Ugly Drum Smoker

[Big D BBQ]

Waiting on parts for my project. Was lucky enough to score a stainless steel 200 liter drum that is like new..



Thanks for all the info as I get started.

[1911Ron]

I have been using mine for some time and I love it I just never got around to figuring out how to use the hinge that the original grill used, I figured it out a few years ago and it's probably the best lid setup (for me) as I don't have to look for a place to put the lid!

I just bought the Vortex charcoal basket for it so I am excited to try it out!
https://www.hunsakersmokers.com/coll...arcoal-baskets

[drallan81]

Originally Posted by 1911Ron

I have been using mine for some time and I love it I just never got around to figuring out how to use the hinge that the original grill used, I figured it out a few years ago and it's probably the best lid setup (for me) as I don't have to look for a place to put the lid!

I just bought the Vortex charcoal basket for it so I am excited to try it out!
https://www.hunsakersmokers.com/coll...arcoal-baskets

I just bit the bullet on a Hunsanker basket as well. Did first test burn with it over the weekend. The thing holds a lot of charcoal and I might have to modify my vent settings. But I was impressed with the weight of the steel. Only minor complaint I had was it looks like the basket was tack welded up the seam in only 3-4 spots. I'm sure it will hold, but surprised me a bit.

Previously I was using a standard expanded metal basket, followed by the BCF firebucket basket. My BCF started to rust out and I figured it was time to replace.

I wasn't sold on the "vortex" actually doing anything, but will have to admit that the smoke seemed to roll out of the basket differently. Will it really impact anything during the cook, who knows, but so far I'm glad I made the jump. Will be trying some ribs and butts this weekend for the real test.

[rockyathabaska]

I have just scored a ss drum too after years of searching for a deal.
Do you know how to search this forum for SSteeal drum builds?
Thanks in advance
Rockyathabaska
Many Weber’s
UDS
Cobb

[Paul B]

Not hard to do, search UDS thread.
Paul B

[Rolling Egg]

I’m about to start my first ever drum builds. I located two free drums and plan to build two side by side and gift one to my brother. I have a couple questions.

1. The drums had a heavy plastic liner in them and inside the liner/bag was grease. I don’t see any grease at all on the inside of the drum. Should I do a full on burn out or could I just steel wool and soapy water scrub it? If I need to burn it out would a weed burner work or should I do a full on fire?

2. They are gloss black on outside. I’ve read here that the gloss paint holds up pretty well but I want them flat black. Can I just rough up the outside and go over the gloss with a high temp flat black? Will that hold up over time?

Any and all advice appreciated!

[stymie]

I built mine way before he put these videos out but I did buy the parts and template from them. Smoker will hold consistent temp for hours once you get it set. I've ran it at 235-250 for a solid 20+ hrs.
Here is a playlist on a build
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...x1_1MoGHreszO9

[Zrschaef]

I was going to build one from scratch but this came available on marketplace and I got it for $10! It needs a good cleaning, sealing around the intakes, and a new paint job. Overall I'm extremely happy with my purchase and can't wait to tear into it!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[SmittyJonz]

Anybody still make these things or everybody gone Pellet .?

[Nuco59]

When I first came on to this site, drum posts were plentiful and entertaining.

It was the "everyman's" smoker- you didn't have to be handsome- just had to be handy.

It seems that they have passed from being the great thread/ conversation driver- but I bet there are still tons being used weekly to turn out great food. I have a 30 gallon and it gets the call when the meal is "smoke- not grill" and that's quite often.

[SmokerKing]

Use my BUFORD drum smokers every month. Just finished a brisket and a turkey this past Sunday

Lots of KCBS teams still use them as well.

[RT]

Still using the UDS here.

[Shiv]

I´m starting the build of my first one.

I couldn´t run a heavy burnout where I live, so I spend all weekend sanding the inner part and stripping the outher.

Like it started to rust, I painted the outside of drum & lid with hi temp paint and let it dry until I can go to the village again. (1 or 2 weeks)

Pending:
drill screws, intakes and chimneys
Make a charcoal basket
buy a temp gauge



BUY A TEMP GAUGE:

I don´t find any tel-tru/river country here in spain.

The only premium label I know here is wika. And it´s soooooo expensive (over 130 euros), are used to industrial process control.

Any other brands?
any Euro brand?

[Nuco59]

Me? I'd forego the dial type thermometer totally. I'd suggest a 2 probe digital thermo- use one probe for grate temp and one for your protein. The dial type looks cool but there is always a temp differential from the drum side to the middle- as much as 50degrees F or 10 degrees C. Sure, you can figure out what that difference is...but you will be needing a 2 probe digital to determine that soooo.

[SmittyJonz]

Originally Posted by Shiv

I´m starting the build of my first one



BUY A TEMP GAUGE:

I don´t find any tel-tru/river country here in spain.

The only premium label I know here is wika. And it´s soooooo expensive (over 130 euros), are used to industrial process control.

Any other brands?
any Euro brand?

https://www.amazon.es/tel-tru-bq300-.../dp/B001L4GTEK


https://www.amazon.es/Maverick-40-Ba.../dp/B07F7F8G3Q


don't know if you can order from AmazonUk ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=teltru+...ref=nb_sb_noss

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