Ugly Drum Smoker

[Sid Post]

General questions about UDS/PBC:

• How do these differ from a Weber Smokey Mountain? Is it just cost and capacity?
  
• Does anyone use surplus Beer Kegs to make these or, would they be too small?
  
• Does anyone "wrap" them or put a smaller barrel inside a larger one for sort of an 'insulated cabinet' smoker effect?

TIA,
Sid

[zippy12]

Am I missing something here. Everyone wants to use webber lids but the cost is insaine!!!

What do you think about a stainless mixing bowl?


Attachment 143720

[Displaced Texan]

Originally Posted by zippy12

Am I missing something here. Everyone wants to use webber lids but the cost is insaine!!!

What do you think about a stainless mixing bowl?


Attachment 143720

Unless you are planning on using a 30 Gallon drum, that's not going to be big enough. If you can find one that is big enough, it's a decent thought, though.

[Nuco59]

"Am I missing something here. Everyone wants to use webber lids but the cost is insaine!!!"

Sorta- depends on how you look at it. If you buy it Brand New- yeah- can be "expensive" (I put it in quotes because some people can spend an obscene amount of $$ on cookers)

But- if you buy a used Weber off Craigs List (OR a knock off /off brand 22.5 kettle) you might spend from Zero to 40.00. For this nominal sum, you get: One lid, One cooking Grate, one charcoal grate (could be used to make your basket), one set of wheels

Not Bad for 40.00 IMO.

[SmokinJohn]

Originally Posted by zippy12

Am I missing something here. Everyone wants to use webber lids but the cost is insaine!!!

What do you think about a stainless mixing bowl?


Attachment 143720

I bought my Weber 22" for $40 on clearance from Target a few years back.

I kept the rest of the parts on the off chance that my UDS will need to be rebuilt, leaving me with a usuable smoker/grill until I get a new drum.

The Bowl? Not for a 55 gallon drum.

[SmokinJohn]

Originally Posted by Sid Post

General questions about UDS/PBC:

• How do these differ from a Weber Smokey Mountain? Is it just cost and capacity?
  
• Does anyone use surplus Beer Kegs to make these or, would they be too small?
  
• Does anyone "wrap" them or put a smaller barrel inside a larger one for sort of an 'insulated cabinet' smoker effect?

TIA,
Sid

1. For me, it was the thrill of doing it yourself...and the cost.

2. Surplus Beer Keg smoker sounds like the start of a new thread.

3. Haven't tried the insulated effect. Could be fun. What if you put your coals and wood in the space between the two? You could use the center section to catch the meat drippings so they wouldn't go to waste and/or spike your temps.

[zippy12]

Originally Posted by Displaced Texan

Unless you are planning on using a 30 Gallon drum, that's not going to be big enough. If you can find one that is big enough, it's a decent thought, though.

Amazon

 

Amazon

I went with this for my 30gal stainless steel build and paid 16.00 shipped. So I keep the stainless look and feel (YEA!)

[bwsawman]

For me, the dome lid issue was solved by just cutting the top off another (closed head) barrel (about 8" down from the top) and then I screwed that to the lid of the open head barrel. (Note: I cut the open top lid center out...just leaving enough around the lip to attach the dome top.) Now I have a dome top that fits my barrel perfect.

[gmatt]

I learned everything from many of you on this forum. So i thought i would take the time to give back and share the UDS I built. I did post some of this before on another thread, but it should have been in this thread. It's been a while since I got started. I moved to an apartment couple years ago that did not allow fire / BBQ. Yeah I know my mistake, never again. But now i'm back. When i started the drum sat in my garage for 3 months. I thought it was going to take a long time to complete. When i finally started it, I did the build in a weekend! I could have done it in one Saturday but i wanted to paint it. Anyway thanks to everyone's posts here! Many inspirations went into what i did.

Start:
Bought new drum


Removed paint:


First Charcoal load:


Grates:


First white smoke:


Blower and Controller:

[PorkinButts82]

Originally Posted by gmatt

I learned everything from many of you on this forum. So i thought i would take the time to give back and share the UDS I built. I did post some of this before on another thread, but it should have been in this thread. It's been a while since I got started. I moved to an apartment couple years ago that did not allow fire / BBQ. Yeah I know my mistake, never again. But now i'm back. When i started the drum sat in my garage for 3 months. I thought it was going to take a long time to complete. When i finally started it, I did the build in a weekend! I could have done it in one Saturday but i wanted to paint it. Anyway thanks to everyone's posts here! Many inspirations went into what i did.

Start:
Bought new drum


Removed paint:


First Charcoal load:


Grates:


First white smoke:


Blower and Controller:

I'd say that little exhaust doesn't let you get over 250, if you're lucky. Need atleast 2", just my opinion. Other than that it looks great.

How many intakes do you have?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[gmatt]

Originally Posted by PorkinButts82

I'd say that little exhaust doesn't let you get over 250, if you're lucky. Need atleast 2", just my opinion. Other than that it looks great.

How many intakes do you have?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Ok by me i typically smoke at 225 for 9 to 10 hours. Other than opening the lid it stays there. I have one 3/4in. air intake (with blower from controller).

My cook temps:
you see the big drop then the spike was when i wrapped the butt. I left the lid off too long (drop in temp)then closed the temp came back up (spike). Then settled down.

[Sid Post]

What is everyone's thoughts on paint on the inside? Is high heat paint a good thing to keep rust at bay? At temperatures less than 350F (thinking about spikes wrapping meat, etc.), would paint post a health concern?

Or, should I coat the inside with PAM and hit it with a load of charcoal?

[dadsr4]

Originally Posted by Sid Post

What is everyone's thoughts on paint on the inside? Is high heat paint a good thing to keep rust at bay? At temperatures less than 350F (thinking about spikes wrapping meat, etc.), would paint post a health concern?

Or, should I coat the inside with PAM and hit it with a load of charcoal?

That's the healthy thing to do. It will not rust so long as you use it.

[welchy]

I joined the forum specifically because of this thread. I have only made it through the first several pages as of yet. My son and I are going to build a UDS this summer. I was hoping someone could point me in the direction of a vendor that sells reconditioned drums in my area. (Modesto, CA) There are many people selling food grade drums, but I can't seem to find anyone selling reconditioned ones. Trying to avoid the expense of sand blasting or hours of scrubbing. Thank you in advance for any responses.

[tld0550]

Originally Posted by welchy

I joined the forum specifically because of this thread. I have only made it through the first several pages as of yet. My son and I are going to build a UDS this summer. I was hoping someone could point me in the direction of a vendor that sells reconditioned drums in my area. (Modesto, CA) There are many people selling food grade drums, but I can't seem to find anyone selling reconditioned ones. Trying to avoid the expense of sand blasting or hours of scrubbing. Thank you in advance for any responses.

Might give U-Line a try!!! Fast and affordable shipping. I didn't get my drum from them but have ordered a many of things from this company in the past.

https://m.uline.com/h5/r/www.uline.c...Gallon%20Drums