Smoker question

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Hey guys quick question on building a smoker i've got an old tank of some sort but it galvanized on the outside not sure of the inside yet. Can i use this as a smoker or will i have issues and die while eating good?? Here is a pic. Its about 5-5.5ft tallMillermatic DVIMillermatic 251Older buzz box Cheap 120 welder
Reply:I wouldn't.  I would stay away from galvanized.   That is just my opinion.Jim "Paw-Paw" Wilson StoryThe Lord has declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Moses 1:39Link: My name is John, and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.-- ColdCreekWorks.com --
Reply:Not a good idea.Donnelly Small Engine & WeldingFoley AlabamaLincoln 225 TigLinoln 215 migHypertherm Powermax 65Ellis 1600 sawEllis 6000 belt grinderJD2 Model 4 tubing benderAtlas  12"X54" metal latheLots of large hammers
Reply:That's what i was thinking but wanted to confirm my answer with someone else.Millermatic DVIMillermatic 251Older buzz box Cheap 120 welder
Reply:Build a UDS instead. I can get between 12 - 18 hours @ 225 degrees. The smoker you are wanting to build you have to manage the firebox. No fun.https://www.google.com/search?q=uds&...w=1014&bih=545http://www.bbqbug.com/forums/general...-part-1-a.htmlYakdung
Reply:The tank in question appears to be a water well pressure tank. It prevents the pump from cycling on and off frequently for short intervals. It would have been galvinized inside too. There may not be much left on the inside anymore, it will wear off with time and continuous exposure to water. I think I would find a different project to use it on rather than something where food will be involved.
Reply:Nope, Don't use it for a smoker....Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:OK everybody.  Now explain why a galvanized vessel that will never get hot enought to cause the galvanizing to liquify and reach the required temperature to flash off can't be used for a smoker . . . . . . and the zinc oxide and "welder's flu" examples don't cut the mustard.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Melting point of zinc = 787.15 F. I'm with Duane on this one. (Although, I suppose this temperature MAY be seen at the junction between the firebox and cook chamber.)Last edited by bratkid63; 02-13-2012 at 08:02 PM.Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC (Sold)Miller Dialarc 250HFMiller MM251Miller MM200 (Sold)Miller MM130Miller Spot WelderVictor O/A rigMiller Spoolmatic 1 (Sold)
Reply:Actually, per the MSDS, the flash point of hot dipped galvanizing is 1665F.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Probably the same reason potheads don't use galvanized or copper pipes ahahaha...............melting point might be high but you can still gt sick.
Reply:So "sick" potheads are the basis for your arguement?MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55So "sick" potheads are the basis for your arguement?
Reply:Hydrochloric acid will take take that galvanization off like aircraft stripper and paint... Local science/chemical supply store, probably $25 bucks. I would pressure wash and fire it a few times really hot afterwards.- Cooling tower specialist14' PowerMig 210 MP13'Burntables 5x10 CNC Table14' SAE300 HE on a 12' Ram 4500 60 CA 4x4. Custom bed/bottles/reels.87' SA250d, 78 SA200,11' Ranger 250 GXT AC/DCThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 8112' Lincoln Precision Tig 22508' LN25
Reply:Duane, side question, Given the age of this tank (its old)... ect.. Im not sure you can use hot dipped galvanization anymore, maybe its just in my field. Any idea?14' PowerMig 210 MP13'Burntables 5x10 CNC Table14' SAE300 HE on a 12' Ram 4500 60 CA 4x4. Custom bed/bottles/reels.87' SA250d, 78 SA200,11' Ranger 250 GXT AC/DCThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 8112' Lincoln Precision Tig 22508' LN25
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauThe tank in question appears to be a water well pressure tank. It prevents the pump from cycling on and off frequently for short intervals. It would have been galvinized inside too. There may not be much left on the inside anymore, it will wear off with time and continuous exposure to water. I think I would find a different project to use it on rather than something where food will be involved.
Reply:Sure would make a nice chimnea if your artistic with a torch..14' PowerMig 210 MP13'Burntables 5x10 CNC Table14' SAE300 HE on a 12' Ram 4500 60 CA 4x4. Custom bed/bottles/reels.87' SA250d, 78 SA200,11' Ranger 250 GXT AC/DCThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 8112' Lincoln Precision Tig 22508' LN25
Reply:Lead has a melting point 1630 deg f. So would you make a smoker out of lead covered tank?  The problem is off gassing.  Same as lead does not melt in your water pipes but still dissolves in the water. Zink will off gas with heat.  Some metals are more harmful than others. Zink is not the only thing in the mix when galvanizing bath is made.  Lead and aluminum have a good chance being in there too.  Why do you think you can't have a galvanized counter top in a food prep area and must use Stainless steel?Great tank but a poor choice for using around food and heat.
