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-   -   Ugly Drum Smoker (https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23436)

NewBBQer 04-10-2011 08:28 PM

what does a barrel need to have in it were you wont use it to make a UDS?

Fornia 04-10-2011 09:47 PM

My BBQ Comp partner and I built 2 UDS this weekend, to help outfit our start-up stage team.

THANKS to the guys who help with some of my 'dumb' questions. Pretty much went with the basics, and pieces from pickled pig's blog.

Everyone who has seen them has been amazed at how much they look like bought from a store.

I'm at 250 steady now for over 5hrs..... It's cranked along just as steady as my Egg beside it. Really happy! Thanks again!

http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_3162.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_3178.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_3179.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/x...2011/drum1.jpg

expatpig 04-11-2011 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBBQer (Post 1606327)
what does a barrel need to have in it were you wont use it to make a UDS?

I once found a drum filled with frogs packed in formaldehyde. Probably would pass on that one.

ChicagoSizzlin 04-11-2011 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expatpig (Post 1606637)
I once found a drum filled with frogs packed in formaldehyde. Probably would pass on that one.

Who's for frog legs???? :boxing:

Bubblehead 04-11-2011 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcarz (Post 1605652)
Love the look. Went to find it and the only kind I found was Rustoleum with a heat rating of only 200 degrees. Have you tried a burn cook yet and do you think it will hold up to 200-300 degrees?

I've done my last 3 drums and 2 for friends with it and have cooked up to 325 repeatedly without issue. For your first few cooks you will smell paint(which has no bearing on your food).

JaseS10 04-11-2011 10:34 PM

New guy here. Picked up my drum for $5.00. It was a sealed top with no liner. I cut out the top using a jig saw. It cut like butter. Then ground it smooth with a grinder. Cut the 3 3/4 in holes around the base. Picked up the black threaded bungs or what ever there called with the caps. Decided to go ahead and get the 90 elbow it up and put a ball valve on it.
(Pics are before I added the ball valve)
Well I finally got somewhere on it today.
I burned mine out for about 4 hours. Then today I found a local parts store that sells those washers and you don't have to modify them. There $ .40 a piece. Can't beat the price.
The place is called Evansville Nut and Bolt 812-477-0077. I'm sure they could probably ship'em out. Or if enough people want them I could go pick up a bunch of them and ship them to you.

The other day I was talking to a buddy of mine and told him about this smoker/ grill I was building. I met up with him at Menards. In my cart I had one of those real cheap grills that cost $10.00 with no lid. The cool part is there were on clearance for $3.99. I was going to use the bottom to hold my charcoal. He told me don't waste you money on it. I have something better I'll give you for free. I still bought it. Then today I went and picked up this extremely heavy and 1/4 think round plate that I'm going to use.
Also I've been looking for a weber lid for mine. I talked to my neighbor who had one. I had there son burn some wire for me a while back. She said all her food taste like wire now and she can't use it. She goes you owe me a grill. So I had a thought. I went out to my garage and got that $3.99 grill out and said how bought I give you this grill and you give me your lid. Needless to say I now have my lid. (Lid not Pictured)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/...5a93c5ab6b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/...d3ec800bbe.jpg

JaseS10 04-12-2011 07:26 PM

Hey guys got a question for ya. I built this smoker just as most other did. I got a weber lid for it. Had to beat it out a little to fit, but now fits perfect. I'm not going to lie I'm new to grilling all together. Tonight I'm trying to do my first test run of burgers and weeners. Should I have all vents open on the bottom? I have 3 of the 3/4 inch holes one has the ball valve. Should they all be open including the vents on the lid or shut some or what? Doesn't seem to be getting real hot. I don't have a temp gauge yet. Grilling in process so quick response would be helpful. Thanks, Jasonhttp://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/...7aae02ee47.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/...c186187fcf.jpg

Stig 04-12-2011 08:01 PM

Jason,
Your fire is too far away from your food to grill. Most UDS builders use their rigs as smokers only, but some have ways to raise the fire basket higher to grill. If you are using the round heavy plate in your pics, that is another problem for smoking also. The hot coals should be in a wire basket about 3 inches higher than the bottom of the drum for good airflow. The basket is usually made from a charcoal grate with a tall ring of expanded sheetmetal attached to it to hold the coals. I think your ball valve is also too high, should be about 2/3 up from the bottom.

In order to salvage your current cook, I would raise the fire by using cinder blocks or somehow lower the cooking grate.

JaseS10 04-12-2011 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stig (Post 1608339)
Jason,
Your fire is too far away from your food to grill. Most UDS builders use their rigs as smokers only, but some have ways to raise the fire basket higher to grill. If you are using the round heavy plate in your pics, that is another problem for smoking also. The hot coals should be in a wire basket about 3 inches higher than the bottom of the drum for good airflow. The basket is usually made from a charcoal grate with a tall ring of expanded sheetmetal attached to it to hold the coals. I think your ball valve is also too high, should be about 2/3 up from the bottom.

In order to salvage your current cook, I would raise the fire by using cinder blocks or somehow lower the cooking grate.

Wow I've got a bunch of mistakes don't I? I'll try to salvage this dinner.

JaseS10 04-12-2011 08:10 PM

Didn't do real well. I guess I'll just use this for smokin and use my other barrel for a grill. I'm going to put that one on its side and cut it in half. I'll try smokin something in it this weekend.

Guamaque 04-13-2011 06:08 AM

Jason,
This is what I did, so I can use my UDS for grilling and of coarse smoking. I like to sear steaks, brats etc. Drill 3 holes at opposite angles in the side of the drum, and place 1/4 inch screws with a backing bolt inside. Do this about 8-10 inches below your grill, basically obtain another cheap round grill. Then when you want to grill, put the new charcoal rack in, fill it with your favorite charcoal, hot burning stuff, light it up. Then your grill is only 8-10 inches off the heat source. When your smoking, just remove that grill/ charcoal grate and your good. I now don't remove it at all, I use it to put a water or drip pan on it when I smoke, so it serves both purposes.

Dr_KY 04-13-2011 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaseS10 (Post 1608345)
I guess I'll just use this for smokin and use my other barrel for a grill.

You may want to consider lowering the height of the intake to well below the top of the drum.

amducious 04-13-2011 06:54 AM

Im in the process of rebuilding the fire basket for my UDS currently I m using the charcoal grate from a 22" weber with chicken wire wraped around it.

my question is what should the dementions for the fire basket be is the charcoal grate to big to small?

It worked for me all last summer but this summer will be all about optimizing my UDS.

Dr_KY 04-13-2011 06:57 AM

You want it as wide as is comfortable to fit in your drum and tall enough that you don't have to reach to far to get it out. That's the basic build I go by.

amducious 04-13-2011 07:23 AM

wow ty for the fast response. I guess I will keep the same grate and just rewire it.

Another question. I have been thinking about painting my UDS. I know engine enamel will stand the heat but do you know if there are any dangers using it on the smoker. I don't plan on painting the inside of the UDS just the outside. My wife wants to turn it into R2D2 or a Dalek.

blue Paint
White Paint
Black Paint


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