Call on ye drum experts

[donnylove]

So my local drum reconditioner turned out to be a dud. When I finally picked up my drum (which at $40 was no great bargain anyway, but at least I figured I could build) and opened it up, there was a liner. Grrrr. Back to square one.

So yesterday I came across an add on tradio for some open head drums that a farmer has. There is a read liner or some sort of paint on the inside but it is mostly peeled off already and I'll have no trouble getting the rest off with a wire wheel. However there is some rust on the barrel. Nothing terrible and certainly no structural issues. Mostly rusty around the lip. Is this okay? Please tell me I can still use this drum. Lie to me if you have to.

Is there anything special I should do to it to keep it from rusting further? Besides painting the outside that is . . .

Thanks in advance!

 

[donnylove]

To further complicate things, it appears that these drums are 85-gallon salvage drums. Bigger drum, bigger smoker I suppose, but what do I use for a cooking grate then?

 

[rickw]

These guys have a few large grates to choose from.

 

[donnylove]

Ah yes. Thanks