Displaced Texan
Knows what a fatty is.
I have a quick question for those with graphics on your UDS. Did you paint the graphic on or did you use vinyl? If vinyl, how has it held up?
Ugly Drum Smoker
- Thread starter jgh1204
- Start date
JTnWI
Found some matches.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2017
- Location
- Waukesha...
I have read this post, twice. After reading it the first time it was a lot shorter and I built my first UDS. I just got done reading it a second time and finished my second smoker. The 3rd UDS will not require another read, or I hope not. Here is my completed drum. Redskins theme, waiting on a stencil for the center yellow part. I am also going to add a deep fryer thermometer, and a removable table. The small silver shelf is for my ThermPro. The BCF is from a metal trashcan I found on Amazon, 11 holes in the bottom and a 14" grate for the charcoal.
Attachments
Very nice build. I like the thermopro shelf. What's the other metal thing on the barrel?
dadsr4
somebody shut me the fark up.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
- Location
- Howell, MI
Bottle opener?
JTnWI
Found some matches.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2017
- Location
- Waukesha...
Right, bottle opener. Pretty sure it is a legal requirement for smoking meat. ;-)
Any Long Island Bros out there? I found a 55 Gal SS drum... $90.
I used one years ago and MY DS is awesome... no rust!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/147...89967707915225/?sale_post_id=2289967707915225
I used one years ago and MY DS is awesome... no rust!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/147...89967707915225/?sale_post_id=2289967707915225
grosen84
Is lookin for wood to cook with.
<$300 Stainless Drum Smoker
Drum was a craigslist find, very thick wall, was used for fermenting wine. It was hand made as far as I can tell, several weld beads around the base and a nice thick rolled edge that clips a plastic drum lid perfectly. Conveniently, it also perfectly fits the crust groove in a 24" pizza pan. Used a Amazon BGE replacement vent door. Had to put some muscle in to relax the radius, which ended up crinkling the door lip slightly, but now it just holds the door more firmly. -1 aesthetics, +1 function. Took advantage of the OSH closing clearance to pick up the hardware. I measured the grate size needed to roughly 22 to 22 1/4", so I may have to make my own expanded metal grate (also scored from OSH) Decided to use carriage bolts for the door and stainless rivets for the shelf standards, so everything outside is screw head free and stainless.
It's a little dented up, so I guess that's where it gets it's ugly? :laugh:
Drum was a craigslist find, very thick wall, was used for fermenting wine. It was hand made as far as I can tell, several weld beads around the base and a nice thick rolled edge that clips a plastic drum lid perfectly. Conveniently, it also perfectly fits the crust groove in a 24" pizza pan. Used a Amazon BGE replacement vent door. Had to put some muscle in to relax the radius, which ended up crinkling the door lip slightly, but now it just holds the door more firmly. -1 aesthetics, +1 function. Took advantage of the OSH closing clearance to pick up the hardware. I measured the grate size needed to roughly 22 to 22 1/4", so I may have to make my own expanded metal grate (also scored from OSH) Decided to use carriage bolts for the door and stainless rivets for the shelf standards, so everything outside is screw head free and stainless.
It's a little dented up, so I guess that's where it gets it's ugly? :laugh:
patrickd26
Full Fledged Farker
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2017
- Location
- Fremont, NE
<$300 Stainless Drum Smoker
Drum was a craigslist find, very thick wall, was used for fermenting wine. It was hand made as far as I can tell, several weld beads around the base and a nice thick rolled edge that clips a plastic drum lid perfectly. Conveniently, it also perfectly fits the crust groove in a 24" pizza pan. Used a Amazon BGE replacement vent door. Had to put some muscle in to relax the radius, which ended up crinkling the door lip slightly, but now it just holds the door more firmly. -1 aesthetics, +1 function. Took advantage of the OSH closing clearance to pick up the hardware. I measured the grate size needed to roughly 22 to 22 1/4", so I may have to make my own expanded metal grate (also scored from OSH) Decided to use carriage bolts for the door and stainless rivets for the shelf standards, so everything outside is screw head free and stainless.
It's a little dented up, so I guess that's where it gets it's ugly? :laugh:
Wow. What a fine find. I would highly recommend Membersmark to clean the inside. I do mine after every 3-5 cooks and it takes it back to new. I can't imagine how nice stainless would clean up. Thanks for sharing!
