Smokers, Grills, Pitts & More > BDS & UDS Smokers

Considering a UDS smoker

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JaySyn:
I am fairly new to smoking, but have thrown chips on the coals on the old charcoal grill quite a few times.  I have been looking around at some smokers, but for some reason, I am really liking the idea of a UDS over a commercial smoker.  I have been looking around to find a drum to use for it, but I could use some pointers as far as getting rid of any lining if I happen to get my hands on a "food grade" drum.  I had seen one site recommend breaking apart some pallets and throwing the wood in it and setting it ablaze, and letting it burn for a while.  I was talking to azjohnnyc, who mentioned that pallets would be a bad idea because the wood is treated.  I don't want anything getting inside it that would render it unsafe to cook in.  I may look into getting my hands on some fire wood, but I am looking for any other suggestions you guys might have.  I am also wanting to get the vents on it set up right.  I have seen some sites recommend a lid from a Weber Kettle grill, so I will be looking for one of those (Home Depot, maybe?), but different sites say different things about the vent holes in the bottom.  I have even seen some say to use a ball valve to control the airflow, but would like all the advice I can get from someone who has experience with these.

I am also looking for some suggestions for a fuel basket in the bottom, but I think I may be able to fabricate something for that pretty easily.

skou:
Jay, (Jeremiah) look for some of my brother's posts in this section.  (He's Skouson here)
He (we) build a converted 55 gallon drum, into a smoker.  Cut the top off, use a Weber
kettle lid, and put 3 vents in the bottom.  Gives you 2 grill heights, one at 2 inches below
the rim, and another at 8 inches below the rim.  (That's enough room for 6 Boston
Butts, or 10 racks of ribs.)  Use the charcoal grate to make a basket, and it will burn for
16 (or so) hours.

PM me, so we can hook up.

steve

AZWildcat:
DON'T use an old or used barrel if you don't have to. 55-60 bucks will get you a brand new un-lined, un-dented and painted 55 gal drum w/ choice of lids at SW Container Corp. It's well worth it. No worries, no scraping or burn outs. My .02

skou:
Wildcat, I've ben using, (and my brother has ) been using
oil drums from his source, for 3 years now.  He gets them for
a LOT less than the price you're posting.  Mainly nothing.

After a burn-out, they-re just fine.  Lately, it has been
a water-soluable, non-toxic cutting oil.  You could lick the drum
clean, with NO adverse results.  (But, we still burn them out.)

steve

AZWildcat:
Skou, it's just my preference. If i'm gonna cook on it, in it, or over it, I don't take any chances. For only 50-60 bucks, it's a no brainer for me. Plus it's not dented or scratched yet.  Before I got my UDS's powder coated, the paint lasted over a year, and looked good for most of it. I agree with you that there is likely nothing wrong with a good, burned out food grade barrel. The new clean one is also easier to work with. With all the money you can spend building one of these things, not counting the cost of a lifetime of good meat to smoke, the price is small.

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