Just starting the fire!

[theobear]

Hi there,

Theo from southern Michigan. Just getting started smoking. been doing a version of it in a 500 gallon pig roaster for a while, but ready to step up. Building a smoker out of a 200 gallon (i think) propane tank, Wondering why no one puts the fire box directly under one end of the tank in stead of hanging off the end?

 

[gary s]

  Good morning and welcome to the forum, from a cloudy and warm day here in East Texas. Lots of great people with tons of information on just about  everything.

Gary

 

[bruno994]

Typically the firebox will be offset to the cook chamber to provide true "offset" style cooking.  The further under the tank you place the firebox, the hotter that area directly above it will be compared to the rest of the chamber.  There are any number of designs that can be used, such as a center fired pit and many others instead of the traditional style of build.

 

[gary s]

As bruno said, you will have a hot spot.  But you can put it anywhere you like.  I know a guy that has one like you are talking about, He utilizes the different CC temps to cook different things. Gets meat going on the hot end then moves it to the other end. Works for him. I'm an RF guy

gary

 

[theobear]

Thanks guys. I am going to build it as a reverse flow, but just want to tuck the fire box under the tank at one end. Heat/smoke then would flow up and into the chamber created by the false bottom. Only negative I see is the heat on your legs as you stand in front of it?

 

[theobear]

here is my rough idea so far feel free to pick it apart!

120 gallon propane tank smoker.jpg

• theobear
• Apr 2, 2015

 

[rmmurray]

Welcome Theobear! :welcome:
Glad to have you here.
- Ryan

 

[themule69]

Glad you joined the group. The search bar at the top of any page is your best friend.
About anything you wanna know about smoking/grilling/curing/brining/cutting or slicing
and the list goes on has probably been posted. Remember to post a QVIEW of your smokes.
We are all smoke junkies here and we have to get our fix. If you have questions
Post it and you will probably get 10 replies with 11 different answers. That is
because their are so many different ways to make great Q...
Happy smoken.
David

 

[gary s]

I'll be watching

Gary

 

[humdinger]

Big welcome from the east side. That build looks interesting. maybe start a thread over in the builds forum and see what other builders have to say.

And dont forget to join the MI members group! (link below)

Take care

-Kurt

 

[handymanstan]

Welcome to the forum from Lansing Theo.  And what a great forum it is to learn the art of smoking everything.

We have a Michigan group here.  http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/groups/show/27/michigan-members-group

If you get a chance check it out and please join if you have not done so yet.

We have a yearly get together and I hope you can make it this year.  We also have occasional cheese smokes here or there so if you can join in please do.

It’s always nice to see another Michigander here.

Stan