Pat Verbanec

Thanks for the reply! I find this rocket stove stuff very interesting, and I am learning all kinds of stuff from this forum.  

I've had issues with the traditional methods and was trying to figure out a remedy.  Mostly air flow and heat.  Traditional side box smoker would choke off the air after awhile.  Reloading charcoal was a pain.  

Some if the self feeding smokers I've seen, use a rocket stove principle.  They are vertical though, probably to accommodate the longer heat riser.  Air flow is also a problem on some if them.  

I'm going to keep reading and learning.  At the very worst, I'll have a pile of scrap and some fun with the welder!

Hello.  New here and new to this world of rocket stoves.  

Here's how I got here.  I've used traditional grills and smokers with offset smoker boxes for years and always thought there had to be a better way.  Every year, I cook on a very large oil drum that was cut in half, legs welded on, hinges on the lid, and a large expanded metal grate for the food to sit on.  Charcoal fills 2 channels that run the full length of the cooker front and rear.  It's hot, it's messy. it's a pain to reload.  

I've seen some self feeding smokers recently, and wonder if I could build a grill/smoker out of large oil tank and use a rocket stove to provide the heat?  I see so many ideas on this forum here and I have access to a drum that has already been cut in half.  

My questions are:

My idea is to build a large rocket stove that would enter the tank in the center under a diffuser, heat the air inside the tank and cook the food.    I cook about 15 hams, kielbasa, and some other items.  The fuel will be charcoal briquets or lump hardwood.  

What problems would I run into?  Any suggestions or ideas?  I'd like to keep it simple.  

Thank you for your knowledge and ideas!