Wine Barrel Smoker - Page 6

el_matt · 07-03-2010, 10:57 AM

This thread made me want a wine barrel smoker. I showed my wife the thread, and the links. Long story short, I got the "OK" last night to make one!!!

Thanks for the inspiration.

Matt

alanneila · 07-14-2010, 03:07 PM

JiveTurkey: Funny thing--- I had this idea for a wood barrel smoker for years, but I dont live in an area they are readily available. I then saw your post and I got motivated after I found a very old whiskey barrel locally! It's a great project, unique, looks and works GREAT! I had 5.5" wheels on mine (to raise height), but it became top heavy with the lid back, so I went to 2.5" and it looks better and is not top heavy now. I am installing another thermometer on the lid, because I have 2 grates and want to monitor lower heat and upper heat. I should be completely finished soon! now I want to do an authentic Jack Daniel barrel.

http://s951.photobucket.com/albums/a...ker%20project/

stl-rich · 07-24-2010, 06:36 PM

Been thinking that an oak barrel would be much nicer than a steel barrel and I came across this http://stlouis.craigslist.org/for/1847750125.html I sent the guy an email asking what was in it previously and if it would work as a smoker.

Maybe if a couple of us STL folks buy the price would co down.

JiveTurkey · 07-24-2010, 11:46 PM

Heck yea that'll work! Use the regular sized ones not the big jumbo puncheon barrel like I did. Regular size will be easier to reach into. Buy two, one for the smoker and one for wine soaked wood chunks.

stl-rich · 07-26-2010, 07:18 PM

`How do you get the top off? I see some smokers where the wooden drum top is reused - is the opening big enough to get some 22.5" weber grills into the drum? If you cut lower so you can use a Weber top or hinge the drum lid do you have to screw thru each stave so the thing doesn't fall apart?????

repoman013 · 07-26-2010, 07:25 PM

fire brick and pizza pan, and keep video recording if it catches on fire ----amer fun video

LT72884 · 07-26-2010, 07:54 PM

Here is another one i saw.
http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29275

the other links on pages 3-4 for the smokering arnt workin so im not sure if it is the same one

stl-rich · 08-02-2010, 09:12 PM

Got a question about screwin' on a WDS - most WDSs have one or more screws thru the ring into each stave. but folks say that the baarrels shrink and you should fill them with water - some say you should beat the rings toward the center of the barrel to tighten everything up - but if the ring is screwed then you can't move it.

Can you tell I am confused? I think I will cut the top off below the second ring, AFTER I put lots of screws thru the second ring and no screws thru the rings under the cut. Will that work???

Jimmy the stick · 09-16-2010, 11:44 AM

Thats the same thing i've been wondering to screw the staves or not?
Jimmy

Downtown Smokeout · 09-16-2010, 12:37 PM

Looks pretty cool. I'm going to start calling local wineries to see about getting there old barrels. I don't think I could bring myself to pay $800 for theirs.

JiveTurkey · 09-16-2010, 01:13 PM

Sorry guys I didnt realize there had been new posts to this thread, I missed them altogether.

As far as screwing the staves or not, that is up to you. I did that at first with mine (because I saw it done) but soon realized that I needed to knock down the bands to keep a tight seal. Since my barrel was so big I could not use water to keep it tight. If I could go back and do it again I would

1. Use a regular sized barrel, not drill the bands to the staves and use water after every few cooks to keep it tight. I might even use a water bowl inside like a WSM to keep it as moist as possible when cooking.

2. If that did not work and it still got gaps between the staves I'd buy a hot plate and make it an electric cold smoker. I have an extra barrel here at the house, I'm flirting with the idea!

Jimmy the stick · 09-16-2010, 02:02 PM

Thanks JT,

I think I'll design mine without screws first and be able to fill it with water in between smokes

Jimmy

stl-rich · 09-17-2010, 11:16 AM

Well I put screws (black) into the silverish metal bands - it was a real pita but it looks fine.

I filled it with water, opened the valve and drained the barrel but there was still water in it. I put the charcoal basket in - the water came into the pizza pan but not the charcoal basket.

I cooked a brisket as a test. OMG good briskey. Anyway after the cook there was still water in the bottom!

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y44...rrel%20Smoker/

07-24-2010, 11:46 PM	#79
JiveTurkey is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-21-09 Location: MambyPambyLand, Ca Ya Jackwagon Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Heck yea that'll work! Use the regular sized ones not the big jumbo puncheon barrel like I did. Regular size will be easier to reach into. Buy two, one for the smoker and one for wine soaked wood chunks. __________________ JT

07-26-2010, 07:25 PM	#81
repoman013 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 10-31-09 Location: plant city , fla Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	fire brick and pizza pan, and keep video recording if it catches on fire ----amer fun video __________________ IF YOU CANT DAZZLE 'EM WITH BRILLIANCE BAFFLE 'EM WITH BULLCHIT FBA KCBS MASTERBUILT 7-1-POS WATER TANK SMOKER [COLOR=Red]for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is akin to a man standing in a bucket trying to lift himself by the handle.......churchill [/COLOR]

