Ugly Drum Smoker

[redaub]

I am definitely on the look out for some old webers to cannibalize the lids and grates from. I've seen some steals reported here, I hope I can get lucky too.

[jaronimo]

Originally Posted by redaub

I still need to find some expanded metal so I can make the basket.

Make sure the basket material is pretty open on the bottom. I made a basket for my offset smoker and used expanded metal for the entire thing. The sides are great, but I need to replace the bottom with either a used grill grate or larger diameter expanded metal. The problem is as the charcoal burns the ash builds up at the bottom instead of falling through easily. Go with the largest diameter expanded metal you can find.

[redaub]

I started working on # 1 of 3 today. I use the step bit to make four 1/2" holes 3" from the bottom. Then had a nice burn to "clean" it out. Unlike a lot of the post burn pics I've seen here, mine was not so shiny. Looked kind of black and burnt. I cleaned the ash out and Pam'd the hell out of it. All the holes have been drilled and all hardware has been attached. I still need to make the charcoal basket. It's so close, but I probably won't be able to continue till after the holidays.

[Norcoredneck]

Originally Posted by redaub

I started working on # 1 of 3 today. I use the step bit to make four 1/2" holes 3" from the bottom. Then had a nice burn to "clean" it out. Unlike a lot of the post burn pics I've seen here, mine was not so shiny. Looked kind of black and burnt. I cleaned the ash out and Pam'd the hell out of it. All the holes have been drilled and all hardware has been attached. I still need to make the charcoal basket. It's so close, but I probably won't be able to continue till after the holidays.

Priorities my friend!

[DDave]

Originally Posted by redaub

. It's so close, but I probably won't be able to continue till after the holidays.

Bet you can't wait that long. They seem to have a way of occupying your thoughts . . . of calling to you in your sleep. Before you know it, you'll be out there working on it.

Dave

[jaronimo]

Originally Posted by DDave

Bet you can't wait that long. They seem to have a way of occupying your thoughts . . . of calling to you in your sleep. Before you know it, you'll be out there working on it.

Dave

You are correct Sir! The wife and I had a somewhat heated discussion yesterday because I was in the garage welding on a 55 gallon drum and she wanted to know how that was helping to get the basement finished?

Duhh! Obviously I need to eat some good bbq to build up my strength so I can go back and finish the basement.

Women, can't live with them, end of story.

[redaub]

Originally Posted by DDave

Bet you can't wait that long. They seem to have a way of occupying your thoughts . . . of calling to you in your sleep. Before you know it, you'll be out there working on it.

Dave

You are so right, it's nice to see others with the same obsessions. I'm headed up to CT tomorrow so no work can be done. Although... I can sit in a corner, ignore everyone, and plan mods for the next two drums!!

[DDave]

Originally Posted by redaub

You are so right, it's nice to see others with the same obsessions.

Now, now . . . obsession is such a strong word. My wife uses it all the time.

I prefer hobby.

Dave

[bbq lover]

true dave my buddy and work together and are in the bbq comps .. and thats all we talk about at work is how we can make the pellet eating stainless drum better lol we are coming up with a mod to the auger system we have ..lol

[Dr_KY]

Originally Posted by bbq lover

true dave my buddy and work together and are in the bbq comps .. and thats all we talk about at work is how we can make the pellet eating stainless drum better lol we are coming up with a mod to the auger system we have ..lol

We
still
want
to
see
the
details
on
that
beast.





















Please.

[bbq lover]

sorry for the delay but till we get the rest of the stainless hopper built it not to kool looking we made the control box and fan boxes just have to get some more stainless for the hopper we have a idea it will be kool if it works no other drum or pellet cooker will look like this lol << did I say if it works >>>>more pictures after xmas

[redaub]

Originally Posted by DDave

Now, now . . . obsession is such a strong word. My wife uses it all the time.

I prefer hobby.

Dave

Thank you for setting me straight Dave. Hobby / lifestyle / chosen path / or DESTINY!!!! all are more appropriate than obsession.

[jaronimo]

got some barrels, they sure are pretty...


They are pretty clean inside, will burn them later


Cut one up...



welded the top 1/4 to the bottom for a very short drum...


finish welded mini-drum...


then I cut off the bottom of the second drum and welded the lid to the bottom, cut out the inner portion of the lid so its a big tube, and now I can place the upper drum onto the mini-drum. The mini-drum on the bottom will be my fire-box and I can remove the upper drum to start and clean the firebox.

Heres what it looks like stacked...



sorry, couldn't rotate it and get it to stay that way.

Will post more pics soon.

[Barbarian]

Jaronimo, that is a good mod. Better then the mod I did for easy cleanup. I have had some air leak problems that make it a bit tough to keep the temps below 275. I have been shutting down all intakes and blocking off 1/2 of the 2" exhaust pipe. I love the cleanup being so easy, but want a more airtight cooker.

Also depending on the height of your mini drum you can get two racks in and still use a flat lid.

Please let us know how the temps hold during your first cook!!!!!!

Very cool mod IMHO.

[jaronimo]

Originally Posted by Barbarian

Jaronimo, that is a good mod. Better then the mod I did for easy cleanup. I have had some air leak problems that make it a bit tough to keep the temps below 275. I have been shutting down all intakes and blocking off 1/2 of the 2" exhaust pipe. I love the cleanup being so easy, but want a more airtight cooker.

Also depending on the height of your mini drum you can get two racks in and still use a flat lid.

Please let us know how the temps hold during your first cook!!!!!!

Very cool mod IMHO.

I did it that way so I could use one of the locking rings to force the top to seal to the bottom. It sounds good on paper, will have to see when I fire it up!