Ugly Drum Smoker

What no more posts to read :!: :frown:
I thought that this would be the elusive never ending quest as I saw more page numbers added when ever I could sneak away some screen time.
I'm ready to build, have a lead on at least one weber donor and a couple of drum suppliers. Will stay away from the red and tan lined to much work for me. I'd probably get stuck in the barrel trying to reach the bottom, plenty tall but even more round.
I've already convinced a friend to become a fellow drum head, we will build together.
Of course he has the truck, the welder, the safe place to burn, heated shop :icon_smil etc and a broken hand. So I may be some help to him.

Best thing is I will no longer be a gass passer when I smoke (except for beer byproducts):icon_sick
I'll also be able to make MOINKS that would be certifiable, if certification was still possible.
I know no pictures, never happened so I will do my best to document the events.

Thanks to all the tolerant and patiently repeated advise through out the thread. It will be a KISS UDS with Beer opener(s)

The 24" is needed to properly smoke without a water pan present. Lower and the meat cooks too quickly. I have seen people do the 2" below bottom of charcoal grate, and then measure 9" down from top and put first grate, but you can do whatever you like.

But before I add my cooking grate I would like to know why the 24" distance between top and bottom grate's, if I dropped the grate down another inch or two I think it would clear a turkey I have, its not a big deal as it may be the only turkey I ever cook on it but 22-23" how would it differ in performance?

Click to expand...

If you're building new, give some serious consideration to the set-up I made so my UDS doubles as a grill. I have two levels of U-bolts for grates, one about 2" from the top, the other about 8" from the top. I made my fire basket with three brackets which line up with the U-bolts, so you can mount the fire basket right below the upper grate for grilling. I welded a short stud on the bottom of each bracket, so it can't get accidently knocked off of the U-bolts. I actually do more grilling than smoking, and the UDS works fine set-up this way. It also sets the fire basket at a handy level for loading and starting. I have a handle on it, so I can then just lower it to the bottom of the drum when smoking. If I do a minion start, I don't even need gloves to lower it, as long as I do it right away.

On Christmas, I cooked a 4 bone prime rib on the UDS. I smoked it @ 200* for 4-1/2 hours, foiled it for 1/2 an hour, and while it was foiled, I moved my fire basket to the upper, grilling position, and let it fully ignite. By the time the meat came out of the foil, I had a good hot fire to sear the roast. With the lid on it, my UDS was reading 525* for the searing. Two different types of cooking on one grill! I only really have room for one grill in my yard, so my UDS has to do double duty. (OK, my wife has a gasser, but we won't mention that). I actually gave away my beloved old Weber kettle once I had the UDS figured out.

jetfxr27 said:

That aint no UDS, thats BAMFDS!
I need to make another. Like the K blue bag in the box. This truly is a perfect gift for someone. It looks very Professional. If I could change anything, (and I hate to even say it) , it would be the Wally world Thermo. That thing deserves a big 5 incher.

Click to expand...

Good feedback. Nice job spotting the Kingsford. I'm including a bag with each one I make for buddies (easy to do when they're only $1.50 with the coupon at walmart for the big bag).

I'm thinking about making a few more of these and selling them. Note taken on the thermo. I'll upgrade it. I'm also going to use brand new drums for the ones I sell (bought 6 new drums yesterday - ouch - spendy). But, I don't want to risk the liability with anything possibly residue in the reconditioned or used drums and someone claiming it made them sick or something (although personally I think they're fine and use them myself).

I'm also going to offer the regular flat top lid with 8 holes, and then the bling edition chrome smoke stack as an option for those who want that.

Long live the UDS!

started by uds build today

where do you measure your 24 inches from ? from the top of the charcoal basket or from the bottom of the basket?

Marty said:

where do you measure your 24 inches from ? from the top of the charcoal basket or from the bottom of the basket?

Click to expand...

Although it makes no sense to me since baskets of different height put the heat at different distances from the meat, the answer is from the bottom of the basket.

To continue with the progression of my barrel from my previous post back a few pages: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1080461&postcount=4450

I've given it a little flame paint job as a reward for the delicious ribs...
1st we tape

then we draw and cut out each line with razor blades

then we paint it with high temp paint and peel off the tape


Next up are wheels and a shelf. I'm getting tired of carrying it around.

Here is last weekends mission, to install a rotisserie into this drum




Here is all the pieces





Motor and bracket installed






Handle side bracket





Another view of the bracket






Finished, Food pron to follow soon !

Nice job on the flames! I gotta re-paint mine soon....lid fell in the dirt I was so pissed, said fark it and painted over it. :roll:

Rotisserie is a nice addition BBQ Jim!

Nice rolling setup! That will kick out some juicy pron!!

Is pvc ok for the smoke stack?

If anyone is in the Atlanta area knows of a good place to get a reconditioned drum, it would be much appreciated.

Happy New Year.

Pole D said:

Is pvc ok for the smoke stack?

Click to expand...

Probably not the best choice but I don't think it would get hot enough to melt being a smoke stack. Post pics.

Pole D said:

Is pvc ok for the smoke stack?

Click to expand...

It depend on how you plan to use your UDS, but I wouldn't. Here's a picture of mine @ 525* for searing a roast I smoked. At 525, PVC is.... a liquid!

Just found this site, got a drum setting in my shop and hope to have it burned out today!

Welcome aboard! What better way to start the New Year than burnin' out a barrel? Make SURE you take some pics, or you'll never hear the end of it around here!

MushCreek said:

It depend on how you plan to use your UDS, but I wouldn't. Here's a picture of mine @ 525* for searing a roast I smoked. At 525, PVC is.... a liquid!

Click to expand...

I agree if you are just gonna be smoking under 300* then PVC might be fine, but if you are gonna do a wide range of stuff with it then use metal.

jgh1204 said:

Well, I think this going down as a failure. As I said, the drum was used to hold apple juice concentrate. Whatever they used to coat the inside of the drum is putting off a funky smell.

Not gonna que in that.

Click to expand...

I've had that problem a couple times. Just burn it hotter and longer it will burn off without a smell. Give it some breathing holes in the bottom so it can warm up.

Paint

Been trying to find a high gloss hi temp paint.... you folks with that kind of paint mind telling me the kind and place to buy? thank you... this forum has been a wealth of info.