Skidder
Babbling Farker
I agree it's a bit tall. Maybe cut the legs even with the bottom of the tray. Nice work though.
Ugly Drum Smoker
- Thread starter jgh1204
- Start date
jetfxr27
is one Smokin' Farker
So, "The Thread" has inspired me. I'm building my very own, very first UDS. I work for a chemical manufacturer, so I can get new, unlined drums for free. I can even get 85 gal. salvage drums for free when they show up.
That being the case, I plan on making an insulated UDS with a 55 gal. inside an 85 gal. wrapped in insulation (not sure of the type yet; probably either mineral wool or aerogel or I'm open to cheaper alternativesray
But before I begin the "big" project, I wanted to do at least one "basic" model. And, because I'm a cheap bastard, I'm trying to do it for as absolutely little outlay as possible using what I have at hand.
So... here's my almost free fire basket:
I took 12" wire shelving from closetmaid that I had from a closet redo a couple of years ago and bent it around the charcoal grate of a donor Weber that a buddy of mine gave me when he moved:
Burned it out last night to get the paint off both the fire basket AND the barrel (no pics yet. I took 'em, just haven't downloaded 'em yet).
Thing cost me less than $10.00 and holds a LOT of charcoal.
I like your style cant wait for the rest of the build.
Skidder
Babbling Farker
Here's a few pics of build #5. Made it for my daughters boyfriends dads birthday. Mine is in the background smoking up some dino bones. Not really sure why she wanted me to write "SMOKING WITH PEDRO" on it though. I think it's a family thing.
HuskerSmoker
Well-known member
Done but not finished UDS
Here is my UDS in action for the first time working on a picnic roast, since then I have done chicken quarters, over cooked, and spare ribs, turned out great. I am still working on the times and temperatures but I think I am getting the hang of it. Beef brisket is next on the menu and I have some more mods in the works for the drum, mandatory bottle opener and I have another barrel I am going to cut for a lid so I can add another grate. I will try to get some pron pics up this weekend when done.
This thread has been a great source through out the build, the barrel was originally planned for a offset smoker untill I found this thread.
After sharing samples of the pulled pork with family the UDS will be burning at this year family reunion.
Here is my UDS in action for the first time working on a picnic roast, since then I have done chicken quarters, over cooked, and spare ribs, turned out great. I am still working on the times and temperatures but I think I am getting the hang of it. Beef brisket is next on the menu and I have some more mods in the works for the drum, mandatory bottle opener and I have another barrel I am going to cut for a lid so I can add another grate. I will try to get some pron pics up this weekend when done.
This thread has been a great source through out the build, the barrel was originally planned for a offset smoker untill I found this thread.
After sharing samples of the pulled pork with family the UDS will be burning at this year family reunion.
Jiggs
Knows what a fatty is.
I have a Grillcare therm on my UDS, and yes, the note 7/8" would be too big.
I drilled a 3/4" hole for the Grillcare therm and it threaded in nice and tight with a wrench. Use the locknut on the inside and you're good to go.
Southern Home Boy
is Blowin Smoke!
Yeah, as it stood in the picture, the bottom of the grate was 9" off the bottom of the barrel. That put the cooking grate at 33" - just under the lip of the drum. Even with a Weber lid; Too high.
The flimsy metal brackets didn't hold up too well in the burn-out so they will be replaced with SS carriage bolts, fender washers and nuts. A little more cash outlay, but worth it. I'll have the bottom of the basket about 4" off the bottom of the barrel. That should give me enough room to do two grates.
The Weber lid I found on the side of the highway coming home from work last week. Looks like it fell off someone's grill as they were transporting it. The paint was a little torn up and it was a little bent, but I had to bang it around a little to fit the drum anyway. Plus, the whole thing will be painted in the end too so I'm not overly concerned about that.
I'll have a few more pics tomorrow.
jgh1204
Babbling Farker
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We should hit 1,000,000 views in about a month.
Sammy_Shuford
is Blowin Smoke!
Fine looking ribs!
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Southern Home Boy
is Blowin Smoke!
