New UDS - Barrel Concerns

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smokeating

Newbie
Original poster
Jan 3, 2013
5
10
Austin, TX
Hey everyone,

So I decided that I just needed to build a UDS. I figured the first step was to get my drum, so I got one for $13 and the vendor said that it originally had pine resin within it, however, after consulting with a couple of friends, we have come to the conclusion that it may not be pine resin. At the bottom of the barrel, we saw a tag that said Polylite(tag was in rough shape, so that is our best guess). A friend of mine said it reminded him strongly of windshield repair resin and after doing a comparison, I have to agree they smell virtually identical. We have done 2 roaring burnout/cleans to make sure there is nothing left in there, but we were not 100% sure whether it is safe to cook on even after burning it out. Does pine resin/windshield repair resin actually absorb into metal or would 2 really hot fires be the end of anything that was once inside that barrel? Is there a list of anything that could NEVER work as a UDS barrel because of absorption into metal?

Just a little concerned about safety and wanted to ask around. Thank you all in advance and happy smoking!
 
Boy i would really doubt there would be anything left from 2 good fires...give it a good sanding with a wire brush then give it a good "smell test" 

You're not eating off of the inside of the barrel, just don't see much cause for concern...just my 2 cents. 
 
I will be watching this, I want to build a uds. Will any barrel work as long as it is burned out good? I have access to barrels that has used motor in them.
 
I an REALLY glad to see this question come up ( it may have before in another thread, dunno ).  I welded for many years.  Most people don't think of anything getting into the pores of metal.  It's metal right?  How can something soak into it?  Think of seasoning a cast iron skillet/dutch oven.  I did a lot of rework on oilfield equipment.  We would do a flash burn to avoid it acting as a bomb, but even then, as you cut or welded it at times you would see a flash from the chemicals in the pores of the metal.  People get killed by cutting into gas tanks ect. that have been sitting empty for years because proper precautions were not taken and the fuel was still in the pores of the metal.  Combustion ( fire ) requires 2 things; oxygen and fuel.  Explosion ( a bomb ) requires restriction of the combustion process.  Barrel full of oxygen,  fuel in the metal pores, small 2" opening at the top, cut into it with welding torch can = BOOOMM!!!  Place a spoon of gunpowder in your open hand, light it, ya got maybe minor burns.   Clench your fist and light it??  Enough said about that.  If you have safely removed the top of the barrel ( i assume you have since you have posted this ) you can burn anything from the inside.  REALLY HOT and LONG ( I mean your neighbors think your house is on fire ) burns will get anything out of the metal that I know of.  2 should be plenty but; if it were mine and I knew it held toxic material ( such as motor oil ), or wasn't sure what it held I would do 3-4 burns just for my piece of mind.  Just my 2 cents.  Hope it helps.  Keep Smokin!!

Danny
 
So your saying I can use them just burn out 3 or 4 times.
 
Sweet. They even have removable lids.

I will start a thread.
 
I want it to be safe. I can do a couple of burns.
 
Hey everyone,

Been away for about a week traveling some parts of Texas(don't worry, we smoked a brisket and 3 pork shoulders on the journey in a WSM) but I am just overwhelmed to see the input here. Thank you all so much for responding to this thread and putting a few of my fears at ease. I will try and start compiling a list of materials that could possibly seep into metal so that we can have some better references to refer to when its all said and done. I am all for getting started with the barbecue, but safety will always be on the top of my list.

Thank you all again and let's keep smokin'!
 
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