Ugly Drum Smoker

Smokin Turkey · Mar 13, 2009

Hey! That looks like one of my favorite Metallica shirts I shredded in my early days of the shop running my 8" polisher! I got a bruise the size of a grapefruit from the impact! I still wear the shirt cause I think we should be accountable for our stupidity sometimes. LOL!

blues brother said:
Its all fun and games till somebody gets hurt...then it is funny as hell.
I am glad I was able to keep my grip on the grinder(had it in the "locked on" position). It would of beat the chit out of me!

madgator · Mar 13, 2009

New to UDS

Hi out there. Noobie from Florida. Recently got interested in building a UDS. A pile of Google searches sent me here. Currently reading my way through the thread. Lots of good info. Just purchased a food grade drum and plan on doing the burn out this weekend. My major concern is how to make a good charcoal basket and getting the ashes out of the bottom. Any suggestions?

Barbarian · Mar 13, 2009

I like my new one. Want to find a way to make it a bit lighter, but it still is not bad to pull out. Easy ash cleanup.

azkitch · Mar 14, 2009

Rangerj competition success w/drum smoker

RangerJ said:
I've decided to dive into the competitive scene this year. I have not been able to decide on what type of "bigger" smoker to buy so I'm just going to create two more UDS's and see how that works.

Anyone here compete on a UDS?

Also, I have an offset stick burner and I was wondering would the basket design I used for my UDS ( via Norco's pictoral) work in the offset firebox and hold a similar steady temp?

I would like to use my offset as well, but that would require a trailer. I like the idea of tossing 3 drums in the bed of the truck and moving out.

How do I post this in another thread? I guess I can just do a copy/paste. I met Mr. RangerJ at the comp in Tempe last weekend, and he got to walk! Congratulations, RangerJ for a winning entry last weekend. Really nice meeting you, and judging your stuff--not that I had any clue...

h20loo · Mar 14, 2009

Stick burnin' UDS

Has anyone made a stick burner out of a vertical UDS? I was thinking of maybe an offset firebox on a conventional UDS. Probably not worth the work as what I like most about my barrel is when its in the zone you can almost forget it.
Maybe I'll steal my neighbors mailbox and give the offset idea a try...

Norcoredneck · Mar 14, 2009

h20loo said:
Has anyone made a stick burner out of a vertical UDS? I was thinking of maybe an offset firebox on a conventional UDS. Probably not worth the work as what I like most about my barrel is when its in the zone you can almost forget it.
Maybe I'll steal my neighbors mailbox and give the offset idea a try...

There was a article from a 60's popular mechaics that someone posted on here doing just that.

boboQ · Mar 14, 2009

Weiser said:
That is a good looking Drum!
I'd use it in a heartbeat!
Fire it up, observe how it works temps etc., take notes.
Throw meat on it this weekend!

Weiser

Thanks for the help boys, much appreciated. seasoned it and put a fatty on it, worked excellent , can't wait till i can really cook on it.

Thawley · Mar 15, 2009

Norcoredneck said:
There was a article from a 60's popular mechaics that someone posted on here doing just that.

Using a neighbor's mailbox to make an offset?

rockyathabaska · Mar 15, 2009

I've just started using my newly finished UDS with great results.My first two fattys were winners and now I want to do more.
I've got a 10 lb turkey and was not sure how to go about cooking it on the UDS.

any sage advice?

Norcoredneck · Mar 15, 2009

h20loo said:
Has anyone made a stick burner out of a vertical UDS? I was thinking of maybe an offset firebox on a conventional UDS. Probably not worth the work as what I like most about my barrel is when its in the zone you can almost forget it.
Maybe I'll steal my neighbors mailbox and give the offset idea a try...

