Ugly Drum Smoker

Stevenscustomguitars · Jun 15, 2014

Help with grate placement please

Hi,

I'm in the final stages of planning, built my charcoal basket and ash tray last night, very excited!

The only thing i'm unsure about is the grate placement. I'll probably only use one but would like to have the option of two when I find a weber lid.

So, my barrel internal height is 33.5"
Charcoal grate is 3" off the bottom
Basket is 9" high
If, as most suggest, I place the grate at 24" about the charcoal grate, that leaves 6.5" from the top. Is that enough to get a 2nd level in at the top if I get a weber lid? I want to be sure I have enough height for pork butt, chickens etc.

Any suggestions?

Thanks again to this great thread

tdizzle · Jun 16, 2014

I just finished my first uds a couple of weeks ago - definitely the definition of ugly
I used a couple of old bbq grills for the charcoal basket and meat rack
a paint of pot belly black on the outside keeping it looking alright save for the grease stains dripping down
I went to the butchers and just got a whole bunch of fat for the seasoning - works great!

tdizzle · Jun 16, 2014

my lighting method is lighting a piece of charcoal outside with an electric heat gun chucking it on to the pile of charcoal in the uds and then turning the heat gun on that - lights the stack in seconds

Creauxman · Jun 17, 2014

Looking for drum...

Hello I'm going to try to build myself an ugly drum smoker but I am having problems locating a 55 gal drum to start. Do any of you know where I might find one in the Houston, TX area? I've tried Craigslist but I couldn't get any responses to those who advertised they had some for sale. Much appreciated and smoke on!

gingerchris · Jun 17, 2014

funugy said:
I would do another test run. My first thought is that you are getting more air flow. Did anything else change other than the top? Did you omit anything from before (i.e. water pan, diffuser)? Are you able to snuff out the fire still? If so you might want to try starting with less lit fuel and bring up the temp slowly, you may just be running more efficient with the dome lid than the flat one.

I think I might have lit up a few more coals at the start which would explain the heat. Also I used a small log rather than wood chunks which was going crazy whenever I opened the lid, so I'll break that down to smaller pieces for the next cook.

I smoked a load of scotch bonnet chillis on my test run for a batch of sauce.

Eggtastico · Jun 17, 2014

gingerchris said:
I think I might have lit up a few more coals at the start which would explain the heat. Also I used a small log rather than wood chunks which was going crazy whenever I opened the lid, so I'll break that down to smaller pieces for the next cook.

I smoked a load of scotch bonnet chillis on my test run for a batch of sauce.

They looked good. I made an awesome sauce the other week from some scotch bonnets. Genuinely cant remember the recipe though.

jcinadr · Jun 17, 2014

tdizzle said:
my lighting method is lighting a piece of charcoal outside with an electric heat gun chucking it on to the pile of charcoal in the uds and then turning the heat gun on that - lights the stack in seconds

I just reach in my egg with the heat gun - but have continued to use the burner on my uds. Perhaps I will try your method. I really enjoy lighting with the heat gun.

Kakhuis · Jun 19, 2014

Got my drum to day

[URL=http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/kakhuismoney/media/IMG_20140619_142944_zps0a501b80.jpg.html]

[/URL]

Kakhuis · Jun 19, 2014

Sorry wrong topic. Had a few tabs open and pasted the wrong one.

pitbossJB · Jun 19, 2014

That's a nice looking drum, no liner.:thumb:

birgey · Jun 19, 2014

I got 4 55gallon drums. They were used to store Soybean oil in them. They're 35 inches tall and 23 inches in diameter. HOWEVER, they're all in one piece...meaning that they don't have lids. Recommendations on cutting off the top? Will I be able to use the top I cut off as a lid, or will I need to find a lid off a small charcoal grill to go on it?
Thanks

pitbossJB · Jun 19, 2014

There is a drum topper that is like a giant can opener, if you can find somebody that has one. Personally I use an air chisel and just carefully cut around the inside edge, comes out nice. Probably someone at an auto shop or body shop could do it for you.

068 · Jun 20, 2014

birgey said:
I got 4 55gallon drums. They were used to store Soybean oil in them. They're 35 inches tall and 23 inches in diameter. HOWEVER, they're all in one piece...meaning that they don't have lids. Recommendations on cutting off the top? Will I be able to use the top I cut off as a lid, or will I need to find a lid off a small charcoal grill to go on it?
Thanks

Will you be buying a lid from a kettle grill or using the drum top as the lid?

smokinbutts · Jun 20, 2014

I too am in this situation, I have a kettle lif for it but the lip on the drum prevents it from fitting right.

Eggtastico · Jun 20, 2014

birgey said:
I got 4 55gallon drums. They were used to store Soybean oil in them. They're 35 inches tall and 23 inches in diameter. HOWEVER, they're all in one piece...meaning that they don't have lids. Recommendations on cutting off the top? Will I be able to use the top I cut off as a lid, or will I need to find a lid off a small charcoal grill to go on it?
Thanks

I dont have the fancy machinery as mentioned above - but I have used a Jigsaw with a cutting bit designed for metal. Like a knife through butter.

068 · Jun 20, 2014

smokinbutts said:
I too am in this situation, I have a kettle lif for it but the lip on the drum prevents it from fitting right.

Flatten the lip on the kettle lid, strap it to the uds & then take a hammer and slowly work the lip down around the uds. Make sure you have it aligned like you want it, if you plan on using hinges.

Highcal · Jun 20, 2014

I used a sawzall, worked great.

racedvl · Jun 21, 2014

Quick question, a friend of mine saw and tested the sweet Q that came off my UDS and wanted me to make one for him. However, he dropped off some material for me to get started and I'm not sure if this expanded steel is big enough. I will be using a weber charcoal grate for the bottom, so this will just be around the sides. Do you think this will get enough air?

Fat Dick's BBQ · Jun 21, 2014

Should be fine

Wahoo95 · Jun 21, 2014

I have a basket built from that expanded metal and it works fine.

Ugly Drum Smoker

Knows what a fatty is.

Well-known member

Well-known member

Found some matches.

Found some matches.

Full Fledged Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

Well-known member

Well-known member

is Blowin Smoke!

Knows what a fatty is.

is Blowin Smoke!

Knows what a fatty is.

Full Fledged Farker

Full Fledged Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

Got Wood.

Attachments

Found some matches.

Knows what a fatty is.

Similar threads