Not sure how old your daughter is (or her boyfriend or her boyfriend's dad...) but the movie "Napolean Dynamite" is a cult classic for us late 30 - early 40 sometings:Here's a few pics of build #5. Made it for my daughters boyfriends dads birthday. Mine is in the background smoking up some dino bones. Not really sure why she wanted me to write "SMOKING WITH PEDRO" on it though. I think it's a family thing.
Any time I see a "Pedro" reference, that's where I go.
Runamuck
Found some matches.
I realize this is an old post, but am new here and would love a copy of the plans to a good UDS. Does a half inch pipe fit 3/4 hole? I have 3/4 bit and 1/2 pipe nipples on hand. Thanks for any advice you can give.
D
Darko
Guest
Skidder
Babbling Farker
Lookin good now your ready to rock that smoker. Post some cookin pics.
jgh1204
Babbling Farker
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That is what works for me.
No real plans. Read the thread if you dare!
Grate placement depends on if you are using the barrel lid or using a Weber lid.
D
Darko
Guest
They're coming. I'm going to do a boneless pork loin for supper tonight. I did some back ribs a few days ago to christen the UDS but didn't take any pics because I didn't want any evidence if the cook went bad:tape:
Anyhow, a few details on the build.
I basically followed Norco's thread on a UDS build with the exception of adding a 12" riser for the ball valve.
For the thermo port I bought a 9/32" stainless brad hole T nut.
As for the drum, I'm fortunate to have a place close by that sells plastic & steel drums. The one I bought had a removable plastic liner with bare steel on the inside of the drum. It had a plastic lid, but they threw in a steel lid for free. Total cost 15 bucks. (I liked it so much, I went and bought 2 more
). Got a weber lid from my brother so I used the steel lid to make a barrel dolly with some casters I had.
So far, it's working like a charm. With 5 lbs of charcoal I can hold 225 for 8-10 hrs no problem.
2Bulldogs
Knows what a fatty is.
Update......
Took the barrel to a friend to get sandblast on the inside. He told me he wouldn't be able to get it all but he did get most of it. So I'm thinking about finishing the build and do a good 3 hr burn or so. Will this be long enough? Ill get the fire as hot as I can get of course. I took the Weber grate and expanded metal over to a welder. $50.00 to weld it. I think I got took, but He said it would take some work forming the metal...thats one hour labor cost...oh well, I want to start smoking. The lid still has paint down in the groove where it will fit on the barrel. Is this an issue? Will this burn off if I put the lid on the grill while I do a burn?
I'm getting anxious. I have all the parts so I'm drilling and assembling tonight and maybe a burn if I have enough time when I get off.
Thanks for all the help...GREAT SITE. Cant wait for a greet and meat......
Took the barrel to a friend to get sandblast on the inside. He told me he wouldn't be able to get it all but he did get most of it. So I'm thinking about finishing the build and do a good 3 hr burn or so. Will this be long enough? Ill get the fire as hot as I can get of course. I took the Weber grate and expanded metal over to a welder. $50.00 to weld it. I think I got took, but He said it would take some work forming the metal...thats one hour labor cost...oh well, I want to start smoking. The lid still has paint down in the groove where it will fit on the barrel. Is this an issue? Will this burn off if I put the lid on the grill while I do a burn?
I'm getting anxious. I have all the parts so I'm drilling and assembling tonight and maybe a burn if I have enough time when I get off.
Thanks for all the help...GREAT SITE. Cant wait for a greet and meat......
expatpig
is Blowin Smoke!
If you put the lid on the barrel when you do a burn, you will end up with a UDS full of creosote. Borrow an angle grinder with a wire wheel and dig it out in 5 min.
2Bulldogs
Knows what a fatty is.
Not just after it is lite but After I have a good bed of coals, but the angle grinder is a good idea. Thats what I'll do...Thanks.
moda253
Knows what a fatty is.
D
Darko
Guest
Here's a pic of the loin.
Attachments
Wampus
somebody shut me the fark up.
What the heck is THAT thing? Don't think that's going to cook much of anything. Send it to me and I'll properly dispose of it. What a waste....:tsk:
NICE WORK!:thumb::clap2:
