AZ Barbeque.com
Smokers, Grills, Pitts & More => BDS & UDS Smokers => Topic started by: AZWildcat on March 26, 2010, 05:26:35 pm
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Picked up a new 55gal, unlined barrel. Want to KISS build. Any suggestions? Do I need to repaint w/ a high heat? I've done some research, so i'll keep it updated! Any help w/ experience would be awsome!
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i did not repaint and it looks fine. i too started with a new barrel
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First off, you've got to turn it on end...
I know. Everybody likes a little...
I've got 5 holes, 1/2" diameter, at the bottom of mine. Four span about a third of the drum, and tonight I put one directly across from the others. I drilled 8 holes the same size in a spot in about 3" diameter area, so that later on I can add a smokestack. 4 SS bolts, about 3/4" long hold the rack, which is about 22" above the center of my charcoal box, which is #9 X 3/4" expanded metal bolted on a charcoal grate from an 18" weber kettle. I got quick and dirty fancy on the box--j hooks bolted the X metal to the grate, and the bottoms of the j hooks go through a 14 or 15" pizza pan to catch ashes. Works great. If you don't repaint, all the paint on the lower half will likely blister off anyway, and then you'll need to sand and paint anyway. I think. Check that. I'm pretty dang sure. I found some guys in Glendale that sandblast, and they knocked the scale and rust off my drum in the time it took me to drive 2 miles to get the cash. $20. I wish I could have just clear coated it. It looked really neat. I've got pics in a thread here somewhere. I'll go look...BRB
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Do you plan on using the current lid as the top or are you interested in using a kettle lid, such as the on off a 22.5 inch Weber?
Scrub it out with 2 gallons of the hottest water you can get, with some dishwashing soap and some ammonia. Let it dry so you can see some rust. Install your hardware, spray with Pam, season with a long burn, throw on some Italian sausages after about 3 hours and you're good to go.
Sterling Skouson
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I'd really like to use the current lid if possible. I really only need one rack for this. It doesn't have any holes in the top, so I'm gonna need some exhaust of some kind. It picked it up for 45 bucks, so beggers can't be chosers.
If I paint over the current paint w a high temp spray, it'll just peel anyway, right?
Anyone know if a powdercoat works to hold a color? How much would it be anyway? Also, i've seen the bottom ball valve used with a vertical pipe....how does the air intake work when the pipe is vertical and the wind is horizontal?
Since I live in Tucson, where else can I pick up reliable bolt in temp gauges? I'd like to do one on the side and one in the lid.
Thanks for ALL the help.....love the advice!
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I've got pics in a thread here somewhere. I'll go look...BRB
I couldn't find my drum build. Hmmm. I may try again. I've seen it recently.
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Thanks for the effort Dave!
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HA! Success...here it is. It's one of the last posts. The grate is from a regular 22" weber, now that I think about it. Cheap at Home Depot. Other charcoal basket ideas included!
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Awsome..........i've got so many ideas going thru my head.
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I installed 4 valves on mine originally and have since removed all but one and I have thought about removing that one too. When you put a 3/4 valve on the UDS, the opening is reduced to 1/2 and really does not have the right draw IMHO. I now contraol the opening with cheap (Free) magnets I find from the Pizza joints or dentist office.
Buy a Step drill bit, trust me on this. Harbor Frieght has a two pack for about 25 bucks (Lowes it will run 50). Makes cutting the holes so much easier and cuts cleaner.
two (2) 22 in weber grates is what I used, one holds the Basket on Mine and the other for the food grate. And since I have no welder or welding skill, I used the Stainless Shaker Basket bolted to one of the grates with Stainless Washers and bolts.
(http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/45501/2679389660080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2679389660080213774UptcNo) (http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/29615/2882806210080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2882806210080213774CnpgWf) (http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/44985/2533830500080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2533830500080213774bGDXCk) (http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/47322/2734219740080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2734219740080213774qhAqGt)
I used 2 inch stainless screws , lock washers and nuts to fasten my shelf. 4 corner idea. Eight holes on the lid for the draw. and a thermo. I used the Tel True 300 with a 4 inch stem. I have a couple here, as I was planning on building another couple drums that I have not got around too. I would not worry about a thermo at the lid, the stem will poke into the product. Instead get a Thermo you can place at grate level, so you know what that temp is.
(http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/47564/2509181160080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2509181160080213774NPfYAE)
This is what it looked like after I was done. It took me about 2 hours the first time
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OK, so I can't count. It was 6 (1/2) holes on the lid. I also noticed that the Thermo I was using was from my BGE. I have since replaced that with the Tel True 300 Love the black and red face on the thermo.
