Thank you very much. That looks very similar

I have a quick question for those with graphics on your UDS. Did you paint the graphic on or did you use vinyl? If vinyl, how has it held up?

I have read this post, twice. After reading it the first time it was a lot shorter and I built my first UDS. I just got done reading it a second time and finished my second smoker. The 3rd UDS will not require another read, or I hope not. Here is my completed drum. Redskins theme, waiting on a stencil for the center yellow part. I am also going to add a deep fryer thermometer, and a removable table. The small silver shelf is for my ThermPro. The BCF is from a metal trashcan I found on Amazon, 11 holes in the bottom and a 14" grate for the charcoal.

Very nice build. I like the thermopro shelf. What's the other metal thing on the barrel?

Bottle opener?

Right, bottle opener. Pretty sure it is a legal requirement for smoking meat. ;-)

Any Long Island Bros out there? I found a 55 Gal SS drum... $90.
I used one years ago and MY DS is awesome... no rust!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1473...89967707915225

<$300 Stainless Drum Smoker

Drum was a craigslist find, very thick wall, was used for fermenting wine. It was hand made as far as I can tell, several weld beads around the base and a nice thick rolled edge that clips a plastic drum lid perfectly. Conveniently, it also perfectly fits the crust groove in a 24" pizza pan. Used a Amazon BGE replacement vent door. Had to put some muscle in to relax the radius, which ended up crinkling the door lip slightly, but now it just holds the door more firmly. -1 aesthetics, +1 function. Took advantage of the OSH closing clearance to pick up the hardware. I measured the grate size needed to roughly 22 to 22 1/4", so I may have to make my own expanded metal grate (also scored from OSH) Decided to use carriage bolts for the door and stainless rivets for the shelf standards, so everything outside is screw head free and stainless.

It's a little dented up, so I guess that's where it gets it's ugly? :laugh:

https://imgur.com/8TkoBIW.jpg
https://imgur.com/P6br1bU.jpg
https://imgur.com/0VVBQpO.jpg

Wow. What a fine find. I would highly recommend Membersmark to clean the inside. I do mine after every 3-5 cooks and it takes it back to new. I can't imagine how nice stainless would clean up. Thanks for sharing!

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/pi...ictureid=12450

Built this for a buddy, he's an Iowa State Cyclone fan but his daughter went to the University of Iowa, thus the house divided.

UDS from old pressure tank build
 

I posted regarding my build in Q Talk but wanted to include link here as I have learned most of what I used from this thread. only about half way through the thread but wanted to thank everyone who posted builds and ideas as I have used lots of it in my planning. heres a pic of prototype more info in link below
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4846/...2550cfc1_c.jpg

https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/s...d.php?t=267447

Help
 

I need help like hole placement vents I would like three racks in mine. Need some drawing or plans help

There are many many ways to build a UDS. You get to make it your own design/build to how YOU want your UDS to look/perform.
Here is only one from early in this massive thread. Sorry, I don't remember the Brethren who had posted it. You might think about going thru some of this massive thread before you start your build just to see other options.

What's the largest thing you plan on cooking? Add 1" to it's height and put your first rack down that amount from the top. What's the height of your charcoal basket? Add 1" and put your bottom rack no lower from the bottom than that. What is your goal for the 3 racks? The temp will be different at different heights in the drum. If you're planning on a baffle rack and a second rack for food, place the middle rack as close to the top rack as you dare, to keep the temps as close as possible. Don't plan on trying to cook on all 3 racks IMO. You'd need to experiment w/ JUST the charcoal basket and temp probes at each level to figure out what would be possible.

If you're doing a dome lid, you can do this:
https://imgur.com/raBqFA8.jpg

I used adjustable shelf supports and brackets in mine, that way I can put shelves any where. They are not very expensive at HD or Lowes.

Yep, here's your other option...shelf standards riveted to the drum.

https://imgur.com/US79hx6.jpg

Here's a pic of the twins I built as Christmas presents for my brothers. You can put the bucket charcoal basket on a grate on the third level of bolts and it makes an awesome VERY HOT charcoal grill using the top rack. I built my first one with 3/4 pipe risers and ball valves, but had to add 3 nipples in the back to get enough airflow to cook over 250. This design should have more air intake and is much easier to build. When I get time I think I'm going to make a parts list and step by step plans on how to build this (as long as the test run goes as planned). I searched for hours before the first build and could never find a set of plans! Total cost was $146 due to finding free sacrificial kettles on craigslist. If you had to buy the weber lid new the cost would be $210.

