I was also wondering about the lining, but if you're OK with it fine. It's really great to see the interest in the Ugly Drum Smoker evolving. I think I'm finished with building drums for the time being, and now have two 38" drums with dual cooking racks, and one 34" single rack, all with the original drum lids and Weber lids. Along with my WSM and the 3 UDS's I'll try to do a couple comps and have some fun with them. I took my ugliest drum to the Dr.BBQ Competition Cooking class this past weekend and had a blast with it! I'm a low budget putzer and don't really have any great aspirations to be a GC, just out for some fun and do some Q'n! Anyway I'm the Grand Champion in my own backyard!
Drum on my Brothers!
Brian