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Ugly Drum Smoker

Guys, just a quick question. I scored two open top drums that had Adhesion Lacquer in them. If I burn them out and wire wheel or sand disk the inside then wash with soap and water will they be safe to use. I am only up to page 426 but working on getting here soon. This is my first UDS build. I will post as I go along. There is a lot of great ino here.
 
hdmcgatha said:
Guys, just a quick question. I scored two open top drums that had Adhesion Lacquer in them. If I burn them out and wire wheel or sand disk the inside then wash with soap and water will they be safe to use. I am only up to page 426 but working on getting here soon. This is my first UDS build. I will post as I go along. There is a lot of great ino here.
Click to expand...

Test a patch...Use a plumber's torch and the wire wheel. If that works, prepare for a nice hot burn...:wink:
 
I'm way into this thread and haven't found or missed any mention of using aluminum expanded metal for the charcoal basket. The melting point is 1220 degrees F. Any health issues involved?
 
I think the longevity would suffer with aluminum, ive still gotta build my fire basket for mine, stol waiting for sutherlands to restock, probably this week. What diameter are you planin for your basket?


Posted from my fancy android fone!!
 
While reading this thread, I thought of useing the UDS as a grill also ( like others ) I thought of using chain to hold the firebasket closer to the grates so it could be grilled on or lowered to the bottom to be a smoker. It works quiet well. Then yesterday I ran across the " D-M**tBarrel " on youtube. Has anyone seen these? Basicly it is a UDS that hangs the meat instead of racking. It has a rack on chains to adjust the height to the fire but the rack is for pan food. The meat hangs on hooks and rods. They adjust the exhaust instead of the intake (don't like that). It has nice shelves though. I am NOT promoting this product. Nor am I affiliated in anyway to this company. This is NOT an advertisment. I had planned on smoking homade Bacon in my UDS by hanging and using a cold smoke generator. Has anyone done this?
 
spareheat said:
While reading this thread, I thought of useing the UDS as a grill also ( like others ) I thought of using chain to hold the firebasket closer to the grates so it could be grilled on or lowered to the bottom to be a smoker. It works quiet well. Then yesterday I ran across the " D-M**tBarrel " on youtube. Has anyone seen these? Basicly it is a UDS that hangs the meat instead of racking. It has a rack on chains to adjust the height to the fire but the rack is for pan food. The meat hangs on hooks and rods. They adjust the exhaust instead of the intake (don't like that). It has nice shelves though. I am NOT promoting this product. Nor am I affiliated in anyway to this company. This is NOT an advertisment. I had planned on smoking homade Bacon in my UDS by hanging and using a cold smoke generator. Has anyone done this?
Click to expand...

D-Meat Barrel Smoker $400.00 My UDS $100.00
 
For those of you considering buying a Uni-Flame 22.5" (knockoff Weber) grill at Walmart and using the dome, don't do it. It is 0.5" smaller than the Weber. Plus it is very cheaply made. The one that I got was not even completely round. Very poor quality. I ended up ordering a dome lid from Weber for $52.
 
Several UDS designs have 3/4" fender washers over the 3 (or 4) intake valves. My questions is why? What does this do? The 3/4" nipples screw directly into the barrel and would seem to be airtight (or very close).

I don't mind adding them, just not sure of their value...
 
InTheRedZoneBBQ said:
Several UDS designs have 3/4" fender washers over the 3 (or 4) intake valves. My questions is why? What does this do? The 3/4" nipples screw directly into the barrel and would seem to be airtight (or very close).

I don't mind adding them, just not sure of their value...
Click to expand...

I think they use the washer only if there hole got a little big when drilling it. Mine screw in nicely. I did use a conduit nut on both sides just to be on the safe side..
 
I don't use fender washers, but do use conduit nuts. They helped lock in the nipple so it would not twist when a cap got a little stuck. Of course eventually the hole opened up, and they did the entire job of keeping the nipple in place.
 
mmmmeat said:
I think the longevity would suffer with aluminum, ive still gotta build my fire basket for mine, stol waiting for sutherlands to restock, probably this week. What diameter are you planin for your basket?


Posted from my fancy android fone!!
Click to expand...

I'm going to use an ECB grill grate for now to see how it works, so I think around 16" diameter. Never measured it though.
I went but the steel place on 6th last week to see if they had any scraps. Guy said no but he would check their other location and bring some over if they had any. I'll check back Friday. He did say a 4' x 8' sheet was around $20. Sounded way cheap compared to what I saw in Sutherlands and Homo Depot for half that.
 
mike5150 said:
I think they use the washer only if there hole got a little big when drilling it. Mine screw in nicely. I did use a conduit nut on both sides just to be on the safe side..
Click to expand...


Thanks. I used the conduit nuts as well, just didn't see the value in the washers, thought I was missing something...

I'll skip them.
 
I'm so glad I found this forum! It is great but you all know this already:-D I got my drum made and have smoked a fattie and am now smoking two STL ribs and some beans. I'm am have alittle trouble with the temps thou. It will be holding steady at 225 but it will drop to 200. I had the ball valve open all the way and the 2 nips closed. So then I removed the 2 nips and it climbed to 250 and stays right there, with no change. Is this normal to have to keep all valves opened? Please help thanks
 
I paid $52 for #9 3/4" rolled flat expanded metal 4 X 8 sheet in Memphis two months ago. I got three fire basket rings 10" X 48", three 16" round pieces to overlay the firebasket bottom grill ( 16" x 48" ) and four pieces 24" X 24" that I used for tables on each side of two smokers ( will have pics this weekend ). I made three fire baskets but just two smokers for now.
Homed*p*t has 24" X 24" pieces for $20. It would take eight of these to equal a 4' X 8' sheet. 8 X $20= $160
If you get a 4' X 8' sheet of new #9 expanded metal for $20, jump on it and smile all the way home.
 
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