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

Bigmista 01-20-2007 11:21 AM

I try not to tend. If themps are hanging between 225 and 235 (like they usually do) I don't open the lid. At about 2.5 hours I'll check to see if they have pulled back. I'll check every half hour until they are ready to foil.

The mods I am thinking of making are putting wheels on it, having the holes drilled instead of burned thru and putting pipe fittings or something like that in there that is easier to close off, working out some type of hook system to raise the ash pan out of the cooker instead of reaching down into the barrel.

jgh1204 01-20-2007 01:33 PM

Got the UDS going for the first time with food. Temps hanging in the 230 range with no problems. I am using my spicewine charcoal grate from the bandera. It barely fits.

I have 2 butts on and 3 slabs of loin back ribs. I am using the Steve Raichlen rib rack I found at Academy($20). It is pretty heavy duty and holds 4 slabs.

Also got the new nutemps going.

jgh1204 01-20-2007 06:12 PM

Ribs are done. Man, the smell is amazing. Mista, I bet you drive your neighbors crazy when cooking on yours.

This thing holds temps like a dream. 220-240 all day so far on one load of charcoal, about 1/2 bag of royal oak with about 10 briquets of Kingsford to get things going.

The butts are at 150.

jgh1204 01-20-2007 06:13 PM

BTW, I bought one of the step bits, made drilling holes much easier!

Bigmista 01-20-2007 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgh1204
Ribs are done. Man, the smell is amazing. Mista, I bet you drive your neighbors crazy when cooking on yours.

This thing holds temps like a dream. 220-240 all day so far on one load of charcoal, about 1/2 bag of royal oak with about 10 briquets of Kingsford to get things going.

The butts are at 150.

Bet the ribs were done faster than usual, right?

ThomEmery 01-20-2007 07:50 PM

Yea the Drum gives ya that turbo

jgh1204 01-20-2007 07:52 PM

Yep, 3.5 hours. I was amazed. Almost let them over cook. Got them out just in time.

Temps started going up to 250, plugged up two holes and now they are back at 235. Butts at 155.

Used some peach wood from an old tree I cut down 2 years ago. That is some good stuff maynard. Would like to find some more of that.

Bigmista 01-20-2007 08:12 PM

You will be hard pressed to out cook a load of coals.I usually end up shaking out the ash when the fire goes out and saving coals for the next cook.

jgh1204 01-20-2007 08:27 PM

Now if I can just find a webber lid.

ThomEmery 01-20-2007 08:31 PM

I like having the Kettle for burgers and the lid is available

Piedmont 01-22-2007 01:01 PM

Another approach to coal/ash access.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmista
I try not to tend. If themps are hanging between 225 and 235 (like they usually do) I don't open the lid. At about 2.5 hours I'll check to see if they have pulled back. I'll check every half hour until they are ready to foil.

The mods I am thinking of making are putting wheels on it, having the holes drilled instead of burned thru and putting pipe fittings or something like that in there that is easier to close off, working out some type of hook system to raise the ash pan out of the cooker instead of reaching down into the barrel.

I have two suggestions for the ash pan/coal pan, cut out the bottom of the drum except cut about 1 inch away from the edge, then take a second drum, cut it off just below the lowest ring so that you have a squat drum that is completely open at the top, set the first drum on top of the squat drum (lower squat drum holds coals/ash) and you can than remove the top cooker at any time to have full access to the coals. Make sure the lower/squat drum is cut square so that it will seal as the top drum rests upon it.

Or, Using a second drum cut a door that is 1/2 larger than the opening, fasten on hinges then, make a seal with silicon around edge of door, then get a pull - latch to hold the door tight.

Regards,
Piedmont

Piedmont 01-22-2007 01:06 PM

How much briquettes are used?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomEmery
Talk to Big Mista You dont need the door The fire will last 16 hours if built right

How much briquettes are used for 16 hour burn? and, anyone figured out briquette amounts for 3 and 6 hour burn?

