I'm just starting my first propane smoker build, and stumbled upon this amazing, very informative video. I truly was at a loss at how to begin, especially with the first cut on a newly bled 500 gallon propane tank. You guys are amazing thanks so much!!!
@@rodneycollins7130 There’s a little more to it than just the firebox size. Here’s a couple things that can help you get everything right. Our free calculator at bbqpitcalculator.com We also have lots of plans for 500 gallon smokers at smokerplans.net
Frank ! Hey man use an old Pipefitter trick ! Take some adding machine/cash register paper, and make a wrap completely all the way around. Overlap it on top, make a straight cut across the paper. Now you have the exact circumference reference, fold it in half, and half again ! Make a small cut on each corner, then unfold. You now have quarter reference points on the wrap paper !
As someone who is just starting there journey in building a pit. Your videos are the most informative and educational. Thanks for putting this content up for us to learn from. Regards from down in Australia.
Today! Just did this to a 500 gallon propane tank...making that initial cut was high pucker factor! Great tips, thanks for the video. Frank is one of those guys you wish you had as a neighbor, you can just tell he is good people for sure...wait a minute, TH-cam actually makes us neighbors :-) Great content, keep it coming!
I'm in a hurry to cut a hole in the tank. I'm just going to use a oxyacetylene torch quick , so I'm going to skip the water part. 💥☠️ Bad idea😂. Do it right or not at all. Good video & thanks for sharing some safety ideas.
While I appreciate all the hard work with the torpedo level it would save you so much time to use a laser line after finding center on top and on side... I pan on building one and as I watched your video I couldn't help but think the laser would help so much!
I like to make a starting cut with a cutoff wheel and the use a sawzall with a good quality metal blade to cut the rest. I have had a few wheels blow up on me and I hate changing my pants after.
Frank can you revisit this and make another video that shows cutting the end off with the plasma cutter? I'm building a 250 gallon tank smoker soon and am trying to get a plan of attack.
So if you were just cutting the wedge out for a regular firebox, once you get the cut made and the water drains out then your pretty well in the clear for safety right.
I do recommend back purging until the whole wedge is cut out. On this tank I did not back purge since it was a brand new unused tank pretty much. Like we always say it’s better to get tanks that the valves are already removed on, but on tanks where they’re freshly decommissioned I recommend back purging with CO2 as you cut. Until the wedge is completely out. Then it’s safe to do whatever with them
@@SmokerBuilder If you buy a decomissioned tank with valves already removed, would you still fill with water before cutting? I just picked up a 250 gallon decomissioned with valves pulled. I plan on putting it in some furniture dollies with wheels up so I can freely turn the tank, wasn't sure if the valve opening to the ground would be enough
That’s what I was going to ask. I picked up 3 150 gallon tanks that have been sitting at a tank supplier in their salvage side of the yard. All valves have been removed. I’ve filled it up 2x with soapy water to be sure. First time I dumped it out there was a little gas in the water. Second time good to go.
Great video! I watched several of your videos now and learn something new every time! I was really hoping you were gonna cut with the plasma cutter. I don’t have a Metabo, but I do have a plasma. Do I need to be concerned about water getting on my torch head?
hey buddy! Ya need to be careful for sure but really no worries other than making sure all your grounds are good, staying out of the water puddle, and quicker wear on your consumables. When I do this I start at the bottom and work up vertically to prevent water from running down on the tip.
I've been following these videos building my own smoker. Had a 500g layin around. Do you burn out the tanks after you do this cut for the firebox? Or is it generally safe after that?
The dish soap reduces the surface tension of the water, which allows it to soak into small spaces where plain water would leave a bubble of oil or gas. The result of that will be to drive more flammable material up to the top of the tank where it can flow out before you cut. A little goes a long way with dish soap, especially if you dribble it in so it’s mixed well, so a gallon seems like overkill to me, but for a buck or two you can mix in a bottle of dish liquid and get more gunk out. Seems like a bargain to me.
It’s not, unless you back purge with CO2. The propane in the tank is not the only concern. The ethyl mercaptan is also very flammable. It will also explode if it is vaporized and sits in the bottom in liquid form. When you empty the water from the tank air goes in to replace it. Once air enters you risk having the correct oxygen/fuel mixture which is what causes the explosion
Hello i am building a smoker from a old air tank. When cutting the top of the door, the metal is crimped inward along its entire length, but especially in the middle of the door at the top. How can i correct that in any way?
