The BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS.

The BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS. (https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/index.php)
-   Q-talk (https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=5)
-   -   Ugly Drum Smoker (https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23436)

dgassaway 10-27-2010 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Christopher_ (Post 1442806)
What advice do seasoned UDS owners have when it comes using their UDS in the winter to maintain proper temperature?

I have a stack of bricks and I was thinking of building up the bricks around the UDS to act as a seasonal wind break and maybe help stave off the heat radiating off the UDS.

Your in Texas right?? What are we talking a bone chilling 42°?

I don't know how to cook on a UDS in Texas during the winter but up here in Montana we just open the intake slighley and give her a little more air. it will cook just the same all year long, no changes needed. Oh, but you do have to shovel it out of the snow so you can see your thermometers :thumb:

colonel00 10-27-2010 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgassaway (Post 1442864)
Oh, but you do have to shovel it out of the snow so you can see your thermometers :thumb:

Insert Weed Burner here :becky:

Southern Home Boy 10-27-2010 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Christopher_ (Post 1442806)
What advice do seasoned UDS owners have when it comes using their UDS in the winter to maintain proper temperature?

I have a stack of bricks and I was thinking of building up the bricks around the UDS to act as a seasonal wind break and maybe help stave off the heat radiating off the UDS.

I actually built mine inside a larger, 85 gal drum that I use as a "shell":
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...mbreakdown.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...leDrumOpen.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...westmember.jpg

There's another Brother here - Smokin' Joe - who did the same thing (I shigged his idea :redface:) The biggest difference is his is insulated with rock wool and mine just uses the air gap as an insulator.

I can lay my hand on the outside of the drum anytime during a cook and just hold it there. It gets warm, but not hot enough to burn and the shell does a good job of keeping it from losing heat to the wind or rain.

The lid is still an issue. I haven't come up with a way to insulate the lid yet that I'm willing to try.

At the end of the day, I don't think it matters too much though.

Rodney 10-27-2010 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern Home Boy (Post 1442887)
I can lay my hand on the outside of the drum anytime during a cook and just hold it there. It gets warm, but not hot enough to burn and the shell does a good job of keeping it from losing heat to the wind or rain.

The lid is still an issue. I haven't come up with a way to insulate the lid yet that I'm willing to try.

At the end of the day, I don't think it matters too much though.

It seems to me that simply giving it more intake air should make up for the heat loss through the side of the drum. Of course, your charcoal won't last as long because you're losing all of that heat...

Paul B 10-27-2010 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern Home Boy (Post 1442887)
I actually built mine inside a larger, 85 gal drum that I use as a "shell":
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...mbreakdown.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...leDrumOpen.jpg
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...westmember.jpg

There's another Brother here - Smokin' Joe - who did the same thing (I shigged his idea :redface:) The biggest difference is his is insulated with rock wool and mine just uses the air gap as an insulator.

I can lay my hand on the outside of the drum anytime during a cook and just hold it there. It gets warm, but not hot enough to burn and the shell does a good job of keeping it from losing heat to the wind or rain.

The lid is still an issue. I haven't come up with a way to insulate the lid yet that I'm willing to try.

At the end of the day, I don't think it matters too much though.

Do like I did...get some furnace gasket or stove gasket and some hi temp silcone and glue it to the lid, let dry and fit on drum. see pic.....

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/z...DSCF5294-1.jpg
the bolts you see sticken up are to hold my lid on my drum ad the lid is a tad small. The bolts are angled in so they go inside the drum and the gasket seals it to the drum. see drum:

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/z...2/DSCF5297.jpg
if you look close you can see the gasket in this pic.

Just my solution..............

Paul B
SS UDS

bbrewster 10-28-2010 05:58 AM

I am thinking of building a UDS this winter...in fact I think I am beyond "thinking" about it at this point.

Here's my question....I have limited (actually none) welding skills...is this a sane project for someone like myself???

(Paul...that is one SHARP stainless UDS!)

brunski 10-28-2010 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbrewster (Post 1443263)
I am thinking of building a UDS this winter...in fact I think I am beyond "thinking" about it at this point.

Here's my question....I have limited (actually none) welding skills...is this a sane project for someone like myself???