Our Identity Crisis Brother had posted it! Knew I'd find it if I kept looking.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showpost.php?p=506547&postcount=1

h20loo · Mar 15, 2009

Thanks Norco! I did a search but only turned up the "horizontal cut in half" versions.
I like looking at these old articles to see their methods. That damper on top is pretty cool snd would be handy for the temp checks or when you just have to peek, but the asbestos lining might not cut it today. Without a doubt the side table is necesary.
Not a mention about burnning out the oil barrel first.
Thawley- my neighbor has a mailbox on a curve in the road and between snowplows, and cars- the box is often just laying in the gutter. If I were going to steal anything from him it would be his trophy wife!!! I know- no pictures can't happen.
Rocky- I'm doing a 12 lb turkey on the UDS for the first time today. If you don't see pictures you know it wasn't special.

1130home · Mar 15, 2009

bad fitting weber lid

Will a bad fitting lid cause temps to rise to 300 and stay there even if all vents closed except exhaust?
Vent closed, valve closed, exhaust open.............300+ degrees.

N8man · Mar 15, 2009

1130home said:
Will a bad fitting lid cause temps to rise to 300 and stay there even if all vents closed except exhaust?
Vent closed, valve closed, exhaust open.............300+ degrees.

Air is getting in to fuel the fire from somewhere, I would start by looking at the lid fit, use some aluminum foil around the lip of the barrel as a gasket, place the lid back on and see if it affects your temp.

sfbbqguy · Mar 15, 2009

I couldn't get my Weber lid to fit too good either at first. Lots of air leaks. Held temps around 250-275 okay with just a half ball valve open so i installed two latch clamps to hold the lid down a bit tighter and sealedup the air leaks pretty good. Now she chugs along at 225-235 for hours on end no problem. Also good to keep FIL from opening the lid to check things out for no reason!!! last time he was here he didn't get the lid on correctly and I had 300+ temps on my hands...may have to install some kind of lock to keep the lookie-loos out ofthe drum.

chinesebob · Mar 15, 2009

Barbarian said:
I like my new one. Want to find a way to make it a bit lighter, but it still is not bad to pull out. Easy ash cleanup.

That is freaking brilliant!

chinesebob · Mar 16, 2009

Barbarian said:
I like my new one. Want to find a way to make it a bit lighter, but it still is not bad to pull out. Easy ash cleanup.

Can you post some more pics of your new firebox.

Quiggs · Mar 16, 2009

First try

Well after reading this thread "twice"! I tackled my first build. Thanks to all for the ideas!

Burning out freebie barrel..

Making firebox out of old grill..

Firebox done..

Decided to trim Weber lid to fit into drum lid..

Lid cut out...

Fitting..and it worked. Brazed it together after grinding porcelin off in a few spots.

Air intake..

Twin racks and test fire..

Test chicken..

A bit of paint and shortened a handcart to bolt to barrel for transportation. Going to raise it 2" to keep off of ground before bolting together.

Ash poker in cart hole..

Sorry if this is to long, but thank again to all your posts for ideas!!

Quiggs of Lake Havasu!!

Norcoredneck · Mar 16, 2009

Drum in Havazoo! Looks good.

Barbarian · Mar 16, 2009

Bob,
I am pondering the idea of using expanded metal and bending it like angle iron to make the entire thing lighter. One thing I like about this design is being square it pulls straight out and you have to screw up to hit any of the grate bolts and with the pullout ashpan the dumping of ashes is easy.

chinesebob · Mar 16, 2009

The slide out ash pan is a good idea too. I've thought of a variation - Will start on it tonight. Make the basket separate and put a second shelf in so you can use it for grilling or smoking.

Got everything I need so it's just down to measuring and cutting..... Watch for pics.

Ugly Drum Smoker

is Blowin Smoke!

madgator

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Barbarian

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Attachments

Knows what a fatty is.

is one Smokin' Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Found some matches.

Attachments

Take a breath!

Knows what a fatty is.

somebody shut me the fark up.

is one Smokin' Farker

1130home

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Babbling Farker

is one Smokin' Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

is Blowin Smoke!

Quiggs

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somebody shut me the fark up.

Barbarian

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Attachments

is Blowin Smoke!

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