Ugly Drum Smoker

Mr. Bo · Jan 4, 2012

Nah it's young yet. Only 9081 posts.

I finally got my first one dialed in and love it. Two more drums in the wings waiting for me to get them done. :clap2:

phattony · Jan 4, 2012

UDS Build- First Smoke!

After a bit of digging around, I had decided that I'd like to build a UDS.
I read up a bit, found a barrel and some parts and put this together.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread, there really is a WEALTH of knowledge in the 9,000+ posts.

After a quick seasoning and adjustment last night, I figured I'd test my skill with some chicken thighs.

I've already got plans to build a few more. I've got a huge BBQ planned for the end of April.

Lawdog's Smokewagon · Jan 6, 2012

Nice PRON

flex · Jan 7, 2012

The 55 gallon smoker has been the best smoker I have ever used. It holds more consistent heat than any other one you could buy on the market. It's also cheaper to build than you could imagine, and you could say you built it on your own. I have an 8 foot smoker I've bought from a Texas company and it sucks. It burns through wood and charcoal like you wouldn't believe. I only seasoned it to make sure the inside wouldn't rust and it would have a coat of oil inside. But it burned through a whole bag of charcoal and 2 big chunks of wood like it was nobody's business. It also cost a fortune to build and have it delivered. Not to mention it arrived with damages. So learn from my mistake and go the right way from the beginning. Build a UDS.

flex · Jan 7, 2012

Don't buy a Texas smoker from any company. Save your money.

jgh1204 said:
Thom, you think it will be ok after a few more burns?

My wife thinks I am crazy for putting $50 into this. She would not understand ordering a $300 BDS, especially when I am considering buying either a Klose BYC or a Spicewine type smoker next year.

Please don't buy a Klose bbq smoker or any other one from any other company if you are consdering building a UDS. I made the big $3000.00 mistake of buying a texas lone star grill and it arrived with a bent smoke stack, and damages on the back like it had fallen over, with deep scratches every where. The builder and the delivery company have done NOTHING to fix the damages. I am going to have someone come and fix it. And it has been three months since I have had the smoker. So just build your own out of a 55 gallon drum. I've since build 2 after getting my texas smoker and like them better any way. But I have to admit, I haven't used my texas smoker cause I can't until it gets fixed. TOTAL waste of money!!! UDS is the way to go.

handsareme · Jan 7, 2012

I need to take a couple pics of the UDS itself.

Here's the pork loin I made for New Year's Day. Brined it for awhile, then soaked in regular water. Rubbed with a modified rub I found on the net.

It took pretty much three hours at 225. Took it to 140-145* internal temp and let it rest for an hour prior to slicing.

0iYVruGSfTW87fHJjtwFZdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0

Sliced it and put it in the fridge overnight. Then I threw them on a hot grill to get some sexy grill marks and kept them warm in a crock pot of sauer kraut. Had rave reviews all afternoon.

Edit: Where are my pictures?

Edit 2: GRRRRR

Edit 3: The FAQ didn't help...I am seriously not this much of an idiot.

Edit 4: Flickr is the idiot.

handsareme · Jan 7, 2012

Behold! My UDS:

For my fire basket, I decided to have the expanded metal go all the way around the grate and have three inches below and 9 inches above. I did this so I can put a grate at the lower bolt level and put the basket on upside down and use the top level as a direct heat grill. I had a friend weld it up for me. My fire basket:

The only problem I've been having with this UDS is water collecting in the bottom during a cook. Anybody have any ideas on how to resolve this? You can see some rust on the bottom. I am also trying to figure out how a better way to put the thermometer in there. Right now it's just going through a hole and held in with a washer and lock washer so I can't easily pull it in and out. The inside:

brickie · Jan 7, 2012

If you search in the uds thread theres a pic of the part to buy that will allow you to slide the thermometer in and out.I thought I had it in my favorites...

brickie

Pappy · Jan 7, 2012

handsareme said:
The only problem I've been having with this UDS is water collecting in the bottom during a cook. Anybody have any ideas on how to resolve this? You can see some rust on the bottom.

I had that problem in the beginning when I smoked butts. I raised my temp to 250 and that helped. The higher heat turned the water to steam. If your thermometers are off a little you could be cooking cooler than you thought you were. Making water instead of steam.

I am also trying to figure out how a better way to put the thermometer in there. Right now it's just going through a hole and held in with a washer and lock washer so I can't easily pull it in and out. The inside:

Install a UF watertight conduit nut in the side of mine it has a rubber grommet in the middle so your leads don't get chafed. It can be seen above the shelf. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowes.

[/QUOTE]

scottjess · Jan 7, 2012

the 1/2" one will do??? http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 like this?

Tattooque · Jan 7, 2012

scottjess said:
the 1/2" one will do??? http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 like this?

that'd be it!

handsareme · Jan 7, 2012

Pappy said:
Install a UF watertight conduit nut in the side of mine it has a rubber grommet in the middle so your leads don't get chafed. It can be seen above the shelf. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowes.

Thanks, my local Ace doesn't have them that small so I'm gonna have to wait until I head to the city.

As for the temp idea, my thermometer isn't actually all that long, maybe going into the barrel, at most, 4". I thought it was hotter in the middle, so if it's reading 225, wouldn't it be hotter? Or am I completely wrong?

Pappy · Jan 8, 2012

handsareme said:
As for the temp idea, my thermometer isn't actually all that long, maybe going into the barrel, at most, 4". I thought it was hotter in the middle, so if it's reading 225, wouldn't it be hotter? Or am I completely wrong?

I use a short one. Didn't care for the long turkey thermometers.

I also use a 16" clay pot base from HD as a diffuser, then I cover it with foil to keep it clean and catch any drippings. I didn't like it dripping into the coals. When I am finished smoking I close the vents and let the fire go out. I can then reuse what is left over from the cook.

kevine · Jan 8, 2012

Almost done...

I'm just about done with my first UDS (thanks to all of the great info on this site....THANK YOU!) Here's a couple pictures of my progress to date.

I saw some postings and other threads saying that you do NOT need high heat paint, since the temp should not go above 400 degrees. Just wanted to get an idea from others how their regular paint UDS' are doing?

Also, I wanted a certain logo, but it would be too hard. So after painting it one solid color, I was considering mounting a vintage tin sign to the outside. Any issues anyone can think of if I do this?

brickie · Jan 8, 2012

My paint after many cooks is holding up fine. You'll be fine as long as you don't get some roaring fire going in the UDS.

As for the logo,just curious what logo do you think is too hard to do?

brickie

kevine · Jan 8, 2012

Marine Corps flag...I wanted to paint the UDS red, and then put the eagle globe and anchor with the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS banner underneath, just like the flag...

kevine · Jan 8, 2012

On second thought, I may just paint it red, and in large yellow letters, just put U S M C on it...easy and cheap!

Paul Worth · Jan 9, 2012

Congratulations on a nice KISS UDS!

I used a metal valve stem (minus the valve) for the thermometer hole. It's a perfect fit and it's chrome plated.

http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/large/xts/15-416.jpg

The 1/2" water-tight Halex conduit connector is perfect for the digital probe wire.

I also did my charcoal basket like yours, using the lower "water pan" grate to hold the upside-down basket for grilling. I had to add some more intake holes at the new charcoal level to get good grilling temperatures. Now it works great.

brickie · Jan 9, 2012

Like the tire valve. How much did it cost?

Brickie

rrlmch · Jan 9, 2012

Venison snack sticks in UDS

Has anyone done venison snack sticks on the UDS. From what I have read the temps start pretty low. Can you do this. I am half way through my build and am very interested in the snack sticks. Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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