Rescue Build

[pineview bbq]

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• pineview bbq
• Dec 3, 2016

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• pineview bbq
• Dec 3, 2016

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• pineview bbq
• Dec 3, 2016

So I just rescued a propane tank trailer unit from a neighbor that had it sitting out in a field. It is in good condition considering and whoever built did a really nice job on the welds. My problem is that it was built more as Hog Cooker with one exhaust stack on top dead center and two intake dampers on the bottom on each side. I grew up cooking whole hogs on a brick pit shoveling coals but I want this cooker to be more versatile than a once a year hog cooker.

I'm thinking of mounting a 100lb LP tank on the back side as a firebox with a baffle plate. But my welding skills are only so so. I also thought about trying some kind of internal firebox in the main tank? I don't know any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I'll add pics so you see what I'm working with.

 

[forluvofsmoke]

With a center stack and side intakes, I think I'd be looking at a total reconfiguration. Front or rear firebox will yield cold spots on the ends of the smoke chamber, unless you really spend a lot of time calculating, fabricating and installing baffles and possibly heat distribution piping to counter the negative impact of the firebox location. An internal firebox would be counter-productive regarding fire tending, smoke control, indirect heat...not much different than just running it as is. Mount the tank lengthwise instead of sideways, rear firebox, move the stack, close-off the intakes...give it fresh start if you're looking for a horizontal offset smoker. I'd most likely build it into a reverse flow smoke chamber so I could load it up and get nice even grate temps throughout.

Eric

 

[pineview bbq]

With a center stack and side intakes, I think I'd be looking at a total reconfiguration. Front or rear firebox will yield cold spots on the ends of the smoke chamber, unless you really spend a lot of time calculating, fabricating and installing baffles and possibly heat distribution piping to counter the negative impact of the firebox location. An internal firebox would be counter-productive regarding fire tending, smoke control, indirect heat...not much different than just running it as is. Mount the tank lengthwise instead of sideways, rear firebox, move the stack, close-off the intakes...give it fresh start if you're looking for a horizontal offset smoker. I'd most likely build it into a reverse flow smoke chamber so I could load it up and get nice even grate temps throughout.


Eric

Thanks for the good advise Eric! I am still contemplating which design to go with. I wanted to put a stainless table and wood basket on the front half of the trailer. But I think I need to sit down a draw out a few mock ups to go on. I really like the reverse flow idea!