The Wild Pig Smoker

Step 7 Vertical to Horizontal connection

In the previous step I had made a rough cut opening in the horizontal tank in which to inlay the vertical tank. Here you need to strap the two tanks together and start cutting out material until you get vertical tank inset 6 or so inches in the end of the horizontal tank.

Work slowly taking a little material out (1/4 inch) from both sides to keep the vertical tank centered in the horizontal tank. Once you have worked the two tanks together make a final check to make sure the vertical tank is sitting plumb by checking with a level. Some minor material removal may be required to obtain a good plumb.

Once you have the two tanks married and strapped together, now would be a good time mark the opening required from the vertical to the horizontal tank. This opening will end up being adjustable and is used to allow the heat/smoke to come in the horizontal tank. There is a picture a couple steps later showing this opening but lean in the horizontal tank and mark the vertical now so you make sure you don't cut too much out of the vertical. Mark your limits.

REMEMBER, there will be a plenum in the bottom of the horizontal tank so don't cut or even mark the vertical tank opening any higher than where this plenum will rest. In this case my plenum is about 6 inches above the bottom of the horizontal tank. I recommend at least six inches for the plenum.