Is 1/8" too thin?

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jlthieman

Newbie
Original poster
Sep 21, 2013
10
10
Virginia Beach
I've been reading and lurking around here for some time now. Had an MES 30 until it stopped working on me. I've made a UDS out of a 55 gal oil barrel and I enjoy that regularly. 

I have access to a pretty impressive shop, with a stick macine, a mig welder, a cutting torch, and a plasma cutter. I am no expert by any means.. I really want to make a horizontal smoker with a fire box. Undecided if I can pull of a RF or not...

I got my hands on 2 16" diameter x 36" air compressor tanks, but the metal is pretty thin. Measuring with a micrometer, it reads .132" - just over 1/8"...

Is this going to be too thin to make a smoker with? I can always make a square side firebox out of 1/4" or 3/16" steel instead, but will it maintain cooking temperature with the cooking chamber being 1/8" or should I toss it all together? What are your thoughts?
 
Thicker steel holds heat and uses less fuel. The standard is 1/4" and many will sell an upgrade to 1/2". An option is using 1/8 with a double wall and 2" insulation, not uncommon either...JJ
 
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