Ugly Drum Smoker

Yep

Peddler said:

HAndyman ... Maybe my ignorance is showing but what is the handle apparatus between the two temp gauges?

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068 said:

Air intake control.

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Bingo

Chitown_hillbilly said:

Looks like he has Bicycle brake cables running to the intakes. Turning the handles pulls or pushes the cables operating the intakes open or closed.

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Pulling to open, spring return.

nice paint job

Shagdog said:

After months of reading "build a UDS" in every stinking thread, I broke down and made one. Managed to score a free unlined drum from work, borrowed a welder and went to town. I made 3 grate positions, even though I doubt the bottom one gets used much. I already have 5 22" OTS grills, so I figure grates will swap as needed. I used 2" long SS bolts to hold grates on, but on one of the 3 I used 1" bolts, and it allows instant grill pulls w/o removing any bolts if you're careful. Also, I made my diffuser as part of the basket, because I was trying to avoid extra holes. Diffuser and handle are removable of course. She gets seasoned in the AM, turkey at 2pm.




Thanks for lookin'

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What a great looking drum. You do good work!
One question. why the diffuser over the coals? One beauty of the UDS is that is provides different methods of cooking, including convection and radiant heat. I also have bolts for a third rack in my UDS, just over the coals, and I can stick a tile or different sized pizza pans on the bottom one so it can be used as a diffuser if I need to limit the radiant heat for the longer cooks.

Getting my drum ready to go. Same post that has been repeated over and over...read through *most* of this ginormous thread, and now ready to build.

I scored a "free" closed head barrel from a local fuel company. Only had to do like 3 minutes of computer hardware work for them. They were going to pay me but I turned it around and said "Say, I see you have some drums out back." Washed out the drum with water and soap. I took a metal cut-off wheel to the side of the lip and it came off after burning through 3 cheapo discs. Cut 3 1" holes in the bottom(***Special Note - Do not try using a wood bit to cut the holes. Seems like it would work until the side of the bit gets it's first good "bite" of steel. JB Weld to the rescue!)
Burned the barrel and lid out really good with a pallet and a half of wood. I bought a wire brush wheel, but didn't really need it. A few abrasive pads took off the remaining paint and got everything down to bare steel.
Right now, I'm planning on using the flat lid, at least until I can find a used Weber. I cut the lid carefully enough that it will go back on the drum, and looks to make a nice tight seal.
Also found an old grill rack in the shed. I guess I did use the wire wheel for that to clean the rust off. Then more abrasive pad scrubbing and will burn the rest off in the seasoning burn for the inside of the barrel.
Got the first coat of high temp paint on the outside, and all hardware ready to go. Last thing I need is the expanded metal for a basket, and I'll be ready to schmoke. Pics to follow.

Sly-one said:

What a great looking drum. You do good work!
One question. why the diffuser over the coals? One beauty of the UDS is that is provides different methods of cooking, including convection and radiant heat. I also have bolts for a third rack in my UDS, just over the coals, and I can stick a tile or different sized pizza pans on the bottom one so it can be used as a diffuser if I need to limit the radiant heat for the longer cooks.

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Thanks!

My main objective in that little guy was trying to a very even temp in as large an area as possible when needed. When I do bacon, sausage, jerky etc, I need as much room as possible, so I plan on using all 3 grates for that. It's all removable via 1/2 ss nuts and lock washers, so I figured if I don't like it, away it goes. I don't plan on using this for ribs, butts, briskets etc unless I'm cooking 3 grates worth. Most the time I'll probably just use the low grate for diffusion if I even use diffusion. Looking forward to trying a brisket diffusion free tomorrow, see what that's like.

Fwiw, early tests show pretty consistent temps throughout. I may add a few small holes and tinker some more, as the outside was about 30 degrees hotter than the middle on the lower rack, but coming from a COS, I'm pretty happy with only a 30 degree variant.

I picked up a holy pizza pan for mine too. I hope it works well. If I ever get time to use it:sad:.

Still works though....

I think that's all that matters.....enjoy

Paul B
SS UDS

new here. looks like i may build 1 of these. it will be nice when I can view pics

Peddler said:

I use a 16" pizza pan (crisper) with holes in it I picked up at Wally World. Use it on the third rack. Works well in keeping temps consistent. I've tried lager coal baskets, smaller coal baskets different lids, as well as grill heights and the pan works the best. Mine (UDS) looks like a rookie mistake compared to some I've seen. Still works though.

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Looks don't matter, it is the food that is cooked that matters. Thus the term Ugly Drum Smoker :becky:

twister782 said:

new here. looks like i may build 1 of these. it will be nice when I can view pics

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If you do, you won't be sorry. The first time I cooked ribs and MOINKS on mine, I had a grin ear to ear. I have had a couple stumbles along the way with mine, but if someone offered me $$ for it today, I would walk away...... Depending on the $$ lol. I can build another cheap :thumb:

Looking around St. Louis CraigsList and found this guy: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/for/4149003116.html .
Wished I woulda found it two months ago.

I actually bought a UDS from Don who is the guy in St.louis who builds them he calls them Big Ugly Drum Smokers. I bought mine 3 days before Thanksgiving and he had it made the day before Thanksgiving turned out great and I've already smoked a turkey and 2 hams, it's my first smoker and I can tell you these are pretty much a set it and forget it deal..its hold temps great. IM ADDICTED ALREADY...LOL

Finally think I figure the pic thing out. Here's a pic of mine going today.

Can anyone tell me if the Wally World 22 inch baackyard bbq grill dome or body fit some of the drums. Spec shows width 26 inches and as 23 inches. This is the grill that has a dome shaped like the top of nfl football helmet. (Currently out of stock)

Finally got around to putting together my first drum. Great learning opportunity. Could have done some things different but turned out great. A friend of mine got me a drum, closed top so it was a little bit tricky.





Christmas dinner going on. Stuffed turkey breast wrapped in bacon.



Turned out great!!

This is an amazing thread. I have been thinking of building an UDS for a while now. After reading through this thread I think I can successfully get this thing going. Thanks to everyone that has experimented and paved the way over the past few years. I'm sure I will still have questions along the way. Found food grade drums with rings and lids for 8 bucks might as well buy 3 or 4 and have some for future builds. Here goes. Wish me luck !!! LOL

Good luck! Just know that it can be addicting. I'm hoping to do another soon with more/different mods.

Good luck Friction,Be ready for some awesome tasting Q.

Friction33 said:

This is an amazing thread. I have been thinking of building an UDS for a while now. After reading through this thread I think I can successfully get this thing going. Thanks to everyone that has experimented and paved the way over the past few years. I'm sure I will still have questions along the way. Found food grade drums with rings and lids for 8 bucks might as well buy 3 or 4 and have some for future builds. Here goes. Wish me luck !!! LOL

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I am sure you will have future builds once you get the first one done, it is addictive.....:thumb: