Diesel fuel container?

Would a tank that used to hold diesel fuel but hasn't had any in it for years work as a smoker if we really clean it out and sand blast the inside?

First of all, before you touch or cut the tank, you need to be 110% sure theres no explosive fumes inside the tank.

If you have the tank cut, i would give it a real good, hot and long burnout with a wood fire and then sandblast the rest out of it.

DM

In this book
http://www.amazon.com/Legends-Texas-Bar ... 436&sr=8-1

It mentions Klose and Lang built their original pits from used Oil pipes out in the oil fields. If you can use one that had crude oil, I assume you can use a diesel drum. I would clean it and start a very big hot fire to burn any residuals out of the drum...

Well, knowing that metal that are used to store chemicals often become impregnated with the chemical, I wouldn't use it nor would I buy a smoker that I knew was made of used oilfield pipe.

Kenny 13 wrote:

Well, knowing that metal that are used to store chemicals often become impregnated with the chemical, I wouldn't use it nor would I buy a smoker that I knew was made of used oilfield pipe.

It adds to the flavor!

Def_Munky wrote:

Kenny 13 wrote:

Well, knowing that metal that are used to store chemicals often become impregnated with the chemical, I wouldn't use it nor would I buy a smoker that I knew was made of used oilfield pipe.

It adds to the flavor!

Maybe gives it some nonstick properties

I wouldn't hesitate to use a recycled tank if I was sure it was a petroleum substance in it. Do a thorough clean, a hot burn. See what it looks like and smells like. Then clean it and burn it off again.

Many before you have done so. For those concerned, think twice about the Pepsi plastic bottle you're drinking out of, or the gallon milk jug. The plastic wrap you put in the microwave with your food. All petroleum products. In long term direct contact with something you are going to ingest.

Here's an oil tank set up used for direct cooking. This guy has pretty good food. Can anybody name the location?

Surely you're not going to compare storing food/beverages in containers designed for food storage to cooking in a vessel which has contained known carcinogens and god knows what else, which will be released into the food and atmosphere every time it is heated.

I certainly understand what you're trying to say and appreciate your opinion, but I will respectfully disagree. Working in the oilfield since 1989 (8 of those years as a Health, Safety, & Environmental Specialist) has really opened my eyes to a lot. I certainly wouldn't eat anything knowingly cooked in such a vessel, and especially wouldn't feed anything like that to my family or friends.

Edited to add: BTW, I'm not saying any used drum, container, or piece of pipe is unsafe to use as a cooker. What I am trying to say is, unless you are totally sure of what was in the container and any health concerns associated with that particular chemical, you should be very careful.

How porous are the steel 55 gallon drums?

wlfpkrcn wrote:

How porous are the steel 55 gallon drums?

Good question, as I'm looking for one. Is the one you have used? I've pretty much decided I'm going to wait and get one that is new. I can get one that contains a biodegradable hydraulic oil (which is basically mineral oil). Just haven't had an opportunity to research the material safety data sheet to make sure it's safe.

Still don't think I want to take my chances on a used one unless it was used for food storage.

Having worked in a drum plant many years ago, I know that some drums are lined for the corrosive contents there are designed to transport. Others are not, depending on what they are used for.

Hey Kenny. It was at Evan's Cooperage on Peters Road.

Kenny 13 wrote:

wlfpkrcn wrote:

How porous are the steel 55 gallon drums?

Good question, as I'm looking for one. Is the one you have used? I've pretty much decided I'm going to wait and get one that is new. I can get one that contains a biodegradable hydraulic oil (which is basically mineral oil). Just haven't had an opportunity to research the material safety data sheet to make sure it's safe.

Still don't think I want to take my chances on a used one unless it was used for food storage.

It is used. I figure they can't be too porous otherwise the liquid contents would leak out over time.

BubbaQue wrote:

Having worked in a drum plant many years ago, I know that some drums are lined for the corrosive contents there are designed to transport. Others are not, depending on what they are used for.

Hey Kenny. It was at Evan's Cooperage on Peters Road.

That place is pretty much deserted now. I see trucks go in and out of there every so often, but I don't think it's open any more.

BiggieQ wrote:

Would a tank that used to hold diesel fuel but hasn't had any in it for years work as a smoker if we really clean it out and sand blast the inside?

Used heating oil tanks (heating oil is essentially #2 diesel fuel) are commonly used for "clamshell" smokers and grills in the Baltimore area. Many of these guys are preparing food for sale to the public, so I assume the health department knows of and has approved of their doings.

I've also seen a great many in use in NC.

I would clean it as best I could and then build a very large fire to burn any residue away. I may even do this a second and third time.

P.S. If you die, please let us know.