Working on my first UDS and wanted advice.

[paridoth]

Hay all, starting initial planning on my UDS and wanted to get some advice on how I should proceed. my initial question is, I have a 55 gallon drum that was used to hold motor oil, If I clean it out with heavy detergent, then do a long hot burn in it and finish up with a wire wheel with an angle grinder will it be ok to use? I was planning on following this site http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-Your-Own-Ugly-Drum-Smoker-UDS/  is there a better resource I could use for my first build?







thanks so much for your time!

 

[nklcolt1911]

this site is going to be your best resource for build ideas, yes after a long hot burn and a good cleaning it should be good, you could even have it sand blasted to really get it clean, good luck with the build

 

[paridoth]

Thank you for the info! I went to home depot today and get some of the supplies I needed. I got a 1" 1/4" drill bit for drilling the intake holes.  3/4" to 1/2" bushings 4 total one will attach to a 3/4" ball valve and the other will have caps. I have a few questions for anyone who might know. Is the drill bit too big? I Don't want to drill the holes and find out there too big, lining the bit up to the bushings seems like a good fit but I wasn't 100% sure. also what is the best way to attach the bushings to the drum? I was planning on stacking washers until the caps and ball valve screw tightly onto the bushings/against the drum. thanks for your time!

 

[nklcolt1911]

I I'm pretty sure I used either a 1" hole saw or a 1 1/8" one,my pipe nipples are welded to the drum.

 

[bmaddox]

I used a step bit to drill the holes just large enough to thread the bushings into the drum itself. No need for anything else if you get the fit right. If it is a little loose you can seal the outside with RTV so it doesn't leak. Just take your time so you don't drill it too large as there is no going back. 

 

[paridoth]

Thanks so much for the info! Some more questions, for a 55 gallon drum will this  work for the upper cooking grates and this  for the charcoal basket? I am planning on using the expanded metal style basket. I have a 21.5 inch cooking surface from an old grill that is rusted up pretty bad, if I take a wire wheel to it will it be usable? thanks for your time!

 

[timberjet]

Yes you can use a 22.5 inch grill grate on a 55 gallon drum. I have the hinged grates and love them. makes it nice if you want to throw a chunk of wood down there or whatever. Here is my basket to give you some ideas.

basket.jpg

• timberjet
• Oct 5, 2014

 

[paridoth]

Looks nice! I like the ash catcher! If I use zinc bolts to make the basket will they be OK after a few burns or do I need to use stainless? Thanks for your time!

 

[timberjet]

zinc is what I used. I just burnt them off with a torch and burned it a few times before I did a big cook on it. Nothing like galvinized.

 

[bmaddox]

I would use stainless not only for the safety factor but the longevity. If you burn off the zinc coating you know have plain steel that will eventually rust. To use all SS instead of zinc is only about $15 more for the whole build.

 

[jcollins]

 
Yes you can use a 22.5 inch grill grate on a 55 gallon drum. I have the hinged grates and love them. makes it nice if you want to throw a chunk of wood down there or whatever. Here is my basket to give you some ideas.

basket.jpg

• timberjet
• Oct 5, 2014

I know this is an old thread but.... Timber, how tall and what dia. is your coal basket? and about how long of a burn will you get with a full load of kingsford? (the coal you have in there looks like KBB)

 

[timberjet]

 
I know this is an old thread but.... Timber, how tall and what dia. is your coal basket? and about how long of a burn will you get with a full load of kingsford? (the coal you have in there looks like KBB)

That was after 26 hours on a big huge pork butt right there starting with a nearly full basket. Mine is 18 inches high and 14 inches diameter. I had enough left to cook a couple of chickens for 2 hours with room to spare.

 

[jcollins]

Thank you sir.