So, I've got two options here, and in trying to be frugal (for once, turning over a new leaf!), I can't decide on what I'd rather do:

1) Get a lined apple juice drum for free from a friend and have it sandblasted inside and out for $45 or so and paint it with stove paint (another $12 or so in paint), or...

2) Buy a new, unlined drum for $70 from the place here in town, maybe wipe it down with carb cleaner and shoot it with another coat of paint, and hope that the paint doesn't bubble up. I'd use it without burning it out, and would likely run it at 300 deg. or lower at all times.

I have no desire to burn out and scrape the drum, and I'm going for form AND function so I want it to look decent in my backyard. Thoughts?

Thanks!

-r

If you don't want burn out and scrape a new unlined drum might be the ticket for you.

I think I would sandblast the inside. I like the outside and I think it would be more durable than most spray can paints.

Now that's my idea of indoor furniture. My wife would never let me store a bbq in the house.

This is a good option.

Maybe you need a new wife?:-P

Yes, well fortunately both you and I live in an area were you can generally go outdoors with shorts an a t-shirt. Rode my bike to the beach today and the checked out the beach volleyball talent. It is a chilly 60* on my patio so I am cooking inside tonight, just not on a bbq.

So true! Got I love the warm weather! As soon as march comes its tank tops and short shorts! I'm such a pig, but I love it.

Oh, and I'm smokin' tonight even in the frigid 60 degree weather. Couple yardbirds and a tumbler of whiskey and coke. Lovin' life!

Can't assemble UDS I've been foiled by the rain and snow mix again this morning. :icon_bugeyed

I can't wait for 60 degree weather.... Hahahaaa

I am Cali bound in a few months though. So I'll be enjoying the warm weather soon...!!!

The weather checked up for now. I bundled up and braved the 30 degree weather to completed my basic UDS except for the charcoal basket. Don't want to pull welder from storage building with more poor weather pending. Once charcoal basket is complete It will be ready for seasoning. :biggrin:


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...DSC00001-1.jpg

Thank you all for your replies about my weird looking barrel. For now, I am going to play the better safe than sorry route and chalk it up to a learning curve. I am still not certain if it's Zinc or Cadmium, but either way it's not what I want.


Off to find a barrel that is suitable....

Finished my UDS build! Seasoned it Saturday and cooked some chicken thighs and a fatty for a test run. Turned out good, UDS work fine. Think I could have used a little less wood. Do you guys use lump or briquettes in your UDS?

PS: Great info in this thread, built it completely from the info found within.

David

Im sorry, but I have to ask again, "What in the &*^& is a UDS?"
http://www.kickassbbq.com/grills&smokers.JPG

question
 

So i have all my parts for my first UDS. however, i have not landed any expanded metal yet. i called a metal fab shop near me and the guy said he has some but he asked me what kind. i did not know so i told him i would call him back.

I am assuming he was talking about the guage but i really dont know because i dont know much about expanded metal. Can someone let me know the preferred type of expanded metal used. I tried skimming back through this thread because i remember reading about it, but i could not find it.