look out UDS here comes FDS

[HolySmoke]

that's right FDS "when you thought it stopped at ugly, along came FUGLY"!
Fugly Drum Smoker...
here's a little look of my work in progress;

- 55 gal drum bottom fire box, soon to be fitted with 2 6" flue pipes w/ dampers & vent door & support legs. I will be ordering tonight from: http://www.vogelzang.com/barrel_stoves.htm

- (2) 55 gal drums welded together & opened in center to allow air flow & mounting of angles for racks. I will be addin 2 6" vent pipes out the top of each side (left & right) that will feed close to bottom of cooking area. I will adjust their lengths as necessary when testing after final assembly.

the paint on the interior is a bbq paint (1200 degree temp) to coat & prevent rust. the fire drum will have 16 fire bricks on bottom & bent perf steel pan. the door from above will allow clean out & venting as needed & the fire gets fed from the rear of cooking area.

i think i have it mocked up at the right height (shortest mate is 6'-1") for us to cook at wit out killing our backs. Once fully assembled i should have some shelving & work areas planned & built.

Got to go work now, kids going to bed, wife made espresso, i'm going to build my FDS.

All comments welcom good & bad as this is my first BBQ build & i'm really just trying to wing it:confused::confused::biggrin::biggrin::icon_clow n


http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/HolySmokeBBQ/DSC05958.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/HolySmokeBBQ/DSC05956.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/HolySmokeBBQ/DSC05945.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/HolySmokeBBQ/DSC05944.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/HolySmokeBBQ/DSC05940.jpg

[Azinine]

the paint on the interior is a bbq paint (1200 degree temp) to coat & prevent rust.

I'm sure others will chime in, but I don't think this is a good idea, even in the smoke chamber that shouldn't reach extreme temps. You should probably burn it off...

[Bigmista]

I'm not sure I undeerstand what you are trying to accomplish...

[HolySmoke]

I'm not sure I undeerstand what you are trying to accomplish...

i like the large smokers but i'm not sure about the "offset" idea, and i saw a double barrel smoker & thought it might be a cool useful project. Besides I'm not artistic enought to make it something cool looking. It's still in begining phases but i'm trying, with some help from some fellow brethern...

[Norcoredneck]

Hope you didn't purchase yet:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_20894_20894

[BBQ Grail]

I'm not sure I undeerstand what you are trying to accomplish...

What he said!

[HolySmoke]

Hope you didn't purchase yet:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_20894_20894

Not yet thanks, i figure i see what happens through night with this thread before i go any further. Thanks for the link i shop there all the time dont know how i missed it.

[Jaberwabee]

:confused:I dont get it, Are you trying to use the top one as the pit and the lower one as the fire box?:confused:

[big brother smoke]

Looks like he is doing a bigger version of CountryHBs

[HolySmoke]

Looks like he is doing a bigger version of CountryHBs

just checked it out, yes bigger version of that indeed. I've see it as big baby double barrel cooker:
www.bbq.netrelief.com/pits/metalpit/bigbaby/build_big_baby_metal_bbq_pit.shtml (http://www.bbq.netrelief.com/pits/metalpit/bigbaby/build_big_baby_metal_bbq_pit.shtml)

[Meat Burner]

This isn't anything like a UDS....NOT THE SAME RESULT. Offset smokers need to be heavy thick metal, not thin barrels, IMO. I have a couple thick wall smokers that work great but not made from barrels. UDS are for different heat convection and not direct heat on the metal. Hope these work for you but will be surprised if it lasts very long. Just my $.02.

[Frank Sacco]

This might be what's in mind.

http://www.mikesell.net/smoker/

I may throw my hat in the USD arena this winter. I'm pondering the thought of building one like the double drum USD above.

[ZILLA]

If you can make three or four openings for the smoke to enter the drums evenly it will probably work fine. Build it and see. I'd get rid of the paint on the inside. it will peel off and get all over your food and the fumes couldn't be good either. Just season the inside with veg oil and it will be fine.

[Meat Burner]

Just build two real UDS smokers. Just my opinion but look through the UDS threads and evaluate the results of the quality of the Q you get. Offset smokers are really different in every way. Thin wall offset smokers may be a real quality problem. Folk that build quality smokers never ever use thin wall barrels...for a gooood reason. Just trying to help a new brother here. Don't want to be negative but a UDS in a thin barrel is WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY different that burning in an offset. Hope this makes you think about it and hope this is helpful.

[Frank Sacco]

Just build two real UDS smokers. Just my opinion but look through the UDS threads and evaluate the results of the quality of the Q you get. Offset smokers are really different in every way. Thin wall offset smokers may be a real quality problem. Folk that build quality smokers never ever use thin wall barrels...for a gooood reason. Just trying to help a new brother here. Don't want to be negative but a UDS in a thin barrel is WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY different that burning in an offset. Hope this makes you think about it and hope this is helpful.

Boy do you know how to PI$$ off the new guys around here. With all your knowledge of building USDs. I just may take you up on your wise advice and do some more research before getting into my little project :razz:

Thanks for the heads up!!

