Ugly Drum Smoker

[Tex-Mike]

Hello everyone. I came upon this site while researching WSM smokers, and since discovering this thread, have scrapped the WSM idea in favor of building a UDS. I'm 50 pages into the thread, and I have a couple of questions. I'm sure these are answered in later posts, but my eyes and brain are starting to hurt!

I found a place that sells food grade drums with the protective liner already removed. My questions are:

1. Can you paint over the existing external paint, or do you need to remove all paint and re-paint?

2. Once the burn-in is completed, do I need to completely scrub the interior clean? That seems counter-productive to me, but it seems that some of the posters have scrubbed theirs shiny on the inside after the burn-in.

Sorry if these questions have already been answered. Thanks!

[pal251]

You could wash it out with soap. I would then spray the inside with some cheap canola oil then get it real hot... or cook a bunch of fatty foods and coat the inside with some goodness.

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[Johnny_Crunch]

Originally Posted by MANUEL

Hi am new to this ....never smoke o grill that much before searching the web
Came to this awesome place .also my English is not that good ..I just build me a UDS smoker ...using it for the first time today ...some chiken drums and corn
Hope everything goes well

Looks good from here!

[keithbc]

Hi from sunny hot South Africa, love this forum, have been a lover of bbq since visiting the USA a couple years ago, got all my bits and pieces and will start my uds build this weekend. Will update on build next week.

[rifraf]

Hello from Bone Chilling Cold Indiana. I just got back from Menards with the final pieces! Now headed out to the almost warm garage to start building the uds. Cant wait for the seasoning burn and to break it in with a few fatties and maybe some MOINK Balls!! Will post pics of process SOON!!!

[t_herrm]

Finally done reading through all 706 pages. Picking up 2 drums on Saturday and getting started. Have my plans all made and my pages of reading notes. Only thing I need to decide on is the intakes. I know the standard is 3 - 3/4" close nipples (two capped and one with ball valve) and a two inch exhaust. I was thinking of doing 1 - 1 1/2" intake with a riser an ball valve and a two inch exhaust. I got the 1 1/2" pipe, nipple, elbow, and ball valve already for free. The 1 1/2" intake has a little more sq inch area than the 3 - 3/4" intakes so I would have all the adjustment of the K.I.S.S. build plus a little extra for those who say a riser limits air flow. Just wondering if anyone has tried this or if I am not thinking of something.

Thanks for everyone's posts. I will post pictures of mine when finished and try to answer others questions when i can.

[gaspipe1]

I have had issues getting my UDS cooking high 300+ with the standard set up as you mentioned previously. I added a 3" draft to the bung hole and also added a fourth intake 1.5" with a cap.

I have not tested this new set up yet but am looking fwd to it. Curious to see how yours goes with just the single 1.5" intake. Keep us posted.

Originally Posted by t_herrm

I was thinking of doing 1 - 1 1/2" intake with a riser an ball valve and a two inch exhaust. I got the 1 1/2" pipe, nipple, elbow, and ball valve already for free. The 1 1/2" intake has a little more sq inch area than the 3 - 3/4" intakes so I would have all the adjustment of the K.I.S.S. build plus a little extra for those who say a riser limits air flow. Just wondering if anyone has tried this or if I am not thinking of something.

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[wmarkw]

quick question. I'm building my fifth drum but this time using a dome lid to have 2 racks. Top rack down 1" or 2" below the lip? 2nd rack is still 8" down from the lip of the barrel? thanks

[Skidder]

Originally Posted by wmarkw

quick question. I'm building my fifth drum but this time using a dome lid to have 2 racks. Top rack down 1" or 2" below the lip? 2nd rack is still 8" down from the lip of the barrel? thanks

That's about where mine go.

[dcbielby]

Awesome Thread!! Gathering parts slowly but surely. Can't wait to start the build. (cold in MI right now and I hate cold. Still reading in the 400's. No questions. (go figure) Just wanted to say Awesome Thread. Pics will follow.......

[dcbielby]

Alright, I have finally finished the thread an unfortunely have to correct myself. I have one question. In the last 300 posts there has been mention that people have sent a couple UDS's to junk yards. Is this because they rusted out? I would think that painting them would pretty much stop the rust on the outside and of course seasoning on the inside would prevent rust on the inside. Am I missing something? I also see that different people use different paints: High Heat, Spray and roll on, and powder coated. Can a few comment on how long their UDS is lasting with the different paint jobs, for instance wear and tear. Do they stay as nice looking as they start or do they all have to be touched up? Hopefully I don't sound to stupid. And yes, guested that ended up being more than 1 question.

[pal251]

Originally Posted by dcbielby

Alright, I have finally finished the thread an unfortunely have to correct myself. I have one question. In the last 300 posts there has been mention that people have sent a couple UDS's to junk yards. Is this because they rusted out? I would think that painting them would pretty much stop the rust on the outside and of course seasoning on the inside would prevent rust on the inside. Am I missing something? I also see that different people use different paints: High Heat, Spray and roll on, and powder coated. Can a few comment on how long their UDS is lasting with the different paint jobs, for instance wear and tear. Do they stay as nice looking as they start or do they all have to be touched up? Hopefully I don't sound to stupid. And yes, guested that ended up being more than 1 question.

I am also curious on how long they last. I heard that the ash if left in barrel can make it rust but I would think that may only be if water is left In it

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[BruceKWHP]

I used a hvlp spray gun and rust o leum BBQ black paint from a quart can. 3 years of regular use, still looks good.

I did take the exterior down to shiny bare metal first...

[Pitmaster T]

R u ready for 2009?

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[Pitmaster T]

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