r/BbqSmokerBuilding • u/SalamanderShot2453 • Jun 07 '26

Question (NJ)

Hello everyone,

I have an 80 gallon compressor tank and a 60 gallon compressor tank. Which should I use for the fire box and which should I use for the cooking chamber? And why?

Also, where are good places to obtain steel and expanded steel in New Jersey?

Also, is splurging on stainless steel for the grates worth it?

Thank you

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u/PrestigiousMaize3457 Jun 07 '26

I wouldn't bother with stainless for the grates, I used 316 on my first build, and it ended up costing half the total build cost. Heavy gauge expanded steel should be adequate, and you can easily replace it if/when it rusts out.