I used the Kamado style door on my stainless drum as well. I agree, much easier to install, and basically the same price if you're springing for 2 brass ball valves and the other black pipe needed.

Bump for New Guys n Gals........

Why do most people put an intake nipple in the back of the smoker? Wouldn’t you want to see all your intakes all the time?

If the BACK of the smoker is 12:00, I’m planning on going 6:00 (3/4 capped nipple), 8:30 (3/4 pipe with ball valve) and 3:30 (ditto).

Is it THAT important that they be evenly spaced around the basket? I’ve seen successful guys at comps that seem to go with 3-6-9, but I like the idea (aesthetically) of the two verticals being a little closer together.

There's just something aesthetically pleasing about having them spaced around the drum- you just KNOW that placement makes it draw better. I've got a slider vent (like a kamado) on my SS drum-so it's one vent like 3 x 5 inches...works just dandy.

Just put them where you like. I don't think it'd matter if they were at 7:00 6;00 and 5:00.

Did my first packer brisket and 3rd cook on my UDS. Used Kosmo hot and fast method but no injection. Extremely happy with the results. 5 hours start to finish including the burnt ends. Thanks to all in this thread I enjoyed learning about drum smokers and am extremely glad that I went this route!

For upright intakes - does it matter one way or the other if you use standard 90-degree black-steel elbows that are secured from the inside by bushings, or if you use the "street" elbow which threads in and then would be secured from inside by a conduit nut?

I think the bushing would reduce the size of the intake, but then again so does a ball valve so it probably doesn't matter. I notice that the image grosen84 posted shows the standard elbows, but I've seen it both ways.

standard elbow:
https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-8n9t...1527098485.png

street elbow:
https://image.made-in-china.com/43f3...e-Fittings.jpg

Building my first UDS
 

I’m going blind reading this thread :mrgreen: BUT, there’s a LOT of great information here.

My thoughts....

I’m ordering a new 55 gallon polished 16 gauge stainless steel open top drum.

Apparently they are 24” in diameter (slightly larger than most?)

Then I going with the Big Poppa Smoker Kit, I’m also ordering 3 of their heavy gauge grates.

I’m also ordering a 30 quart stainless steel mixing bowl to convert the drum lid to a dome lid.

I’m at this time planning on using a BBQ Guru DigiQ Temperature Controller.

If I don’t have enough “smoke” I’ll throw it one of my pellet smoke tubes.

I know this will be an expensive build (north of a grand) but I want a quality, nice smoker.

Thoughts?, Comments?, Criticisms?

I would think the hardware for the grates might not work if your drum is a bit bigger than a standard, should be easy enough to sort out though.
I would probably consider a diffuser as well thinking that if its still a 55 gallon drum but about two inches bigger around its also going to be a few inches shorter which will either make the grate closer to the fire or take away a bit from your height.
I just got a Smartfire controller that I really like so far. can't speak on the BBQ guru but they seem pretty popular.
I like the idea of the SS drum, even with a good paint job on mine it is still getting some rust spots as it lives outside under an awning but a cover for it would probably fix that.

Thanks for the thoughts, I have been looking into diffusers, I thought I was going to have to make my own but I’ve found several available.

Hello everyone, here's my first post.

I came across this forum researching smokers. Like many, I started smoking on a Weber Kettle. I'll be moving from Miami, Fl to Central, Fl in a month and decided I should break in my new house in with a proper smoker. After tons of research, I decided on a UDS because of cost and the fun of building something fun with my pops.

So far, all I've got is a burned and primed drum, but once the parts come in, it should all come together nicely.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread over the years. For anyone looking to build a UDS or any smoker, this thread is as important as any of the tools necessary to get the job done.

Here's a few pics with updates to follow.





https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...250e57bbc9.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...147b3f8002.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...faca8caab3.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...27167b395d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...bddd6bf948.jpg

Lookin good!

Lots of fun and good meats in your future!

