How much would you pay for a steel drum?

[mrwizardgi]

I want to build a drum smoker. They look really cool and I think it would be a lot of fun. Here's my dilemma:

There is a guy about 30 mins. away who is selling used barrels for $5. Yeah, really good deal IMO. The problem is I don't have a way to haul it and the one person I know with a truck who could haul it has continual conflicts and can't help me out. Plus, 'free time' to pick it up is very limited with the kids, my job, and all the other responsibilities. I asked the guy if he'd be willing to deliver and that I'd pay him if he would.

So, how much would you pay for a drum to have it delivered? I just want some opinions...

Maybe this is just a stupid question...

Thanks.

J-

 

[wutang]

If he can deliver 2 as easy as 1, maybe we could split the delivery cost. My brother in law also seemed interested in the idea of building a drum when I mentioned it to him. Would 3 fit in a pickup truck? -Then maybe we could split it 3 ways?? Just thinking out loud.

 

[gooose53]

I think you need to expand your social networking with people who have trucks or trailers.......Good luck with finding a way to get that drum...if I lived close I'd get you and me one for the $5!!!

 

[chef_boy812]

If I was closer I would help you out brother and I would get you 3 so you can build smokefreaks tripple thunder smoker.

one question, You say used barrels, what WAS in them. some things like poly styrene resin, is a hazardous material and when you try to burn it out the smoke will be very toxic.

make sure it is a for substance or a petrolium product, they are the easiest to deal with.

If it did contain something combustable, you should fill it with water before you start to cut. Safety first brother!

If you have to pay the guy to deliver, if you get out for under a $20 then you are still making out. IMO

can't wait to see the finished project. keep us posted.
I hope GUVNA sees this thread, he is having a devil of a time finding a barrel in the first place. the cheapest 50 bucks, so far. and he found a Stainless Steel 55 gal drum. which would be pretty, but it 199 smackers for that. You got the bargin.

 

[mrwizardgi]

I think he said he would make arrangements to deliver if there were multiple drums purchased. I'll have to go back and read...That may be a good idea.

Edit-Deals or free delivery on orders of 10+ barrels. Wanna go into the UDS making business? LOL!

J-

 

[mrwizardgi]

Thanks! The barrels were full of dry edibles. I think he said sacks of tomatoes...I know it wasn't petroleum products as that was the first thing I asked him. Yeah, $50 seems to be the norm online. The killer part is that the local grocery store is selling off their 22 in Webber knock-offs for $20. I figured that would be a good place to get a grate as well as some additional materials (like wheels, etc.) for the build. Potentially this could be built for $50-$60 which wouldn't be too bad!

Thanks again for the input!

J-

 

[guvna]

i would try to get it delivered if you can. that's a great deal. don't forget to post pics of your build.
guvna

 

[mrwizardgi]

The guy just e-mailed me back and said it'd be $10 to deliver. I think for $15 I'm going to jump on that deal. I'm pretty pumped about that prospect!

J-

 

[luv2camp35]

If he will deliver multiples for the same $10 charge I would get some extra barrels just in case. It would be my luck that I would screw up the fabrication if I only had one.

3 barrels for $25 would still be a heck of a deal.

 

[mrwizardgi]

Knowing my luck that would be what would happen...good thinking!

J-

 

[ryf]

if he's willing to deliver 10, he's willing to deliver 2-3 for money to one house, 30 mins away should be 25 bucks, thats $15 for gas and $10 for his hour of time, fair deal IMO

 

[waysideranch]

I think its a good deal for you guys. Around here you can buy for $7.00. I'd look into a pickup truck. I haven't ridden in a car for .........................years. Good luck. Like all said we need picks of the build.

 

[goat]

Call Enterprise Rental, rent a pick-up, they will come pick you up. Deliver the barrels all over town. Make enough money to clear you a pick up load of barrels and pay for the rent truck.

Open the trunk on your car, stuff in the barrel, tie the trunk lid down with rope and red neck it home.

Many options here.

 

[davidmcg]

Sacks of tomatoes? Never heard of anyone using steel drums to ship whole tomatoes, sacked, stewed or otherwise. Double check with him on the contents. If they are $5 a pice and even if he is charging $10 a piece for delivery it would be a great buy. Might be worth it to get as many as you can afford. Extras are always handy when a mistake is made. Plus, with extras come other projects. You could make double or triple barrel smokers, other UDS. Heck you could even make some and sell them to cover all costs and extra pocket money for lump and meat. Heck food quality barrels around here are going for $10 and I don't know anybody who delivers. Of course everybody out here has 1 or more pick-ups/flatbeds and we all have trailers of some type.

 

[travcoman45]

I'm spoiled, been gettin mine fer free. I get mine from the local newspaper, they get them with thier water based ink in em. Just rinse em out an they are nice as new!

Don't sound like them prices be outa line though. I thin I'd do like others have suggested an get me a few spares. They work nice fer storin chips in to. Just be sure ya leave them chips room ta breath as they dry.

They make great grills to.

 

[mrwizardgi]

That's awesome! I ordered up 4 of 'em. 2 for me and 2 for Wutang (since he lives close). The guy said they had steel drums of various steel grades (some thicker than others). I told him to give me 4 of the thickest ones. Thought they might hold heat better. Is that a good choice?

Da**it...I just spilled my beer...hold on...

He said the thicker ones held corn syrup and still needed to be rinsed out a bit. I live across the street from a car wash so I thought I might run them over there to rinse out the residue. If anyone has advice let me know. I want to make sure I get this right the first time. Thanks for all of the great input.

now i have to go get another beer...dern it all!

J-

 

[travcoman45]

Yup the thicker the better in my book. Car wash should do yall just fine, ifin the manager ain't round! They can be a little funny bout stuff like that. Sorry ta hear bout the alcohol abuse!

 

[mrwizardgi]

me too...had to get another.

bummer huh?

J-

 

[wutang]

What kind of beer was it? I feel like I owe you one after you took care of all this. Thanks again-

 

[oldschoolbbq]

wizard, I do a lot of Bartering in getting stuff to play with; I'm always smoking something and I offer to trade some "GOOD" Que for the things I need. This works very often and usually ends up in a return visit with meat in hand to smoke for them. No-prob. I tell them to brong me some decent wood and we're in business. I get to play and still have wood to burn!!!