Ugly Drum Smoker

[hamhock]

Well I made my UDS and tried it once with some whole chickens and baked potatoes. Which turn out really good. Yesterday I put on a 9lb Boston Butt and two 9lb Pork Loins. Everything went fine until the wind starting blowing. Moved the UDS to the other side of the shop and it held 250 to 265 degrees just fine. Everybody couldn't believe how they turn out being cooked in a drum. Thanks for all yalls input and info.

[Paul Worth]

Originally Posted by tpenick

Fired up my brand new UDS today, and I just could NOT control the temperature while using natural oak lump. I ended up opening all the valves and letting it burn hot and quick, then using briquettes instead and those worked wonderfully. Did a couple of fatties and a rack of St. Louis spare ribs. Turned out great. I was very discouraged after the lump temps went crazy, but now I'm doubly excited as the results speak for themselves.

I use homemade hickory lump and have not had any problem with it. I use the Minion Method and start with eight fully-lit briquettes. Everything else is lump and wood chunks.

[dae06]

Originally Posted by Skidder

I don't understand why you need a Guru or any other assistance. I've built 11 drums and they all work perfect without one.

Now you tell me. , I just ordered the iOue 110. Mainly because my off-set smoker really needs it, but after my UDS build I think I'll be selling the off-set.

Here's my build:

[El Ropo]

She's a beauty!

Love the truck too. Diesel prices are a killer nowadays though.

[dae06]

Originally Posted by El Ropo

She's a beauty!

Love the truck too. Diesel prices are a killer nowadays though.

[tpenick]

What did you use for the decals? Anything special to hold up to the heat?

[dae06]

Originally Posted by tpenick

What did you use for the decals? Anything special to hold up to the heat?

Nothing special, just normal magnetic decals. So far I am really surprised as to how little heat transfers to the outside of the barrel. When I was at 250-275 degrees, the outside of the UDS was warm but not hot, even down by the coal basket. I have to add that it has been windy during my test runs, so maybe that kept the outside cooler, but so far no problems. I would think it would be the hottest by the fire box, but the magnets I use to cover the air inlets are perfectly fine. We'll see on a 90 degree day with no wind.

I just recieve the rest of my "bling" for it last night. It should be 100% completed by tonight. One thing I may also consider is a diffuser, but I'll make a decision on that soon.

[huaco]

Originally Posted by Nemo

Started on the intake holes with a titanium bit then the hole punch. Fortunately I started with a 3/4" punch but found out afterwards that it doesn't make a 3/4" hole. It's a bit oversized, almost 7/8". This greenline punch is made for electricians I believe (holes in panels, etc) and I suspect the 3/4" is made to fit the connectors that fit on the end of 3/4" conduit, hence why they are a little oversized.

So ordered a step bit to drill out to 1". Hopefully someone will avoid the mistake I almost made with this bit of info.

You used the conduit punch. Greenlee also makes Chassis Punches that are ACTUAL diameter. So, a 3/4" chassis punch actually cuts 3/4". The conduit punches are sized for the conduit but cut the hole to accommodate the O.D. of the conduit

[pwa]

Some pics from my latest UDS builds, decals aren't on yet but here our some build pics I'll take some when decal are cut and on and post them later.

pwa

a quick, easy and cheap charcoal basket 24qt strainer



much easier to work on with the bottom off



Bottom on and ready to smoke


Lid ring for weber lid


Notch cut in lid ring for prob wires, now I don't have to worry about prob wires when lifting meat out they come out with it

[tuliku]

Hi again, long time ago i posted pics of my first UDS, made based on all the info found in this thread.
This one is quite big, so i decided today to make a smaller version which is now finished.

Here some pics:

The new one:


The basket and grill:


The new one next to my old one:

[pwa]

whoops forgot a pic an can't edit it.

[tuliku]

Question to all.
Some people season it with the barrel having no paint on the inside, and some people paint it also on the inside with the heat standing paint.
If you have the paint inside, do you also season it, does it have any benefits ?

[razrbakcrzy]

Originally Posted by tuliku

Question to all.
Some people season it with the barrel having no paint on the inside, and some people paint it also on the inside with the heat standing paint.
If you have the paint inside, do you also season it, does it have any benefits ?

No paint on inside (high heat paint for outside only) The seasoning is basically veg. oil or bacon grease rubbed on the inside and heated that will catch the somke particles and form a nice brown sticky residue on the inside of the drum and protect it from rusting...

[1FUNVET]

Originally Posted by razrbakcrzy

No paint on inside (high heat paint for outside only) The seasoning is basically veg. oil or bacon grease rubbed on the inside and heated that will catch the somke particles and form a nice brown sticky residue on the inside of the drum and protect it from rusting...

Agree-no paint on inside.

[tuliku]

Here is a video on how I made my smaller UDS from a few posts above.

DIY UDS - Ugly Drum Smoker - YouTube

DIY UDS - Ugly Drum Smoker - YouTube