New to SMF....Looking for any tips and guidance on a 124 gallon build

[bucknut97]

Hello,

My name is Glenn and I live in Columbus, OH.  I am new to not only SMF but just smoking in general.  I have located a 124 gallon propane tank that I will be picking up this weekend.  I have been looking through the threads here but could use any help on a plan design that you may have.  I did locate the Feldon calculator which looks like it will be very helpful once I have the tank in my possession.  

I have a friend who will help me with the fabrication process but he has just some experience welding and this will be both of our first builds.  

I am open to any input on how big the fire box should be, door size on the box and the tank, how to cut the tank, and anything else you can think of.  I have a lot to learn for this process but am excited to get started and eventually using my smoker.

propane tank.jpg

• bucknut97
• Feb 27, 2017

The trailer is not included.

 

[dukeburger]

Welcome to SMF , Glenn!

I don't have any input on firebox size, but the size of the door can be any size you want it to be. My advice is grab the biggest damn piece of meat you'd even consider smoking and hold it up to it and see if it would even fit in there. If it's small and doesn't come close, maybe two doors is your answer? Either way mark it out carefully and have at it with some zipcuts or a plasma cutter if you're lucky enough and get grinding.

Or head on over to the Smoker Builds  section and you'll get a lot more help there. 

 

 

[bucknut97]

Thanks Duke, I appreciate the insight. I will post something in that section once I get the tank tomorrow and am ready to start moving on this project. I do have a question on the doors once they are cut. Do you typically need to seal them along the cuts to retain heat, and if so what material is best?

 

[gary s]

  Good morning and welcome to the forum from a wet and chilly day here in East Texas, and the best site on the web. Lots of                great people with tons of information on just about everything.

        Gary