Expert Tips: How To Cut Propane Tank

Рет қаралды 92,832

3 жыл бұрын

In the next video in our series on how to build a stick burner, we show you how to safely and effectively make the initial cut on your tank! As we go through these steps we remind you again that if you are scared of this process don't do it. There are safety considerations when it comes to dealing with Propane tanks. And we want you to be safe
With that said, we hope you enjoy the video!
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If you'd like to get plans to build your Offset Smoker from your propane tank you can find those here:
sbmfg.net/Offset-Smoker-Plans
If you'd like to get plans to build your Reverse Flow smoker from your propane tank you can find those here:
sbmfg.net/reverse-flow-smoker...
#smokerbuilder #reverseflowsmokers #offsetsmokers

Пікірлер: 96

@dennisseeker36 18 күн бұрын

thanks for sharing your knowledge

@timothyleger4385 3 жыл бұрын

Frank ! Hey man use an old Pipefitter trick ! Take some adding machine/cash register paper, and make a wrap completely all the way around. Overlap it on top, make a straight cut across the paper. Now you have the exact circumference reference, fold it in half, and half again ! Make a small cut on each corner, then unfold. You now have quarter reference points on the wrap paper !

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks bro! That's a great idea!

@davidrios8872 2 жыл бұрын

@@SmokerBuilder yeup thats what many welders to when taking a branch test. if no pamphlets are available

@MrRandyj72 2 жыл бұрын

Good video on how to get a pretty straight guide to gut on. I'm planning on splitting one completely in half and making a fire pit with cooking grate

@drayker99 2 ай бұрын

While I appreciate all the hard work with the torpedo level it would save you so much time to use a laser line after finding center on top and on side... I pan on building one and as I watched your video I couldn't help but think the laser would help so much!

@rodneycollins7130 4 ай бұрын

I'm just starting my first propane smoker build, and stumbled upon this amazing, very informative video. I truly was at a loss at how to begin, especially with the first cut on a newly bled 500 gallon propane tank. You guys are amazing thanks so much!!!

@SmokerBuilder 4 ай бұрын

Thanks brother! Really glad the video helped you 👍

@rodneycollins7130 4 ай бұрын

If you don't mind me asking, what size firebox should i put on it?

@SmokerBuilder 4 ай бұрын

@@rodneycollins7130 There’s a little more to it than just the firebox size. Here’s a couple things that can help you get everything right. Our free calculator at bbqpitcalculator.com We also have lots of plans for 500 gallon smokers at smokerplans.net

@brentsmith5647 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant video thank you 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

@brentsmith5647 Жыл бұрын

,, watching and learning thank you

@Mountainmonths Жыл бұрын

beautiful cut

@allanmcleod9445 2 жыл бұрын

Great vid

@Desertburro21 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info!

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

No problem buddy!👊

@anesthesiadreamin 3 жыл бұрын

Today! Just did this to a 500 gallon propane tank...making that initial cut was high pucker factor! Great tips, thanks for the video. Frank is one of those guys you wish you had as a neighbor, you can just tell he is good people for sure...wait a minute, KZfaq actually makes us neighbors :-) Great content, keep it coming!

@SmokerBuilder 2 жыл бұрын

Haha thanks bro!!

@jray7656 2 жыл бұрын

Laser line level would do you wonders my friend. Love your channel. I've learned a lot.

@twestgard2 2 жыл бұрын

My thought also. Of course you have to put more effort into leveling the tank. But yeah, probably easier overall.

@SmokerBuilder 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!! It really does make a huge difference!

@MrRanma3030 3 жыл бұрын

As someone who is just starting there journey in building a pit. Your videos are the most informative and educational. Thanks for putting this content up for us to learn from. Regards from down in Australia.

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

We absolutely love making these videos to help others with their builds! Thank you for the feedback buddy!

@gordongamble3244 11 ай бұрын

Good job Frank.

@SmokerBuilder 4 ай бұрын

Thanks man!

@loseyourlife4042 3 жыл бұрын

Good video

@illlolonurgraves847 3 жыл бұрын

Making smokers at the trailer park with the bois ! Man I loved your video, thanks for sharing the tips !

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

No problem buddy! 🥩😃🍻

@sulimanmtq5805 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks that is helpful

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped buddy!😊

@bz3248 Жыл бұрын

I'm in a hurry to cut a hole in the tank. I'm just going to use a oxyacetylene torch quick , so I'm going to skip the water part. 💥☠️ Bad idea😂. Do it right or not at all. Good video & thanks for sharing some safety ideas.

