice cold beer...

Well the beer goes without saying? [emoji]128540[/emoji]

 

[thunder835]

The RF plate can be welded to the top of the FB or above it..

If you want water in your smoker, put it in a foil pan and set it on the RF plate at the far end from the FB...  You only need a small amount of moisture to up the humidity to be of benefit to the meat....

Is there a benefit to attaching the RF plate to the top of the FB versus welding it to the inside of the CC even with the top of the FB/CC opening?

 

[ahumadora]

I worry more about ground clearance under the firebox  . That pretty much dictates the height of the firebox.  then it is a trade off of height from the RF plate to racks vs  FB to RF plate height.

A little height difference is not going to matter

 

[thunder835]

I worry more about ground clearance under the firebox  . That pretty much dictates the height of the firebox.  then it is a trade off of height from the RF plate to racks vs  FB to RF plate height.

A little height difference is not going to matter

Not too concerned with ground clearance. I'm planning on building this on a cart with 8" tires welded to the underside of the cart frame. The FB will "rest" on the base of the frame and be 8-10" off the ground. With the tires, cart and height of the tank, the top will be at 72-74" which puts the top rack at 58-60" from the ground.

 

[thunder835]

Well, after much deliberating and research, my plan has gone to the way side and will need to be reconfigured. The oil tank idea is out the window as I have located a 250 gallon propane tank to use. I'm glad this happened as I was concerned with the thickness of the oil tank and I know how successful people have been building RF's from propane tanks. I guess I'll need to start coming up with new numbers...