Kidcurry, with enlarging your 8 holes to .5' you will equal one 2' opening. The 2' exhaust works well on mine.

I decided to try building my first UDS after running across this forum while doing a search on google for a DIY smoker. I'll post pics of my buildup once the drum gets here, and hopefully this can help someone else out as well. I went through 60 pages of this thread, and well most if not all my questions were answered.

Man I wish I had seen those photos before I built mine, Norco. Mine turned out well, but I would have done some things differently for sure!

I have a question that will hopefully DRUM up some more UDS conversations...

I found some more Drums because my brother-in-law wants to build one now as well, but they are sealed at both ends. I was reading a post on here about some one cutting off the lid, but my question is... Do I then have to go with a Weber lid, or can i put the cut piece back on it?

Weber .

Weber lids don't fit most drums. There is a kingsford 22.5 grill that fits better. Groceries stores of sometimes Lowes or CVS has them .

I use one on windy days - works great

:confused::confused::confused: Norco, my brethren... maybe a geographic difference but a lot of the drums here are taylor made for the weber lids. Many around here are livestock supplements. We both know drums are different and I take my weber lid with me when looking to buy a drum. Always respect you comments!!

I got 4 drums here, the lids falls into each, actually the entire kettle will fit in it with out the handles...taking a lid with you when you look for drums is a good idea!!

Wish they were like that here. I know Swampb cuts the top off a kettle to get them to fit. Maybe they swell west of the Rockies!

You must be at work Norco! I'm going to Hesperia this weekend if you're off, can come along.

The place I get my drums has a tool that will roll the edge and bend it in for you if that is what you need. Must be different sizes for different purposes. If anybody needs drums ever gets around San Antonio, bring a trailer. This guy says he has about 10,000 in different sizes, shapes, and materials. I would have guessed more, looking at the place. They will cut them, drill them, roll the tops, anything you need done. They have some 500 gallon plastic ones that I am thinking about trying to convince my 3 year old is a swimming pool....

22 inch grate
 

okay...........only up to page 53 of this long thread, but thought i would jump to the end, and ask this question.......

My drum is only 22 1/4 inside dia., so the weber grate won't werk........does anyone know where i can find a 22 inch grate?

TIA.....

Take a weber lid with you is VERY VERY GOOD ADVISE!!!!!!!!

Check off brands. I got 22" grates at Rural King here in Mattoon. They don't flip up like the webers do, but they were only $10 each.