Bbq/smoker question

[Jwgrillin]

Good morning.. I am building a offset fire box style smoker out of a 120 gallon water well tank. The outside of the tank looks to be painted. But the inside has some kind of smooth coating in it. Almost like the inside of an oven or washing machine. Can anyone tell me what that coating may be? Is it safe to cook with? I tried sandblasting it and it takes a lot to get this stuff off. Even tried a torch to burn it off and it didnt phase it. Any help would be great

[yakdung]

Epoxy/Phenolic liner possibly? Common in food grade 55 gallon drums. Would the color of the liner possibly be red by any chance?
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=epoxy...r:12,s:9,i:144

[ThorsHammer]

Could also be a ceramic liner that's cooked on.

[Jwgrillin]

Originally Posted by yakdung

Epoxy/Phenolic liner possibly? Common in food grade 55 gallon drums. Would the color of the liner possibly be red by any chance?
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=epoxy...r:12,s:9,i:144

No its a deep blue color. My buddy thinks its some kind of ceramic coating. Just trying to get more input.

[ThorsHammer]

If it's that hard to get off, and you've had a VERY hot fire in it, you'll be fine. because you're going to be cooking at far lower temps.

[Jwgrillin]

Ok have not had any fires in it yet. I just cut the fire box off one side of the tank and thought the tank looked in to good of shape inside for being 40 yrs old. Then i found this coating. Now Ive put a hold on tjis project until I know for sure

[weldbead]

heat up a spot with a rosebud and whack it with a tenpound hammer..see how it looks aftert that and decide if you wanna eat out of it..

[DanD78]

If it is a glass lined tank I would not use it for food safety reasons. I agree, hit it with a hammer and see what happens.

Dan

[Scott0303]

Does the tank have a name plate on it?

[Jwgrillin]

Originally Posted by Scott0303

Does the tank have a name plate on it?

Yes sir it does.

[Scott0303]

Name? Company still in business? If they are still in business then they probably know what kind of liner is in it.

[Jwgrillin]

If this tank does not work out, what would be a good base to start with? I would like something at least 24" in diameter like the peice i have now.

[yakdung]

Originally Posted by Jwgrillin

If this tank does not work out, what would be a good base to start with? I would like something at least 24" in diameter like the peice i have now.

Build a UDS utilizing an unlined 55 gallon drum. An offset pit requires a lot of babysitting to keep the fire stoked. I can get 16 - 24 hours burn at 225 degrees without adding fuel. Check out the mother of all threads on the UDS:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=23436

[yakdung]

Care to tell us?

[Jwgrillin]

Thats the hole fun in smoking drinkin beer while you babysit the firebox

[yakdung]

Originally Posted by Jwgrillin

Thats the hole fun in smoking drinkin beer while you babysit the firebox

Approximately cook time for a 12 - 15 pound brisket is one hour plus per pound. I have better things to do with my time.

[Meat man]

It is a ceramic liner. Almost impossible to completely remove.

I suggest you find a different tank.

[ThorsHammer]

Why not use it if it's ceramic? your house hold oven is ceramic lined. It's cooking at higher temps just fine. so you would have nothing to worry about with your offset. the ceramic is going to be harder, and last longer than anything else that could be put in it. not to mention it'll probably be easier to clean, though for the life of me I cant figure out why you'd want to clean the curing out of a smoker. You might have some flaking where you weld, but it wont go far. Use the tank. You'll be fine.

[Bistineau]

Originally Posted by ThorsHammer

Why not use it if it's ceramic? your house hold oven is ceramic lined. It's cooking at higher temps just fine. so you would have nothing to worry about with your offset. the ceramic is going to be harder, and last longer than anything else that could be put in it. not to mention it'll probably be easier to clean, though for the life of me I cant figure out why you'd want to clean the curing out of a smoker. You might have some flaking where you weld, but it wont go far. Use the tank. You'll be fine.

I'm in agreement with Thorshammer, if the heat of a torch won't make it come loose then the heat of cooking won't either as it's much lower. Just don't build a trailer to carry it on with a 120V MIG welder.

[Jwgrillin]

Originally Posted by Bistineau

I'm in agreement with Thorshammer, if the heat of a torch won't make it come loose then the heat of cooking won't either as it's much lower. Just don't build a trailer to carry it on with a 120V MIG welder.

I smacked the tacks off the legs tonight with a sledge, and put the tank out back for now. I gonna try a double barrel smoker/que. My boss gave me 3 drums today so Ill start with that.. Meanwhile my uncle is on the lookout for me to fine a 150-250 gallon propane tank. That way I can build my ultimate smoker/que

[ThorsHammer]

do a Search for Fafnir and you'll find my DBS build.

[jaxerozen]

It is really important to paint inside of the smoker to maintain it for long. I am using my bbq griller cum smoker from about ten years. It is in very good condition. I then realized it is because of the bbq smoker paint which we have used to it. You can use rust-o-leum 1000 degree, or 1300 degree which can resist temperature and also non-toxic.

[MarkBall2]

Why paint the inside. A smoker will get covered with soot & if you had applied any veggie oil/lard to season it, it won't rust through.

I would only season it, as that's all it really needs. Many of the propane tank builds have been in service for years without any rusting.

Here are some ideas for the barrel smokers: (The 3rd one is mine)