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BigKev 12-14-2011 04:54 PM

The folks at APEX are very nice to work with and they understand what we are using the drums for. I think I paid a little bit more ($40) as I wanted a that straight sided drum for R2. Just tell them you want a "BBQ drum", and tell then open or closed head.

They took me back into the processing area and let me pick out the style of drum I wanted. Then I could pick out the lid (bungs or not), the type of clamp or not, and also if I wanted it painted or bare. Nice to have options. They even loaded it for me! :thumb:

Time_1 12-14-2011 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigKev (Post 1880595)
Just search for "reconditioned steel drums" or "drum recycler" in the Fresno area. If they are certified, then supposedly all the drums are run through a blast furnace to burn up an residue left on/in the drum and then media blasted to remove all the charred remains.

I was able to get my drum for my R2-BQ UDS project in the LA area from a drum certified recycler (Apex Drum) and got a bare drum off of their processing line before it went through paint. $40 is about the going price for them.

I know a place in Hayward, CA that has them, but there must be a place closer to Fresno. Keep the faith, the drums are out there.

Ive done some searching on the net using those terms. Only place that popped up.locally only sells wood barrels. Ill keep looking. I do have a friend that has a linex barrel for me that I'm gonna check out Friday.

Kenn007BBQ 12-17-2011 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigKev (Post 1880595)
Just search for "reconditioned steel drums" or "drum recycler" in the Fresno area. If they are certified, then supposedly all the drums are run through a blast furnace to burn up an residue left on/in the drum and then media blasted to remove all the charred remains.

I was able to get my drum for my R2-BQ UDS project in the LA area from a drum certified recycler (Apex Drum) and got a bare drum off of their processing line before it went through paint. $40 is about the going price for them.

I know a place in Hayward, CA that has them, but there must be a place closer to Fresno. Keep the faith, the drums are out there.

I'm in $mokeland (0akland$ Ca....Hayward is nearby.... What is the name of that place for the drums? I found one drum($25) that is bare metal inside but the seller is not sure whether it's food grade or not


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I am here: Google Maps

JuanMoore 12-17-2011 01:01 AM

I read over half of this monstrous thread, and then built a UDS for myself using mostly materials I had on hand. Took it for its virgin run today, with a pork butt and some ABTs. Easily held 260-270F all day, and produced some amazingly delicious food. Here are some crappy cell phone pics-

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/members/...1216-01963.jpg

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/members/...1216-01964.jpg

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/members/...1216-01966.jpg

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/members/...1216-01965.jpg

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/members/...1216-01968.jpg

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/members/...1216-01971.jpg

Thanks to all of you who posted great ideas and inspirations in this thread. I used many of them in my build, and plan to use many more as I continue to upgrade it.

Hoosier1960 12-17-2011 05:44 AM

Great job JaunMoore!

Vulcanus 12-18-2011 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosier1960 (Post 1878749)
@Vulcanus
I was just thinking of the working height. My 55 gal drum is around 39" tall and I have it on a barrel dolly which adds another 3 or 4". I am 6'2", and I would not want that section any higher. You have to decide what is best for yourself. I would just keep in mind what height you will need to load it at and also getting the "lid" section on and off.
Just some things to think about.

Hi Hoosier1960

Thank you for the advice

I have another question:
I would create a unique big lower air intake, but the intake tube must be put directly under the centre of the fire basket (not laterally).
I would create a simple air diffuser to prevent the ash clogging the air intake tube and also for better air distribution like a chimney cowl

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8043/0702i.th.jpg

also a cheap Ikea frying pan upside down like this

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4641/gbb51.th.jpg


Do you have any advice, photos or anything else?


Thanks to all,
Have a nice day.

Lawdog's Smokewagon 12-18-2011 10:45 AM

Time to paint
 
:becky:Well today I will be sanding the surface rust and paint remnants off the Smokewagon UDS. It shall get a nice coat of Crimson and White. A big red "A" on the front and a Crimson Tide Logo on the top. Will post completed PRON when done.

ROLL TIDE!!
Lawdog

Lawdog's Smokewagon 12-18-2011 10:46 AM

BTW I've finally read all 602 pages and 9021 posts. Man now thats Epic!:clap2:

Skidder 12-18-2011 10:54 AM

Vulcan it's really best not to mess with what works. I understand it's human nature to tweak things but when someone usually does then comes the I don't understand why this doesn't work correctly. But then again if you don't mess with it you or we will never know what works and what doesn't. I usually advise all to make a simple k.i.s.s. UDS then experiment on another barrel to use as a guinea pig

Hoosier1960 12-18-2011 11:08 AM

@Vulcanus,
I agree with Skidder's thoughts. I am note sure what size intake you are thinking of, but remember on a UDS style smoker/cooker that the fire is controlled by the air intake. Bringing the air in from the sides has worked very well throughout this thread. The bottom of the charcoal basket being 2 1/2 to 3" off the floor takes care of ashing when the air comes in from the sides.

Carbon 12-18-2011 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcanus (Post 1884139)
I would create a unique big lower air intake, but the intake tube must be put directly under the centre of the fire basket (not laterally).
I would create a simple air diffuser to prevent the ash clogging the air intake tube and also for better air distribution like a chimney cowl

I personally think there's no difference where and the direction the intake air is coming from. I have seen UDS's like you described with intake beneath the fire basket. Different, but no benefit. I've modified my ECB in this manner.
Also an elevated ash pan attached to your charcoal basket will make cleanup a lot easier instead of attaching a cowl or barrier over the intake to keep ash away.

hankll 12-18-2011 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbon (Post 1884215)
I personally think there's no difference where and the direction the intake air is coming from. I have seen UDS's like you described with intake beneath the fire basket. Different, but no benefit. I've modified my ECB in this manner.
Also an elevated ash pan attached to your charcoal basket will make cleanup a lot easier instead of attaching a cowl or barrier over the intake to keep ash away.

When I did the ash pan attached to bottom of the legs of my basket, and even though I drilled 1" holes all around the edge of the pan (a Weber portable grill) it prevented me from getting enough air flow to get the higher temps I wanted.

When I removed the ash pan, and just laid large piece of tin foil on the floor of the drum, it was good to go on high temps. I'll attempt a better pan design later, but for now, cold weather doesn't make me want to be out in the weather and low temps.

Carbon 12-18-2011 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankll (Post 1884236)
When I did the ash pan attached to bottom of the legs of my basket, and even though I drilled 1" holes all around the edge of the pan (a Weber portable grill) it prevented me from getting enough air flow to get the higher temps I wanted.

When I removed the ash pan, and just laid large piece of tin foil on the floor of the drum, it was good to go on high temps. I'll attempt a better pan design later, but for now, cold weather doesn't make me want to be out in the weather and low temps.

Like they say, every UDS operates differently.
I made 2 charcoal baskets for my UDS, one with a shallow ash pan attached, and the other with no ash pan. My UDS behaves identically using either charcoal basket. Actually, the ash pan is so shallow it makes no difference whether it's there or not as far as interfering or restricting air flow to the basket. It shouldn't, in any way, anyway.

Skidder 12-18-2011 01:00 PM

But I bet that that ashpan makes for easier ash cleanup

Carbon 12-18-2011 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skidder (Post 1884271)
But I bet that that ashpan makes for easier ash cleanup

Most definitely, but on the other hand, scooping ash from the bottom of the drum is not too difficult or tedious, especially if you use low ash producing fuel it does not have to be done every time you use the UDS.


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