Smoker door size

Dand78 · Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Central Illinois

I am going to build a reverse flow smoker from a 250 gal. propane tank. My question is about the door opening. I see a lot of people making two openings/doors but I want to be able to fit a whole hog on the grate. I have about 60" between the seams where the heads are welded on so I thought about a 48" opening. I could also make the opening around 58". I know you loose a lot of heat when opening a door this size. Just seeing what others have done.

Thanks, but I don't need advice on cutting the tank.

Dan

Wreckless · Posted: Tue May 15 12 10:49 pm Post subject:

I vote 54"
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SoEzzy · Posted: Tue May 15 12 11:17 pm Post subject:

Some folks make doors smaller, some make them bigger, some go with one big door, some go with two or three.

Some use bands and outer retainers, some use inner bands that the doors close against.

Some have the right door open first, some have the left door open first, some have the middle door open before the other doors.
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JM2C, BWTFDIK, YMMV, MDN! Wink

I work here!

k.a.m. · Posted: Wed May 16 12 12:52 am Post subject:

Welcome to the ring Dand78, looking forward to seeing some pics of your cooks and following your cooker build. Smile

My door is 50" wide it is plenty wide for a whole hog.
http://thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43134&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=480
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Reverse Flow
Hybrid Cooker

smootz · Posted: Wed May 16 12 12:57 am Post subject:

k.a.m. · Posted: Wed May 16 12 1:10 am Post subject:

smootz · Posted: Wed May 16 12 1:20 am Post subject:

k.a.m. · Posted: Wed May 16 12 1:24 am Post subject:

KingKoupe · Posted: Wed May 16 12 5:34 pm Post subject:

I'm building a 250 Gallon RF smoker right now and my door is 55".

Dand78 · Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Central Illinois

Thanks for the help guys. I found the link for the 250 that KAM built. I will be copying a lot of his ideas but have fueled a few of my own..

This what I am starting with. The trailer had my trailblazer welder on it before I built my skid unit. I have a surplus of 3/8 plate so that will make my fire box and tray.

Dan.

http://s1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg507/Dand78/?action=view&current=IMAG0233.jpg