Drum selection assistance

jabostick · 07-18-2018, 04:06 PM

Hi everyone. I'm new here (my name is Jason from Alberta, Canada). I've been researching/contemplating building a UDS for a little while now and have decided to jump in and have started sourcing parts.

Finding a drum was a little more challenging than I expected but am curious to get some thoughts on what might be a better selection.
As an aside, I don't really have a good spot to do a roaring barrel burn without potentially alarming neighbours so I am hoping to get my barrel sandblasted.

Option 1: A kijiji ad has a barrel near me that used to house "a polyurthane substance". (The exact wording:

Quote:

Have over 10 steel barrels with solid and removable lids. Barrels had polyurethane material. Are drained. Not good for potable water. Use for burn barrels, garbage, etc.

). It is listed at $5.

Option 2: Another used barrel, a little further away from me that used to house "an eco-friendly cleaning solution" (which I think was 'Orange TKO', if anyone is familiar with that). A little more expensive and a little further away but appears to be in good condition.

Option 3: If I am sandblasting, does that make it easy to remove the lining from food grade containers (as compared to a burnout)? And if so, should I just be looking at those?

Any one of those three jump out as the best option?

I know there is a ton of info on here for me to go through but happy to hear any other good-to-know tips from any of you. Particularly the Canadians - it's sometimes harder to access things that are referenced on forums (because of availability or shipping costs/limitations, for example) so would be happy to hear other experiences.

SmittyJonz · 07-18-2018, 07:05 PM

I’ve used transmission fluid and oil drums. Burned the Chit out of them, power washed, burned out again and power washed. Some are Scared of it. Fire kills Anthrax and All kinds of other Cooties - so I figured it’s Good.......

I’d go with #2 if it’s open top.......

Sandblasting is Best way to get rid of a liner.......

mikemci · 07-18-2018, 07:11 PM

Do you know if any of your options are liner free?
If so, that's the one to buy.

mikemci · 07-18-2018, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmittyJonz

I’ve used transmission fluid and oil drums. Burned the Chit out of them, power washed, burned out again and power washed. Some are Scared of it. Fire kills Anthrax and All kinds of other Cooties - so I figured it’s Good.......

I’d go with #2 if it’s open top.......

Sandblasting is Best way to get rid of a liner.......

He said a burn out is not an option.

jabostick · 07-18-2018, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemci

Do you know if any of your options are liner free?
If so, that's the one to buy.

The first two options are liner free, I believe. I’m just a little gunshy/ uneducated about the chemicals and if a sandblast/seasoning would suffice

medic92 · 07-18-2018, 07:58 PM

I've always preferred Tama or Pearls personally. Started out on a little set of vintage Ludwigs. I like Zildjian cymbals and DW pedals. Vic Firth sticks seem to hold up well to my aggressive style of play. These days I just have a no-name generic set in my basement to bang on when I feel the need.

Oh. Wrong drums.

SmittyJonz · 07-18-2018, 08:02 PM

If you can’t do a Hot Burnout I’d get a Food grade drum n sandblast.

el luchador · 07-18-2018, 08:07 PM

@jabostick, how much is sandblasting vs sourcing an unlined drum that doesnt require sandblasting

WilliamKY · 07-18-2018, 08:20 PM

Hello Jason. Not all drums are created equal. I'm a UAW auto worker and scored an industrial drum which is heavy duty. It's why I love my UDS so much, it holds it's temp like a machine. Try to find a drum from a petroleum company. If you cant burn than sandblast but you might check Big Poppa, they sell drums and I've seen food grade drums on Craigslist too. I've been to Alberta a few times (My ex was from Saskatchewan). I think it's remote enough for you to find a good burn spot where nobody is around. Good luck.

jabostick · 07-18-2018, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el luchador

@jabostick, how much is sandblasting vs sourcing an unlined drum that doesnt require sandblasting

It looks like it’s about $105 for a new unlined drum. Having someone Sandblast it is about the same but there is a DIY place near me (they provide the space and location and charge you by the hour) which would be about $40.

ModelMaker · 07-19-2018, 07:06 AM

Get online and source a new removable top drum.
Mine was $60 shipped in '06.
Ed

el luchador · 07-19-2018, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabostick

It looks like it’s about $105 for a new unlined drum. Having someone Sandblast it is about the same but there is a DIY place near me (they provide the space and location and charge you by the hour) which would be about $40.

$40 is not too bad. I would go that route.

Steve S · 07-19-2018, 11:18 AM

If you have a trip planned to North Idaho/ Western Montana, there are plenty of sources for food grade barrels for $20-$30.

