Abstract: A steel hot water tank having a corrosion inhibiting coating on the interior surfaces of the tank is provided with end portions each having concave interior surfaces. A connecting device is used to permit connection of a precoated tank end to a precoated tank interior whereby the heat of welding the tank end to the tank side wall does not degrade the corrosion inhibiting coating of the tank interior. This construction provides increased volume for the tank compared to existing hot water tank constructions, and enables the use of material thicknesses in the tank ends which may be equal to or less than the material thicknesses of the tank side wall. A process is provided which permits the welding of the tank end to the tank side wall without degrading the corrosion inhibiting coatings previously applied to the parts being assembled.