metal garbage can instead of metal drum?

I'm dreaming of making a RMH in our rented house. We have a 21x82 inch tile pad in front of our fireplace. I would love to make a RMH that will fit on the tile pad. THe only problem is I having a hell of a time finding a small 25, 30, or 35 gallon metal drum. I have called junk yards, scrap metal places, companies that might use the drums, hardware stores, etc. They have all given me a "good luck buddy" type of answer.

We do have a number of metal garbage cans at are 15.5x 23 inches. They might be galvanized metal since they have been outside and aren't rusting much.

1) Are metal garbage cans much too thin to withstand the heat generated by a 6 inch system?
2) If they are galvanized, is there the potential for toxic fumes?

Dj Radder , google waste oil burners (engine oil ) call them up, tell them you do 20-25 oil changes a week, and want to price a small unit , and oh by the way, you want to see one work where is the nearest one! You want a private garage not a dealership! Because they are known as oil burners, They end up collecting oil from people who otherwise would have to pay to have a 3rd party haul it away ! They end up with barrels stacked behind the shop ! This is the man you are looking for ! g'LUCK , - Pyro-AL

Nice!! Just the advice I was looking for. I'll try it tomorrow and report back.

Thanks Allen.

I went to a junk yard and found a propane tank, about 30 gallons. It is about 15x36. I went ahead and took off the valves and filled it with water twice.

Dj : Good score, as i type this i realize I know where - - - Be aware that Propane gas has an additive, to make that stinking gas leak smell, that compound settles out as an oil collecting with every fill-up, you have probably dealt with all of the trapped gas, but baking the stink out of that bad boy probably will require sending your significant other out shopping and notifying your neighbors so they don't call for emergency response, - 30 + years in the business ! g'LUCK A.L.

Yea, that oil has been a pain in the ass. I didn't know the qualities that might be contained in the tank, so I'm not feeling great about the toxic soup I just sent down the sewer.

Any suggestions on how to cook out the stink? Should I just wait until I make the mock up in the backyard and burn it out there? Should I have a hobo fire right in the tank after I cut it? Big bon fire with the tank in the middle?

Dj : Here is the only answer i can have for you ; '' good luck buddy ''! Short of throwing a dozen or so road kill skunks up on your neighbors roofs the only other suggestion is a place that is already a stinking brownfield where the kids go for underage drinking parties and burn tires ! :0 If I had better advice I would not make you wait for it ! Pyro-AL

So should I scrap this whole idea? How would I clean out the oil drum from the oil burners?

Dj- 'Click on' the forum wood burning stoves just below repeatedly and two things will happen

You will get a chance to 'Click on' it again , and the banner ad at the top of the page will change (slowly) everytime !

IMPORTANT usually within 6 'click on's, you will get a Banner with a picture of Paul Wheaton and a 'click on link' to his permaculture pod cast !

" Click on" this link to be directed to his podcast to hear about a future cast-able, ship-able, 3-piece Refactory Rocket Stove Core and Heat Riser !

You want podcast #225 - Its long but worth all of your time ! Pyro Allen

WOOD BURNING STOVES - just below

I have been around propane tanks,steel drums closed and open lid,and all kinds of other containers that hold product
If I may say this, if you want to use a propane tank buy a new unused one. If you are wanting to use a steel drum or pail and they are used get open top type
I have seen people cut open propane tanks,sealed drums and I know all the tricks to cutting on them
It only takes one mistake to cut you half into.
You can purchase pails at global steel drums
Do a search 5 gallon steel pails You have to get really down to all the info on some websites steel open top 5 gallon pail or reverse the wording
I found brand new ones for 13 to 16 dollars hopefully you can find what you need at one of these sites below
http://www.drumsofsteel.com/pails.html

http://www.containerandpackaging.com/catalog/pails-drums/10/?m=Steel&gclid=CLenjZ-lgrQCFUWnPAodowcASQ#0,0&0&0&0&0&Steel&0&10&0&0&list&0&0,0

http://www.globalindustrial.com/?infoParam.campaignId=T9A&gclid=CKWNgN-lgrQCFSOnPAodgyoAoA

Dj : I knew someone would post below my comment soon enuf - with an angle grinder and your tank full you can remove the outside weld and pop an end cap off, cutting a round hole in the end - well I have not got a handle on that yet ! Allen L.

allen lumley wrote:Dj : I knew someone would post below my comment soon enuf - with an angle grinder and your tank full you can remove the outside weld and pop an end cap off, cutting a round hole in the end - well I have not got a handle on that yet ! Allen L.

Allen If you are aiming this comment at me,I only question why ? If not at me I apologise for taking it that way,I was not trying to discredit you in any way
I have a neighbor that cut tanks and drums for a long time. One day he did the same thing he always did with a drum filled full of water as he came over the top of the drum with a torch it blew up
Removing his legs. Just below the waist
I have an uncle that spent years doing it as well he was fortunate a propane tank exploded blowing the ends off of it . He was just battered and bruised. Together I would say these guys probably did 50 to 75 propane tanks and drums if not more .
You can cut a 100 of these things and it only takes one to get you
The factors people leave out is what else has that propane tank or drum had in it that you do not know about. It could have conatined any kind of a chemical or poison
My dad used a propane tank for years as a air tank, it started leaking air. He then decided to use it to hold what is called malathion.
Even if it does not blow up you have no idea what fumes you could be inhaling.

Did you read that comment, would you consider re-posting ! My comment followed a string of p.m.(s) to keep that ! intact, I had a bet on how soon - I am Sorry if my posting had 'tude ! Everything you said was true, I was not suggesting cutting into the tank, but a much safer practice that still has dangers, these pages come with an Automatic Cavate Emptor Allen l.

allen lumley wrote: Did you read that comment, would you consider re-posting ! My comment followed a string of p.m.(s) to keep that ! intact, I had a bet on how soon - I am Sorry if my posting had 'tude ! Everything you said was true, I was not suggesting cutting into the tank, but a much safer practice that still has dangers, these pages come with an Automatic Cavate Emptor Allen l.

No, I will not consider reposting I am not sure why I would . I offered an apology only as a gesture it was not because I thought you were up set nor did I really care.
Being new to this site and the forum I did not want to ruffle any feathers
It appears that if someone comes along you must make a comment hoping that person would post so you can make some sort of snide or rude remark
You them want to push that person so either they will leave,be banned or you completely turn the subject into a arguement.
I was using the saying an apology is a sign of weakness for more years than I care to remember and your post bears that out
If you did not want this to turn the way it has it would have been simple to say hey you ran on my post would you repost at the bottom thanks
You didn't you want to pick pick pick

Not sure if it helps, but mcMaster has steel drums. They vary in price and might make a fair jumping point for searching for different types and sizes. They tend to have a bit of everything!

http://www.mcmaster.com/#55-gallon-drums/=kgnrd5