UDS Drum Questions

[frjeff]

I live in a bit of the hinterlands (Northern Michigan) with very limited access to steel drums.

I want to build a UDS (primarily a cost/value issue).

I can buy 55 gallon steel drums from a local oil company. Most of these contained motor oil and are solid (not a removable lid).

So, 

1) can the oil residue be burned out of the drum and be safe for smoking my food?

2) they will cut off the lid for me and that's not a problem if I can somehow fit a Weber lid. Can that be done and is it extremely  difficulty or relatively easy?

These will cost $20 and would be far easier than a 200+ mile drive to a larger city to find another.

All help appreciated.

Jeff

 

[daveomak]

I live in a bit of the hinterlands (Northern Michigan) with very limited access to steel drums.

I want to build a UDS (primarily a cost/value issue).

I can buy 55 gallon steel drums from a local oil company. Most of these contained motor oil and are solid (not a removable lid).

So, 

1) can the oil residue be burned out of the drum and be safe for smoking my food?   Yes

2) they will cut off the lid for me and that's not a problem if I can somehow fit a Weber lid. Can that be done and is it extremely  difficulty or relatively easy?  With a few tools and some materials, not a big problem...

These will cost $20 and would be far easier than a 200+ mile drive to a larger city to find another.

All help appreciated.

 I think you want the "bead" left intact on the top when they do the cutting.... for strength.....   Dave

Jeff

 

[raygunter]

For a lid, you could get one from Bass Pro Shops, they have them for deer feeders.  excellent lid.

http://www.basspro.com/American-Hunter-Feeder-Accessories-Easy-Open-Lid/product/35293/
 

And you definitely want to keep that bead.

 

[dwrek]

Regarding #2, I put an 1.5" aluminum strip I found at Lowe's around the inside of the rim about a 1/4" up.  Great fit for a 22.5" lid.  

 

[dlwessell2005]

I just ground around the sealed lid with a 4" grinder at an angle until i saw the seam.  once that was done all the way around i used a screwdriver to pop the lid out.  once the top was off i welded a handle to it and used the original top as the lid, this creates a perfect seal.  you may have to grind a notch vertical to put lid back to original location for best fit.  sometimes after a smoke the lid will seat itself down and you will have to pry it out again.  going this route you may want to install 2 racks so you can smoke taller items like turkey or beer can chicken.  hope this helps.

 

[bountyhunter]

Not to hijack this thread, ok to hijack this thread. 

the OP mentioned that this was an oil drum. Can that be burnt  out, or would it be safer to start with a food grade drum. the reason I am asking is because I have all kinds of oil drums but have been scared to make a UDS out of them

Harold

 

[jrod62]

Not to hijack this thread, ok to hijack this thread. 
the OP mentioned that this was an oil drum. Can that be burnt  out, or would it be safer to start with a food grade drum. the reason I am asking is because I have all kinds of oil drums but have been scared to make a UDS out of them

Harold

Yes you can use oil drum. Just give it a real good burn out.