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-   -   Ugly Drum Smoker (https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23436)

swamprb 04-20-2007 09:48 PM

I drilled into the other drum I had today and it went much smoother than the second one. I have been collecting parts and making the coal baskets, laid out the lid vents, made a kettle lid ring and put handles together. I used an Irwin step drill and some Harbor Freight bits.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1632.jpg

Drilled 3 intake vents and 4 holes for the coal basket bolts
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1633.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1634.jpg

Laid the coal basket on the bolts and marked the upper and lower level grate bolts
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1636.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1637.jpg

I cut the kettle flange to fit on the drum to use the Weber lid securely
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1640.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1639.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1642.jpg

Drum lid with Weber handle and hanger underneath
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1638.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1644.jpg

Coal basket and small insert for short cooks
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1643.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1646.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/100_1645.jpg

All it needs now is a paint job and the drum dolly. As it stands I must admit it is one Ugly Drum Smoker!

Brian

Bigmista 04-20-2007 10:51 PM

Sweet! Great job!

biffleg 04-21-2007 07:45 AM

Great looking UDS Brian. How far up are you marking your lower and upper grates? And - are those your air intake nipples you inserted in the bottom of the drum on top of your Weber lid?

swamprb 04-21-2007 10:43 AM

These were 38" tall drums and there is about 5" between the racks.
No nipples on these, the things on the lid are the intake vent plugs, I put a bolt through them to make them easier to R&R.

Blutch 04-21-2007 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin Gator (Post 382157)

I cut the holes to 13/16 and mine thread in pretty tightly. I still thread on conduit nuts and firm the up on the outside. If you need to you could put them on the inside as well.


I bought some 1/2 inch conduit nuts, but the threaded part of the pipe nipple is tapered and the conduit nut will only thread on so far.. it is very thin too and won't snug up to the side of the drum. Do I have the right piece of hardware?

Doing a THIRD burn in my drum today.. picking up a used weber kettle tomorrow for $30. I hope the lid fits on my drum..

I felt I should do a third burn because I still have paint and lettering on the side. I tried burning it off with my propane weed torch, but I think my torch is defective... While i was trying to burn it off, flames started coming out the side of the torch head as much as out the front and the 'blaster' thing doesn't do anything anymore. I had enough flame to light some charcoal, but it took a lot longer.. any ideas on how to fix this torch? I knew I shoulda bought the more expensive one with the igniter. *sigh*

B

Blutch 04-21-2007 11:08 AM

1 Attachment(s)
Here's a pic of the third burn. Do you think this setup will get the job done? I've added more wood since this photo and it is burning pretty good. It is very windy here today though.

B

swamprb 04-21-2007 11:44 AM

Most of the high temps are going to be in the lower 1/3 of the drum when you are cooking and thats were the paint is going to flake, I wouldn't worry about the rest. As far as the pipe nipples, you may have to put a backing nut on them, take all the nipples, nuts etc and make sure they are not crossthreaded and go on easy, if you are just screwing the conduit into the drum make sure the holes are smooth on both sides, if they go on loose, put a washer or a knockout plug reducer and put backing nuts on them. Some people say the Weber lid fits on their drums, I've tried it on prospective drums that I was going to use and it didn't so I cut the rolled flange off the bottom of the kettles and set it in the drums and the lids fits perfect. You don't really need a Weber lid on the drum, use the flat lid and bide your time until the free one appears!

Blutch 04-21-2007 12:09 PM

Thanks for the many tips you've given me swamp. I will try your sokution to the loose nipples. :)

I need the weber lid to use both grates as I put the top grate right below the rim of the drum.

I won't sacrifice this kettle by cutting off the rim, but might do it to the next one I find.

B

Blutch 04-22-2007 03:54 PM

My UDS is essentially done!

I did end up cutting the rim off the kettle because the used one I bought was really old and not worth cooking on. The lid fits perfectly on it, but there are some pretty big gaps between the rim of the kettle and the rim of the drum so I will seal those with high temp silicone.

I have one ball valve intake (1/2 inch) and three 1/2 pipe nipple intakes with caps. I have the OldBob style charcoal basket and ash pan. Two cooking grates and a weber lid.

I haven't painted the drum and probably won't... It still has "Line-X" on it and looks quite hillbilly, so I doubt anyone will steal it off my deck. :-)

The maiden voyage will be next Saturday - 3 picnics and 2 racks of spares. Can't wait.

Are you guys SURE that 3-4 chucks of hickory will be enough smoke over the whole cook to get a great smoke ring?

Thanks for all the help.. going to take some pics now.

B


B

Blutch 04-22-2007 04:11 PM

3 Attachment(s)
Here are three pics of my masterpiece. Full view, shot of the weber rim (thanks Swamp!) and a shot of the inside with charcoal basket and ash pan.

My only worry is that the charcoal basket might be too big. what do the experts think?

All comments welcome.

B

Blutch 04-22-2007 04:13 PM

I was bummed to find out that my local Harbour Freight doesn't stock drum dollies. Anyone know what other kind of business does? I'd really like to get one.

B

Smokin Gator 04-22-2007 04:43 PM

Blutch... first of all congrats on your persistence and your drum. You seem to have run into every possible problem on your first drum. You must know your second one will be easier.

As for your fire ring.. it will be fine for your longer burns. It is about the same size as mine.

Can't wait to hear about your first cook.

Brent

swamprb 04-22-2007 05:51 PM

Way to go Blutch! Now that you finished this UDS, the next one will be a cinch! Lets move on to the GOSM and mod that badboy! Char-Griller Side Fire Box? Wheels?

Brian

Oldbob 04-22-2007 08:03 PM

Good Lookin Drum Buddy !! I really like the firebasket and ash pan design !!:biggrin: :biggrin: Good Job !!

Norcoredneck 04-23-2007 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blutch (Post 383149)
I tried burning it off with my propane weed torch, but I think my torch is defective... While i was trying to burn it off, flames started coming out the side of the torch head as much as out the front and the 'blaster' thing doesn't do anything anymore. I had enough flame to light some charcoal, but it took a lot longer.. any ideas on how to fix this torch? I knew I shoulda bought the more expensive one with the igniter.B


If you had the torch down in the drum when this was happening it may have been starving for fresh oxygen. I ran into this on my drum. Lots of time the blaster just blows itself out when in drum. I bought the igniter one from Harbor Freight and was burning leaves in a drum (dual use) and the wire to the igniter melted and is no good now. Something to think about. Also I only use @ 3 medium chunks of hickory on mine and it is plenty (Wal-Mart bag size).


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