Best Method for Burning Drum

[adjwis]

Greetings to all you veteran smokers!

I am in the process of building my first UDS and purchased a refurbished food grade drum. What is the best method for burning a drum? I suspect it's advisable to burn a drum no matter if it's "food" grade or not.

Also what's the reason for the 3/4" steel pipe nipple and caps rather than ball valves all the way around? Is it a cost thing?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Doc

 

[fwismoker]

I used pallets once and it was a good burn....but a weed burner/warming torch from Harbor Freight did great on my last one. Make sure any liner is burnt or sand blasted out.

No reason to have more than one ball valve...not a cost thing just no need

 

[adjwis]

Thanks FWI...

The drum I purchased doesn't have a liner of any sort nor is it painted on the outside. I'll burn it after I get the holes drilled and will save some $$$ and only use one (1) ball valve.

Thanks again!

Happy Smokin'

Doc

 

[fwismoker]

Hey in case you don't know there is an option to do a kit vs building your own.  The reason i did was because i wanted something with more versatility and besides it looks cool.   Look up Big Poppa Smoker drum kit... one thing is it has a basket they call a nest and it has an upper and lower position for different cooking techniques.  It makes one heck of a grill too. 

 

[sass2924]

I just burnt my first drum. I used a weed burner from harbor freight. It took care of the liner great. Used it on the outside paint and it got the inside liner hot enough to remove easily. After I was done burning just used a little steel wool and what liner remained came right off, down to the bear metal.

 

[bmaddox]

 
Thanks FWI...

The drum I purchased doesn't have a liner of any sort nor is it painted on the outside. I'll burn it after I get the holes drilled and will save some $$$ and only use one (1) ball valve.

Thanks again!

Happy Smokin'

Doc

If it doesn't have a liner is it a food grade drum? Or was it a food grade drum that has already been sand blasted? Typically food grade refers to the liner inside.

As for the ball valves and other nipples, I have two 3/4" nipples and one 1" valve. I open them all up to get it preheated then I close the 3/4" nipples. The 1" valve provides enough intake air and control to maintain temps on its own. Since valves are $15 there is no need for more than one since the others will only ever be opened all the way or closed.

 

[adjwis]

Greetings BMaddox,

When I purchased my drum I told them I was making a UDS. They told me their drums are refurbished food grade drums and it appears as though it's already been sandblasted. I do know it has no liner so I plan to burn it anyway.

I can use the extra cash I save on the ball valves to purchase a higher quality digital thermometer. Any advice on building the exhaust or just remover the bung hole cap?

I need to get my UDS built cause' Memorial Day is fast approaching.

Thanks for the reply and information.

Doc

 

[bmaddox]

If it is sand blasted then you shouldn't need to burn it out. For the exhaust, you should be able to get pre-threaded pipe to fit the existing holes to create an exhaust stack.