Here's the final product. I'm extremely pleased with this build. It was never my intention to actually build my own smoker, but I'm glad I took on the project. My pops and I haven't spent time together like this in a while, and that alone was worth it all.


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...dddfef515d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2093cff8d5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...873fb25836.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...31cca4c211.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7af0c7c35b.jpg

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

Awesome, enjoy!

Franky,

Nice looking rig, even cooler your Dad helped! I look forward to you posting your maiden voyage cook on this guy!
Thanks,
Greg

Very nice!!

Wow, beautiful job. Kudos on being wise beyond your years in taking advantage of time with your dad. The are with us for such a short time.

Any others building since march? I am looking to modify mine and like all the ideas I can get.

886 pages- in the mother of all UDS threads- and you are looking for "more" ideas?

ok

:rofl:

I have trolled this site quite a bit over the last few days... I'm gonna do it !
I guess ill start a build thread when I actually get to work on it.

But First... The Drum itself
I've seen plenty of used ones on Craigslist etc that I could burn and clean out. ($25-$50) Just seems like such a PITA. Then I found a drum company near my house that sells new ones. I can get a 55 GALLON straight drum for $88. I cant find any straight drums used. I kinda like them better.

Thoughts?

Caution UDS barrel Bigger is NOT Always Better
 

Biggest thing is barrel size...30 gal vs 55 gal...latter is huge, uses lots of fuel, too fast for me.

I think most people will admit smaller drum is as good and is way cheaper initially and in use...

Plus, smaller 390 gal drum can be used to grille.

Also get new drum! Easier/maybe safer!

Basket for coals is not easy to do right and is important. Welded steel mesh "expanded metal" is fine, with attached bottom pan set inch or two below. Allows for lots of coals and wood, which means no refills needed...measure well. Long metal wire (1/8) is handy, as are gloves.

Topper is inverted SS salad mixer owl, and a SS chimney which I ordered on line for domed Q top...would put up another pic, but am on spare laptop.

BTW, Do not scrimp...

Use three solid SS bolts not coated, for each layer and use expanded-metal grates (3), at top center and over coal basket for

Planter base (fired-terracota) flower-pot base, covered in foil to use over basket as water-filled deflector.

Measure!

Its a 55 Gallon Drum :nod::nod:

S-winey, if you are referring to the above photo; No! It's a 30...count the pavers...2-years, last April."

And I do more smoking in my Weber...old 23" from 1973.

Doubt you could find a SS salad bowl that is 23" in diameter...

I would not want to go any smaller than a 55 for my personal uses, and honestly wish it were bigger when cooking certain meats for more than 6-8 people. Looks like you're off to a start with a clean straight drum. Can't wait to see the finished product

KC; cannot disagree. Just a POV caution...

Me rarely chefs for more than four.
Just stuff. Charcoal costs...have me own apple trees/wood, I trim.

Gents... What I was looking for input on was the "straight" drum (pictured), vs the traditional barrels that are all over CL.

This is a new, unlined 55 gallon straight drum with removable lid . $88.
Seems like it would make a really nice UDS

Stats:

PART# 551A2NSM150
UN RATED 55 GALLON OPEN TOP SMOOTH SIDE STEEL DRUM
- NEW
- UNLINED
- BOLT RING CLOSURE
- SOLID LID
UN1A2/Y1.5150 - UN1A2/X400/S
DIMS: 24" X 24" X 34.5" Tall
WEIGHT: 44LBS.

I like the look of the straight sided, open head drums. All of mine have been the normal, ribbed ones- that's all I could scrounge up.

I thought the straight drum was a foregone conclusion. My bad. I think at that price it is a slam dunk

Get no moans from moi...

Here is alternate exterior view of 30 gal machine... I might mention chimney square inch size has a bearing on smoking efficiency.

I just built my first Ugly Drum Smoker
 

Hey all you UDS experts.

I finished my first build. I've been cooking with it a ton and I love it.
I made a video of the build...

https://youtu.be/Ai-CwUaOs9s

I'd love to get some thoughts and feedback from the pros on this forum.

I doubt this will be the last one I build.

Thanks!

Use lump charcoal instead of briquettes and you'll have much less ash to deal with.