Ultimate Drum Smoker build

MushCreek · 10-12-2009, 02:58 PM

I was going to wait until it's really complete, but I'll go ahead and get my build thread started. It may be a week or so before it's finished. I scored a stainless steel drum for $40, and that's where it begins. Post one shows some UDS bling. Everything except the fire basket is stainless steel. I get most of my stuff from McMaster-Carr, a great source for obscure hardware and other industrial stuff. The only drawback is that sometimes you have to buy like a hundred pieces of something.

MushCreek · 10-12-2009, 03:04 PM

First, I built the fire basket. I had a piece of 3/4-9 expanded metal that was 8-1/2" by 48". I wrapped it into a hoop and welded the seam. I then added a reinforcing strap around the top edge. I cut another piece of metal to the 15-1/2" circle I got. I also made a disc of plywood the same size. I jammed the plywood down to the depth I wanted, 6" from the top, and use it to hold the basket in shape, and keep the bottom in place while I welded it. The 2-1/2" of metal below the bottom functions as the legs. In the next picture, you can see that I added 3 brackets to it, and each bracket has a stud sticking down. This is so I can place the basket on my lower grill rack when I want to do direct grilling, such as steaks. The studs keep it from falling off the U-bolts that form the grill racks. I also made a handle (not shown) so I can lower it into the bottom of the pit for smoking.

MushCreek · 10-12-2009, 03:06 PM

Here's a picture of the fire basket in the upper direct grilling mode:

polishdon · 10-12-2009, 03:07 PM

Nice build so far, you got a steal on that drum.

MushCreek · 10-12-2009, 03:08 PM

This is a close-up of my thermometer mount. I used a stainless steel 3/8" diameter button head screw, and drill a hole through it to take the Wallyworld 12" thermometer. The second shot shows everything in place.

jimdandysnyjim · 10-12-2009, 03:13 PM

its looking good

1FUNVET · 10-12-2009, 03:13 PM

Very nice looking drum.

MushCreek · 10-12-2009, 03:13 PM

Two more pics for now- one with my ugly old Weber lid on it (which doesn't fit too good) and one with the first sacrifice- some pork chops cooked on direct heat. I did a couple turkey breasts yesterday with the fire at the bottom, but the camera batteries were dead! I've ordered a SS lid from Arctic, and I'm working on a throttle system for my bottom vents to control the temperature. With no throttle, the drum held a very steady 375 for at least 4 hours on one chimney of Kingsford.

Hugh Jorgan · 10-12-2009, 03:14 PM

Absolutely farking genius on the basket design and u bolts for raising the basket for grilling! Thanks. looking forward to the finished product.

Phubar · 10-12-2009, 03:14 PM

Very nice looking!
Keep us posted with your build please.

Hugh Jorgan · 10-12-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MushCreek

With no throttle, the drum held a very steady 375 for at least 4 hours on one chimney of Kingsford.

Just 3 intakes? With 4 I can go 450 easy for using the drum like an oven. Cook biscuits, cornbread, etc.

sbramm · 10-12-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jorgan

Absolutely farking genius on the basket design and u bolts for raising the basket for grilling! Thanks. looking forward to the finished product.

bingo! i have 2 drums in the garage and i now see how i can do up the basket. brilliant!!!

peaspurple · 10-12-2009, 03:29 PM

Good looking drim and grub!

Burk504 · 10-12-2009, 03:30 PM

That baby is beautiful! I saw a UDS last weekend that use Eye Bolts to hold the cooking grates and didn't ask why they were used instead of bolts. Now I know and am going to definitely steal your idea there.

If I can only find someone that could weld a basket as awesome as this....thats the hard part.

Great work!

Babyboomerboy · 10-12-2009, 03:49 PM

Great idea for the grill. Looks like its coming along fine.

10-12-2009, 02:58 PM	#1
MushCreek Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-01-09 Location: Seminole Florida	Ultimate Drum Smoker build I was going to wait until it's really complete, but I'll go ahead and get my build thread started. It may be a week or so before it's finished. I scored a stainless steel drum for $40, and that's where it begins. Post one shows some UDS bling. Everything except the fire basket is stainless steel. I get most of my stuff from McMaster-Carr, a great source for obscure hardware and other industrial stuff. The only drawback is that sometimes you have to buy like a hundred pieces of something. __________________ I'm very intelligent, but I mask it by doing stupid stuff.

