Ugly Drum Smoker

[Czarbecue]

The Hunsaker foot lever is the best I have seen. Discreet and not affected by the wind since it’s under the drum.

[el luchador]

Originally Posted by dadsr4

Some people just drill the holes and use magnets to adjust the air flow.

That's what I did for a long time.

[el luchador]

I use a heater meater with a variable air damper.

simply put, if the temp is too low it opens the air damper and starts closing it off as temps get closer to desired. when it gets to temp it closes. when temps start dropping it starts opening.

pretty nice system but costly at approx. $150

Edit: https://youtu.be/OKhO0LJJYxw
This is what I use. It can also have a fan but I don't use a fan. As of last night I got the macro damper which has 4 sq inches of intake that way I can take it to 500+ degrees using just the damper if I want

[Hinds15]

Originally Posted by Czarbecue

The Hunsaker foot lever is the best I have seen. Discreet and not affected by the wind since it’s under the drum.

I like that idea also mainly because it's not greatly affected by wind just have to figure a way to diy with no welder.

I found this while browsing and is exactly what I had in mind.

[Czarbecue]

Originally Posted by Hinds15

I like that idea also mainly because it's not greatly affected by wind just have to figure a way to diy with no welder.

For $25 you can't beat the price... and just need a hole saw and a drill.

https://www.hunsakersmokers.com/prod...-control-guide

[Hinds15]

I don't know why I thought it would be more expensive. Even today the wind is around 15mph so the hunsaker is probably my best bet.

[DRMSMKER]

Originally Posted by Hinds15

I like that idea also mainly because it's not greatly affected by wind just have to figure a way to diy with no welder.

I found this while browsing and is exactly what I had in mind.

This is basically what the the big poppa kit comes with. one on each side for 8 holes total.

[Blue Kettle]

I know for a lot of people on here their name is mud, but that new 18" Barrel House Cooker also has an intake located all the way on the bottom of the barrel. It slides (rather than rotating like the hunsaker). It seemed like a pretty smart design.

[el luchador]

Originally Posted by Blue Kettle

I know for a lot of people on here their name is mud, but that new 18" Barrel House Cooker also has an intake located all the way on the bottom of the barrel. It slides (rather than rotating like the hunsaker). It seemed like a pretty smart design.

there are thousands of uds with the intake on the side and they have no problems.

also, for those of us who cook direct over the coals the intake on the bottom is a direct path for drippings to get on the floor below the cooker.

Its not a bad design but I'll pass.

As Dadsr4 suggested, 4 or 5 holes covered with magnets is as simple and as easy as it can get.

[Hinds15]

Any down sides to using the drum upside down. My Weber lid fit the bottom a little snug but it fits. Drum is unlined and was used once for coconut oil

[el luchador]

Originally Posted by Hinds15

Any down sides to using the drum upside down. My Weber lid fit the bottom a little snug but it fits. Drum is unlined and was used once for coconut oil

mine is upside down and it makes it a heck of a lot easier to clean.also, when the lid rusts I can just replace a lid instead of a whole drum.

potential downside -its only happened once- i was cooking direct and I guess the food was not directly over the coals. the fat dripped down and I saw some coming out the bottom of the drum.

[Hinds15]

I was thinking about it not sealing good because the plastic/foam gasket needs to come out. Lowes has some silicone door and window gasket that's good up to 400 degrees. A strip or 2 of that may help seal it up or just some good old high temp rtv.

[el luchador]

Originally Posted by Hinds15

I was thinking about it not sealing good because the plastic/foam gasket needs to come out. Lowes has some silicone door and window gasket that's good up to 400 degrees. A strip or 2 of that may help seal it up or just some good old high temp rtv.

do you mean sealed from air getting in, or from liquid getting out.

I havent had a problem with air. I can close all my vents and the fire dies in short order.

[Hinds15]

Just the grease from food. I have some weber legs left from another build and wondering if I can make them work.

Edit: just the axle and wheels

[el luchador]

Originally Posted by Hinds15

Just the grease from food. I have some weber legs left from another build and wondering if I can make them work.

Edit: just the axle and wheels

the silicone should work.