Where do you source 20-24" pipe?

[JarrodS]

New guy here. I am at the start of the planning phase to build an offset backyard smoker. Something along the lines of a Franklin or Millscale backyard but might do a square firebox so it can serve as a grill/griddle as well.

Don't even know where to begin looking for the pipe material. What industries use 1/4" thick steel pipe in these diameters? I imagine that ~4' of such a pipe amounts to scrap to somebody who works with it all the time. Where to look?

I know tanks are also popular. Are they easier to find? I find the sealed pipes to be more appealing for some reason. Seems like it would be easier to build a collector around one of those.

 

[h8that4u]

Look for water well drillers in your area.

 

[indaswamp]

Where are you located? Here in Louisiana, with all the petro/chemical plants, steel pipe is fairly accessible for a reasonable price.

 

[thirdeye]

Stop by your local steel center, most sell new pipe and also recycle, which is sold at discount prices. What you are looking for is generally called a 'drop', meaning someone ordered less than a full joint of 24" od pipe and the steel center has some left over. It's possible they can direct you to fabrication shops that use certain diameter pipe on a regular basis, but beware they might might purchase high grade steels. If you tell them you are building a barbecue pit they should steer you in the right direction

 

[Cajun Smokes]

Fabrication shops typically do not use shorter pieces and may be willing to sell for a cheap price. Scrap yards are a good place to look as well. Just make sure it wasn't used in some sort of chemical process, some chemicals can impregnate into pipe walls.

 

[indaswamp]

Fab. shop with new pipe would be perfect....You may have to sand the specialty paint off though to get down to bare metal.

 

[Cajun Smokes]

As Thirdeye mentioned, ask for "drops" and mention its to BBQ. Agree with Inda, fab shop is best because they normally have new pipe that hasn't been used for chemical process. What area are you located? I work for a fabrication company and may be able to get a piece for you.

 

[JckDanls 07]

And then there is always another option... Have a Fab shop roll you a piece of 1/4" plate... One that has the capabilities that is ...

 

[JarrodS]

Wow thanks for all the replies. I live in Nashville, TN.

 

[Cajun Smokes]

Wow thanks for all the replies. I live in Nashville, TN.

I'm in La, just a little too far lol. Good luck with your project

 

[JarrodS]

I'm in La, just a little too far lol. Good luck with your project

Thanks man. I bought a hoist yesterday after learning this stuff weighs 52lb per foot, LOL.

 

[brian92fs]

Hi Jarrod,
I’m in Nashville as well. Where did you end up going for materials?

 

[jcam222]

Hi Jarrod,
I’m in Nashville as well. Where did you end up going for materials?

The guy hasn’t logged in since 3 days after he asked this question February of 22

 

[brian92fs]

Thanks for checking.

We haven’t found any pit builders in middle Tennessee. Closest seems to be workhorse In Georgia. Anyone know of anyone in this area? (Sorry - this is a bit off topic)

 

[SmokinEdge]

Thanks for checking.

We haven’t found any pit builders in middle Tennessee. Closest seems to be workhorse In Georgia. Anyone know of anyone in this area? (Sorry - this is a bit off topic)

Quick search here are a couple builders in TN.

https://tmgpits.com/


https://www.piggybacksmokers.com/

 

[brian92fs]

East and West Tennessee. I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be anyone building pits in Middle Tennessee. Especially with the crazy growth in Nashville in the past 10 years.

 

[DougE]

Maybe they skip over areas where us hillbillies roll our own cookers lol.