Ugly Drum Smoker

[cmsievers]

Hello. I just made my first UDS. I can't wait to cook on this guy. I had the barrel sandblasted for $25. It was well worth the money. If I made another UDS, and I probably will, I would take more time making my air intake holes. They're not very tight, but they'll work. I'll probably have someone tack weld them.

[Heisenberger]

Originally Posted by sjm845

I have been wanting to put a hinge on my drum for a while now and finally got around to doing it. Was going to fab my own system up like a few I've seen on this forum but had to go KISS due to KIDS!!! Anyway, got a fence hinge from Home Depot and bolted & welded it up good. The tension on the hinge was great out the box and it will hold it up 90 degrees no problem. One hinge was plenty for the weight of the lid and pipe stack. Excuse the welds...never even had 1 lesson!!
Attachment 78893
It might not look straight but it seals up nice and tight.
Attachment 78892

It looks like you bought an open head drum. Did you find that the lit fit on well without the gasket. Mine seemed too large for the barrel so I couldn't hinge it but maybe mine was warped. Nice job and KISS well done

[assassin26]

Well after lurking for some time now and gathering ideas...I have completed my first UDS. It was some work but I am ready for her maiden test burn tomorrow. Hope the picture comes out..

[Outboard Racer]

Originally Posted by cmsievers

Hello. I just made my first UDS. I can't wait to cook on this guy. I had the barrel sandblasted for $25. It was well worth the money. If I made another UDS, and I probably will, I would take more time making my air intake holes. They're not very tight, but they'll work. I'll probably have someone tack weld them.

Nice build on your smoker. I had problems with my intake holes not being real tight as well. I put a washer on the inside and outside of the pipe and that solved that. I like you exhaust cover I did the same thing on mine.

[cmsievers]

Thanks Outboard. I thought about that, but I'm having trouble finding a big enough washer. Did you have to modify them at all or am I just looking in the wrong places (home depot, etc)?

[Outboard Racer]

Not sure if you have an Orchard Supply Store thats where I found mine. Home Depot had some but would have had to drill out to bigger size.

I actually looked at my drum and seen I put on 2 on each side. If you cant find any let me know I have some extras I will give you

Todd

[sjm845]

Originally Posted by Heisenberger

It looks like you bought an open head drum. Did you find that the lit fit on well without the gasket. Mine seemed too large for the barrel so I couldn't hinge it but maybe mine was warped. Nice job and KISS well done

It fit great with the gasket removed--so much so that I never had to use the lock ring to seal it up. When I installed the hinge it got a bit off center with some high spots so I had to massage it with a mallet. Problem solved!

[BobBill]

Originally Posted by sjm845

It fit great with the gasket removed--so much so that I never had to use the lock ring to seal it up. When I installed the hinge it got a bit off center with some high spots so I had to massage it with a mallet. Problem solved!

Why would the lock ring be needed? Lid should seal well enough, smoking or not, right?

[RustyPup]

Still reading the entire thread, and gathering parts. I'm up to page 300, and laughing at the folks complaining about having to read all 4500 posts so far. I tell you, it's a real eye-opener to watch the evolution of the UDS take place over the course of 6 years.

I gotta get on the ball and get a drum to burn before the burn permit expires.

Film at 11...

[068]

Finally finished my UDS. Decided to just use a high heat clear coat instead of painting it. Added my favorite logo just to see what it would look like.

[BobBill]

Refer to page 721, Salad Bowl top - Squatchin' re drips from rim edge.


Later finding, the moisture drips were not a big problem, so forget it. Mostly condensed vapor and little or no grease. Will see after a few more smokes.

[SmokinJohn]

Originally Posted by Outboard Racer

Nice build on your smoker. I had problems with my intake holes not being real tight as well. I put a washer on the inside and outside of the pipe and that solved that. I like you exhaust cover I did the same thing on mine.

Something else you can do it use RTV Caulk on both sides, just in case you don't have a tight fit.

[BobBill]

Originally Posted by SmokinJohn

Something else you can do it use RTV Caulk on both sides, just in case you don't have a tight fit.

It fits tight, but a sort of metal to metal and all that moisture-filled smoke rising to top and some comes down inside surface...

Not a big fan of using gasket stuff etc, but will consider idea. Thanks.

I imagine the problem is not much different than when using Weber top that extends outside, unless their angle at edge traps the moisture.

That is why I mentioned it...seems the cost of the Salad bowl is about the same as if one installed the 6-inch inside metal ring to support a medium Weber top, if the top cost nothing...

[Cherrywood]

After a lot of advice from Outnumbered and reading this thread until my eyes were bleeding, I figured it was time to get one built.

A good friend found me a barrel. cut out the lid, and welded up a coal basket for the promise of some free Q. The barrel was unlined and held antifreeze. We washed it out with a Hotsy power washer and detergent, then I burned it out.

I sanded the outside with a random orbit sander and got all the hardware on in a couple hours.


I looked for a couple weeks on CL and couldnt find a used Weber kettle for a decent price, so I grabbed a CharBroil kettle from Menards that was on sale for $38. I figured that was a decent price for a lid & grate. The lid didn't fit. Since I'm not a welder I got a little creative with a 6' stick of aluminum and a riveter.



It was painted by 10, seasoned by noon and cooking dinner by mid-afternoon.



And now for the first weekend PRON:

[N2entropy]

Looks Great! Nice Bark on the brisket too! Man I'm hungry now.......