Reply:Originally Posted by Redneck Welderwould you really want to chance your life on it?
Reply:Originally Posted by TheJackalDuane, side question, Given the age of this tank (its old)... ect.. Im not sure you can use hot dipped galvanization anymore, maybe its just in my field. Any idea?
Reply:Do folks working at the hot dip plants wear respirators at all stations/stages of the process?"The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:I believe it is not so much of the zinc coating being burned off, as it is a concern of the out-gassing of the chemicals / crud underneath the galvanized coating.Yakdung
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Not sure I understand your question but where I work we still have stuff hot dipped at a couple places from time to time.
Reply:I have no clue what temperature it would take to off-gas a galvanized tank but never, never, never cook in anything that has a chance to screw up good BBQ.  If you even have a chance of ruining your flavor, what more do you need to know?
Reply:Originally Posted by QuickLead has a melting point 1630 deg f. So would you make a smoker out of lead covered tank?  The problem is off gassing.  Same as lead does not melt in your water pipes but still dissolves in the water. Zink will off gas with heat.  Some metals are more harmful than others. Zink is not the only thing in the mix when galvanizing bath is made.  Lead and aluminum have a good chance being in there too.  Why do you think you can't have a galvanized counter top in a food prep area and must use Stainless steel?Great tank but a poor choice for using around food and heat.Originally Posted by TheJackalRight on, I remember hearing over the course of meetings and conversation that cooling towers can no longer be hot dipped... Might be wrong..
Reply:Originally Posted by Erik KlineI have no clue what temperature it would take to off-gas a galvanized tank but never, never, never cook in anything that has a chance to screw up good BBQ.  If you even have a chance of ruining your flavor, what more do you need to know?
Reply:Why not cut it in half and make 2 hog feeders out of it? That is what we do with galvanized tanks....just weld some angle under them on each end so hogs can't turn them over when they stick their feet in them...good to go...Don't Worry About the MuleLoad the Wagon!Lincoln 305GUnion Carbide TorchDon't Worry About the Mule~Load the Wagon!
Reply:Originally Posted by Joe Bill MoadWhy not cut it in half and make 2 hog feeders out of it? That is what we do with galvanized tanks....just weld some angle under them on each end so hogs can't turn them over when they stick their feet in them...good to go...Don't Worry About the MuleLoad the Wagon!
Reply:There it is!Sent from my SGH-T959Lincoln 305GUnion Carbide TorchDon't Worry About the Mule~Load the Wagon!
Reply:Definitely with Duane on this one...  Hell, I'd be more worried if it was coated with TEFLON!  But then again, you'd have to 'Weld it' for you to release the fluorocarbons... (I'd take ZINC over that 'any day' of the week.)Also, the Jim Wilson (paw, paw) event isn't a 'good example.  It's important to remember that he 'cooked' heavily coated Galvanized coated pipe inside a forge in order to 'burn it off'!  His entire shop filled with Burning acrid smoke and even though he felt OK after a week, he still expired the week after that...  It's also important to note that Jim also had Fairly Significant Health issues prior to this (after all he was an 'old time Blacksmith') and it this is very likely the reason why (or the catalyst) he ended up with Double Pneumonia.  A terrible tragedy in any event...Miller Diversion 165120 amp Buzz BoxVictor Oxy/Ace Oxy/LPGSmith "Little" Oxy/LPGHypertherm Powermax 30Lot's of Misc. tools n' crap....
Reply:well its dangerous for 2 reasons that i can think of..1. its galvanized, dangerous metals in that 2. you dont know what the tank was used as for sure during its entire life span, even microscopic residuals could be dangerous, should always know the complete life span of any metal tank you use for anything. You always have to be 100% sure with food, plus it could have a dangerous coating inside that is undetectable.. etc, never know.Last edited by snappy101; 03-04-2012 at 08:47 PM.
Reply:Read this info. I would not hesitate to make a smoker out of that tank. My style of choice would be an UGLY DRUM SMOKER personally. I think it would be great for that.http://periodictable.com/ZincSafety.html