400 gal RF TANK
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
400 gal RF TANK
Hey everyone, got a start on my RF smoker. It's going to be a 500 gal LP tank cut down to 400 gal. The FB will be insulated with a WB on top. Looking to maybe use the WB as a smaller smoker, so want to install a shut off between the FB and CC. This thing is going to be a TANK with 1/4" steel walls and 2 1/2" of mineral wool insulation on all 6 sides. Take that Wisconsin.
- Big T
- Moderator
- Posts: 6349
- Joined: September 1st, 2013, 2:40 pm
- Title: Go Getter
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Backyard Boys
- Location: Lower Alabama
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
That'll be a good size cooker. Be sure to post plenty pictures.
Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Here are a few pics.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
More pics.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Got the tank filled with water today.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Questions I have, is there a benefit to have a opening between the CC and WB? Also, should I add a vent in the WB?
- Big T
- Moderator
- Posts: 6349
- Joined: September 1st, 2013, 2:40 pm
- Title: Go Getter
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Backyard Boys
- Location: Lower Alabama
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
I just recently built one with openings from the CC to WC and FB to WC, I've only done 5 cooks on it but I really like it. I can run the CC and WC at the same temps or completely different temps with no problem. I'm not saying that you can't achieve the same results without the opening but it doesn't require a lot of extra work or materials so I feel it's worth it. If you have an opening from the FB to WC then you'll need a stack on top, if you just have a WC with no opening from the FB then you'll need a vent near the top of the WC so you can dump some heat if needed.


Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
- Dirtytires
- Expert
- Posts: 3142
- Joined: November 24th, 2015, 12:36 am
- Title: It ain't broke...yet
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Dont compete...cook for events once in a while
- Location: Phoenix, Az
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
I agree with big t—- I put in the extra dampers/openings and have had a lot of fun using it in different formats and at different temps.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Yeah, makes sense. It will be easier to put it now then later. I didn't put the stack on yet, because it's much easier to move around with the eyelet. I'm planning on a round 6" exhaust on the WB and a 6" square inlet from the FB. Thanks for the input.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- Pete Mazz
- Administrator
- Posts: 3181
- Joined: February 16th, 2013, 8:19 am
- Title: Meathead
- Location: Bucks County, PA
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Nice!
If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?
Don't speak the language? Try this: Smoker Terminology
Try my SmokerBuilder Calculators
Don't speak the language? Try this: Smoker Terminology
Try my SmokerBuilder Calculators
- Dirtytires
- Expert
- Posts: 3142
- Joined: November 24th, 2015, 12:36 am
- Title: It ain't broke...yet
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Dont compete...cook for events once in a while
- Location: Phoenix, Az
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Eyelet is great....I cut my hole then tacked a scrap piece of heavy bar across the hole (on inside of the warmer) to allow me to pick up. Even with the chiminey attached, I could fish my chain down to the bar.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Getting started on the doors for the FB and WB. First I had to get the warpage out of the 1/4 steel. What I couldn't beat out with a maul I use the forklift. 

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Doors
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Adding the insulation for the FB door. The beer is just in case there's a fire. 

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
I'm going with a lip on the doors to help protect the seal from the weather.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- Big T
- Moderator
- Posts: 6349
- Joined: September 1st, 2013, 2:40 pm
- Title: Go Getter
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Backyard Boys
- Location: Lower Alabama
- Dirtytires
- Expert
- Posts: 3142
- Joined: November 24th, 2015, 12:36 am
- Title: It ain't broke...yet
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Dont compete...cook for events once in a while
- Location: Phoenix, Az
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Installing the door latches.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Putting in a removable drip pan in the WC. Have a 1" pipe going into a 1 1/2" pipe that I will install a valve on. Not sure if it's the best idea, but I don't think it will hurt.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Also got a start on the shelves in the WC. Looking to put 3 in.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- Big T
- Moderator
- Posts: 6349
- Joined: September 1st, 2013, 2:40 pm
- Title: Go Getter
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Backyard Boys
- Location: Lower Alabama
- Dirtytires
- Expert
- Posts: 3142
- Joined: November 24th, 2015, 12:36 am
- Title: It ain't broke...yet
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Dont compete...cook for events once in a while
- Location: Phoenix, Az
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
-
- Smokerbuilder
- Posts: 62
- Joined: September 3rd, 2018, 8:05 am
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: New London, Wisconsin
- Contact:
Re: 400 gal RF TANK
Got the shelves done. Also added some brackets to put dowels across the top. Never know if you want to hang some sausage or what not.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Wants More tools
- Posts: 103
- Joined: May 10th, 2016, 10:15 am
- Title: Member
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: Mississippi