4dueces
is one Smokin' Farker
Built this for a buddy, he's an Iowa State Cyclone fan but his daughter went to the University of Iowa, thus the house divided.
Debmar
Knows what a fatty is.
UDS from old pressure tank build
I posted regarding my build in Q Talk but wanted to include link here as I have learned most of what I used from this thread. only about half way through the thread but wanted to thank everyone who posted builds and ideas as I have used lots of it in my planning. heres a pic of prototype more info in link below
https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267447
I posted regarding my build in Q Talk but wanted to include link here as I have learned most of what I used from this thread. only about half way through the thread but wanted to thank everyone who posted builds and ideas as I have used lots of it in my planning. heres a pic of prototype more info in link below
https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267447
Just ol Pop
Found some matches.
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2014
- Location
- Midfield...
Help
I need help like hole placement vents I would like three racks in mine. Need some drawing or plans help
I need help like hole placement vents I would like three racks in mine. Need some drawing or plans help
ebijack
Babbling Farker
There are many many ways to build a UDS. You get to make it your own design/build to how YOU want your UDS to look/perform.
Here is only one from early in this massive thread. Sorry, I don't remember the Brethren who had posted it. You might think about going thru some of this massive thread before you start your build just to see other options.
Attachments
grosen84
Is lookin for wood to cook with.
What's the largest thing you plan on cooking? Add 1" to it's height and put your first rack down that amount from the top. What's the height of your charcoal basket? Add 1" and put your bottom rack no lower from the bottom than that. What is your goal for the 3 racks? The temp will be different at different heights in the drum. If you're planning on a baffle rack and a second rack for food, place the middle rack as close to the top rack as you dare, to keep the temps as close as possible. Don't plan on trying to cook on all 3 racks IMO. You'd need to experiment w/ JUST the charcoal basket and temp probes at each level to figure out what would be possible.
If you're doing a dome lid, you can do this:
kls44
is one Smokin' Farker
I used adjustable shelf supports and brackets in mine, that way I can put shelves any where. They are not very expensive at HD or Lowes.
grosen84
Is lookin for wood to cook with.
djc227
Well-known member
Here's a pic of the twins I built as Christmas presents for my brothers. You can put the bucket charcoal basket on a grate on the third level of bolts and it makes an awesome VERY HOT charcoal grill using the top rack. I built my first one with 3/4 pipe risers and ball valves, but had to add 3 nipples in the back to get enough airflow to cook over 250. This design should have more air intake and is much easier to build. When I get time I think I'm going to make a parts list and step by step plans on how to build this (as long as the test run goes as planned). I searched for hours before the first build and could never find a set of plans! Total cost was $146 due to finding free sacrificial kettles on craigslist. If you had to buy the weber lid new the cost would be $210.
Attachments
grosen84
Is lookin for wood to cook with.
I used the Kamado style door on my stainless drum as well. I agree, much easier to install, and basically the same price if you're springing for 2 brass ball valves and the other black pipe needed.
SmittyJonz
somebody shut me the fark up.
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2013
- Location
- Burleson Tx
Bump for New Guys n Gals........
R5Ryder
Found some matches.
Why do most people put an intake nipple in the back of the smoker? Wouldn’t you want to see all your intakes all the time?
If the BACK of the smoker is 12:00, I’m planning on going 6:00 (3/4 capped nipple), 8:30 (3/4 pipe with ball valve) and 3:30 (ditto).
Is it THAT important that they be evenly spaced around the basket? I’ve seen successful guys at comps that seem to go with 3-6-9, but I like the idea (aesthetically) of the two verticals being a little closer together.
If the BACK of the smoker is 12:00, I’m planning on going 6:00 (3/4 capped nipple), 8:30 (3/4 pipe with ball valve) and 3:30 (ditto).
Is it THAT important that they be evenly spaced around the basket? I’ve seen successful guys at comps that seem to go with 3-6-9, but I like the idea (aesthetically) of the two verticals being a little closer together.
There's just something aesthetically pleasing about having them spaced around the drum- you just KNOW that placement makes it draw better. I've got a slider vent (like a kamado) on my SS drum-so it's one vent like 3 x 5 inches...works just dandy.
Just put them where you like. I don't think it'd matter if they were at 7:00 6;00 and 5:00.
Just put them where you like. I don't think it'd matter if they were at 7:00 6;00 and 5:00.
