Ugly Drum Smoker

Burk504 · Oct 12, 2009

QuietOne said:
Use a compressor for added air. WHOOooooboy.

Thanks QuietOne. Air Flow is the solution to almost every project on here. I am not going to do my next burn until I can get my intake holes up to 1". They are only 1/2" now and twice the flow ought to do the trick. I'll break out the shop vac if needed beyond that!

kusojijii · Oct 12, 2009

Finally posting a picture of my Ugly Drum. I initially drilled holes around the top of the lid but wanted a better control of temperature so I plugged them and bought a large 2 inch ball valve. Been using for a bit and have done a few racks of ribs, two shoulders, many fatties, some moink balls, and some ATBs. I needto get some food pictures but I usually eat it before the camera is found. Added gold rim tires today, $9.99 each from Harbor Freight and some scrap iron for bolted on brackets and a scrap copper pipe axle. I may get a piece of pipe to weld in between the two brackets to reinforce it.

biggs98 · Oct 12, 2009

I wish my uds was sitting on gold 3's!!!!! :biggrin:

Old Hippie · Oct 13, 2009

kusojijii said:
I initially drilled holes around the top of the lid but wanted a better control of temperature so I plugged them and bought a large 2 inch ball valve.

Each to his own but normally there is no need to dampen the exhaust. Some say dampening the exhaust creates creosote which gives food a bad taste. What's your theory now that you have Qed for awhile on it? Do you regulate both intake and exhaust? How much do you dampen the 2" exhaust?

h20loo · Oct 13, 2009

QuietOne said:
Use a compressor for added air. WHOOooooboy.

When you weld the line to the air connection blower/duster use at least 2 metres for the addition to the duster tip, you want to stay at least that far away when you stick the "wand" in the hole and zap the air in. Go with welders gauntlets not fabric and neoprene/ polyester work gloves.

At 1 metre I toasted off a LOT of split ends, and my eyebrows are no longer bushy at all. I even have a rosy glow to my forehead and cheeks.

I've got 1" close nipples, I used a 1/2" shank 10 Step Irwin Unibit, drills from 1/4" to 1 3/8" and a 1" close nipple just fits, with a bit of work. I'm hoping that is enough air going in.

I tried a bimetal hole saw and snapped off two bits, then went and bought the Unibit pricey but worth it. I'm looking now at investing in a knockout cutter if I can find one in the proper size(s). Cutting the air exhaust in the lid is now my next issue. I want at least 2".

If you don't have an air compressor a shop vac with metal extension and exhaust blow it might work. The wife just asked me why I didn't try that rather than lugging the compressor up the stairs and back down etc. .... Cuz you weren't home to tell me that dear.... The bruise on my shoulder will heal.

The End Of My Second Burn

Glad to see the extension worked for you. Just wondering- wouldn't a longer airhose be the easiest solution?

QuietOne · Oct 13, 2009

That's a 20M hose, at the end before I moved the compressor close to the drum to try and thaw the things enough so I could get the hose off and rolled, condensation in the tank and the connector froze on and the hose was pretty rigid and I wanted to try and thaw it enough so I could coil it up.

Melted snow all around that drum by about 1.5 metres. I only used a 1 metre wand should have gone 2 metres at least.

jcinadr · Oct 13, 2009

Last time I was in a rush and used a leaf blower from the top - man that was some fireworks. I like your wife's idea of using a shop vac on a nipple - will need to work up an adapter for that.

Of course if you vent in propane to that fitting as well, you could easily create a blast furnace to light your coals... Idea came from http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/hmkit.html Talk about a quick way to light your UDS... uhh, uhh, uhh, more power....
Is it wrong to want to line my next barrel with refractory?