(Paul...that is one SHARP stainless UDS!)

Well, i had no need to weld anything - here is what i did: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...postcount=6879

then some mods: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...postcount=6980

The only change i'd do is, when i built my charcoal basket i used plastic zip ties then i had to cut them off, next time i'll use steel zip ties and leave them there.

It was easy build - i'm ready to start with a second one.

And believe me when i say - if i could do it, anybody can. I have not building skills of whatsoever.

Hope it helped


Brunski

jkalach 10-28-2010 08:34 AM

Veg oil drum
 
I have a chance to pick up a closed drum that contained "food product" oil. The seller says it was vegetable oil and that the drum is not lined.

My question is can I cut off the top, build, season and go or do I need to wash out the barrel first and then season with something else? Thanks.

Southern Home Boy 10-28-2010 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B (Post 1443056)
Do like I did...get some furnace gasket or stove gasket and some hi temp silcone and glue it to the lid, let dry and fit on drum. see pic.....

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/z...DSCF5294-1.jpg
the bolts you see sticken up are to hold my lid on my drum ad the lid is a tad small. The bolts are angled in so they go inside the drum and the gasket seals it to the drum. see drum:

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/z...2/DSCF5297.jpg
if you look close you can see the gasket in this pic.

Just my solution..............

Paul B
SS UDS

Love your SS Drum, Paul.

My lid seals fine, that's not what I was talking about. I was talking about insulating the lid.

There's still only one layer of metal between the inside of the drum and the outside. Since heat rises and a lot of your convection loss is going to be through the dome, finding an easy way to insulate the lid would go a lot further to reducing heat loss (and hence fuel consumption) than insulating the sides.

One thing I did consider, was using two of these cones:

http://www.westtexasfeedersupply.com/lidsfunnels.htm

One for a 55 set inside one for an 85 with expanding fire-retardant foam insulation between them.

Not sure how it would work, but just thinking about it....

boakley 10-28-2010 12:06 PM

3 vs 4
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern Home Boy (Post 1442648)
I've got mine on three all steel casters. It's plenty stable.


I think the key may be in the size of the caster used. I like the low profile of the casters you used. Keep the center of gravity as low as possible and I am guessing it may be pretty stable. The only downside to low profile casters is not being able to (conveniently) engage the lock on a locking caster.

Thanks for the pict Southern Home Boy.

snorulz 10-28-2010 12:54 PM

well, up to page 300, had I discovered this thread a year ago, I would be done reading already!

Louisiana Smoker 10-28-2010 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney (Post 1441114)
This one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/200-lb-...amp-96237.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...image_3509.jpg
I've seen those used before. I can see how they'd definitely be more adjustable than the ones from McMaster-Carr that I posted. I guess I just like the clean look of the other ones, but installing them just right could be a pain.

That's the one. The ones you posted are more sleek and clean looking. These are easy to install and adjust as needed

Rodney 10-28-2010 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boakley (Post 1443537)
I think the key may be in the size of the caster used. I like the low profile of the casters you used. Keep the center of gravity as low as possible and I am guessing it may be pretty stable. The only downside to low profile casters is not being able to (conveniently) engage the lock on a locking caster.

Thanks for the pict Southern Home Boy.

As well as the fact that they'll snag much more easily on concrete seams, etc. that are in your way when pushing it around. Push it with one wheel forward and two wheels trailing and things'll work MUCH better. ;-)

consecrow 10-29-2010 08:17 AM

Ash Pan help
 
I'm in process of building my first two drums ... Pics to follow ... Having trouble finding an ash pan please help want to fire them up this weekend but would like to have ash pan first

bluetang 10-29-2010 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consecrow (Post 1444195)
I'm in process of building my first two drums ... Pics to follow ... Having trouble finding an ash pan please help want to fire them up this weekend but would like to have ash pan first

Maybe a pizza pan?


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:12 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
2003 -2012 © BBQ-Brethren Inc. All rights reserved. All Content and Flaming Pig Logo are registered and protected under U.S and International Copyright and Trademarks. Content Within this Website Is Property of BBQ Brethren Inc. Reproduction or alteration is strictly prohibited.