Ugly Drum Smoker

cardiac_cadet002 · Nov 13, 2007

I finished my UDS yesterday about 1pm. I coated the inside with oil and put about 5lbs of charcoal in along with a couple of hickory sticks about the size of a forearm to season it properly. I must say I am AMAZED at how well the UDS holds heat and is able to maintain a temp of 220F. It finally started dropping off last night about 8:30pm, but it was a sloooooow decline in temp. I went ahead and closed the ball valve and smothered it out still have some descent sticks of hickory to reuse. I cant wait till Thursday when I'm off to fire this bad boy up. My only regret is that I didn't build one sooner. If its not to dark out I'll take pics and post.

Norcoredneck · Nov 13, 2007

Smoke on brother. Do you plan on using charcoal?

cardiac_cadet002 · Nov 13, 2007

Charcoal is all I can find in my area, unless I travel 50+ miles then I can find lump, which I will prolly get some next time I'm "in the city". The good thing however is I live in the country so I have an endless supply of wood to smoke with, i.e. hickory, pecan, apple etc.

Mark · Nov 13, 2007

cardiac_cadet002 said:
Charcoal is all I can find in my area, unless I travel 50+ miles then I can find lump, which I will prolly get some next time I'm "in the city". The good thing however is I live in the country so I have an endless supply of wood to smoke with, i.e. hickory, pecan, apple etc.

So use all wood. Using all wood in a UDS smoker means a little more fire tending and a way of adding chunks now and then.

cardiac_cadet002 · Nov 13, 2007

Hadn't thought about that. Would you just open all vents and stack some logs in there and get a good fire going, then cap it off and smother the fire and bring temps to where they need to be?

Mark · Nov 13, 2007

No, I wouldn't do that. A small hot fire and just add a chunk or 2 now and then. I got a 6" side door for that.

cardiac_cadet002 · Nov 13, 2007

I don't have a side door mod on mine but I don't think it would hurt to pull the grate out and drop a stick or 2 1/2 way through the cook.

Mark · Nov 13, 2007

cardiac_cadet002 said:
I don't have a side door mod on mine but I don't think it would hurt to pull the grate out and drop a stick or 2 1/2 way through the cook.

If your primary fuel is going to be wood, you'll want a side door. The easiest way is to make plunge cuts with a grinder or circular saw equipped with a cut-off blade for metal.

Bottles 'n Bones BBQ · Nov 16, 2007

Most recent addition ~ Two of these and a bungee cord. No more PIA barrel ring when hauling around...

Mark · Nov 16, 2007

BTW: I finally got some pics of my stainless steel UDS. Ashmont posted one and I'm waiting for him to email me ther rest. Here's the link:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33727 (scroll down)
I'll try to make a PowerPoint Presentation like Pat did.

PS: I too think the UDS subject needss its own discussion area and a place for resources in the files section. Any moderators listening?

Mark · Nov 16, 2007

PSS: Any second now this thread goes over 30,000 hits.

MT4Runner · Nov 19, 2007

Mark said:
PS: I too think the UDS subject needss its own discussion area and a place for resources in the files section. Any moderators listening?

x2!!

tntitan · Nov 19, 2007

i have asked for this before but no reply look at the numbers moderators,make it a sticky

Mark · Nov 19, 2007

Mark said:
No, I wouldn't do that. A small hot fire and just add a chunk or 2 now and then. I got a 6" side door for that.

PS: The reason is you'll get an instant flare-up once the excess air hit the fire (like when you lift the lid off).

Bottles 'n Bones BBQ · Nov 19, 2007

Mark said:
PS: The reason is you'll get an instant flare-up once the excess air hit the fire (like when you lift the lid off).

I actually had a flashback of sorts in mine this weekend...cooking pork loin @ 350*. Nothing major, but the trashcan did fill with a blueish/orange swirl all the way to the top. I added fresh lump over red coals, so I thinkin' that was the difference maker...pretty cool lookin' if nothing else.

broschultz · Nov 19, 2007

I found some drums that had been used for sunflower oil and I've done two burns in them but there is still paint on the upper half. Do you think I can paint over the top half or should I do some more burns until it's all gone?

Jim

Smokin Gator · Nov 19, 2007

Load up enough scrap wood to get the fire way up out of the top. That should get the rest of the paint off. If there is any left you should be able to get the little bit that is left off with a wire brush.

I would not paint over any that is left as it will cause your high temp paint to peel off.

Best of luck... you will be rewarded for your efforts.

broschultz said:
I found some drums that had been used for sunflower oil and I've done two burns in them but there is still paint on the upper half. Do you think I can paint over the top half or should I do some more burns until it's all gone?

Jim

ipls3355 · Nov 19, 2007

like this

not like this

Smokin Gator · Nov 19, 2007

Kinda in between actually

Beerwolf · Nov 19, 2007

IF you happen to live in the city.... I reccommend firing that bad boy off after it gets dark and pray that there is no wind so the smoke goes straight up. Make sure you get a couple of "all nighter" logs to throw in too, this is where you will get that long heat that will make the paint burn off... what you dont get will come off easier with a knotted wire wheel and a cheap Harbor Freight Grinder

Its amazing how a neighbor will bitch about the smoke and noise it takes to make a grille, but will be a total suckarse when you are cooking on it after its all done

Ugly Drum Smoker

is one Smokin' Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

is one Smokin' Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

is one Smokin' Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

is one Smokin' Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Bottles 'n Bones BBQ

Guest

somebody shut me the fark up.

somebody shut me the fark up.

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

somebody shut me the fark up.

Bottles 'n Bones BBQ

Guest

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

Babbling Farker

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Babbling Farker

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