:twisted: One thing I found a little helpful is to go ahead and drill the bottom holes before the burn. Seems to give a little more draft and hotter fire. IMHO!

can u get it sand blasted that should work

:cool: The idea is doing it as cheep as possible...burning is kind of traditional for a UDS. Depending on sand blasting cost, you might look into a new barrel. Around here they are $65.00 new. I have found garage sale Webers for about $5.00 and you get the lid, both grates, and maybe a few extras, depending on which one you find. Again, cheap is kinda cool. And, they work fantastic!!!:eusa_clap

See the beginning of the thread for my burn out experience.

I thought of drilling the bottom holes to get a hotter fire. I was looking at the pics I posted and notices they looked a lot better then the drums looked today. It was real hot here, then I went on vacation so its been a couple weeks since I worked on these. I am not used to working with metal and didn't realize how quickly they would show surface rust (even though they are in the garage). I was dealing with more rust then paint which is why it wasn't burning off. I worked them over again and this time sprayed them with PAM since it will probably be a week till I touch them again. I'm excited about this project again.
http://home.mchsi.com/~rankin/burn3.jpg

I did have some good help today
http://home.mchsi.com/~rankin/girls1.jpg

Can you tell me how high from the bottom you drilled the 1/2 " holes.

Thanks,
Brian

That bad boy is ready for a fire with meat loaded on the grates. Good job...now get to Q'in.8) 8)

Brian, 2" - 3" from the bottom is what I do. IMO, it allows some air under the firebasket for better circulation. I also use long (4" pipe nipples so the grate and/or firebasket will rest on them...up off the bottom of the barrel. Hope that helps, but check other posts for ideas as well.

When you do the charcoal do you use the Minion Method for the long smoke?

Brian, I put about 810 lbs of charcoal/lump and a few splits of whatever wood I have, then start about half chimney of charcoal and put it on top in the middle of the unlit. I get 8-10 hours this way. Bigmista is the master of the UDS. Check out some of his threads. I can get long, and I mean long burns, with more charcoal and shake or stir the basket from time to time. You will be really happy with the quality of Q this thing produces. The juices fall into the coal and burst smoke flavor all around...YUM YUM YUM!!!!!

:eek: That is 8-10 lbs...not 810 lbs. No wander these things burn so long.:oops:

Hey meat burner, I am not sure I can find 810 lbs of charcoal.:-D Thanks for the tips. I have a drum just would like to get started on it. Going to pick up the items tomorrw.

Thanks again,
brian

I see I did not post fast enough.

:oops: :oops: Check my edit. :icon_smil

We bad!!! Enjoy the UDS...you will be very very happy you did it.