Pit Barrel Cooker Question
- Thread starter smokey tex
- Start date
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timberjet
Master of the Pit
Both my barrels will not fit with a weber lid, I did hear some do so you might measure if you try going this route. I just use the original lid and it works fine. One of these days I am going to weld a sleeve in so I can use a dome lid though.
- Aug 28, 2016
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I was able to pick up a weed burner for around $20. Probably not the best one out there, but it works. These things are insane!!! After giving our 9 year old son a demonstration, he stood there stunned and said "woah...that was awesome."
- Aug 28, 2016
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- Aug 28, 2016
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What temperature resistant paint to y'all use? Is 500 enough? It seems like it would be OK unless there was a grease fire. So maybe the next step up, which would be around 1,000 or 1,200?
- Aug 28, 2016
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First picture. I painted today with high temp (2000) engine primer. Should be picking up parts early this week. Then drilling holes, painting, putting together, etc. More to come...
Alan
Alan
Last edited:
- Aug 28, 2016
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Along with the legs of the charcoal basket, the link suggests using lock nuts. Are these really necessary? I'm having trouble finding stainless steel lock nuts without nylon. I'm thinking that nylon inside of a smoker is not such a great idea.
Lock nuts aren't needed. Two nuts together would work or Lock washers would do the trick. I used Zinc coated. Weed burner takes care of the Zinc fast.
This is my charcoal basket. I welded it, but it could be put together with nuts and bolts or wire tied together. Just for reference the pizza pan is 16". The diameter of the charcoal basket is 12". Stand off is 3 1/2".
Close up of the adjustable rack system.
You can see one of the three 3/4" gate valves. I have no problems achieving pit temps above 500°f with just the three 3/4" intakes. I do not use water in the UDS and I rarely use a diffuser. Only for really long low and slow cooks do I use the diffuser. I use typically use my weed burner to get the charcoal going. I can maintain temps easily anywhere from 180°f-500°f+ I just use the fat lid and the 1" and 2" bungs in the lid as my exhaust. Both of those are wide open for the entire cook. I use the lower vents to control the pit temps.For low temp smokes (under 285°) I usually have two vents fully closed and one vent opened as needed to maintain the temp I want the pit. High temp I use all three vents opened to whatever I need to get the temps I want.
Close up of the adjustable rack system.
You can see one of the three 3/4" gate valves. I have no problems achieving pit temps above 500°f with just the three 3/4" intakes. I do not use water in the UDS and I rarely use a diffuser. Only for really long low and slow cooks do I use the diffuser. I use typically use my weed burner to get the charcoal going. I can maintain temps easily anywhere from 180°f-500°f+ I just use the fat lid and the 1" and 2" bungs in the lid as my exhaust. Both of those are wide open for the entire cook. I use the lower vents to control the pit temps.For low temp smokes (under 285°) I usually have two vents fully closed and one vent opened as needed to maintain the temp I want the pit. High temp I use all three vents opened to whatever I need to get the temps I want.
- Aug 28, 2016
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Can you tell me what size drill bit would be sufficient to accommodate a 3/4" steel pipe nipple? I guessed 3/4" and was clearly wrong as the air intake holes are not big enough.
- Aug 28, 2016
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If all goes according to plan, my UDS should be done this week. The lid and almost all of the pipes and elbows have been painted. I need to drill a couple of extra holes, then should be able to paint the drum. Getting close!
- Aug 28, 2016
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Can someone explain how to make a picture show up with your post? I thought I was doing this, but it's just showing as a JPG that can be downloaded.
- Aug 28, 2016
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Thanks! It's been a good learning experience. Next time, if I ever did one again, I think it would go a lot quicker.
- Aug 28, 2016
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Here is my progress to date. The lid handle spring should come tomorrow. Also, the thermometer should be here Thursday. Then, I can drill the last hole and paint the drum. Shouldn't be much longer!
- Aug 28, 2016
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Finally done! Actually, the grate is on order and should be here Thursday. Then I'll just need to season it before we're ready for business. This was a great experience. There are things I would do differently next time and there are some imperfections that would be a problem if trying to sell this. But functionally, everything should be great. I'll post some pictures once I start smoking some delicious BBQ. Thanks for your input!
Alan
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