Ugly Drum Smoker

think i'm gonna do a couple for novelty but 1 question- how in the h*ll do ya get the ashes out ??? other than dump it or contaminate the pit ?
 
Last edited:
cajun_1 said:
Good idea ... I have a rather small "shop vac" that I hardly use due to it's size. Perfect for UDS ... Just make sure ashes are cold.
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It'll work but be prepared to change the filter often....ash is so fine it plogs em up quickly.
 
gotwood said:
It'll work but be prepared to change the filter often....ash is so fine it plogs em up quickly.
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Go to Lowe's and get a filter designed for concrete dust. They are about $30.00 but worth it. You can knock them out, wash them and reuse over and over. I used these when I was installing car lifts. We had to drill lots of holes. I'm sure they would work great for ash, but I haven't tried it yet. Now that I have a UDS, I'm sure I will.
 
I flipped my drum upside down so I can just take off the band and lift off the barrel. I used a jigsaw and cut the top (bottom) out just inside the lip and my weber kettle lid fit on just right (although I did tweak the lid just alittle to get to fit easily). I while try to post pix some other time.
 
irrad8 said:
I flipped my drum upside down so I can just take off the band and lift off the barrel. I used a jigsaw and cut the top (bottom) out just inside the lip and my weber kettle lid fit on just right (although I did tweak the lid just alittle to get to fit easily). I while try to post pix some other time.
Click to expand...
If you plan on leaving it out uncovered you might think of drilling a few holes toward the outside of lid(bottom) to drain water that will settle and rust out.
 
Hello all, 1st post. I am getting started tomorrow on building my own UDS. I have read thru this post and a couple others. Some answers to a few questions I have had been discussed.

I am still not clear on a few.

Have access to 4 - 3/4 ball valves (father in law retired plumber)

What has everyone found, is it better to have 4 intakes opened slightly for even heat or would 1-2 be good enough?

What about extending the intake pipe to the top for ease, does the unit draw as well?

It seems to me centering the exhaust would help draw the heat more evenly over the cooking grates.

I do have a old Weber lid but I tried it and it looks like it would work but would blow off if a wind came up. It just sits on the rim, so close.

Lastly, does anyone just let the ash fall into the bottom of the drum from the fire basket or would that burn out the bottom. I am still working on some way to build a basket without the need for welding. I am having a hard time finding some ideas on that one. :confused:

BTW this forum has a bunch of great info already on the UDS. Can't wait to get started.

Thanks! :grin:
 
Norcoredneck said:
If you plan on leaving it out uncovered you might think of drilling a few holes toward the outside of lid(bottom) to drain water that will settle and rust out.
Click to expand...

Lowe's has 30" round kettle cover that fits over the drum nicely for $7.00. It doesn't go all the way down, but enough to keep the rain out. If you had a flat lid, it probably would cover most of it. With my dome lid I have about 10 to 12" hanging out.
 
Crüe-B-Cüe said:
Lowe's has 30" round kettle cover that fits over the drum nicely for $7.00. It doesn't go all the way down, but enough to keep the rain out. If you had a flat lid, it probably would cover most of it. With my dome lid I have about 10 to 12" hanging out.
Click to expand...
Those covers work great but on my inverted drum the part of lid (now bottom) that wraps the lip of drum is now facing up. Water would run down side and settle there and sit. I drilled 1/8" holes at an angle so water could drain. Lid (bottom) seals on inside of lip anyway.
drill.jpg
 
blues_n_cues said:
think i'm gonna do a couple for novelty but 1 question- how in the h*ll do ya get the ashes out ??? other than dump it or contaminate the pit ?
Click to expand...

Here is what I use. The scraper works great at getting the gunk out. Get a new one.
 

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