10-12-2009, 03:04 PM	#2
MushCreek Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-01-09 Location: Seminole Florida	First, I built the fire basket. I had a piece of 3/4-9 expanded metal that was 8-1/2" by 48". I wrapped it into a hoop and welded the seam. I then added a reinforcing strap around the top edge. I cut another piece of metal to the 15-1/2" circle I got. I also made a disc of plywood the same size. I jammed the plywood down to the depth I wanted, 6" from the top, and use it to hold the basket in shape, and keep the bottom in place while I welded it. The 2-1/2" of metal below the bottom functions as the legs. In the next picture, you can see that I added 3 brackets to it, and each bracket has a stud sticking down. This is so I can place the basket on my lower grill rack when I want to do direct grilling, such as steaks. The studs keep it from falling off the U-bolts that form the grill racks. I also made a handle (not shown) so I can lower it into the bottom of the pit for smoking. __________________ I'm very intelligent, but I mask it by doing stupid stuff.

10-12-2009, 03:06 PM	#3
MushCreek Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-01-09 Location: Seminole Florida	Here's a picture of the fire basket in the upper direct grilling mode: __________________ I'm very intelligent, but I mask it by doing stupid stuff.

10-12-2009, 03:08 PM	#5
MushCreek Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-01-09 Location: Seminole Florida	This is a close-up of my thermometer mount. I used a stainless steel 3/8" diameter button head screw, and drill a hole through it to take the Wallyworld 12" thermometer. The second shot shows everything in place. __________________ I'm very intelligent, but I mask it by doing stupid stuff.

10-12-2009, 03:13 PM	#8
MushCreek Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-01-09 Location: Seminole Florida	Two more pics for now- one with my ugly old Weber lid on it (which doesn't fit too good) and one with the first sacrifice- some pork chops cooked on direct heat. I did a couple turkey breasts yesterday with the fire at the bottom, but the camera batteries were dead! I've ordered a SS lid from Arctic, and I'm working on a throttle system for my bottom vents to control the temperature. With no throttle, the drum held a very steady 375 for at least 4 hours on one chimney of Kingsford. __________________ I'm very intelligent, but I mask it by doing stupid stuff.

10-12-2009, 03:07 PM	#4
polishdon Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-07-09 Location: Lake View, NY	Nice build so far, you got a steal on that drum.

10-12-2009, 03:13 PM	#6
jimdandysnyjim Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-06-08 Location: brewster NY	its looking good

10-12-2009, 03:13 PM	#7
1FUNVET Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-16-09 Location: Lake Charles La	Very nice looking drum.

10-12-2009, 03:14 PM	#9
Hugh Jorgan is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-09 Location: Metrolina	Absolutely farking genius on the basket design and u bolts for raising the basket for grilling! Thanks. looking forward to the finished product. __________________ Hot Rod Hog Cookers Association, Charter Member, President

10-12-2009, 03:14 PM	#10
Phubar somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-24-09 Location: Utrecht,TheNetherPharkinglands	Very nice looking! Keep us posted with your build please. __________________ -TG -WGA (3) -UDS (S,M,L) All fueled by [COLOR=lime]Ecobrasa[/COLOR] Coco Briquettes [URL="http://lowlandsmokers.blogspot.com/2011/06/lowland-smokers-workshop-hei-en-boeicop.html"]Lowland Smokers[/URL] Dutch BBQ Champion 2011 - 2012 [URL="http://lowlandsmokers.blogspot.com/2011/06/lowland-smokers-workshop-hei-en-boeicop.html"]Lowland Smokers[/URL] Dutch BBQ Champion 2013 Low 'n Slow WGA Ambassador

10-12-2009, 03:29 PM	#13
peaspurple is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-26-09 Location: Georgia transplant in odenton, md	Good looking drim and grub! __________________ A Wonderful Family!!!

10-12-2009, 03:30 PM	#14
Burk504 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-01-09 Location: South Riding, VA	That baby is beautiful! I saw a UDS last weekend that use Eye Bolts to hold the cooking grates and didn't ask why they were used instead of bolts. Now I know and am going to definitely steal your idea there. If I can only find someone that could weld a basket as awesome as this....thats the hard part. Great work! __________________ www.facebook.com/smokisporkis - UDS, Bandera, ECB

10-12-2009, 03:49 PM	#15
Babyboomerboy is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-28-08 Location: Frontenac, Kansas	Great idea for the grill. Looks like its coming along fine. __________________ CBJ #31626 UDS Lots of Weber Grills Traeger Texas Pellet Grill My cooking blog [URL]http://babyboomerboyscookinblog.blogspot.com/[/URL]

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