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Ugly Drum Smoker

nzrebel said:
Yes, their refurbished drums, which still had the liners, were $55 and they couldn't tell me what they had in them. They claim they are clean, but I'm taking no chances.

I have a couple of new leads now, thanks for the info.

Oh, and I owe you a Buffalo Wing recipe...:-D

Dave
Click to expand...

That's right I almost forgot about the Buffalo Wing recipe!!
 
Hello to all, newbie to the forum been lurking around for awhile. Picked up a couple of drums measuring 42"x27'' built a uds for myself help my brother build his. Both were brand new so I rub the inside down with lard and put about 10# of charcoal in it and fired it up, got up to temp in about 20 min added some oak threw on a chicken that I had in the fridge and a roll of sausage and let the uds do it's thing 2 1/2 maybe 3 hours open it up all I can say is that was some good stuff. put the lid back on shook the coal basket, wanted to see what kind of burn time i would get. Got up this morning checked it out it was at 185 shook the coal basket again opened the bottom holes up went right to 230 closed 3 holes off as of 3:00 it is 215 amazing.Very informative thread read it all. Total cost $41.00 for 26" webber grate. Information picked up on this thread '' PRICELESS" thank"s for your time.:mrgreen:
 
flint said:
Hello to all, newbie to the forum been lurking around for awhile. Picked up a couple of drums measuring 42"x27'' built a uds for myself help my brother build his. Both were brand new so I rub the inside down with lard and put about 10# of charcoal in it and fired it up, got up to temp in about 20 min added some oak threw on a chicken that I had in the fridge and a roll of sausage and let the uds do it's thing 2 1/2 maybe 3 hours open it up all I can say is that was some good stuff. put the lid back on shook the coal basket, wanted to see what kind of burn time i would get. Got up this morning checked it out it was at 185 shook the coal basket again opened the bottom holes up went right to 230 closed 3 holes off as of 3:00 it is 215 amazing.Very informative thread read it all. Total cost $41.00 for 26" webber grate. Information picked up on this thread '' PRICELESS" thank"s for your time.:mrgreen:
Click to expand...


PICS! We need pics!
 
Finally got her done and seasoned. She held perfect cooking temps from 5pm until 8am when I shut her down, all on the single load of charcoal.:p
smoker1.jpg
smoker2.jpg
smoker3.jpg
smoker4.jpg
Will be cooking a butt tommorow for her maiden voyage.
A special thanks to all that contributed to this thread.
 
Not all the way done...

Here are the pics of my two UDS I have to finish them out in the morning I have a seasoning burn going right now with temps holding at 237.
The Burn Out
IMAGE_014.jpg


My donated fire baskets, made by a family friend for a rack of ribs.
IMAGE_044.jpg


All Bolted up just needing a paint job (holding at 300 degrees with 2 vents open.)

IMAGE_050.jpg
 
 
Results from the drum (softcore pron)

GEDC0010-1.jpg
Gotta new camera today, Yippeeeee.
 
My solution to the Weber lid for your UDS

I posted pictures of my just finished UDS on a separate thread and several people commented on my solution for getting a Weber lid to fit. Therefore I decided to post it here on the Mother of all threads for UDS builders. I read all the posts on this thread and a lot of people were having trouble getting the lid to fit their barrels. Some people hammered the top of the barrel to flatten the rim so the lid would fit. Some people flattened the Weber rim and then bent it over the barrel to get it to fit. When I flattened the rim of my Weber lid it just covered the top of the barrel and I didn’t have enough lid left to bend it over the side of the barrel. So my solution to the problem was to weld a strip of sheet metal around the edge of the lid. The first thing I did was to cut the sheet metal into a strip and then tack weld it together using the barrel as a form. Then I welded the loop of sheet metal to the lid. Now the lid fits over the barrel and is easy to take off and put on. I hope this helps some of you that are having the same problem with the Weber lid and a 55 gallon barrel. Happy smoking
 
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So I am getting ready to cook on the UDS since I haven't used it in about 2 months or so. The only thing was I had problems last time with temps. I just can't seem to get above 220*. I have (8) 1/2" holes in the flat lid and (4) intakes around the bottom. For my intakes I have (2) 3/4" x 3" pipes with caps and (2) ball valves. With all four open all the way I can't hit higher than 220*. The temp doesn't even spike when I open the lid. I did find out that when I was welding the barrel it is a thinner metal. The only thing I think that could be affecting it is my charcoal basket. It is a different design than what you guys use. I couldn't find any expanded metal around here. I will post pics later of my basket and let you make suggestions.
 
My guess would be it's your basket. Do you have it sitting a couple inches off the bottom so air can get to it and the ashes can drop from it? A picture would help when you get a chance.

You don't have a Home Depot in your area? That's where I got my expanded metal.
 
I have missed a couple dozen pages of the thread - so please forgive me if it is in here somewhere, but....

I have the obscene desire to put a guru on my uds. What size fan unit would it need? Any experiance with this lurking on the thread.
--
oh, why would one want to do such a stupid thing. I mostly BBQ for Sunday Lunch. Being able to sleep a little longer between temp checks would be nice (as well as not coming back from Church to a cold pit - happened once). The second reason is damp lump.
 
My basket does sit 3 inches off of the bottom.

Here is what it looks like.
 
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there needs to be at least 3 inches from the bottom of the barrel to the bottom of your charcoal grate. You can still use that basket, just find some Stainless hardware to put through the holes in the corner to suspend that basket 3-4 inches off the bottom. The airflow needs to come in underneath your charcoal not straight into the side of it.
 
I did that. I put (4) 4" long bolts, one on each corner to suspend it off of the bottom of the barrel. The only thing is maybe the ash is building to much? Should I hook up something to shake the pan once and a while?
 
Stiltz6ft9in said:
My basket does sit 3 inches off of the bottom.

Here is what it looks like.
Click to expand...


that looks like a great option for someone too lazy to fabricate something else. Just a few 3inch bolts on for legs and youre ready to go. Being one of those lazy people, I was wondering where you got that thingy? It looks similar to a one of the weber grill accessories (can't remember what it does) but I remember looking on the package and it said it was only good up to 450 degrees.
 
Cahusky said:
that looks like a great option for someone too lazy to fabricate something else. Just a few 3inch bolts on for legs and youre ready to go. Being one of those lazy people, I was wondering where you got that thingy? It looks similar to a one of the weber grill accessories (can't remember what it does) but I remember looking on the package and it said it was only good up to 450 degrees.
Click to expand...

I don't seem to have any problems with heat at all. I was just wondering if it didn't allow enough airflow or was holding the ash and smothering the fire.
 
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