Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Make a BBQ Pit Out of a 150 Gallon Propane Tank

If you've ever been to a barbecue joint, you've probably noticed the large metal apparatus slow-smoking cuts of meat. This is called a "smoker" and it uses low heat to cook its internal contents. You don't have to be a restaurateur to have a smoker. In fact, you can make a smoker yourself out of readily available items, such as a propane tank.

Things You'll Need

Safety glasses
Torch or metal grinder
Pipe
Welder
Two metal hinges
Plate metal
Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Open the release valve on the top of the propane tank and let it vent its remaining gas.
- 2
  Unscrew the valve itself and remove it from the tank. Fill the tank completely with soap and water to remove any fuel and replace the valve.
- 3
  Put on your safety goggles and use your torch or welder to cut off the curved end of the propane tank and drain the water.
- 4
  Cut four three-eighth-inch thick lengths of pipe to the desired length for the legs. Cut the ends of the pipe at an angle so they will match the contours of the tank.
- 5
  Weld the legs to the outside corners of the tank, so that the tank sits on the legs horizontally.
- 6
  Measure the diameter of the open end of the tank and cut a plate metal circle to match it.
- 7
  Cut a whole in the bottom of the circle. This will be the vent for the firebox.
- 8
  Weld the circle to the open end of the tank.
- 9
  Form a box about 16 inches deep and about half the size of the width of the tank. Leave the ends of this box open. Form this box out of quarter-inch pieces of plate metal. This will be the firebox.
- 10
  Weld one open end of the box over the vent hole at the end of the tank.
- 11
  Weld two hinges to one side of the remaining open end of the box. Attach another piece of plate metal to the hinges to form the door.
- 12
  Use your grinder to cut out a section on the top of the tank. This will be the door of the smoker and should be just large enough for you to easily insert food products.
- 13
  Weld hinges to the top of the opening and connect the metal piece you just cut out to the hinges to form the smoker.

Other Hobbies