[Meat Burner]

Frank, my mega mega apology if that's how that came off. I would never want to discourage anyone from experimenting on building or trying new ways to Q. I remember a site somewhere that someone used a trash can to do their Q for a family event and it was a great. Now I feel Bad because this forum is about positive input and helping the bretheren do better.:icon_smil

[Single Fin Smoker]

Theres this guy named Country that might have an opinion or two on this particular smoker...

[Frank Sacco]

Frank, my mega mega apology if that's how that came off. I would never want to discourage anyone from experimenting on building or trying new ways to Q. I remember a site somewhere that someone used a trash can to do their Q for a family event and it was a great. Now I feel Bad because this forum is about positive input and helping the bretheren do better.:icon_smil


Just busting your chops Mr Burner... I like positive criticism, it saves me money. My last post was suppose to have a bit of humor in it.

[Meat Burner]

Just busting your chops Mr Burner... I like positive criticism, it saves me money. My last post was suppose to have a bit of humor in it.

Thanks brother...I was feeling bad there! :sad: Appreciate it!8-)

[JamesB]

I've seen similar cookers built over the years and they have been made to work quite well... True though that there will not be much heat retention with the thin steel, but it should work as long as you can get enough heat from the firebox to the cook chamber...

That being said, get rid of the paint on the inside! Nothing good can come from it...

Keep us posted on your progress...

James.

[HolySmoke]

Thanks everyone for the comments, good, bad, or indifferent i needed them. with all these heads in here this is why i asked and all of it helps.

I don't want a UDS i got WSM's, i can make this work - i'm gonna scrap the bottom barrel (it's actually 14 ga. steel) and speak to one of my steel vendors today and roll a bottom fire chamber from some 11ga or 9ga steel.

I know this is nothing like a UDS cooking wise, the call letters are for more enjoyment reasons than working ones. I take no offfense to anyone & what they say its, all good. As for the interior paint then ,back to burnnin i guess.

I will build it, it will work, you all will love it!!!!

I'll be back...

so just veg oil on inside? How do all the UDS units keep from rusting? Why are all BBQ's powder coated inside & out? I will remove my paint, because it makes no sense to ask & not listen, but always question....

Thanks again, keep posting

[Beerwolf]

This looks like the same basic design that I used, except I used Propane tanks, a 7 gallon for my fire box and a 50 gallon for my pit. I'd say you are a little oversized on the Firebox... maybe a 35 gallon drum if your heart is set on drums... definately add some firebricks, and plan on a baffle at the top of your heat riser. Stacks on each end is definately the way to go,mine are BELOW grill surface, I am thinking they should be a bit higher due to how the heat flows out of the riser and past the baffle ( but then again I can pull 375 degrees if need be) I made my stacks nice and long out of 3" they work just fine, once the stand was built, the smoke was exiting over my head and out of my eyes. All in all, I am happy with this pit, although there was probably more fab that went into this than making a plain offset

[Mark]

Hope you didn't purchase yet:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_20894_20894


You'll need this too:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_42429_42429

[HolySmoke]

much thanks, will be ordering parts later on - going full steam ahead!!!

[Countryhb]

If I understand your idea correctly, you are using a single barrel bottom for the burning, and two connected barrels on top for your cooking chamber...it could work, but your going to need to do some serious designing to get the cooker to heat evenly across. Let me know if you have any questions, as I've gone through the design and have been cooking on mine for 6 months now.

[Countryhb]

You'll need this too:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_42429_42429

You'll also need to order at least one additional damper.

[HolySmoke]

i'm figuring with the door i have in the front & the door on the side should give me good fire spread, at least it has so far without the side door. I'm hoping the opening between top chambers allows some good flow in each side near the center. the stacks will come out the top & feed close to the bottom of upper barrels - i will raise up if required. the bottom barrel is 14 gauge & i will have fire bricks at bottom also & heat baffel above.

I'll keep it posted & I like the set up you have i'm just looking to try for more cooking area, this WILL work. 1st cook is going to be a pig......

[HolySmoke]

Country,

is your interior finished or raw??? I have high temp (1200 degree) paint to prevent rust. not on grates or food surfaces just cooking chambers. I have spoken to a few powder coaters & painters & they tell me it's fine.

[Countryhb]

It's raw...nothing but some veggie oil on it. How big a pig you planning on? That was the reason I built mine. Still haven't done it, but have been told by some experienced folk that I'll have no problem getting a decent-sized piggie in there. If you're counting on one stack feeding each barrel, you might have problems. I say go for it. I'm interested to know how it works out for you. hell, it'll save me from trying it first. I still don't understand why you're putting two doors on your burn barrel. I have no problems managing my fire from the one end door. 'Splain me, please.

[Countryhb]

Country,

is your interior finished or raw??? I have high temp (1200 degree) paint to prevent rust. not on grates or food surfaces just cooking chambers. I have spoken to a few powder coaters & painters & they tell me it's fine.

And when I want to know how to apply paint, I usually go ask my butcher...:biggrin::shock:. I would SERIOUSLY consider removing the paint.

[HolySmoke]

raw it is then, the side door wasn't a for sure thing figured i'd have it on stanby. As for the air flow, i feel it should work out, after the burns to remove paint i'm gonna open the center up a little more to get rid of any extra corners. if it dosen't work, plug the bottom holes & i'll throw a fire box on the side (30 gal) or something, it's all about the fun of it. Hell so far it's free!!!!!