(http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/13538/2020543690080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2020543690080213774vVFEJj) (http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/424/2094364470080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2094364470080213774QbjHnL) (http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/3500/2921249560080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2921249560080213774SzHDJG)
You can have a lot of fun with the drum, with the EZ que or Weber ring, you can add a Rotis to the fun.
(http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/21610/2940929340080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2940929340080213774TgFtrW) (http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/24402/2406518860080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2406518860080213774qyJDip) (http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/44481/2727176140080213774S200x200Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2727176140080213774IRwDXL)
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Awsome ideas.......i'm going on a parts hunt today.....getin' it going. I too dont have welding skills, so those are my options too. Do I need to take the paint off and repaint w/ engine enamel first?
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I did not do anything to the original paint and still have not. Unless you want it a different color than Black?? Mine is still unchanged and not repainted.
Get a hook and install it on the lid, with the bolt that will hold the handle. YOu can see it in one of the first pictures I posted, the lid it hanging off the drum. This way you can hang the lid on the side of the barrel instead of setting it down, because sometimes there is no good place to set that puppy down. .
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My two main issues:
1) Need a fire basket. If I used a WSM 18.5 fire ring (14" x 5") as part of the grate/basket/catch pan, will it hold enough fuel for a long burn (12-14 hrs)?
2) The lid is not flush, suppose to have the barrel top ring to secure it. Does anyone have a suggestions? Should I just use the ring?
Cost for far;
Barrel, NEW, $50
Ball Valve 3/4" $10
Hardware, ALL stainless, $10
Top grate from Kmart (nice thickness, made for 22.5 grill) $11
Handles, Top $6
Handles, sides total $6
Exhaust Nipples $3 each
Hanger $4
Digital Therm $20
Step Bits $14 @ Harbor Freight (money WELL spent)
Cover $8
Any suggestions?
So far so good!
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The lid will settle with out the ring, mine has. After it develops a little build up of smoke and grease with a couple cooks.
I think you might have problems with the draw with only two opening in the lids and two elbows on them. I originally tried with only 4 holes on the lid and had to drill 2 more to have the right control on temps.
I can't tell in the pictures, but I assume that you have more holes on the bottom then just that one valve?? you will need at least three, I have four at every 90 degrees.
As far as a basket, the 18" replacement grate and some expanded wire will make a big enough basket for a long cook. But be careful when wraping the expand metal, as Jim Mentioned it can bite back. Then get some stainless bolts to raise it up off the bottom to allow airflow.
Al in all, it is looking good.
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Looking good!! Where did you get that barrel? Unlined new is perfect!!
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The barrel is from Sunwest Containers, offices in Phx and Tsn. Seemed like a deal for 48.00 plus tax.
I think you might have problems with the draw with only two opening in the lids and two elbows on them. I originally tried with only 4 holes on the lid and had to drill 2 more to have the right control on temps.
I can't tell in the pictures, but I assume that you have more holes on the bottom then just that one valve?? you will need at least three, I have four at every 90 degrees.
As far as a basket, the 18" replacement grate and some expanded wire will make a big enough basket for a long cook. But be careful when wraping the expand metal, as Jim Mentioned it can bite back. Then get some stainless bolts to raise it up off the bottom to allow airflow.
Al in all, it is looking good.
Thx. I do have 2 other 1" holes on the bottom, so 2 that are 1" and 1 that is 3/4 ball valve. I figured out that drilling too few holes will work better than too many, but that maybe the lid will need another 3/4 nipple (I just like saying nipple). I've liberated some fridge magnets from work, so that will help in the airflow.
I have a 14" Smokey Joe wannabe (Thermos Brand) that I might use as my fire box. I'll drill plenty of 1" holes to make it look like a WSM fire ring, 14" grate, and have a catch pan underneath it all. Would a 14" be too narrow for heat distribution causing hot spots?
Almost ready for it's first burn, no big burn out, just a nice 300-400 degree roast.
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Seemed like a deal for 48.00 plus tax.
For a new and unlined barrel great deal if you ask me!! Getting the old lining out is a PAIN!!
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For a new and unlined barrel great deal if you ask me!! Getting the old lining out is a PAIN!!
The nightmare stories i've heard were worth spending the $$ on. They had 3 in stock. Saw some nice Mac Daddy 85 gal(I think) that were in stock but they were $160, too rich for my blood. But they were niiiiiiice!
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That is where I got my barrel, but the price must have come down. I paid around 60 bucks or so.
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Yeah. $48 is killer! I'd go with more exhaust too. I'm tryin' to figger out how to mount a stack, but still use my locking ring, because my lid still doesn't fit quite right. I've been trying to bend the channel out some, and it seems to wanna work, but I don't have a good way of bending that channel. So I've barely moved it. Maybe I just need a different clamp. This one snaps with a long lever that flips back and forth across the top. And one more time, thanks to Ralph for donating the barrel to me. YAY RALPH!