First Time UDS Build.

[steven carr]

Hello all!! This is going to be my first UDS build. "Winter Project". Anyway my friend gave me a 55Gallon barrel he told me it comes shipped with a Plastic Bag filled with steel Wherl weights. Here is my question. The barrel is very clean on the inside. I see a lot of people saying stuff about colored Liners? I'm in a place that I really can just set it outside on fire to do a burn. Would it be safe to just take a drill and wire wheel or some kinda attachment to grind the inside to bare metal. And what about the outside? Do I really need to grind sand the outside paint. As I would just be repainting it anyway. Will the factory paint on outside hurt my food? Any suggest or help would be great. I can post a picture of barrel tomorrow if anyone would want to see it.

 

[akdutchguy]

That drum liner I believe is bullet proof. You can try a wire wheel. I hope you have a long time. The quickest way is a hot burn. It took me two hot burns using oak pallets to get mine clean. If you can take it somewhere to do a burn it will save tons of time. A good suggestion I got was to drill your intake holes in the lower section to help the fire burn hotter. You will love your uds. I love mine. It was cheep and you can put out some wonderful food.
Jason

 

[daveomak]

Below is some info on ECTO1's builds...  He has won competittions with them...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/247697/uds-builds-by-ecto1

 

[motown-n00b]

Here's a link to my build. I have a nearly exact parts list in my PMs somewhere if you want it.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/150304/my-uds-build-and-first-use-two-chuck-roasts

I highly recommend finding a barrel with a bare metal inside. It will save you a ton of time spent on not so fun grinding or blasting.