Finally building my own smoker

[denisbaldwin]

Hello fellow smoke fans,

My name is Denis. I live in Lakeland, Florida. I'm a long time smoked food consumer, and have used friend's smokers in the past to make ribs and chicken. I figure it's about time to build my own smoker, so I'm building a pretty straight forward offset smoker out of some old propane tanks we've decommissioned. After looking at literally hundreds of plans, I'm going with what is seamingly a simple design. A damper on the fire box (30 gallon propane tank) and another one on the output stack of my smoke chamber (150 gallon propane tank). I'll post pictures as it comes along.

I've been reading (and lurking) and this forum seems great. Glad I found such knowledgeable folks to learn from!

Denis

 

[travcoman45]

Welcome aboard, glad to have ya! Just be REALLY CAREFULL cutting those tanks, don't wan't to blow yourself up! Some others on here have done it, Beleive they aired them out and flushed with water, then cut while the tanks were filled with water. Not sure I'd wan't to do the cuttin, but you will have to be the judge of that project! Good luck and hope we hear from ya again!

 

[denisbaldwin]

I've actually had both of my tanks filled and sitting with soapy water for the last 2 weeks. Once a day, I go out and put the hose into one side and force another 20 or so gallons through each one. At this point, there's no smell of propane at all and hasn't been for about 10 days.. so I think I should be good to start cutting tomorrow.

Anything else I should be aware of when doing this? Any special tricks or anything that could make this a more efficient or effective process?

Denis

 

[kookie]

Welcome aboard...............Lots of great info here ..............

 

[bb53chevpro]

Welcome to the SMF. Glad you found us. Yes be very carefull with the old propane tanks. We are here to help if you need it.
May all your smokes be thin and blue.
Andy.

 

[geob]

After the water bath you can run a hose from a engine exhaust to inside the tank and the gas that will displace all the O2. No O2 no flame up.

geob

 

[domn8_ion]

Welcome aboard. Take pictures and keep us updated.

 

[bertjo44]

Welcome Denis. Sounds like you have a plan. You know, you might want to plan on making two, that away if one doesn't turn out you'll have another. If they both turn out I'll take the extra one

 

[waysideranch]

Welcome Dennis - Please be careful. Sounds like you have it under control.

 

[cinnamonkc]

Boy that sounds scary!!

Be Careful!

 

[t-bone tim]

Great to have ya aboard !! don't forget some pics of your build