I have seen were a shop vac was used to force extra air into the tank to push out any extra fumes and disrupt the air while u cut open the tank have u seen or tried this method any thoughts
![[1000 Gallon Smoker Build] How To Cut A Propane Tank](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vc8Mu75DUhM/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm just starting my first propane smoker build, and stumbled upon this amazing, very informative video. I truly was at a loss at how to begin, especially with the first cut on a newly bled 500 gallon propane tank. You guys are amazing thanks so much!!!
Thanks brother! Really glad the video helped you 👍
If you don't mind me asking, what size firebox should i put on it?
@@rodneycollins7130 There’s a little more to it than just the firebox size. Here’s a couple things that can help you get everything right.
Our free calculator at bbqpitcalculator.com
We also have lots of plans for 500 gallon smokers at smokerplans.net
Frank ! Hey man use an old Pipefitter trick ! Take some adding machine/cash register paper, and make a wrap completely all the way around. Overlap it on top, make a straight cut across the paper. Now you have the exact circumference reference, fold it in half, and half again ! Make a small cut on each corner, then unfold. You now have quarter reference points on the wrap paper !
Thanks bro! That's a great idea!
@@SmokerBuilder yeup thats what many welders to when taking a branch test. if no pamphlets are available
As someone who is just starting there journey in building a pit. Your videos are the most informative and educational. Thanks for putting this content up for us to learn from. Regards from down in Australia.
We absolutely love making these videos to help others with their builds! Thank you for the feedback buddy!
Today! Just did this to a 500 gallon propane tank...making that initial cut was high pucker factor! Great tips, thanks for the video. Frank is one of those guys you wish you had as a neighbor, you can just tell he is good people for sure...wait a minute, TH-cam actually makes us neighbors :-) Great content, keep it coming!
Haha thanks bro!!
Laser line level would do you wonders my friend. Love your channel. I've learned a lot.
My thought also. Of course you have to put more effort into leveling the tank. But yeah, probably easier overall.
Absolutely!!
It really does make a huge difference!
Good video on how to get a pretty straight guide to gut on. I'm planning on splitting one completely in half and making a fire pit with cooking grate
I'm in a hurry to cut a hole in the tank. I'm just going to use a oxyacetylene torch quick , so I'm going to skip the water part. 💥☠️ Bad idea😂.
Do it right or not at all.
Good video & thanks for sharing some safety ideas.
Good job Frank.
Thanks man!
While I appreciate all the hard work with the torpedo level it would save you so much time to use a laser line after finding center on top and on side... I pan on building one and as I watched your video I couldn't help but think the laser would help so much!
thanks for sharing your knowledge
Making smokers at the trailer park with the bois ! Man I loved your video, thanks for sharing the tips !
No problem buddy! 🥩😃🍻
beautiful cut
Brilliant video thank you 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Calculator on phones come very useful. Now I want to cut the old propane tank laying around and turn it into a barbeque grill with caster wheels.
,, watching and learning thank you
I like how happy you were when you said she was wrong 😄
Yeah buddy! 😂 😂 😂
Starting at the bottom does water leaks out before you are done cutting? Since you have such a large cut pressure is not longer a issue?
I like to make a starting cut with a cutoff wheel and the use a sawzall with a good quality metal blade to cut the rest.
I have had a few wheels blow up on me and I hate changing my pants after.
Got to watch that. Run out of pants after while lol. Thanks buddy
Frank can you revisit this and make another video that shows cutting the end off with the plasma cutter? I'm building a 250 gallon tank smoker soon and am trying to get a plan of attack.
Adding it to the list bro!!
So I have a very old 1000 gal tank an want to cut off ends for fire pit how do I cut them off? Fill up with water then cut with water in them?
Great vid
Also I plan on using my pneumatic air powered cut off wheel
So if you were just cutting the wedge out for a regular firebox, once you get the cut made and the water drains out then your pretty well in the clear for safety right.
I do recommend back purging until the whole wedge is cut out. On this tank I did not back purge since it was a brand new unused tank pretty much. Like we always say it’s better to get tanks that the valves are already removed on, but on tanks where they’re freshly decommissioned I recommend back purging with CO2 as you cut. Until the wedge is completely out. Then it’s safe to do whatever with them
@@SmokerBuilder If you buy a decomissioned tank with valves already removed, would you still fill with water before cutting? I just picked up a 250 gallon decomissioned with valves pulled. I plan on putting it in some furniture dollies with wheels up so I can freely turn the tank, wasn't sure if the valve opening to the ground would be enough
That’s what I was going to ask. I picked up 3 150 gallon tanks that have been sitting at a tank supplier in their salvage side of the yard. All valves have been removed. I’ve filled it up 2x with soapy water to be sure. First time I dumped it out there was a little gas in the water. Second time good to go.
