New Brunswick Craft Brewers Association

Beer Recipes and Food => Food => Topic started by: Justin C on June 20, 2013, 11:10:22 PM

Title: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Justin C on June 20, 2013, 11:10:22 PM

A friend gave me a used 55 Gallon drum to convert into a smoker. Just have to finish the paint job, and season it with a test run and it will be good to go for some pork shoulder and brisket.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1005416_10151734686574595_959252066_n.jpg)

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: brew on June 21, 2013, 07:38:36 AM

This looks cool. Hard to build?

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Justin C on June 21, 2013, 09:32:08 AM

Not really. The hardest parts are cutting the top off and keeping it intact (doesn't apply if you can get a open head drum) and burning it out. I didn't have to make a charcoal box as I had something already, but even that part is not very hard.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: brew on June 21, 2013, 09:42:46 AM

Cool I have some of these drums, we'll have to get together sometime, maybe you'd be willing to tell me how to build a smoker!

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Justin C on June 21, 2013, 07:28:52 PM

Yup, can do that. they are pretty easy to make and work very well. I will part up the parts list later if anyone is interested.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: mondokanu on June 26, 2013, 10:26:59 AM

yeah, please list it out.  Would be interested to see what you used.  Very industrious.  Burning it out must have been fun...

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: HappyHax0r on June 26, 2013, 05:37:36 PM

I'm going to do a dual hot/cold smoker build with either construction block or a drum soon...

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: HappyHax0r on June 26, 2013, 05:38:07 PM

I'd go drum if I could find a 55 gallon drum for a reasonable price.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Chris Craig on June 26, 2013, 05:50:14 PM

I paid $25 for mine a couple of years ago from the scrap yard by the recycling depot...

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: HappyHax0r on June 26, 2013, 10:07:15 PM

Fuckin a... :)

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: HappyHax0r on June 26, 2013, 10:07:37 PM

Best metals?

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Chris Craig on June 27, 2013, 06:39:45 AM

I'm not sure of the name of the place.  It was a few years ago.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Roger on June 27, 2013, 07:31:06 AM

Could also be Greer's Mountain Salvage off Hanwell behind the purolator depot.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Chris Craig on June 27, 2013, 07:51:01 AM

Whatever it's called, it's out on Timothy Ave.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Justin C on June 27, 2013, 04:45:45 PM

There is a guy at the end of Glasier Rd in Lincoln that sells them for $25. My buddy was just out there a couple of weeks ago to get bait barrels for bear hunting. The guy post ads on kijiji as well.

1- 55 steel gallon drum unlined (or burn/ sandblast liner out)
1- 3/4" brass ball valve (I used a brass gate valve as it was cheaper)
3- 3/4" x close black steel pipe nipples
2- 3/4" black steel pipe caps
6- 3/4" conduit nuts
4- 1 1/2" x 1/4" bolts, 1/4" nuts, 1/4" lock washers (grill mount)
gate handles and hardware
1- 22.5" weber grate
1- fire basket (made from expanded steel, I used the spark stopper from a old fire pit.) photo shows how it is made from expanded steel.
7- 3/4" washers (spacers on nipples)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/600788_10151748269224595_251161381_n.jpg)

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Justin C on June 27, 2013, 04:56:05 PM

To make the smoker:
1. measure and mark the 1" holes for the intake, 2" up from the bottom and spaced evenly around the bottom ( total of three holes) If the barrel needs to be burned out do it now.
2. Thread the three pipe nipples in to the bottom holes. secure back and front with conduit locks, place caps on two and valve on the last one
3. measure down 7 to 8 " down from the top and drill four 1/4' holes evenly spaced for the grill support.
4. Install 1/4" bolts for the grill support.
5. design a firebox (most guys use the expanded metal wrapped around a grill with bolts on the bottom to elevate the basket a couple of inches off the bottom of the drum, all it has to do is hold the charcoal and allow the ash to drop away)
6. drill hole of thermometer.
7. season smoker by spraying the inside with cooking oil and then heat to 250 -300.
If the drum you have does not have a bung on the top you can drill evenly spaced holes in the top for an exhaust (max 5 x 1")

If anyone needs pictures let me Know

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Justin C on July 13, 2013, 10:54:10 PM

Paint, shelves and Lid hook done, just needs wheels and stain on shelves. Did up some chicken and Baked potatoes on it last week and it turned out awesome.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/267225_10151782309159595_1308042976_n.jpg)

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Chris Craig on July 14, 2013, 05:40:36 AM

Pics please.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Justin C on July 14, 2013, 08:56:29 AM

Fixed it.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Chris Craig on July 14, 2013, 09:16:24 AM

Awesome! Who needs to spend $700 on a smoker?

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Justin C on July 14, 2013, 12:57:05 PM

The UDS is a great design and does work very well. A lot of the pros use it over anything else.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: brew on July 15, 2013, 10:20:56 AM

Looks awesome - going to check into getting my drum preped for this sometime this summer. Thanks for posting the info justin...

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Justin C on July 15, 2013, 11:38:35 AM

No problem, if you need any help let me know.

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: chrismccull on July 15, 2013, 12:03:39 PM

http://fredericton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-home-outdoor-bbqs-outdoor-cooking-Ugly-Drum-Smoker-W0QQAdIdZ504007747 (http://fredericton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-home-outdoor-bbqs-outdoor-cooking-Ugly-Drum-Smoker-W0QQAdIdZ504007747)

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: brew on July 04, 2015, 03:47:30 PM

Got the UDS up and running for the first time started around 10 this morning. Pork Belly is looking good... (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/04/7704724288ac4048e71ded1b5c8789e3.jpg)

Title: Re: Ugly Drum Smoker
Post by: Waterlogged on July 06, 2015, 11:02:12 AM

Looks good brew. I have my drum and all the fittings.  Just waiting to put it together.