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Rednecked Ugly Drum Smoker

Got the fat daddy of drum smokers in the works. Grillman 40 hooked me up. 85 gallons 26" around. Wife is just Thrilled :twisted: . Started bitching so I stacked a few pair of her shoes on top and asked her to come give me a hand. Went over real well, told me I was number one (finger mod). Told her don't go away mad, just go away. Good thing I am working tonight. Air is a little heavy here. Tomorrow is another day.
 
Drum Hoss!!!

Norcoredneck said:
Got the fat daddy of drum smokers in the works. Grillman 40 hooked me up. 85 gallons 26" around.
Click to expand...
As I told Grillman 40 that must be a hoss of a drum!!! Please post pix
of your build. Can't wait to see it!!! Wimmen!!! Yeah, it's been my experience that even when they also benefit from, and that we derive pleasure in doing, if it's not something that they hold the passion for, it tends to be downridden.
Hey, look...I'm on the road to being a Farker
 
Hope this is not to long, but I have some questions.

Never seen a drum smoker in person and I just went through all 7 pages of this thread and have a question. The template you did was for the bottom of the drum, but what holes did you need in the bottom of the drum.

I like the intake and exhaust pipes, I smoke mainly in the winter rains of Northern California on a covered deck so I need to be able to vent the smoke outside. I use a BBChef smoker at the moment and have a flexible dryer vent pipe attached to the smoke stack and run it outside.

Also how hot does the bottom of these drum smokers get? I have to smoke on a wood deck so I need to make sure I do not catch it on fire. Probably should set the drum on cinder blocks with fireproof mats under that.

Would love to see some pics of the different Charcoal baskets that guys have come up with. I liked Mista's on one of his archived sites. Am curious about doing one that catches most if not all of the drippings which would make the cleanup easier. There has gotta be a way!
 
the holes in the bottom (sides) are for the air intake, most use three or four holes.

I am not sure how hot the bottom gets but I have been thinking about building a sand box to put it in so that I can move mine to the deck also.

As far as a firebox, mine is made from a coal grate from a 221/2 weber, wrapped in 1/2 expanded metal. The grate is 2 1/2 inches from the bottom with aprrox 10 inches left to hold the charcoal.

A friend of mine uses a large clay dish (think planter) in the bottom of his for easy clean up.
 
Was at home depot and noticed the drip pans for under water heaters. Was thinking about seeing if something like that would fit inside a drum. Problem with that is I believe they are galvanized. You could strip the galvanized coating with muratic acid but would it be worth it? The last charcoal basket I made was for Single Fin. I think I liked it best. Next time I plan on getting a charcoal grate from a weber(grate coals sit on not grill) They have them at most places that sell weber replacement parts. I took 4 1/2" diameter bolts and sandwiched grate between double nuts and washers. This gave a great way of standing it off bottom without restricting air flow or trapping ash. I tack welded a ring on top to hold charcoal. If you don't have a welder you could use hog rings or tabs and screws.

So far as setting on deck make sure you stand it off. It will get hot on bottom. I will try and locate pics. If you want me to send the powerpoint presentation I made PM me your email and I will send it to you.
 
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Barbarian said:
Hope this is not to long, but I have some questions.

Never seen a drum smoker in person and I just went through all 7 pages of this thread and have a question. The template you did was for the bottom of the drum, but what holes did you need in the bottom of the drum.

Also how hot does the bottom of these drum smokers get? I have to smoke on a wood deck so I need to make sure I do not catch it on fire. Probably should set the drum on cinder blocks with fireproof mats under that.
Click to expand...
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I used the template as a layout guide in locating the holes
to drill on the sides of the drumpit. Making sure the drum was level, I took
a string and tied a bolt to the end. Aligned string to template, measured distance from bottom of drum to location I wanted to drill hole on side and marked it on string, then transfered that to drum. Move string, mark location.

I've gotten rid of the cinder block base and have went mobile...
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The bottom does get hot...maybe you could set yours on pavers.
Lower profile than cinder blocks.
 
Last edited:
when i use mine at comps i sit mine on 18x18 floor tile it keeps that dry grass away from the barrel
 
tntitan,
What is that table around your UDS in your avatar made of?
 
a few more questions.
How long of a life expectancy do regular steel drums have?
How long for a stainless drum?
Do most of you get used drums or new ones?
On used drums, what types of businesses do you got to to find them?
 
Barbarian said:
a few more questions.
How long of a life expectancy do regular steel drums have?
How long for a stainless drum?
Do most of you get used drums or new ones?
On used drums, what types of businesses do you got to to find them?
Click to expand...


I have had a drum for a year. Used it alot. Got a good coat of paint and keep the pork fat flowing and I believe it will last a long time. I have cleeaned mine twice, mostly because i used to dump it and ash sticks to sides on way out. I now use the Third eye Hoe scoop and it has stayed a lot cleaner. Sides of drum don't get hot enough to burn through. Bottom of fire basket should stand off drum so that is the closest to hottest. My bottom looks fine. Main thing is leftover ash that collects moisture can become acidic and cause rust.

I bought a new clean unlined drum from McMaster Carr. I can pick it up on my way home so no expensive shipping. I have seen used ones on craigslist, hit and miss. Be sure you know what was in a used one.

If you find used Stainless in California let me know. It would probably be on my way home :biggrin:. I would love to make a stainless one. Big $$$$$.
I would try and start with open top drum if you can find one.
 
Thanks Norco. I want to do something like N8Man did. I need to have a smoke stack so I can vent out the smoke from my covered deck. So I guess one like this from McMaster Carr?
With Lever-Lock Closing Ring— 2" and 3/4" NPT Bung Openings with Plugs
55 23 1/2" 34 1/2" 18/20/20/12 UN1A2/Y425/S; UN1A2/Y1.2/100
4115T44 86.58

I take it the closed head drums are ones where the lid does not come off? No experience with barrels.

Do the new ones need burnt out like everyone mentions on this thread? And do you then need to need to season them like other smokers?

I think I would just get a new one instead of spending the time searching since I am out in the middle of no where.

I found 85 gallon drums online at Wholesale Industrial Supply ( http://secure2.data-comm.com/servlet/RBIS/-strse-84133/Drum-Salvage-85-Gallon/Detail ) they are $122 plus shipping. Don't know if there are any advantages of a 85 over a 55 though. Have to ponder on that for a bit. Not to worried about the $40 price difference, just want to make a good one.
 
Correct, closed drum is sealed. If you buy a new one you can get unlined like I did. It has a coat of oil to keep from rusting. When I bought mine I bought the heavier gauge one. I would buy a lever lock lid instead of the bolt type I got. I got a 85 gallon drum from Grillman40 that mistakingly got sent to his work. It is 26" dia. vs. 22.5" on a 55. I had to hunt for grills. i lucked out and found a BBq and extra grills. If I had not lucked out it would be costly to get them. 22.5" weber grills are @$15. Inexpensive replacements are @ $8-$10. Here is my 85 build

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29215&highlight=big+ugly+drum

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31680&highlight=big+ugly+drum

Pm me if you need info. Also have powerpoint of UDS build if you send e-mail address.
 
Thanks norco.
So how does the 85 cook?
Do you like it better then the 55?
I like the idea of being able to disassemble for cleaning. I was thinking about on a 55 cutting it about 12-15 inches above the bottom and welding a metal ring on the inside and outside of the base about 4" tall so you could pick the top part up to get the fire started and for cleanup. You would just set the top down between the two pieces for the cook. To help with the air tightness you could have a piece of woodstove gasket between the two rings for the top part to sit on. Just wonder about the stability in something like that?
 
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