Great video! I watched several of your videos now and learn something new every time! I was really hoping you were gonna cut with the plasma cutter. I don’t have a Metabo, but I do have a plasma. Do I need to be concerned about water getting on my torch head?
hey buddy! Ya need to be careful for sure but really no worries other than making sure all your grounds are good, staying out of the water puddle, and quicker wear on your consumables.
When I do this I start at the bottom and work up vertically to prevent water from running down on the tip.
I've been following these videos building my own smoker. Had a 500g layin around. Do you burn out the tanks after you do this cut for the firebox? Or is it generally safe after that?
Once you get a hole in it you’ll be safe to do the whole build!
With your skillset and availability of tanks and fabrication tools have you considered building a biomass gasifier?
I've seen other videos and they add a gallon of dish soap . What do you think about adding it ? Good or not needed ?
The dish soap reduces the surface tension of the water, which allows it to soak into small spaces where plain water would leave a bubble of oil or gas. The result of that will be to drive more flammable material up to the top of the tank where it can flow out before you cut. A little goes a long way with dish soap, especially if you dribble it in so it’s mixed well, so a gallon seems like overkill to me, but for a buck or two you can mix in a bottle of dish liquid and get more gunk out. Seems like a bargain to me.
Thank you for the info. I've never cut a tank and I want to do it the right way. ✅
Thanks for the info!
No problem buddy!👊
At about the 8:14 mark what size tank is that behind you. The larger one with the paint stripped off.
Thanks that is helpful
Glad it helped buddy!😊
How long did it take to fill that tank full of water?
30 minutes or less
@@SmokerBuilder Thanks
Can you do a video on cutting it open with a plasma cutter I would like to see one
We will plan to do one in the future.
I’m interested in that too. Wondering about the water factor when using the plasma cutter?
How do you attach a round propane tank fire box to the a propane tank?
Be watching! I’ll be doing that video on the next Build! 1000 Gallon coming up next
Make a scribe.
Is it safe for me to fill the gas tank with water for a few days and drain the water out of it and then make my cuts?
It’s not, unless you back purge with CO2.
The propane in the tank is not the only concern. The ethyl mercaptan is also very flammable. It will also explode if it is vaporized and sits in the bottom in liquid form.
When you empty the water from the tank air goes in to replace it.
Once air enters you risk having the correct oxygen/fuel mixture which is what causes the explosion
I thank you sir for your reply. I will make sure I keep the water in it while I am making my cuts.
Again sir, I sincerely thank you.
Hello i am building a smoker from a old air tank. When cutting the top of the door, the metal is crimped inward along its entire length, but especially in the middle of the door at the top. How can i correct that in any way?
Check out Allens Welding... Hes got a good technique
Where can I get a tank like that
So on my 250 gallon tank I need to cut the end in the middle since I am not going to have a baffle in it. ??
you need try center finder with built in level an center punch lol
For sure!
What is the name of the angular measurement tool?
it is a center Head square.
What kind of level is that?
Hey Frank, can I get the model # of your Metabo?
I have seen were a shop vac was used to force extra air into the tank to push out any extra fumes and disrupt the air while u cut open the tank have u seen or tried this method any thoughts
I do not recommend using air to purge with since it is lighter than propane. the best thing to use is CO2
How much is a 750gallon offset smoker?
Give us a call or send us a PM and we can get all of that information to you!
He: tries to calculate quarters of the circumference in imperial...
Me: learning chinese must be easier...
Anyway, thnx for the vid and ideas...
You save money and safer if you levelled it off the tank instead of the legs. Why its moving on you and breaking disks on you by pinching.
Or we could just drop them off for you to cut for us😂. Somethings are better left to professionals.
Have you ever built or seen a ball shaped propane tank / smoker ?
After you fill the tank with water why do you believe there is any danger????? Could you not just fill, drain and cut the empty tank?
Nope! The oils and odorants in the tank are very flammable as well! Been there done that!!! 😂😂😂
can i buy a tank cut already and where you are located i am in Michigan
Unfortunately we do not sell tanks.
Is there a way to do the math without all the numbers?
I’m about to make a pit out of a 120gallom water tank from a concrete mixer.
There called Cuttoff wheels not slicer wheel
It's called "They're", not "there"
Plasma all day everyday.
i cut one last week with a battery saw saw. NEVER AGAIN. just saying.
Just be better to buy a tank that's never had butane in it ...if it's possible......