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Ugly Drum Smoker

FatDaddy said:
how hot does the bottom of those get? if i built one would i need to put it on a platform to keep it off my patio (concrete).
Click to expand...

FatDaddy the following is a previous post from ModelMaker

I have mine sitting on a carpeted dolly and am suprised it hasn't caused any heat damage. Lots of good forward thinking.
Even if you are a "Harley Guy" :}
ModelMaker

Hope this helps You !!
 
FatDaddy said:
how hot does the bottom of those get? if i built one would i need to put it on a platform to keep it off my patio (concrete).
Click to expand...

Get a drum dolly from Harbor Freight and you can easily roll it around. As long as you keep the temps low it will be OK. If you leave the lid off the temps will jump before you know it.

At the Paul Kirk Pitmaster class I attended we cooked for a Judging class and I did the brisket on the drum and took 4th Place out of 18 teams.

I'm ready to start drilling another drum to use at a Backyard Comp next month. I'll take pics of the process.

Brian
 
be careful when doing the burnoff of the drum. I killed the grass in a nice 22 inch circular area, wife hated that.
 
I have 2 circles in my back yard, finished my first UDS last Friday and cooked ribs on Saturday. Everything went so well that I'm making 2 more, will have 3 in all. This way I can do shoulders, ribs and whatever all at the same time for large outings or maybe even some comps, and get some rest while doing it. Keeps me from firing up the mobile monster and tending the fire all night.

By the way great article on the construction and use of the UDS, Thanks to everyone here Great job.

JW
 
Oldbob said:
I tend to agree with Gator on the diameter of the grate...22" would be a Bear to get in and out...dont forget You will have bolts at the top to hold the cooking grate...I made my ash pan 15" diameter and the fire basket is 13" diameter and 6" tall.
Click to expand...

Bob,

I was curious what your logic was with the square tube spacers below the ash pan. Thanks.
 
thirdeye said:
So, if I'm reading this right, this design has internal baffles and is an indirect style of cooker. That is why the ribs take so long to cook, and the color is so unique.
Click to expand...

Not sure, just came across this and thought I'd post it. Mine works fine the way it is.
 
DSC00049.jpg
Hey guys!

Been working on the drums!
This thing is getting out of hand. I've got enough drums to cook for an army!
First drum is a DIGITAL air controlled model.
Second model is a MANUAL controlled model.

Digital model can control at +/- ~4 degrees.
Manual model has a +/- 18 degree swing. Not bad for BBQ but I like the tighter control better. It has too much deadband to control a fire.

DSC00043.jpg


DSC00048.jpg
 
Sory about the photos being out of place on last post.
Not quite used to doing this yet.

Anyway. Live on DRUMS!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Ok. Getting close. My custom basket ala OldBob arrived and it is great. PM if you want the name of the Brethren who made it for me.

I put mine on 4/4 wood blocks to burn it out too.. they caught on fire and then caught my grass on fire. Lovely. :)

Couple questions -

1. when I screw the pipe nipples in they aren't very secure. When I then screw the covers on them I can't tighten them without the pipe nipples getting loose. the same thing happened on the one I screwed the ball valve into. I bought some high heat silicone to seal it up with. If I use that around the pipe nipples will that be strong enough to keep them tight when I put the caps on?

2. I finally found a used weber kettle for $30. I haven't got it yet, but will I have to do anything to make it fit the top of the drum?

3. Am I not going to use my stick burner anymore after using this drum?


Thanks

B
 
Blutch said:
Ok. Getting close. My custom basket ala OldBob arrived and it is great. PM if you want the name of the Brethren who made it for me.

I put mine on 4/4 wood blocks to burn it out too.. they caught on fire and then caught my grass on fire. Lovely. :)
Click to expand...

Hhmm... I haven't had that problem. Mine sits on a pressure treated 4x4 landscape timber that I cut in half.

Blutch said:
Couple questions -

1. when I screw the pipe nipples in they aren't very secure. When I then screw the covers on them I can't tighten them without the pipe nipples getting loose. the same thing happened on the one I screwed the ball valve into. I bought some high heat silicone to seal it up with. If I use that around the pipe nipples will that be strong enough to keep them tight when I put the caps on?
Click to expand...

I cut the holes to 13/16 and mine thread in pretty tightly. I still thread on conduit nuts and firm the up on the outside. If you need to you could put them on the inside as well.

Blutch said:
2. I finally found a used weber kettle for $30. I haven't got it yet, but will I have to do anything to make it fit the top of the drum?

B
Click to expand...

It depends... the diameter of the drums differ. On my first on the lid fits perfectly with no mods. On my second one I will have to just balance it on the top.

I know some guys have ground the top roll and gotten a snug fit, but on this one I would have to grind nearly the entire roll.

Blutch said:
3. Am I not going to use my stick burner anymore after using this drum?

B
Click to expand...

Oh... I still love to play with the BSKD it is just not as often. Actually, it may be about the same. I just get to cook more Q now because I can cook on a drum when I wouldn't have to to cook on the stick burner.

I can't wait to see yours...
 
thirdeye said:
Bob,

I was curious what your logic was with the square tube spacers below the ash pan. Thanks.
Click to expand...

ThirdEye,
The thought with the tubing under the pan was Heat Transfer...I wanted to try to keep as much heat as possible off the bottom of the drum,I have the tubes bent now and should be getting back to work on it soon.I will post more pictures and results as I can.
 
Oldbob said:
ThirdEye,
The thought with the tubing under the pan was Heat Transfer...I wanted to try to keep as much heat as possible off the bottom of the drum,I have the tubes bent now and should be getting back to work on it soon.I will post more pictures and results as I can.
Click to expand...

Okay, that makes sense.
 
You guys should all be very proud of me! I put the handles on the side of my barrel all by myself tonite. I measured twice, drill the holes, put the bolts in, put the washers on, tightened them and still managed to keep all of my fingers.

And they are exactly in the side and they are level (thank you Mr. Dickey my Geometry teacher)!

And most importantly, MrsMista didn't help me at all!
 
Yeah Mista... I know the feeling of pride... making these things actually makes me think I could change my own oil!!!
 
CraigsList Discouragement

Hey. I posted the need for a 55 Gal Steel Drum on CraigsList and here is a response I got:

"Personally using 55gal barrels for a smoker is crappy idea. I speak from experience. The metal is too thin to effectively control the temperature for good barbeque. It would be adequate for grilling but for smoking it will only produce a very low quality product. Even if you installed a thermo sensor switch and a turbine fan. Hardwood burns closer to 500 degrees so you would need to suspend it with a grate of some sort if you want the rig to last for any extended period of time. That's why a good smoker has a separate cast iron firebox for the wood and a secondary heat source on the product side."
Click to expand...

I'm looking for some replys to his concerns. What about the metal being too thin? & What about this "thermo sensor" & "turbine fan"?
Sounds like he knows alot about enginering & not much about smoking, but are his arguments valid?
I sent him to this site and BigMista's site to do more research.

Thanks! I'm new so I don't know much about all this stuff.
 
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