Smoker experts; vertical or horizontal?

[Dinsdale]

I have a steel tank that I'm going to cut and weld on.

Vertical ? Horizontal? Build an indirect smoke source off the side?

I've done the old refrigerator route years ago for ham and bacon, electric burner in bottom.

If I went horizontal I could grill on it too.

Input?

 

Edited May 30, 2018 by Dinsdale

[Culvercreek hunt club]

9 hours ago, Dinsdale said:

I have a steel tank that I'm going to cut and weld on.

Vertical ? Horizontal? Build an indirect smoke source off the side?

I've done the old refrigerator route years ago for ham and bacon, electric burner in bottom.

If I went horizontal I could grill on it too.

Input?

 

I think either way would work fine. The driving force for me would be what was I primarily going to cook on it. If I were doing things that I wanted to hang then I would go vertical. If I wanted to grill more or do things that could lay down like turkeys or hams then I would probably go horizontal.  What are your plans for a heat source? If you decide to go horizontal I would suggest using a convection plate in the cooking chamber. This plate with a progressions of holes from smaller near the heat source to larger away from the heat source really help even out the temps in a horizontal rig. 

Edited May 30, 2018 by Culvercreek hunt club

[Bionic]

My dad built a vertical style, been using it for about 15 years, I would go the same route he did if I were to build one.  If you wanted to smoke something horizontally for say a cold smoke, you can always use a tiny wood stove, with a pipe to plumb the smoke into the firebox of the vertical style smoker.  I hope that made sense.  

I know you plan on a tank, but I believe my dad made this from oak skids...still inexpensive. 

 

 

Edited May 31, 2018 by Bionic

[mowin]

I agree it depends on what you want to smoke and how & fuel type.  

You could build a horizontal offset stick burner if you like the idea of going old school.  

What size tank is it?  

[G-Man]

Depends if you want hot or cold smoke. Smoking and cooking or curing..