Regards,

Piedmont

Piedmont 01-22-2007 01:13 PM

Coated drum
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jgh1204
Well, I think this going down as a failure. As I said, the drum was used to hold apple juice concentrate. Whatever they used to coat the inside of the drum is putting off a funky smell.

Not gonna que in that.

It sounds like it is a standard steel drum but has a plastic coating to keep it from rusting from the acid in the apple juice and to keep the juice from tasting like rust. Burn it good and hot and you should burn off the plastic coating then you'll be fine! Any thing that is carbon based such as plastic will smply turn to carbon if burned good, just don't stand around and sniff the fumes while it burns off!!!

Regards,
Piedmont

Bigmista 01-22-2007 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piedmont
How much briquettes are used for 16 hour burn? and, anyone figured out briquette amounts for 3 and 6 hour burn?

Regards,

Piedmont

Round about 10lbs. Like I said I usually end up closing all of the holes and smothering the the fire. I've never burned all the way thru the coals.

thillin 01-22-2007 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgh1204
Now if I can just find a webber lid.

If you don't need a dome lid, check a restaurant supply. They sell pretty big flat lids. Or keep checking craigs list.

Bigmista 01-22-2007 05:23 PM

You only need the weber lid if you are cooking turkeys, whole chickens or really tall ribs in a rack.

jgh1204 01-23-2007 04:56 AM

Piedmont, thanks for the suggestions, but you are rapidly exceeding my metal working skills!

Yep, once I burned away that plastic coating, it was fine. It was a little discouraging at first, but the swamp, thom and mister encouraged me to continue and I am glad I did.

Norcoredneck 01-23-2007 01:26 PM

Here are pics. of my fire ring
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...Frri_ring2.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2.../Fire_ring.jpg

Bigmista 01-23-2007 01:34 PM

Interesting! Why did you go with taller and less wide?

jgh1204 01-23-2007 04:26 PM

He was inspired by Abe Lincoln!

jgh1204 01-23-2007 04:29 PM

Mista, do you use charcoal or lump. At the 9.5 hour mark, my temps just plummeted. I was cruising along at 235 then it dropped to 218 then 208 then 195 all within about 5 minutes.

The ash was choking out the fire. I had to take out the food and clean off the coals and it climbed back up to 230 pretty quickly. I was using Royal Oak.

I was thinking about using some lump, but all that is available here is Cowboy and mesquite lump. And personally, I dont like mesquite. I know you and others do.

Bigmista 01-23-2007 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgh1204
Mista, do you use charcoal or lump. At the 9.5 hour mark, my temps just plummeted. I was cruising along at 235 then it dropped to 218 then 208 then 195 all within about 5 minutes.

The ash was choking out the fire. I had to take out the food and clean off the coals and it climbed back up to 230 pretty quickly. I was using Royal Oak.

I was thinking about using some lump, but all that is available here is Cowboy and mesquite lump. And personally, I dont like mesquite. I know you and others do.

I use the mesquite lump. i guess that might be the only time the door really comes in handy. I can reach in and shake the charcoal basket so the ash will fall without moving the grates.

Norcoredneck 01-23-2007 04:42 PM

Mista, ring is 9" tall because material I had was that and I was lazy that day. Went narrow on flat part again because of scrap. Works out because long side centers in barrel short side clears thermometer sticking in side. Going to work on lift out charcoal pan like Mistas. Feeling old these days and tipping drum into trash can is sort of pain.

Norcoredneck 01-23-2007 04:46 PM

[quote=jgh1204]The ash was choking out the fire. I had to take out the food and clean off the coals and it climbed back up to 230 pretty quickly. I was using Royal Oak.quote]

Back in past thread Thirdeye posted a set of jiggler hooks he made to shake the basket in his original BDS.

bbqjoe 01-23-2007 04:48 PM

My very first smoker was a trash can, experiment, experiment

thirdeye 01-23-2007 07:43 PM

[quote=Norcoredneck]
Quote:

Originally Posted by jgh1204
The ash was choking out the fire. I had to take out the food and clean off the coals and it climbed back up to 230 pretty quickly. I was using Royal Oak.quote]

Back in past thread Thirdeye posted a set of jiggler hooks he made to shake the basket in his original BDS.