W.I.T.W.A.G? · 07-19-2018, 04:16 PM

If you cant burn it out I would look really hard for a food grade drum. otherwise get what you can, have it sandblasted and run a few HOT cooks in there

jabostick · 07-19-2018, 04:17 PM

Facebook to the rescue! Found an old pal from high school who is working at a plant that could score me an unlined, unpainted one for cheap (plus shipping which was about $65).

Thanks for all the responses, everyone.

Now off to source some Philadelphia Eagle green paint!

07-18-2018, 07:11 PM	#3
mikemci Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-19-13 Location: Live Oak, Texas	Do you know if any of your options are liner free? If so, that's the one to buy. __________________ 55 gal.UDS stick burner mini WSM red Thermapen There are two kinds of countries in the world, those that use the metric system and the one that sent men to the moon and back.

07-18-2018, 07:58 PM	#6
medic92 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-24-16 Location: Mount Sterling, IL Name/Nickname : Kevin	I've always preferred Tama or Pearls personally. Started out on a little set of vintage Ludwigs. I like Zildjian cymbals and DW pedals. Vic Firth sticks seem to hold up well to my aggressive style of play. These days I just have a no-name generic set in my basement to bang on when I feel the need. Oh. Wrong drums. __________________ Homebuilt Cinderblock Smoker, Homebuilt UDS, Weber 22 inch Kettle

07-18-2018, 08:02 PM	#7
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	If you can’t do a Hot Burnout I’d get a Food grade drum n sandblast. __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............

07-18-2018, 08:07 PM	#8
el luchador is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-01-17 Location: North Texas Name/Nickname : EL Luchador	@jabostick, how much is sandblasting vs sourcing an unlined drum that doesnt require sandblasting __________________ 3 of the top 5 teams in KCBS TOTY, AND the no1 team in Pork were cooking on UDS. AMEN!

07-18-2018, 08:20 PM	#9
WilliamKY is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-18-18 Location: Louisville,KY Name/Nickname : William	Hello Jason. Not all drums are created equal. I'm a UAW auto worker and scored an industrial drum which is heavy duty. It's why I love my UDS so much, it holds it's temp like a machine. Try to find a drum from a petroleum company. If you cant burn than sandblast but you might check Big Poppa, they sell drums and I've seen food grade drums on Craigslist too. I've been to Alberta a few times (My ex was from Saskatchewan). I think it's remote enough for you to find a good burn spot where nobody is around. Good luck. __________________ Shirley Vertical + Fire Pit Pit Boss 700 Weber 28 griddle Weber 26 WGA Old Smokey Electric. Go Cards!

07-18-2018, 07:05 PM	#2
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	I’ve used transmission fluid and oil drums. Burned the Chit out of them, power washed, burned out again and power washed. Some are Scared of it. Fire kills Anthrax and All kinds of other Cooties - so I figured it’s Good....... I’d go with #2 if it’s open top....... Sandblasting is Best way to get rid of a liner....... __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked............. Last edited by SmittyJonz; 07-18-2018 at 07:15 PM..

07-19-2018, 07:06 AM	#11
ModelMaker Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-21-06 Location: Lake Ponderosa-Montezuma, IA	Get online and source a new removable top drum. Mine was $60 shipped in '06. Ed __________________ Designer of a custom drum smoker Customized Aussie gas passer Turkey fryer Extremely seasoned hand hammered Wok Pit Boss-HART BURN Competition BBQ Team KCBS certified judge And Your not the boss of me either!!

07-19-2018, 11:18 AM	#13
Steve S is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-20-16 Location: Post falls, Idaho	If you have a trip planned to North Idaho/ Western Montana, there are plenty of sources for food grade barrels for $20-$30. __________________ 2- 22 WSM's, 26" Weber Kettle, Weber Genesis natural gas, and Weber Performer.

07-19-2018, 04:16 PM	#14
W.I.T.W.A.G? Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-27-08 Location: Madison WI Name/Nickname : Jeff	If you cant burn it out I would look really hard for a food grade drum. otherwise get what you can, have it sandblasted and run a few HOT cooks in there __________________ Jeff Why Is The Whiskey Always Gone? [url]http://www.ironsidesmokers.com[/url]

07-19-2018, 04:17 PM	#15
jabostick Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 07-06-18 Location: Airdrie, AB, Canada Name/Nickname : Jason	Facebook to the rescue! Found an old pal from high school who is working at a plant that could score me an unlined, unpainted one for cheap (plus shipping which was about $65). Thanks for all the responses, everyone. Now off to source some Philadelphia Eagle green paint!