New cooker with questions

[dsitterson]

I have some questions on my first build. I have a 120 gallon propane tank that measures approximately 46 by 30 inches. I have the door cut and the grate in. I think I am going reverse flow or hybrid.
I am having some trouble with the door. I think it is sprung. I think I have to take off the band and bend back.
The fire box size I got from the calculator is coming up to 22 wide x 20 length x 22 height…are those dimensions ok ?
Fire box air intake holes. I see some that are round like the top of a weber grill or rectangular / square holes with a slide bar …does one work better than.
The half moon should be 77.44 cu inches….any help on the half moon size?
What about the deflector design
For the stack I am going 4 or 5 inch…5 inch for 24 inch.
I am going to try to post some pics and stay within guidelines…
Any help is appreciated…love the site and the information I got so far

[k.a.m.]

dsitterson, I would leave the straps on to repair the door. If you remove them fix the door then put them back on there is a good chance the door will pull out again.
The fire box size I got from the calculator is coming up to 22 wide x 20 length x 22 height…are those dimensions ok ?
According to your tank dimensions your firebox size comes up short by 1153 Cu.in. I would increase the size. The dimensions of 30" x 46" come closer to 140 gallons not 120 gallons.

Fire box air intake holes. I see some that are round like the top of a weber grill or rectangular / square holes with a slide bar …does one work better than.
Either style works fine in my opinion. What I look for is a style that will fit the firebox in a way that I want as far as placement on the firebox to best fit the charcoal grate.

The half moon should be 77.44 cu inches….any help on the half moon size?
A half moon of 14.5" wide x 7.25" tall will have an area of 82.56 Sq.in. This is slightly larger than you need but with a 1.5" grease bridge your numbers will be back close.

What about the deflector design
If I use a deflector it is normally 6" wide and drops no more than about 15° to 20°.
I hope this helps.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Reverse Flow
Hybrid Cooker

[dsitterson]

Thanks....makes sense about the straps...didn't know about pulling the hinges out of line.....we will see....

The tank is a vertical 120 propane tank. They call it a 420. Kinda hard for me to get the right measurements on the cylinder with the ends.

On the fire box how high can the top of the box be over the hole or the plate for the reverse flow? Just trying to mount it as high as I can to the tank for ground clearance.

[k.a.m.]

[Wreckless]

There are ways to fix the door, k.a.m.? The civilised version por favor, not the whak the **&* out of it version
_________________

[dsitterson]

100 Gallon Tank Specifications
Propane Capacity (in Gallons) 95.9
Propane Capacity (in Lb) 420
Water Capacity (in Lb) 1000
Tare Weight (in Lb) 291
Overall Height (in Inches) 53.8
Height (in Inches) 45.6
Overall Diameter (in Inches) 30
Base Diameter (in Inches) 23.1

This looks like the tank I got and after knocking off the tank measusres 45.6 x 30 (it is turned on the side). The propane place I got the tank from said it was a 120 gallon vertical tank. I choose it sould I could have 2 grates and a shorter cooker with easier to control temp..I hope.....

Kam ..I will go with your advice on the fire box and other air flow intake calcualations...should I use the 120 gallon or the cubic inch calculation you got...Just doubling checking before purchasing and cutting the fire box...I really appreciate your input and advice ...hope to have a cooker soon....If you where closer I bring you some food...may have to settle for some hot sauce ...datil peppers....

Thanks Again

[k.a.m.]

dsitterson, I am sure the propane industry has its way of measuring their product. What I go by is the volume of the tank according to the dimensions given and your dimensions lead more to 140 gallons. So I would build my firebox accordingly.
I hope this helps.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Reverse Flow
Hybrid Cooker