- Sep 19, 2020
- 11
- 11
I've been talking about building a smoker for years but now my old brinkman fell apart I don't have a choice.
I've been planning this for years and I originally got a steel drum to make an UDS but I also come across an expired 70# propane tank. That led to a debate in my head in how to use these two items but I've finally made up my mind and gathered the supplies.
Dimensions on the tank are about 36x14 on the flat part plus domed ends. I'm using the rule of thumb that you want the fire box to be 25% of the volume of the cook chamber bit it's more like 35% just because I was worried about having way too little fuel and having to constantly add. The basket for the fuel should be 9" deep and probably 12x12.
Either way...let's get to it.
Here is a crude drawing to show what I'm going for.
I started by removing the valve and the handle from the top of the tank
I filled the tank with water to displace any flammable gas that might remain in the tank. Drilled this hole as a vent to allow the tank to fill quickly with a garden hose.
The supplies I'm starting with. Some if this I had some of it I bought. Expanded steel will be used for a fuel basket as well and to make a grate to hold the water pan. I cut the 4" diameter exhaust to about 6.5". I used some info I came across on here to try to get the sizing. .02% of the cook chamber volume. The grates are ore made ones from the store.
Marked and cut the doors but left one side still attached
Hinges tacked on and finished cutting the doors.
These fit perfectly through the opening of the door.
I've been planning this for years and I originally got a steel drum to make an UDS but I also come across an expired 70# propane tank. That led to a debate in my head in how to use these two items but I've finally made up my mind and gathered the supplies.
Dimensions on the tank are about 36x14 on the flat part plus domed ends. I'm using the rule of thumb that you want the fire box to be 25% of the volume of the cook chamber bit it's more like 35% just because I was worried about having way too little fuel and having to constantly add. The basket for the fuel should be 9" deep and probably 12x12.
Either way...let's get to it.
Here is a crude drawing to show what I'm going for.
I started by removing the valve and the handle from the top of the tank
I filled the tank with water to displace any flammable gas that might remain in the tank. Drilled this hole as a vent to allow the tank to fill quickly with a garden hose.
The supplies I'm starting with. Some if this I had some of it I bought. Expanded steel will be used for a fuel basket as well and to make a grate to hold the water pan. I cut the 4" diameter exhaust to about 6.5". I used some info I came across on here to try to get the sizing. .02% of the cook chamber volume. The grates are ore made ones from the store.
Marked and cut the doors but left one side still attached
Hinges tacked on and finished cutting the doors.
These fit perfectly through the opening of the door.