@robertburke4881 Жыл бұрын

With your skillset and availability of tanks and fabrication tools have you considered building a biomass gasifier?

@chuckreardon4225 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! I watched several of your videos now and learn something new every time! I was really hoping you were gonna cut with the plasma cutter. I don’t have a Metabo, but I do have a plasma. Do I need to be concerned about water getting on my torch head?

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

hey buddy! Ya need to be careful for sure but really no worries other than making sure all your grounds are good, staying out of the water puddle, and quicker wear on your consumables. When I do this I start at the bottom and work up vertically to prevent water from running down on the tip.

@ttan2908 3 жыл бұрын

I like how happy you were when you said she was wrong 😄

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah buddy! 😂 😂 😂

@MrRandyj72 2 жыл бұрын

Also I plan on using my pneumatic air powered cut off wheel

@chrclmnky 3 жыл бұрын

Calculator on phones come very useful. Now I want to cut the old propane tank laying around and turn it into a barbeque grill with caster wheels.

@jeremyescobedo3079 2 ай бұрын

Starting at the bottom does water leaks out before you are done cutting? Since you have such a large cut pressure is not longer a issue?

@rogerl8488 Жыл бұрын

So I have a very old 1000 gal tank an want to cut off ends for fire pit how do I cut them off? Fill up with water then cut with water in them?

@JBTrapper93 2 жыл бұрын

At about the 8:14 mark what size tank is that behind you. The larger one with the paint stripped off.

@brianm7837 2 жыл бұрын

Frank can you revisit this and make another video that shows cutting the end off with the plasma cutter? I'm building a 250 gallon tank smoker soon and am trying to get a plan of attack.

@SmokerBuilder 2 жыл бұрын

Adding it to the list bro!!

@chriswillet6739 3 жыл бұрын

So on my 250 gallon tank I need to cut the end in the middle since I am not going to have a baffle in it. ??

@davidfonseca4237 3 жыл бұрын

Where can I get a tank like that

@timberray9572 7 ай бұрын

I like to make a starting cut with a cutoff wheel and the use a sawzall with a good quality metal blade to cut the rest. I have had a few wheels blow up on me and I hate changing my pants after.

@SmokerBuilder 4 ай бұрын

Got to watch that. Run out of pants after while lol. Thanks buddy

@ryankunkel5124 Жыл бұрын

I've been following these videos building my own smoker. Had a 500g layin around. Do you burn out the tanks after you do this cut for the firebox? Or is it generally safe after that?

@SmokerBuilder Жыл бұрын

Once you get a hole in it you’ll be safe to do the whole build!

@ntj030885 3 жыл бұрын

So if you were just cutting the wedge out for a regular firebox, once you get the cut made and the water drains out then your pretty well in the clear for safety right.

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

I do recommend back purging until the whole wedge is cut out. On this tank I did not back purge since it was a brand new unused tank pretty much. Like we always say it’s better to get tanks that the valves are already removed on, but on tanks where they’re freshly decommissioned I recommend back purging with CO2 as you cut. Until the wedge is completely out. Then it’s safe to do whatever with them

@travischiasson4800 3 жыл бұрын

@@SmokerBuilder If you buy a decomissioned tank with valves already removed, would you still fill with water before cutting? I just picked up a 250 gallon decomissioned with valves pulled. I plan on putting it in some furniture dollies with wheels up so I can freely turn the tank, wasn't sure if the valve opening to the ground would be enough

@kansascitysmoked6263 3 жыл бұрын

That’s what I was going to ask. I picked up 3 150 gallon tanks that have been sitting at a tank supplier in their salvage side of the yard. All valves have been removed. I’ve filled it up 2x with soapy water to be sure. First time I dumped it out there was a little gas in the water. Second time good to go.

@elir9711 2 жыл бұрын

I've seen other videos and they add a gallon of dish soap . What do you think about adding it ? Good or not needed ?

@twestgard2 2 жыл бұрын

The dish soap reduces the surface tension of the water, which allows it to soak into small spaces where plain water would leave a bubble of oil or gas. The result of that will be to drive more flammable material up to the top of the tank where it can flow out before you cut. A little goes a long way with dish soap, especially if you dribble it in so it’s mixed well, so a gallon seems like overkill to me, but for a buck or two you can mix in a bottle of dish liquid and get more gunk out. Seems like a bargain to me.

