@Vulcanus, That should work. I would possibly shave a few inches off the middle section. I think 8" there would work.
I first want to say that this site is fantastic! I've been thinking about creating my own UDS ever since my brother-in-law introduced me to his, but it wasn't until I found more info than I could ever retain on this thread that really got me into it!
I got myself two food grade barrels with a tan liner on the inside and have already burned out the first one. The weed burner took care of that in no time! I've got my charcoal basket built and will hopefully be cleaning out the barrel with a wire brush on my drill this evening. A quick coat of paint on the outside and final assembly and I hope to have this thing seasoned and smoking by the weekend.
The first one will be going to my dad for Christmas, but I might have to break it in for him before I get it to him... I'll build mine right after that and I'll post pictures as soon as I get them complete. After that I'll be doing some hunting for recipes to use!
When you used the weed burner for the liner did you burn the liner on the inside or heat it up from the outside?
Just search for "reconditioned steel drums" or "drum recycler" in the Fresno area. If they are certified, then supposedly all the drums are run through a blast furnace to burn up an residue left on/in the drum and then media blasted to remove all the charred remains.
I was able to get my drum for my R2-BQ UDS project in the LA area from a drum certified recycler (Apex Drum) and got a bare drum off of their processing line before it went through paint. $40 is about the going price for them.
I know a place in Hayward, CA that has them, but there must be a place closer to Fresno. Keep the faith, the drums are out there.
Just search for "reconditioned steel drums" or "drum recycler" in the Fresno area. If they are certified, then supposedly all the drums are run through a blast furnace to burn up an residue left on/in the drum and then media blasted to remove all the charred remains.
I was able to get my drum for my R2-BQ UDS project in the LA area from a drum certified recycler (Apex Drum) and got a bare drum off of their processing line before it went through paint. $40 is about the going price for them.
I know a place in Hayward, CA that has them, but there must be a place closer to Fresno. Keep the faith, the drums are out there.