Another approach to coal/ash access.
 

I have two suggestions for the ash pan/coal pan, cut out the bottom of the drum except cut about 1 inch away from the edge, then take a second drum, cut it off just below the lowest ring so that you have a squat drum that is completely open at the top, set the first drum on top of the squat drum (lower squat drum holds coals/ash) and you can than remove the top cooker at any time to have full access to the coals. Make sure the lower/squat drum is cut square so that it will seal as the top drum rests upon it.

Or, Using a second drum cut a door that is 1/2 larger than the opening, fasten on hinges then, make a seal with silicon around edge of door, then get a pull - latch to hold the door tight.

Regards,
Piedmont

How much briquettes are used?
 

How much briquettes are used for 16 hour burn? and, anyone figured out briquette amounts for 3 and 6 hour burn?

Regards,

Piedmont

Coated drum
 

It sounds like it is a standard steel drum but has a plastic coating to keep it from rusting from the acid in the apple juice and to keep the juice from tasting like rust. Burn it good and hot and you should burn off the plastic coating then you'll be fine! Any thing that is carbon based such as plastic will smply turn to carbon if burned good, just don't stand around and sniff the fumes while it burns off!!!

Regards,
Piedmont

Round about 10lbs. Like I said I usually end up closing all of the holes and smothering the the fire. I've never burned all the way thru the coals.

If you don't need a dome lid, check a restaurant supply. They sell pretty big flat lids. Or keep checking craigs list.

You only need the weber lid if you are cooking turkeys, whole chickens or really tall ribs in a rack.

Piedmont, thanks for the suggestions, but you are rapidly exceeding my metal working skills!

Yep, once I burned away that plastic coating, it was fine. It was a little discouraging at first, but the swamp, thom and mister encouraged me to continue and I am glad I did.

Here are pics. of my fire ring
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...Frri_ring2.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2.../Fire_ring.jpg

Interesting! Why did you go with taller and less wide?

He was inspired by Abe Lincoln!

Mista, do you use charcoal or lump. At the 9.5 hour mark, my temps just plummeted. I was cruising along at 235 then it dropped to 218 then 208 then 195 all within about 5 minutes.

The ash was choking out the fire. I had to take out the food and clean off the coals and it climbed back up to 230 pretty quickly. I was using Royal Oak.

I was thinking about using some lump, but all that is available here is Cowboy and mesquite lump. And personally, I dont like mesquite. I know you and others do.

I use the mesquite lump. i guess that might be the only time the door really comes in handy. I can reach in and shake the charcoal basket so the ash will fall without moving the grates.

Mista, ring is 9" tall because material I had was that and I was lazy that day. Went narrow on flat part again because of scrap. Works out because long side centers in barrel short side clears thermometer sticking in side. Going to work on lift out charcoal pan like Mistas. Feeling old these days and tipping drum into trash can is sort of pain.

[quote=jgh1204]The ash was choking out the fire. I had to take out the food and clean off the coals and it climbed back up to 230 pretty quickly. I was using Royal Oak.quote]

Back in past thread Thirdeye posted a set of jiggler hooks he made to shake the basket in his original BDS.

My very first smoker was a trash can, experiment, experiment