Ugly Drum Smoker

[SmittyJonz]

Thanks! Maybe I am really over thinking this but I am driving myself crazy here. Everywhere I read states the golden rule of having the charcoal basket bottom 24" from the first rack. Now I am assuming that all 55 gallon drums are basicly the same and I have a new drum marked dot "7a type a". So I have approximately 33" of inside height with the flat lid on. If I do my intakes at 2" with the bottom of the grate resting at 3" from the bottom and measure up 24" that's only 6" to spare for cooking area. I dont plan on using a diffuser and I am concerned 6" is not enough space. I have literally spent the last 3 hours reading on the subject and cant seem to find a definitive answer. Some say 18" and up, some say just use a diffuser, some say 24" is gospel, and some say +/- couple inches wont matter. Am I over thinking this?

You're overthinking it. Forget the 24" BS and build a basket 10-12" Deep that sits 3-4" off bottom. Measure down from the top for your grates to whatever looks right to you- if running a dome lid put first grate 2-4" down and second 8-10" under that - if flat lid go 6-8" down they another 6-8" under that.

You can see the nuts on side of mine to see my spacing. I have 3 grates - the bottom one I run a cake pan water pan then 2 cooking grates.i can't remember my measurement but the greatest distance is between top and middle grate. Everybody's is a little different, but this has worked for me for 100+ cooks.

 

[Razor800]

When I started this quest, I called a local container store. They had a reconditioned, unlined drum for $65 or a higher gauge one for $95. I thought $65 was too much. Yeah, I was stupid. In propane and sweat equity I have that in it and it still isn't ready. I have a lead on a sandblaster and if the price is decent I am going that route. Live and learn.

If you are new to the whole UDS thing, word of advice: listen to those that know. My barrel is being sandblasted. $40, so well worth it given the pains I have gone through with the red liner of death. Picking up tomorrow and painting will begin. May be ready for Memorial Day.

 

[ebijack]

Had some time while smoking Pron Hvy

I figured I should get this documented in the Monster UDS thread as another mod some might be interested in.
Had a friend (thru my wife) self invite herself over for me to smoke some ribs for her and her hubby who is working this holiday weekend. So I got one of my UDS's up and running and start making my PBC style hanging rack. She shows up with 2 racks of ribs St Louis and baby backs. Oh yeah, could you also smoke some whole chicken and chicken breasts? Sure, fired up the mini and got the birds on. Birds are done. Oh yeah, I also brought some brats, O.K. got the mini back going. Oh yeah, I also brought some shrimp, can you smoke those too? Yeah. Oh yeah when that's done can you smoke some salmon fillets too? So the mini and one drum had a good workout. This was my last cook on my mini as it is going to another good home that needs a grill/smoker. I will build another mini ..says my wife!
Anyways I wanted a way to try this hanging meat deal so many are excited about. I have seen some other photos of Brethren's set ups in their UDS's for this, but I had other ideas I wanted to try. I welded on some 1/4 nut over some 1/4 holes I drilled at 3 locations to hold the hanger grate at 1 inch down. I also added 3 at 4 inches down for when using only one cooking grate, just because. Hopefully I can screw the bolts in/out as required after they get gunked up. I used some 1/8 X 3/8 X 6ft CRS from HD and 1 piece of bent sheet metal angle. I still have to make some hooks for hanging. But at least I got this done in between all the other smoking.
Thanks for looking.

 

[searnold56]

I don't know if anybody posted this yet, but it looks to be a pretty fool-proof, no-weld method. I'm learning lots of best practices from this thread, but will use the following as my basic plans.

http://www.fix.com/blog/building-an-ugly-drum-smoker/

 

[B4tn]

I figured I should get this documented in the Monster UDS thread as another mod some might be interested in.
Had a friend (thru my wife) self invite herself over for me to smoke some ribs for her and her hubby who is working this holiday weekend. So I got one of my UDS's up and running and start making my PBC style hanging rack. She shows up with 2 racks of ribs St Louis and baby backs. Oh yeah, could you also smoke some whole chicken and chicken breasts? Sure, fired up the mini and got the birds on. Birds are done. Oh yeah, I also brought some brats, O.K. got the mini back going. Oh yeah, I also brought some shrimp, can you smoke those too? Yeah. Oh yeah when that's done can you smoke some salmon fillets too? So the mini and one drum had a good workout. This was my last cook on my mini as it is going to another good home that needs a grill/smoker. I will build another mini ..says my wife!
Anyways I wanted a way to try this hanging meat deal so many are excited about. I have seen some other photos of Brethren's set ups in their UDS's for this, but I had other ideas I wanted to try. I welded on some 1/4 nut over some 1/4 holes I drilled at 3 locations to hold the hanger grate at 1 inch down. I also added 3 at 4 inches down for when using only one cooking grate, just because. Hopefully I can screw the bolts in/out as required after they get gunked up. I used some 1/8 X 3/8 X 6ft CRS from HD and 1 piece of bent sheet metal angle. I still have to make some hooks for hanging. But at least I got this done in between all the other smoking.
Thanks for looking.

