Is there such a thing as too big?

[Swindon_Ed]

I'm being offered a very large steel tank from a farmer i know at a steal of a price, but it's nearly 800US Gallons in capacity.

It looks the right dimentions for building a big trailer smoker but i'm worried i'll need a fire box the size of a house. Also fueling a big offset trailer smoker i'm worried that i'm going to be using a small forest each time i use it to keep it hot.

Am i right o worry about these things?

Would i be resticted to using just wood or could i still use charcoal?

Is there a way to calculate how much coal i should be using?

[clairbare]

I have no idea, but just wanted to say good luck with your new project xx

[Smokey Toad]

if you decide not to I will have it! I did search for 500Gal drum smoker, "I think"

[JEC]

That will be one big smoker, even the 300 in Al's links above would be large in comparison to most cookers. Judging by the picture of the wood box for the 500 gallon it's going to get through a small forest each time you fire it up and yours is even bigger, those vents look bigger than most peoples windows, small children could climb through them

[Swindon_Ed]

if you decide not to I will have it! I did search for 500Gal drum smoker, "I think"

Sorry Tom, but i've already had someone else ask for first refusal, but if i don't and they don't want it either i'll let you know.

[British BBQ Society]

Do you have a picture of it and know the gauge of steel, the thicker the better insulated, cooked on a huge cactus jack a few years ago which i think would be similar in capacity and it worked well. Firebox wasnt daunting either.