I had a barrell smoker once25 years ago that was a formica glue drum.We just scraped it out after cutting in half and then burned the formica glue out of there.Burned for a couple of days as I remember.Cooked on it for 10 or 15 years with out ever poisoning anyone.Used the holes where the screw out caps where as air holes on bottom side then cut a hole in the top for a stack.Used a piece of scrap monroe shock absorber exterior cover as a flue pipe.Covered it with a beer can cut out on one end as a damper.Set it on some ole' timey singer sewing machine legs as a base.Worked like a charm.Probably only had $5.00 cash invested in the whole thing. Just burn that baby out real good and yu'll be cookin' in no time.
The bogeyman

Close your intake vents for 5 mins before you take the lid off, then work as fast as you can, it will help. Try not to have the lid off to long.

Well brethren here is my 1st UDS build and finished product. Can't wait to fire it up this weekend for the first time. Enjoy

initial burn out...
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC00896.jpg

2nd burn out, liner not wanting to burn out :boxing:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC00897.jpg

bring on the grinder........
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC00910.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC00911.jpg

Liner removed.......:clap2:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC00905.jpg

coal baskest, might modify this, it seems a little small
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC00901.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC00899.jpg

Painted and ready for seasoning....
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC00915.jpg
:bow:

The only question I have is, will this top be alright to use? It's SS I believe. I had read something about not using SS in your UDS builds?
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...1/DSC00898.jpg

Thanks for all the help through out this thread and on the rest of the boards.

That top should be just fine. There are actually quite a few photos in this thread of some all stainless steel drums.

Ready for some fatties.
 

A few pictures of the process and my completed UDS



First here's drum I found for $11. It contained sesame seed oil and had the tan colored coating. The inside coating seemed like some kind of paint because I could scratch through it with my pocket knife.
http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...7/IMG_1938.jpg





Here's my drum with my perfect fitting Weber lid. I bought my Weber lid first and searched for a suitable drum to fit my lid.
http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...7/IMG_1939.jpg





Here's my drum after burning with a weed burner and after hosing and scotchbrighting the ash off. The ash would have likely come off with a car wash spray but not my garden hose.
http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...7/IMG_1943.jpg





Here's the inside after using a sanding pad on my angle grinder. It's also already sprayed with PAM to stop possible rusting.
http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...7/IMG_1948.jpg





Here's my basket from expanded metal, Weber charcoal grill and pizza pan. The basket is 14" diameter by 12" tall.
http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...7/IMG_1951.jpg




Here's the finished UDS with two temp gauges, one for the edge and one for the center. I plan on experimenting with another grate below my cooking grate and placing various size aluminum pie plates with holes to flush the heat outwards so the heat on the cooking grate won't be so center concentrated. Eventually I'll trim it up with some gold paint for Mizzou colors.
http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...7/IMG_1953.jpg



Here's the inside after the seasoning with PAM. Since it didn't turn very black I guess I'll use PAM again before I cook my fatties this next Sunday
http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...7/IMG_1955.jpg

Charcoal Basket question
 

Considering they both hold exactly the same amount of coals, which is more efficient, a tall and narrow basket or low and wide basket for the UDS?

Low and Wide for my 2 cents. Gives me more ways to cook. Of course my UDS is a smoker, grill and pizza oven. :-P

Wow what a read. Great info, now I need to scrounge up some parts to put one together. I have a offset that just takes to much babysitting to keep in the temp zone.

Still holding out for a open head unlined but can't find one around here. Anyone know of a source around St Augustine area?

I got a closed drum that was for motor oil for free that I might use if I can't find anything else soon.

Lid Clamp
 

I had a problem with the hinges in the back causing the front of the lid to have a crack because of the lid tilts towards the back. I found these clamps for the front and they work well. Someone has probably thought of this, but if not here is an idea to help if someone has this issue. This lid is air tight now, I cant see any smoke coming from around the seam.
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/9839/p1000228i.jpg

Get a good friend to let you use his fire pit, That's Bob on the right


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B...Y/s640/014.JPG

Use all of your short bags for a seasoning burn





https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O...0/IMG_1580.JPG

Custom marine style handle
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K...0/IMG_1624.JPG

Test fit the cover from one of it's cousins

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7...0/IMG_1626.JPG


And there she is! :-D


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6...0/IMG_1623.JPG

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Nice Rolfe! What size is that ball valve? Looks larger than 3/4"...

Vents on Weber lids
 

For those who use Weber lids on their UDS do you find the vents to be adequate?

There are 4ea 7/8 inch holes on the Weber lid. I won't stake my life on this but I believe 4ea 7/8" holes are a larger area than 8ea 1/2" holes.

Norco said 8ea 1/2" holes are plenty and I imagine he would know.

I've seen people claim that the Weber style vent creates a hot spot. If I find this is true I may drill 8ea 1/2" holes in my Weber lid and leave the vent closed.

Before I drill up my Weber lid I'm experimenting with mixing up the heat flow in mine. I'm putting a grate below, about 10" below my cooking grate. On this grate I'm putting a 10" aluminum pie pan and will put some 1/4" holes in it. I hope to deflect the straight up heat travel into going around that pie pan. Maybe I can get the 50 to 70 degree heat difference between the side wall and the center to even out a bit. I imagine I'll have to tinker with it for a while to find the optimum.

You're right. 4 x 7/8" holes on the Weber gives you 2.4 sq inches total where 8 x 1/2" holes gives you only 1.6 sq inches total.

I'll be experimenting with a diffuser as well, using a pizza pan.

I just scored a old weber bar-b-kettle lid from a co-worker. It isn't in the best shape but it will be perfect for my next UDS build. Since this is the lid can I use regular spray paint on it or does it need to be heat resistent? I can't believe I'm starting another one already. It's a sickness I tell you......:becky: