DIY trailered bar b q pit and smoker build + pizza oven

[J & L Creations]

Hello all, out of all the projects I’ve got going, I’ve started acumilating parts for another. Well actually several. I drove about 3 hours from where I live to pickup 3 propane tanks, two are 250 gallon and the third is 150 gallon. Bought them for $150.00, that includes the gas I used round trip. Plan on building a trailered bar b que pit and smoker. One of the 250 gallon tanks has perfectly rounded ends on it, I’ll be cutting these off and building two pizza ovens, will sell one and keep the other. The pit I plan on selling as well. Here are photos of the tanks.

 

[czar800]

 

[Cracker Boy]

I built one with 1 and a half of thosw years ago with my father it finally wore out

 

[J & L Creations]

I built one with 1 and a half of thosw years ago with my father it finally wore out

Yeah I figure it will last a very long time.

 

[Cracker Boy]

What ruined it was my bro in law using it and not cleaning it and using char coal and never cleaning it out and getting wet in smoker not using firebox on one end we cut one tank in half welded on end for a fire box

 

[J & L Creations]

Rain water and ash will kill any pit, they really need to be cleaned out after every use.

 

[angelo c]

Checking In for the pizza oven....

 

[J & L Creations]

Still will be scrounging for materials, but I hope to cut the rounded ends off the one tank tomorrow if weather permits.

 

[USMC615]

Interesting...just now seeing this thread. I helped some guys years ago fab and build a couple of trailered grill and smoker setups.

 

[J & L Creations]

Finally ran across a good deal on some tanks now that I am retired and have the time to do something like this..

 

[Dolmar Junkie]

I am excited for you,this is fun stuff. I've been collecting materials for a while t build a new one.
Are you building a reverse flow setup? Ideally I am going to build my new one with the fire box on one end and haven't decided on 150 or 250 gal center with an upright box on the far end that will accept standard restaurant sized sheet pans, and it will definitely be a reverse flow configuration. My old unit was built quickly and heavily, but it also performs well and has given me the benefit of hindsight, so I know what l want now. Keep us informed, you got me ready to go out tonight with my tape measure and start laying it out... Matt

 

[J & L Creations]

As you discribe here Matt=DJ is what I plan on building for a 250 gallon pit, smoker and firebox. I have a 1/2” thick wall 2’ diameter, 28” long pipe for the firebox ought to last a very long time. I’ll have to look into the reverse flow you mentioned, not sure what you are referring to. Fire box on one end and the smoker on the other, with the smoke stack flue on top of the smoker but one also down on the 250 gallon tank at the smoker end, also making the smoker to where I can adjust smoke flow (between the tank and smoker) or close it off all the way if not in use. Of course having an adjustable vent at the firebox and fully adjustable butterflies in the flues.

 

[J & L Creations]

I was able to fill the 250 gallon tank with the rounded ends today with water and purge it from any residual propane. Took a while with my grinder and 1/32” thick 4 1/2” cutoff disks to cut around both ends of the tank, but was finally able to cut both rounded ends off. So now I have a 30” diameter pipe 5’ long and two 30” diameter domes the domes will be used to build the pizza ovens. The domes will be the top of the ovens and look similar to igloos.

 

[J & L Creations]

Hello Matt did some research. Found a photo of the reverse flow design you had mentioned. Looks to be an easier build, the weight distribution on the trailer sure would be better, more of a balance over the axle and less tongue weight. Even heat distribution as well, you could build in a water troff to keep meat from drying out. Thanks for the tip and your insight, I think I will build this design.

 

[Dolmar Junkie]

View attachment 108247 Hello Matt did some research. Found a photo of the reverse flow design you had mentioned. Looks to be an easier build, the weight distribution on the trailer sure would be better, more of a balance over the axle and less tongue weight. Even heat distribution as well, you could build in a water troff to keep meat from drying out. Thanks for the tip and your insight, I think I will build this design.

