First UDS build..

[pit 4 brains]

When I burned mine, I made sure to run the lumber vertically and well above the rim all the way around. I managed to get some OSB (any plywood will work)  scraps which burn exceptionally hot and kept them close to the side. Of course mine did not have a liner either. Do you have a good wire cup and an angle grinder?

 

[tirrin]

nah..i lack tools in general..which is why ive decided to do the poormans version

 

[tirrin]

okay so i burned the barrel out 3 times and there was a fair amount of residue left which i went at with a couple of SOS pads and some fine grit sandpaper..i have my barrel almost fully assembled and its on its 2nd round of seasoning..what i have left to do..and 

1. Paint..not sure what color, but im probably goin with just black

2. Exhaust..

3. Lid..i have to fully sand the lid and season/paint it

heres a lil qview for those interested

yes i have a handle..i just took it off as i was working on the lid..which is a pain in the ass..also the lid fits tight enough that i dont need the oven rope to go around it..tho im still considering putting it on because the lid seals so well that it sticks a bit and can be annoying to take off..  

 

[pit 4 brains]

looks like you are coming along well. Once you get your valves and caps installed in the bottom you can build a test fire and monitor the temp to get a feeling of how long it will cook. You did mention about drilling a hole to mount a thermo. I would not recommend this method. Instead, get one or two pieces of wood chunks and drill a 5/32 or 1/8 hole through them. Now you can place your probe through the wood and set / move it around your smoker to monitor temps. If you already drilled the hole, just put a small bolt, washer and nut combination in it for a plug.



This is one of the blocks I use. Another nice thing about it is you can turn it and monitor temps below grate as well..

 

[tirrin]

well im not using plugs and valves..ive chosen instead to go with flexible refrigerator magnets as my intake covers..atm i dont have a digital therm like the mavericks, and i was very half half on the grate lvl therms..i do hope to get a maverick, but my wife are on a financial diet...we are trying to save a lot, which is why my entire build has taken 2 months so far when i couldve gotten it done in a day minus the burnout and painting..

 

[pit 4 brains]

well im not using plugs and valves..ive chosen instead to go with flexible refrigerator magnets as my intake covers..atm i dont have a digital therm like the mavericks, and i was very half half on the grate lvl therms..i do hope to get a maverick, but my wife are on a financial diet...we are trying to save a lot, which is why my entire build has taken 2 months so far when i couldve gotten it done in a day minus the burnout and painting..

Hey, the greatest thing about drums is building them on the strictest of budgets and still producing the best Q. Don't worry about the fancy thermos, you can get a good one at Target for around 13 bucks. I had some nice expensive ones with remotes that just up and died. I went to the cheaper ones that are just as accurate and cost way less.. Stick with it.. You are gonna love your drum whan ya get done with it..

 

[tirrin]

yea im hoping so :)  then ill get to use my chargriller as a grill like i intended to when i first bought it

 

[pit 4 brains]

Keep us posted. I will be right here on this thread until you get some Q going on that drum..