Yep, I modeled the wiggle rod after these that I made for my Eggs. I used larger 1/4" stainless for the BDS rod to make it a little more manly. LOL I get at least 2 or 3 hours more out of the lump by wiggling it a couple of times during a cook. I actually don't shake the basket, but the "L" reaches into the bottom of the basket and gets wiggled from side to side. The few times I used briquettes, a wiggle really came in handy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...2/7797cc51.jpg

Piedmont 01-24-2007 03:47 AM

Shake your coals
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmista
I use the mesquite lump. i guess that might be the only time the door really comes in handy. I can reach in and shake the charcoal basket so the ash will fall without moving the grates.

I heard of someone that rigged up a metal rod that was attached to the coal basket and ran the rod through a hole in the side of the cooker so all they had to do was give it jiggle once in a while.

Norcoredneck 01-24-2007 03:53 AM

We live in earthquake country. No need to manually do it :-D

Piedmont 01-24-2007 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norcoredneck
We live in earthquake country. No need to manually do it :-D

Ahh yes, harnessing Mother Nature's power! What a concept! : )

iceboxbbq 01-24-2007 04:58 PM

Well found me a 55gal juice drum need to burn off tan coating on the inside so I can build one of these too I think somebody started something here

swamprb 01-24-2007 05:31 PM

Just got off the phone with a guy that has 38" tall 55 gallon food grade unlined drums that he imports bee pollen from Australia in and he will deliver to me for $20 each. My nipples are hard.

kybirdman40004 01-24-2007 06:05 PM

i have a couple ?'s does anyone know where i could possible find a drum cheap delivered to kentucky and how does the weber kettle grill cover fit the 55 gallon drum and is there a tight fit i see most drums are 25 in diameter and kettle cover is 24.5 in diameter any info would greatly appreciated thanks birdman

ThomEmery 01-24-2007 07:55 PM

MY Kettle lid fits my ol Style BDS just right

Smokin Gator 01-24-2007 08:21 PM

I got my drum yesterday. I picked it up at a place that rebuilds industrial machines. The get mineral oil in them and gave it to me for free. I got the top cut off inside the top roll, got a fire grate and ring at a machine shop. I picked up a Weber Kettle lid out of a trash pile and it fits perfectly... nice and snug but goes on without any coaxing.

I burned it out tonight and bought all of my hardware. For now I am just going to use the cooking grate out of my Weber. I will try to get it all done this weekend and post pictures.

Including the machine shop costs and the hardware it looks like I will have about $50 in mine. I am stoked!!!!

jgh1204 01-24-2007 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamprb
Just got off the phone with a guy that has 38" tall 55 gallon food grade unlined drums that he imports bee pollen from Australia in and he will deliver to me for $20 each. My nipples are hard.

:eek:

Swamp, you need to go into the UDS business. Just give me a $10 royalty for the name.:biggrin: :biggrin:

swamprb 01-25-2007 05:56 AM

Right now it looks like I'm in the scrap metal/burn barrel biz, it's piling up in my truck!

Smokin Gator 01-26-2007 12:30 PM

I installed all my hardware except for my side and lid handles. I cut 4 -3/4 inch holes around the bottom. The bottom cooking rack is 24.5 inches from the charcoal grate. The top rack is 5 inches from the bottom rack.

Did a second burn yesteray and noticed what a difference the air intake holes make. I knew they would it was just interesting seeing how much easier the fire was to start and the difference in the smoke/heat.

Today I am going to step the bottom holes out to 7/8 and screw in the pipe nipples. I hope to get it brushed, sanded, and painted as well.

One kind of disappointment... After putting the bottom cooking grate at 24.5 inches I had to put the top cooking grate right at the top of the drum (my drum is only 35 inches high). I don't think it will be a huge deal as I will do most of the cooking on only one rack anyway. Plus with having the Weber Kettle grill lid I will still have some capacity on the top rack... just not what I was hoping for.

