Building a smoker, and probably not good questions...

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chef jay

Fire Starter
Original poster
Aug 7, 2011
55
11
Toronto, ON
So this question goes outside of building a smoker, but I see these pictures and I have to do it. I can find all the materials, dirt cheap (barrels are $10!) but I've never welded anything although I have seen flashdance so I've seen a welder. Is it that difficult and dangerous to do? I know I can rent one or even buy one, and I also know that you need a certain power to it the thicker you go. My wife would not be happy though if I start buying materials and then find out I can't do it. Worse off, if I start and meld myself to the side of the house.

Am I barking up the wrong tree and should try building a smoke house instead of one of these? I'm not sure I wouldn't encounter the same problems...
 
So this question goes outside of building a smoker, but I see these pictures and I have to do it. I can find all the materials, dirt cheap (barrels are $10!) but I've never welded anything although I have seen flashdance so I've seen a welder. Is it that difficult and dangerous to do? I know I can rent one or even buy one, and I also know that you need a certain power to it the thicker you go. My wife would not be happy though if I start buying materials and then find out I can't do it. Worse off, if I start and meld myself to the side of the house.

Am I barking up the wrong tree and should try building a smoke house instead of one of these? I'm not sure I wouldn't encounter the same problems...


If you are building a UDS from the drums, you really don't need to weld anything. It will all bolt together without any structural concerns. It is hard to beat a UDS in terms of efficiency and flavor. Just my 2 cents.
 
If you are building a UDS from the drums, you really don't need to weld anything. It will all bolt together without any structural concerns. It is hard to beat a UDS in terms of efficiency and flavor. Just my 2 cents.


So how do you cut the steel? Sorry, I'm naive on this,,,
 
So how do you cut the steel? Sorry, I'm naive on this,,,
Look at my signature below and click on Charcoal UDS, that would be a start on a Barrel smoker aka "UDS"  Any other questions just holler, I'm here to help. 
icon14.gif
 
So how do you cut the steel? Sorry, I'm naive on this,,,


Assuming UDS, there are many ways. A chisel and hammer will work but will take some time, a jig saw will work, an angle grinder will work, a nibbler should work, and I used an air chisel for mine.
 
Look at my signature below and click on Charcoal UDS, that would be a start on a Barrel smoker aka "UDS"  Any other questions just holler, I'm here to help. 
icon14.gif


 So this was not what I was thinking of doing but now I am, this is totally awesome. That's an impressive smoker. Does it work well with cold smoking? I'm guessing too, in theory, you could use the one barrell for both wood and electric as long as the element is removable? I'm also guessing that they are relatively inexpensive?
 
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