- May 21, 2013
- 14
- 10
So I'm in planning stages right now. I've been spying/reading/lurking for a while now off and on, but haven't really found what I'm looking for.
I want to build a Reverse flow smoker on a trailer. (we'll fab up the trailer too)
I've decided that I want to use a propane tank as the cook chamber, my decision is on what size tank. (120 gallon upright {will be layed down of course} or 250 gallon horizontal) It will be a backyard smoker, but will also do the occasional family/friend gathering. I currently have an 120 gallon upright tank, but I like the smokers with a lay down style tank with 2 doors to CC, 2 sets of shelves in each door, side firebox, and a warming cabinet with shelves also. I have a source for whatever size tank I want (just found him yesterday after looking for a tank for over a year now), $1 a gallon, evap'd, and de-valved, so ready to cut with no risk. Or he'll charge me $100 to evap & devalve my tank (not worth while IMHO when I can just go grab a tank for $20 more, and not have to make multiple trips)
Which size tank would suit my use better?
Am I correct in thinking that either one, built correctly, will be just as efficient, and use the same amount of fuel (charcol/wood) as the other to smoke? In other words, if I only want to do a few racks of ribs, a brisket, and a butt. Would the 250 use the same amount of fuel as the 120, built the same way?
I only want to do this once, and don't want to run into the 120 not being big enough for the max i'd want to throw in there. Although I wonder if with the warming cabinet if the 120 would give me enough for what I'm after.
An no, I probably wont ever want to do a whole hog, just pieces works for me. Easier to control the outcome that way in my opinion.
I saw on one of the build pages that the person used angle iron in the center of the RF plate with a drain, so that it can double as a water pan, I like that, and will probably duplicate it in this one.
Thanks in advance for your time and info.
I want to build a Reverse flow smoker on a trailer. (we'll fab up the trailer too)
I've decided that I want to use a propane tank as the cook chamber, my decision is on what size tank. (120 gallon upright {will be layed down of course} or 250 gallon horizontal) It will be a backyard smoker, but will also do the occasional family/friend gathering. I currently have an 120 gallon upright tank, but I like the smokers with a lay down style tank with 2 doors to CC, 2 sets of shelves in each door, side firebox, and a warming cabinet with shelves also. I have a source for whatever size tank I want (just found him yesterday after looking for a tank for over a year now), $1 a gallon, evap'd, and de-valved, so ready to cut with no risk. Or he'll charge me $100 to evap & devalve my tank (not worth while IMHO when I can just go grab a tank for $20 more, and not have to make multiple trips)
Which size tank would suit my use better?
Am I correct in thinking that either one, built correctly, will be just as efficient, and use the same amount of fuel (charcol/wood) as the other to smoke? In other words, if I only want to do a few racks of ribs, a brisket, and a butt. Would the 250 use the same amount of fuel as the 120, built the same way?
I only want to do this once, and don't want to run into the 120 not being big enough for the max i'd want to throw in there. Although I wonder if with the warming cabinet if the 120 would give me enough for what I'm after.
An no, I probably wont ever want to do a whole hog, just pieces works for me. Easier to control the outcome that way in my opinion.
I saw on one of the build pages that the person used angle iron in the center of the RF plate with a drain, so that it can double as a water pan, I like that, and will probably duplicate it in this one.
Thanks in advance for your time and info.