The uniform heating is what was the deciding factor for me. Efficiency is key in my mind with the cost of meat and your name on the line when your family and friends and/ or customers taste your product.
I am glad I could be of assistance(in a very minimal way) Again I am very excited to follow along with your build, I'm sure you will get my creative juices flowing and give me some ideas. Keep the pics coming.
I am also following closely on your pizza oven, I built one 15-16 yes ago at my former house using a sand form but alas that's not portable. I am interested in seeing if what you build is or could be made portable.
Have fun and stay safe, Matt

 

[J & L Creations]

Worked hard today, filled the other two propane tanks with water. Cut the ends off of the 150 gallon tank, I’ll be building fire pits with adjustable grills with these, also having plasma cut designs in them. Cut the one end off the other 250 gallon tank, this one will be used to build the reverse flow trailered pit and smoker. Now I need to change gears and get back to working on my sawmill build as I might have some left over steel I could use on the trailered pit smoker. I’ll be back here later after I scrounge material. More photos.

 

[J & L Creations]

Well been awhile since I've posted, sorry for that guys. I was contacted to build a trailered reverse flow BBQ pit and smoker for a guy. He brought me his old pit to see if any of it might be useable. He also brought a 500 gallon propane tank for the main body of the new pit. Well after looking at the old pit all I really saw useable was the axle which had no leaf springs, trailer was just an A frame with the axle welded to it and an old rusted out 4' round tank with a firebox on the back end. The guy had just bought new tires so all I could do was to cut the axle off and rebuild it, then build a new leaf spring trailer over it. I also had to lengthen the axle to accommodate the width of the new trailer. So I had some old Jeep leaf springs, used them, rebuilt the axle, then built the new trailer. Got it all together, lifted the 500 gallon tank onto the trailer and you guessed it. The springs went flat. So the work that went into the axle, axle hanger supports and shackles was not a total loss cause I can use it all on a pizza oven build. To to solve the problem, I found a complete used, in serviceable condition tandum 3500 lb each axle setup, with 5 leaf leaf springs and equalizers. I did have to shorten the axles a bit and buy bearings for one hub. repacked all the bearings, welded in all the hanger supports, put it all together. Now the trailer will hold any weight I put on it. see photos. Next will be fenders, cleaning, painting and lights, then on to the pit build.

 

[huskyboy]

I’m getting hungry hurry up!

 

[J & L Creations]

Well guys I know you’ve been anxiously awaiting progress on this build. Life gets in the way at times as my mother recently died. She was 88 years of age and just very tired. You know you just don’t realize what all is involved when you loose someone unless you’ve actually been through it all yourself. We have been very blessed that the immediate family have been very supportive through all of this, that we’re all on the same page and threes been no fighting ove who gets what. The stress of it all though has still been tremendous and taken it’s toll on me as I now have shingles. Things are and will get better and the work does help me cope with things, so I’ll be back on track soon. To bring you up to date on the build, I’ve installed lights to the trailer and a wire mesh floor. The trailer tracks and pulls very well. The 3500 lb tandem axles worked really well. Next I’ll be purchasing two 4 x 8 sheets of metal plate 1/4” thick, 16 gauge sheet to build fenders, expanded metal and angle iron, most of which will be used to build the pit innards for reverse flow and vertical smoker. Well that’s it for now guys, see you on my next post.

 

[USMC615]

Well guys I know you’ve been anxiously awaiting progress on this build. Life gets in the way at times as my mother recently died. She was 88 years of age and just very tired. You know you just don’t realize what all is involved when you loose someone unless you’ve actually been through it all yourself. We have been very blessed that the immediate family have been very supportive through all of this, that we’re all on the same page and threes been no fighting ove who gets what. The stress of it all though has still been tremendous and taken it’s toll on me as I now have shingles. Things are and will get better and the work does help me cope with things, so I’ll be back on track soon. To bring you up to date on the build, I’ve installed lights to the trailer and a wire mesh floor. The trailer tracks and pulls very well. The 3500 lb tandem axles worked really well. Next I’ll be purchasing two 4 x 8 sheets of metal plate 1/4” thick, 16 gauge sheet to build fenders, expanded metal and angle iron, most of which will be used to build the pit innards for reverse flow and vertical smoker. Well that’s it for now guys, see you on my next post.

Condolences to you and the family for your mother...sorry to hear this. I know the pain and loss...I’ve lost both my parents and two older brothers. Sorry to hear about the shingles deal...painful stuff. Keep us updated like you have with this post, as the build progresses to completion. Wish you the best my friend!