http://daytona.craigslist.org/spo/5290874697.html
I am starting to look at used scuba tanks for a burn chamber for the charcoal. It should be 10 -12 inches across and if made of steel should be able to hold up to the heat. The other option is an old oxygen tank… Also considering using a stainless steel trash can and build it like a refractory → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHD10DjxM1g
Hi there Mart, Scuba tanks? Oxygen tanks? for a charcoal gasifier??? Way too heavy, I mean they will work, but you can use light weight steel drums, old water heaters or propane tanks which are much easier to find and work with and are cheaper,
Gary in PA
Thanks Gary! Thanks for the advice ( from everyone on this thread ) so a better choice would be a 100 lb or 125 lb propane tank something like this → http://ocala.craigslist.org/grd/5315392768.html ?
I would like 4 -6 hours burn time.
If you can find a “100 POUND” tank, that would probably be great. The tank in your link is a 125 GALLON tank though. Propane weighs 4.24 pounds per gallon, so that tank is a “530 POUND tank”.
I ran into this problem years ago with actual propane: “how did our fill up only be less than 20 gallons?!”
http://ocala.craigslist.org/for/5242868331.html
Ok this is probably more like what I need then.
"100 lb propane tank with no gas in it you will need a truck to pick it up call "
Hi Matt, the tank you linked to say 125 gallon butt I think he means 125 lbs. Unless my proportions are wrong that is a vehicle mount propane tank identical to the one I used for my tractor about 20-25 gallons. Heavy bugger and made for pressure and abuse. Nothing wrong with it its just overkill if you have to pay money for it. I like the water pressure tanks myself. The sides are thinner so its lighter and it has no resale value so its cheap. Can you buy metal scrap where you are? That is your best bet if you can find a scrap yard ask to walk around and buy something per pound of scrap instead of a higher price for something “good”. Again nothing wrong with your choice just its a lot of cash and I’m cheap! For consumption my 28 hp tractor burns about a gallon of gasoline an hour and consumes almost 10 gallons of softwood charcoal. If it is hardwood charcoal about 33% less so 6-7 gallons then it shuts down using up almost half the tank worth… So figure out how much gasoline you burn in an hour, figure out your volume for 12-14 lbs of charcoal (equivalent to one gallon of gas) multiply by 3 to be safe and that is the tank volume for one gallon of gasoline. All of this is back of the envelope math of course. Results may vary, consult your doctor etc etc
David Baillie
Hello Mart .
Here are some tanks I picked up at the scrap yard . 12 inch diameter and about 40 inches long . Thickness seems to be between 1/8 and 3/16 . I don’t remember what they cost but it was scrap price .
I don’t really want to argue over it, but the tank in the link is almost certainly in gallons. Look at the size compared to the 2x4s it’s sitting on and the tarp behind it. I’d guess it’s at least 8 feet long by 2 feet in diameter.
No argument Brian, I’m quite prepared to be wrong on the size… Good catch on the 2x4 missed that
Now you’re talking!!! There is a thread on DOW about cutting propane tanks… I am a chicken so I empty the tank unscrew or drill out the tap and fill with water. There are many other ways.
That tank your thinking of buying for $40 looks like the same tank that I have and use for my engines , but I will agree with what the guys are saying its a little over the top for the price because right now scrap isn’t worth picking up as its now only AU$50 into the yard , do what David mentioned and look for a local scrap yard and find a cheaper / lighter tank , you never know you may even find something that’s even better suited , plus you may find pipe work and fittings there as well , so all you would need then is to make a hatch and weld up a outlet pipe and inlet pipe ready for your nozzle .
Dave
I have been looking at the silver fire builds out there, and I see that people have used 5 gal cans and stainless cooking containers.
I am considering a stainless turkey fryer now.
I have looked for scrap yards, and none are close to me, they said they don’t take propane unless the container is cut.
I do see the advantages of having a lighter unit. I am considering using penlite with sodium silicate for the liner.
I will be in a big city and will scour craiglist for the best deal.
I would take a 5 gal metal bucket like Gary has, but I have not found one as of yet…
Mart
I am starting to pick up some of the parts. Looking at others videos I like how how they have the pipe unscrew on the inside with the nossle tip.
That eBay link is to an aluminum fryer. I don’t know why they mentioned “stainless” in the title.
Hi Mart , good to see you have started collecting , that can be half the fun .
If you can find old grease drums they also make great gasifiers and filter tanks and normally have a clip on lid with a locking ring , so if scrap yards are hard to find , take a drive around the local mechanics shops ,as these days they don’t have to send them back .
Down side to these drums are because they are on the thin side and hard to weld without burning through them, but you can make them up with 1inch pipe nipples with nuts and joiners , and seal with that tube of rtv and all you need is a hole cutter and your good to go .
Dave
RE: Turkey Fryer. Yes, you are correct an aluminum one would not be the best choice, I had multiple searches going and stainless would be the way to go.
Thanks for the tip about grease drums. I had tried at the local Jiffy lube for such about a year ago, they did not have such. I will keep my eyes pealed.
You’d need to try more local Mom&Pop mechanics.
Places like “Jiffy Lube” have enough turnover/infrastructure to recycle/reuse the drums.
Even local places might only got through a drum once every 3-6 months and they make really nice shop garbage cans so there aren’t usually many free ones.
Is noting safe…? 
Cool idea… I like it…
