Ugly Drum Smoker

mslauver · Feb 21, 2014

jcinard,

I was in the same boat as you. I was not happy with the typical rattle can paint job...spent some money on a low end paint gun and found out I am not much of a painter. I did some research on powder coating, bought a gun and built an oven that I could fit a 55 gallon drum in.
I have found that the prep time is about the same for powder coating compared to painting, but the end results are so much better.
The cost for a pound of powder is anywhere from $8.00 to $20.00 depending on how fancy you want to go.
I have built about a dozen of these smokers and can almost coat two barrels, lids, 3/4 caps and ball valves with a pound of powder.
I used a hammered black powder coating that looks really good on these barrels. I am getting ready to build myself a "top of the line" smoker with all the bells and whistles that I think I need, and I am planning on using two different colors on the barrel and intake pipes.

I am not that far away from you, and would be happy to talk you through the process.

grillinguy247 · Feb 21, 2014

kloenie said:
Just got my UDS done.

Thanxs tot everybody for this awesome topic.
Wil make a new build topic when i am at home.

Done

Where'd you get the extensions for those ball valves? I like that better than putting a 90 degree angle.

kloenie · Feb 21, 2014

grillinguy247 said:
Where'd you get the extensions for those ball valves? I like that better than putting a 90 degree angle.

I made it myself.... Wil make a topic now with beter pictures.

RT · Feb 21, 2014

Nice job kloenie...........:thumb:

Adubree86 · Feb 23, 2014

Finally completed my uds. Been creeping around here for about a year now but never posted. What I did for my ball valve extension was remove the handle from the ball valve and connect a piece of threaded rod with a coupler and epoxy it all together. Worked out great. My UDS is currently on its mayden voyage smoking a fatty and some beans. Can't wait to try the food.

SmokerKing · Feb 23, 2014

Since the valve stem has a rectangular shape and the handle a rectangular hole, I decided to keep the handle on the stem for the best grip to the stem and simply bend it in a C. Then I tapped it for the rod and used jam nuts at the handle and at the top adjusting handle.

knitmar · Mar 1, 2014

Got a new (seasoned and one shoulder smoke) UDS and had problem holding temp down below 300*. Will this situation improved with time aand experience? And/Or would a water pan above the charcoal basket help keep temp down. All replies appreciated.

SmokerKing · Mar 1, 2014

knitmar said:
Got a new (seasoned and one shoulder smoke) UDS and had problem holding temp down below 300*. Will this situation improved with time aand experience? And/Or would a water pan above the charcoal basket help keep temp down. All replies appreciated.

Well, if you have your intakes turned down all the way and you still get 300, then you have a leak, usually around the lid to drum seal.

Or you may be starting out with too hot of a fire basket?

bsooter · Mar 2, 2014

First UDS. Stainless steel drum with a Big Poppa Smoker kit. So glad I decided to go UDS for my first smoker.

dbq · Mar 3, 2014

SmittyJonz said:
Ya high temp engine paint from Auto parts stores if you want pretty or just high temp BBQ paint from Walmart or Homedepot but they are Black or Silver only.

Raider colors are all ya need anyway.

SmittyJonz · Mar 3, 2014

knitmar said:
Got a new (seasoned and one shoulder smoke) UDS and had problem holding temp down below 300*. Will this situation improved with time aand experience? And/Or would a water pan above the charcoal basket help keep temp down. All replies appreciated.

I run a water pan (rect. cake pan) in both my UDS and DIY Cabinet smoker to even out temps and keep temps lower. I don't care what people say- it works for me.

Infact (Ive only done one cook) in my patched up Bandera offset and started no water pan but had 70* difference in top shelf to bottom shelf -once I put water pan in it leveled out with in 10* top to bottom.

you will always have to experiment how much lit to dump on and how many wood chunks.- wood burns hotter so more chunks = more heat.

AndrewMH · Mar 5, 2014

I'm new here and built my first one recently. I got it painted but now I'm wanting to add more. Does anyone know of a good website to get sports teams bottle openers at?

knitmar · Mar 6, 2014

Bottle Openers

You might try ttp:h//www.capcatchers.com. It is an advertizer on the Brethren.

DjPorkchop · Mar 6, 2014

That's a nice mod Smokerking. I was actually talking to my wife about getting rid of my risers and going valves right to nipples and modding like you did. Glad to see it was a bit simpler than what I thought it would be.

SmokerKing · Mar 6, 2014

DjPorkchop said:
That's a nice mod Smokerking. I was actually talking to my wife about getting rid of my risers and going valves right to nipples and modding like you did. Glad to see it was a bit simpler than what I thought it would be.

:thumb:

mikeylikesit5805 · Mar 6, 2014

sensor said:
Newbie here, Ive read 200 pages so far and cannot find a method for cutting the top out of a 55 gallon closed drum, so it can be reused for a lid. it seems that most use a webber lid. I am cheap and don't want to buy one. If this is the only option the cheapest lid/grill I can find is home depot for $60.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Masterbu...harcoal-Grill-20042711/203596576?N=5yc1vZbx8h
It is a Masterbuilt and not a webber…. will it work?

I wish i would have seen this sooner. I just bought this and it works great. The plus is that you can use the bottom as a lid too with just a little bit of modification.

AndrewMH · Mar 7, 2014

knitmar said:
You might try ttp:h//www.capcatchers.com. It is an advertizer on the Brethren.

Alright thanks, I'll check that out

XLInfidel · Mar 10, 2014

Hey all, new to the forum. I've been reading through this thread and some others as I'm in the process of building my first UDS. First off I'd like to say thanks to everyone who's been sharing their knowledge and experience on this. That no doubt helped myself and I'm sure a lot of others from making many mistakes.

I do have one question about the charcoal basket. Is there an ideal size? I picked up a Weber 13 inch grate and attached some expanded steel to it. It didn't come out too bad, but I wasn't sure if a bigger diameter, or smaller, burns more efficient? Or does it really make a difference? Thanks.

krshome · Mar 10, 2014

mikeylikesit5805 said:
I wish i would have seen this sooner. I just bought this and it works great. The plus is that you can use the bottom as a lid too with just a little bit of modification.

My buddy got a weber 22.5 new yesterday on Craigslist for $50. It's worth it for the extra room and allowing the condensation to drip down the sides of he lid vs. raining on you food. Go to you local dump in the metal dumpster there is almost always a grill to garbage pick.

ebijack · Mar 10, 2014

Lots of different baskets out there. As long as you keep it up off the bottom around 3inches you should be good to go. You can make it taller or larger, once full as it holds more, you get longer burn times but that should not be an issue. Also the more coals it holds, the heavier the basket gets lifting it into the drum.

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