Uds >?

[rjdumas]

I have two 55 gallon drums. Without the remove able lids. The ? I have is where should I cut the drum? Will a 22" bbq lid fit on it??

should i leave a little lip? thanks for any help. Can't wait to get started.

 

[rickw]

That really depends on the drum. With some the lid will fit great but with others it comes up a hair short. Try your drums with the lid to see if it fits.

There are better ways to compensate for a nonfitting lid than to cut the lip of the drum off. IMO that weakens the drum a quite a bit.

Look for some of the build pics and you'll see.

 

[travcoman45]

Leave that "bead" on top a the drum, cut the top out inside a that. Now ifin yer lid won't sit on the bead you can make an adapter ring. I needed a ring inside my drum ta make the lid fit right. Wasn't hard ta do, use 1" aluminum strap an rolled it ta fit inside the drum an riveted in place.

 

[rjdumas]

Sweet thanks for those pics, that helped tons. thanks for the quick reply

hopefully I do it right I'll try to take pics to show my progress.

 

[smokin' dick]

Most of the drums around here have a rolled lip at the top and bottom. Some will have a flat lip on the bottom and it is those that a Weber lid will fit onto. So check the top and bottom for fit. If your drums have the rolled lip a three pound sledge can help bring it into compliance. Lay the drum down on something solid and pound away at the lip, that is after cutting out the cover.

 

[zjaybird]

I don't get on here much have been busy doing smoker training.  I found that if you can find a good weber 22.5 kettle grill as a donor for your UDS you can use the botton 2 inch of the kettle as your lip on the drum.  You need cut the bottom of the grill with a cutting wheel then flare out the bottom of it just a tad to make a good seal.  If you can weld put a few tacks on it to hold it in place, if you are not the welding type or find that a 12 pack and welding don't go hand in hand, I don't see why you couldn't drill a few holes and run some bolts in them.  I have been experimenting and the lucky person who I donated them to seem to love the idea.  I hope I helped anybody find another reason to fire up a UDS and love it.