I like that a lot! I might make that as an accessory when I get my drum finished.

 

[SmittyJonz]

I don't know if anybody posted this yet, but it looks to be a pretty fool-proof, no-weld method. I'm learning lots of best practices from this thread, but will use the following as my basic plans.

http://www.fix.com/blog/building-an-ugly-drum-smoker/

Yup that's how most are built. If I ever build another I'm going with a slide vent intake(s) and shelf brackets for adjustable grate levels.

 

[Beentown]

Ha, over 4 million views!

 

[Buckscent]

This thread is fantastic..... Is it better to have a round 7" tall OR a 16"x16" square box 5" tall for Charcoal?

 

[SmittyJonz]

This thread is fantastic..... Is it better to have a round 7" tall OR a 16"x16" square box 5" tall for Charcoal?

I don't think it matters much -just as long as it's 3-4" off floor for ash to fall and air to circulate

 

[B4tn]

Did anyone else have a hard time finding Stainless steel nuts, bolts, and washers for the charcoal basket? I have been to Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace and all they have zinc plated.

 

[Low Down]

You can soak the hardware in vinegar to remove the zinc plating.

 

[Shagdog]

I am amazed you're having issues. Ace especially should have a whole Stainless section, but I've found them at lowes and HD too. You usually have to find them in the drawers, bolt by bolt and nut by nut... Did you ask anyone?

 

[ebijack]

Did anyone else have a hard time finding Stainless steel nuts, bolts, and washers for the charcoal basket? I have been to Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace and all they have zinc plated.

The HD I go to has S.S. nuts/bolts/washers. A limited supply but they have them. They are in orange bags hanging up.

 

[SmittyJonz]

My HD has good supply of stainless.

 

[B4tn]

Thanks, the ace guy gave me troubles telling me I don't want stainless bolts because they corrode and are weak. I told him they are not strength bearing and explaned why and he told me that stainless bolts like that don't exists. OK At home depot they had like mentioned above a large stainless section hanging in bags but all in smaller sizes. Lowes was pretty much the same as home depot. I might look into soaking them.

 

[b.m.]

Did anyone else have a hard time finding Stainless steel nuts, bolts, and washers for the charcoal basket? I have been to Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace and all they have zinc plated.

McMaster Carr

You'd be buying by the box of 50 or 100 pcs, but the prices end up about the same as buying screws/bolts/nuts individually at a hardware store.

BM

 

[rifraf]

Did anyone else have a hard time finding Stainless steel nuts, bolts, and washers for the charcoal basket? I have been to Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace and all they have zinc plated.

Don't waste your time by soaking the zinc hardware. Do your self a favor and buy a weed burner from harbor fright (http://m.harborfreight.com/propane-torch-with-push-button-igniter-91037.html) and just burn the stuff off. The zinc will turn to a yellow powder on the hardware and will wire brush off easy. No chance or guess work if the vinegar removed the coating. Plus the weed burn is the quickest way to start the charcoal in the fire basket. Just point the flame in the center of the basket and wait till the lit coals are about 8-10 inches in diameter. Usually takes me 45 seconds to get that achieved. Good luck either way you decide to go!!

 

[Bob C Cue]

If anyone in the Fenton, MO area is looking for a 55 gallon drum, I have noticed one over the last month or so sitting behind a gas station/restaurant building. I believe it actually was used by a food truck operation that also had a small restaurant. They have moved or went out of business and it looks like another food truck operation will be opening in the coming weeks. I really don't think anyone would mind if you go pick it up. It does look to be about a 1/3 full of chocolate syrup and seems to have the red lining. PM me if you are interested for more details.

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[B4tn]

Don't waste your time by soaking the zinc hardware. Do your self a favor and buy a weed burner from harbor fright (http://m.harborfreight.com/propane-torch-with-push-button-igniter-91037.html) and just burn the stuff off. The zinc will turn to a yellow powder on the hardware and will wire brush off easy. No chance or guess work if the vinegar removed the coating. Plus the weed burn is the quickest way to start the charcoal in the fire basket. Just point the flame in the center of the basket and wait till the lit coals are about 8-10 inches in diameter. Usually takes me 45 seconds to get that achieved. Good luck either way you decide to go!!

I picked up one those weed burners a couple weeks ago. $16 after discounts and a 20% off coupon. Best $16 tool I have ever bought. I love this thing and am burning everything I can find now lol.

On another note, I did find the hardware today. I went to a different ace and was in and out in 10 minutes.

 

[rifraf]

I picked up one those weed burners a couple weeks ago. $16 after discounts and a 20% off coupon. Best $16 tool I have ever bought. I love this thing and am burning everything I can find now lol.

On another note, I did find the hardware today. I went to a different ace and was in and out in 10 minutes.

The weed burner is a gift straight from heaven. Glad you found the hardware!!