A Thank You To The Brethren!!!!!!, and some late Thanksgiving pics.

When I was struggling to cook on my chitty 2 door Brinkman vertical I found The Brethen. There were a couple of mods that I tried that were found on The Brethen, but the darn thing would not hold temps for nothing. It was either two cold or burning meat to char.
One night I decided to cook some ribs. Temps were steady at 225 for about 2 hours, so I decided to get some shut eye. I woke up to the alarm chirping at 400 degrees and my 2 racks of ribs were burnt to a char. I know some of this is my fault (alarm prob went of for 30 mins). Cant't blame it all on the smoker all the time.
That was my breaking point! I turned to craiglist and found me a drum for $8. I read over all of the UDS posts and then visited my local Lowes to pick up some hardware and this is what we have.


I truly used the KISS method with this drum. Just drilled a hole on the top and the 3 holes on the bottom and threaded the ball valve on it. Right now I am using 2 rags to shut of the other 2 holes. I plan on welding an exhaust pipe on top and add the other 2 caps on the bottom holes.

For the charcoal basket I used an old off brand mini kettle I had sitting around the garage. Took the legs, and ash pan off and there you have it. And it even has a handle for easy removal.

I just sit it on 2 bricks right by the control valve to allow for the best air flow and control.


Thank You for helping me create one of the best T-day Feasts!!!!!!!!
I cooked a 7lb Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving. I ejected it with some creole butter and stuff with garlic cloves. I rubbed under the skin with the creole seasoning that came with the butter. The skin was tough so we just removed the skin and went on. I would have to say that was the juiciest turkey that I have ever eaten.







Thank You for the endless amount of information and priceless amount of knowledge listed on one forum. My family's appetite is very Thankful.

Mark said:

It just goes to prove that (drum) looks don't matter. I especially approve of that high tech exhaust system. Did you make that with a metric or SAE pick axe?

Click to expand...

Well the nice folks at Lowes told me to use one of these to drill the holes http://www.lowes.com/pd_300702-70-PC100L_4294857551+4294867793_4294937087_?productId=3031564&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Hole%2BSaw_4294857551%2B4294867793_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&facetInfo=Hole%20Saw

It broke after the hole for the ball valve. That is why I could not drill the proper diameter of holes for the other 2 at bottom. So I still used it to drill the top hole also.

My goal was to have the ugliest drum on The Brethen.