07-26-2010, 07:54 PM	#82
LT72884 Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-07-09 Location: Draper Utah Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Here is another one i saw. http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29275 the other links on pages 3-4 for the smokering arnt workin so im not sure if it is the same one __________________ http://grillofmydreams.blogspot.com http://thebreadjournal.blogspot.com

09-16-2010, 11:44 AM	#84
Jimmy the stick Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 04-12-10 Location: Edmonds Wa. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Wine barrel smoker Thats the same thing i've been wondering to screw the staves or not? Jimmy

09-16-2010, 12:37 PM	#85
Downtown Smokeout Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-25-10 Location: Evansville, IN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Looks pretty cool. I'm going to start calling local wineries to see about getting there old barrels. I don't think I could bring myself to pay $800 for theirs. __________________ Aaron Weber Imperial Sequoia (restoration in progress) Weber Platinum (The Green Lantern) Weber OTS 22.5 Weber SJ UDS (with more to come) Cheapo gasser Old Smokey ES (A gift, don't buy one) Humble member of the Society for the Preservation of Authentic Royal Magical Rare Kaskaskian Peppers Honor bound to protect, prepare, and serve

07-03-2010, 10:57 AM	#76
el_matt is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-08-09 Location: Turlock, California Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	This thread made me want a wine barrel smoker. I showed my wife the thread, and the links. Long story short, I got the "OK" last night to make one!!! Thanks for the inspiration. Matt

07-14-2010, 03:07 PM	#77
alanneila Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 06-30-10 Location: omaha, ne Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	JiveTurkey: Funny thing--- I had this idea for a wood barrel smoker for years, but I dont live in an area they are readily available. I then saw your post and I got motivated after I found a very old whiskey barrel locally! It's a great project, unique, looks and works GREAT! I had 5.5" wheels on mine (to raise height), but it became top heavy with the lid back, so I went to 2.5" and it looks better and is not top heavy now. I am installing another thermometer on the lid, because I have 2 grates and want to monitor lower heat and upper heat. I should be completely finished soon! now I want to do an authentic Jack Daniel barrel. http://s951.photobucket.com/albums/a...ker%20project/

07-24-2010, 06:36 PM	#78
stl-rich Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-10-10 Location: saint louis, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Been thinking that an oak barrel would be much nicer than a steel barrel and I came across this http://stlouis.craigslist.org/for/1847750125.html I sent the guy an email asking what was in it previously and if it would work as a smoker. Maybe if a couple of us STL folks buy the price would co down.

07-26-2010, 07:18 PM	#80
stl-rich Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-10-10 Location: saint louis, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	`How do you get the top off? I see some smokers where the wooden drum top is reused - is the opening big enough to get some 22.5" weber grills into the drum? If you cut lower so you can use a Weber top or hinge the drum lid do you have to screw thru each stave so the thing doesn't fall apart?????

08-02-2010, 09:12 PM	#83
stl-rich Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-10-10 Location: saint louis, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Got a question about screwin' on a WDS - most WDSs have one or more screws thru the ring into each stave. but folks say that the baarrels shrink and you should fill them with water - some say you should beat the rings toward the center of the barrel to tighten everything up - but if the ring is screwed then you can't move it. Can you tell I am confused? I think I will cut the top off below the second ring, AFTER I put lots of screws thru the second ring and no screws thru the rings under the cut. Will that work???

09-16-2010, 01:13 PM	#86
JiveTurkey is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-21-09 Location: MambyPambyLand, Ca Ya Jackwagon Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sorry guys I didnt realize there had been new posts to this thread, I missed them altogether. As far as screwing the staves or not, that is up to you. I did that at first with mine (because I saw it done) but soon realized that I needed to knock down the bands to keep a tight seal. Since my barrel was so big I could not use water to keep it tight. If I could go back and do it again I would 1. Use a regular sized barrel, not drill the bands to the staves and use water after every few cooks to keep it tight. I might even use a water bowl inside like a WSM to keep it as moist as possible when cooking. 2. If that did not work and it still got gaps between the staves I'd buy a hot plate and make it an electric cold smoker. I have an extra barrel here at the house, I'm flirting with the idea! __________________ JT

09-16-2010, 02:02 PM	#87
Jimmy the stick Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 04-12-10 Location: Edmonds Wa. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Stave's Thanks JT, I think I'll design mine without screws first and be able to fill it with water in between smokes Jimmy

09-17-2010, 11:16 AM	#88
stl-rich Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-10-10 Location: saint louis, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well I put screws (black) into the silverish metal bands - it was a real pita but it looks fine. I filled it with water, opened the valve and drained the barrel but there was still water in it. I put the charcoal basket in - the water came into the pizza pan but not the charcoal basket. I cooked a brisket as a test. OMG good briskey. Anyway after the cook there was still water in the bottom! http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y44...rrel%20Smoker/ Last edited by stl-rich; 09-17-2010 at 11:34 AM.. Reason: add slideshow

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