Already looking for a taller drum... This was a pretty easy project!!

I'll post pics after painting and after the first cook tomorrow!

swamprb 01-26-2007 12:51 PM

Got the 2 38" drums last night and will make one with 2 cooking racks. I took the bottom of a kettle and cut the top 2" off of it so I have a ring and I'll slip it in the top of the barrel if I want to use the Weber lid. I'm going to take one of the proto drums and cut a 13" section out of it so I can use it for an expander ring and get more heighth if needed. Keep 'em coming!

Smokin Gator 01-26-2007 04:36 PM

6 Attachment(s)
OK gentlemen... here she is...

Attachment 5484
Original condition of lid and drum...

Attachment 5485
Fire grate and ring...

Attachment 5486
1/2 inch black iron nipples for air intake and to hold fire grate...

Attachment 5487
Charcoal grate and ring in place...

Attachment 5488
Bottom cooking grate in place...

Attachment 5489
Here she sits ready for action.

I will write up what I did later...

I will post pictures and recount the experience of her first cook tomorrow.

ThomEmery 01-26-2007 09:55 PM

Very Nice

ThomEmery 01-26-2007 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceboxbbq
Well found me a 55gal juice drum need to burn off tan coating on the inside so I can build one of these too I think somebody started something here

Yea Rocky at BDS :)

Napper 01-26-2007 10:01 PM

Gator,

I have built 6 different drums to date and I still picked up a couple of pointers from your project!

When I build number 7 (next weekend) I will have revision 2.01!!!!!!!
A guy gave me 10 great looking drums last week. All he wanted was for me to build him a drum smoker. Got his done and have 9 more drums to play with!

Bigmista 01-26-2007 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Napper
Gator,

I have built 6 different drums to date and I still picked up a couple of pointers from your project!

When I build number 7 (next weekend) I will have revision 2.01!!!!!!!
A guy gave me 10 great looking drums last week. All he wanted was for me to build him a drum smoker. Got his done and have 9 more drums to play with!

Still waitin to see pics of those barrels

JamesB 01-27-2007 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomEmery
Yea Rocky at BDS :)

Nothing against Rocky, but this form of cooker has been around mucho longer than the BDS.. I know I built mine a good 2 years before the BDS came to be... It is a good/cheap cooker design tho.

James.

Bigmista 01-27-2007 05:28 AM

Here's what's leftover after cooking a few slabs of ribs...

http://www.thesurvivalgourmet.com/im...ftovercoal.jpg

thirdeye 01-27-2007 01:21 PM

I'm sure excited to see so much interest in drum smokers ... I can hardly wait for more DrumPorn to show up. Wait hell....here is some right now. :rolleyes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...S/a86efee5.jpg

motley que 01-27-2007 01:23 PM

i just found a used drum on ebay that i can get delivered for $32, or i can drive 45 minutes and get a new one for $38. who cares, the used one had carrot juice in it. not worth the time/gas for the new one

jgh1204 01-27-2007 05:04 PM

If the new one is unlined/raw metal on the inside, it would be worth the hassle/cost over a lined/coated used one.

Kevin 01-27-2007 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirdeye
I'm sure excited to see so much interest in drum smokers ... I can hardly wait for more DrumPorn to show up. Wait hell....here is some right now. :rolleyes:


thirdeye, you are the absofarkinglutely best food pornographer. I'm lazy and just take pics at the lowest resolution my camera will allow. Don't have to resize that way. I said I'm lazy.

On topic. I think I may have to build one of those drum smokers. An industrial sized WSM (as far as temperature stability, fuel consumption, and sleepy time goes) for about 25% of the cost. Actually it would cost me nothing to build one. Have the tools, metal, and access to free barrels.

motley que 01-28-2007 07:16 PM

here is the link to the used drum, if you think it looks good to go, let me know. its just hard to drive the 45 minutes i would have to go to pick up the new unlined one as its only open during
my work hours

my cost delivered is 32 vs 40 or so for a new one

http://cgi.ebay.com/Used-55-gallon-S...QQcmdZViewItem


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