@elir9711 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the info. I've never cut a tank and I want to do it the right way. ✅

@stevenserrano6014 3 жыл бұрын

Can you do a video on cutting it open with a plasma cutter I would like to see one

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

We will plan to do one in the future.

@joelmcewen248 3 жыл бұрын

I’m interested in that too. Wondering about the water factor when using the plasma cutter?

@adamyork9652 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Frank, can I get the model # of your Metabo?

@SDSBBQs 3 жыл бұрын

How long did it take to fill that tank full of water?

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

30 minutes or less

@SDSBBQs 3 жыл бұрын

@@SmokerBuilder Thanks

@shifty4277 2 жыл бұрын

What kind of level is that?

@rubenbraekevelt6020 3 жыл бұрын

Hello i am building a smoker from a old air tank. When cutting the top of the door, the metal is crimped inward along its entire length, but especially in the middle of the door at the top. How can i correct that in any way?

@marcanthony9963 2 жыл бұрын

Check out Allens Welding... Hes got a good technique

@rodbennett2760 2 жыл бұрын

How do you attach a round propane tank fire box to the a propane tank?

@SmokerBuilder 2 жыл бұрын

Be watching! I’ll be doing that video on the next Build! 1000 Gallon coming up next

@TOMVUTHEPIMP 11 ай бұрын

Make a scribe.

@subscriber-sz2ii 3 жыл бұрын

Or we could just drop them off for you to cut for us😂. Somethings are better left to professionals.

@bamaboy6207 2 жыл бұрын

you need try center finder with built in level an center punch lol

@SmokerBuilder 2 жыл бұрын

For sure!

@gafegaf7505 3 жыл бұрын

What is the name of the angular measurement tool?

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

it is a center Head square.

@jackbean007 7 ай бұрын

You save money and safer if you levelled it off the tank instead of the legs. Why its moving on you and breaking disks on you by pinching.

@salbrown5990 9 ай бұрын

Is it safe for me to fill the gas tank with water for a few days and drain the water out of it and then make my cuts?

@SmokerBuilder 9 ай бұрын

It’s not, unless you back purge with CO2. The propane in the tank is not the only concern. The ethyl mercaptan is also very flammable. It will also explode if it is vaporized and sits in the bottom in liquid form. When you empty the water from the tank air goes in to replace it. Once air enters you risk having the correct oxygen/fuel mixture which is what causes the explosion

@salbrown5990 9 ай бұрын

I thank you sir for your reply. I will make sure I keep the water in it while I am making my cuts. Again sir, I sincerely thank you.

@jenniferhornback1443 3 жыл бұрын

I have seen were a shop vac was used to force extra air into the tank to push out any extra fumes and disrupt the air while u cut open the tank have u seen or tried this method any thoughts

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

I do not recommend using air to purge with since it is lighter than propane. the best thing to use is CO2

@dustyquinn6142 2 жыл бұрын

Have you ever built or seen a ball shaped propane tank / smoker ?

@JasonAlexzander1q47 3 жыл бұрын

How much is a 750gallon offset smoker?

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

Give us a call or send us a PM and we can get all of that information to you!

@ibnrochd6078 Жыл бұрын

He: tries to calculate quarters of the circumference in imperial... Me: learning chinese must be easier... Anyway, thnx for the vid and ideas...

@HealthSupercharger 2 жыл бұрын

After you fill the tank with water why do you believe there is any danger????? Could you not just fill, drain and cut the empty tank?

@shanebrown7412 7 ай бұрын

Nope! The oils and odorants in the tank are very flammable as well! Been there done that!!! 😂😂😂

@brucebonkowski3037 3 жыл бұрын

can i buy a tank cut already and where you are located i am in Michigan

@SmokerBuilder 3 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately we do not sell tanks.

@Littleking1985 Жыл бұрын

Is there a way to do the math without all the numbers?

@chieftamahawk210 10 ай бұрын

There called Cuttoff wheels not slicer wheel

@JeepITguy 4 ай бұрын

It's called "They're", not "there"

@samsung-eh4dv 3 жыл бұрын

I’m about to make a pit out of a 120gallom water tank from a concrete mixer.

@MLDIYSH 3 ай бұрын

Plasma all day everyday.

@MadsWorld34 2 жыл бұрын

i cut one last week with a battery saw saw. NEVER AGAIN. just saying.

@redblue40rc33 Жыл бұрын

Just be better to buy a tank that's never had butane in it ...if it's possible......