Hugh Jorgan · Oct 13, 2009

I don't damp my exhaust ever. I think that you will find that the vast majority don't. For me the smoke flavor is way over the top with a damped down exhaust. I get all of my control with the intake air. You can have too much exhaust but 2 inches seems just about perfect. i seem to remember someone telling me that 2 1/4 was ideal but I had a piece of 2 inch pipe laying there so...

fat_bastard · Oct 13, 2009

So I've finally got a drum on the way for free but it is a sealed lid type that I'm gonna have to cut the lid off. Is this the uniflame that will fit a sealed drum? i'm hoping to buy something like that then use the lid and grate and charcoal grate as donor parts. Would this work? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10828982

BlkJeep · Oct 13, 2009

OMG! What a read! Great ideas found here so I started my own. Free barrell and cheap SS fittings. Will post pics soon. Also scored a 22.5 Red Webber kettle for a donor lid. I tried welding tabs to hold my grates but it's not working well. I have 120v welder and set it on the lowest power settings but still blew a hole in the side. And advice on that?

Jud

jerrykr · Oct 13, 2009

that's what I used. Pictures here.

www.uglydrumsmoker.blogspot.com

Well worth the $40 for parts, but I was lucky and found one on Craigslist.

Jerry

Old Hippie · Oct 13, 2009

fat_bastard said:
So I've finally got a drum on the way for free but it is a sealed lid type that I'm gonna have to cut the lid off. Is this the uniflame that will fit a sealed drum? i'm hoping to buy something like that then use the lid and grate and charcoal grate as donor parts. Would this work? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10828982

Again, all drums are not created equal.

fat_bastard · Oct 13, 2009

Old Hippie said:
Again, all drums are not created equal.

I understand that, but if its close, I can find a big enough hammer :icon_devil

QuietOne · Oct 13, 2009

Exhaust Position???

Exhaust location???? I don't think I remember this being addressed in the thread.

I have to cut mine as it has no bung. I'm going with about 5 cm for the exhaust diameter. (2 inches approx.)

Where should I place the exhaust? Centre? 5cm in from the edge? or .....

Thoughts ideas and reasons for positioning appreciated.

Hugh Jorgan · Oct 13, 2009

I think center would be the best but I'm not sure. Mine is over the bung hole.

Wherever you put the exhaust, just remember to never place a cut of meat directly inder the chimney. Unless you're a big fan of "liquid" smoke.

Old Hippie · Oct 13, 2009

fat_bastard said:
I understand that, but if its close, I can find a big enough hammer :icon_devil

I understand that, but if its close, you can find a small enough drum :roll:

fat_bastard · Oct 13, 2009

Old Hippie said:
I understand that, but if its close, you can find a small enough drum :roll:

I'll know more when it gets here thursday.

redbandit98 · Oct 13, 2009

I know, I may be over thinking this whole thing but here goes. I dont know how many of you are using the char broil lid like myself but am wondering if it has enough exhaust for the drum. I have determined my main problem was the charcoal sucking up moisture but have been thinking about the lid. I dont know that it has enough area. The 6 "triangles" are 1/2' wide at the top but obviously neck down quick. I dont have a weber lid to compare to so I really dont know how big the holes are on those. I was thinking about cutting out the middle of the thing since I plan on leaving it wide open. Have not cooked on it yet, just fired it up a few times trying to learn how it acts. Here is a pic of what Im talking about.. what do you think, cut the sections out, leave it alone...

Paul B · Oct 13, 2009

redbandit98 said:
I know, I may be over thinking this whole thing but here goes. I dont know how many of you are using the char broil lid like myself but am wondering if it has enough exhaust for the drum. I have determined my main problem was the charcoal sucking up moisture but have been thinking about the lid. I dont know that it has enough area. The 6 "triangles" are 1/2' wide at the top but obviously neck down quick. I dont have a weber lid to compare to so I really dont know how big the holes are on those. I was thinking about cutting out the middle of the thing since I plan on leaving it wide open. Have not cooked on it yet, just fired it up a few times trying to learn how it acts. Here is a pic of what Im talking about.. what do you think, cut the sections out, leave it alone...

Leave it, you'd be surprised just how much area you have with those spaces. My guess at least 3 to 4 square inches.

Paul B

Hugh Jorgan · Oct 14, 2009

Looks to me like that should be plenty of exhaust. I just use a chimney the same size as the bunghole. My guess is that is more exhaust than I have and I run with no problems.

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