Weber VS. 55 Gal. drum ?

[lbitp37]

I am new to the Smokers, but I think it's the only way to cook outdoors, I  need to buy the Right one. Please help

 

[remmy700p]

Q: What's your budget?

Q: Do you have access to free/cheap cooking wood like oak, apple, hickory, pecan, citrus, etc?

Q: How actively do you want to manage your pit, i.e. monitoring fuel, pit temps, etc -- or do you want a "set-it-and-forget-it" type unit?

Q: How much room do you have to park it/store it?

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello.  Welcome.  I see this is your first post.  Please take some time and swing over to Roll Call and introduce yourself so that we may give you a proper "Hello".  All info you can provide us with such as smoker type, location and so on will help us answer any questions you may have, and pictures help a bunch.  As for your question  The answer is YES.  Meaning I don't think you can go wrong with either.  Do you want the fun  of building or just buy it and get going?  Now my opinion!  I welded almost 20 years.  I have built all sort of smokers/pits.  Trailer mounted and back yard cookers.  Never a UDS, my oil drum smokers were horizontal.  I have bought cheap knock off smokers for years.  They fell apart or rusted apart.  Webers have that enamel coating.  I finally bought 2.  IF you are going to build a smoker from 1/4" steel then I would say go for it.  IF the choice is a drum or the Weber then it's a no brainer in my opinion.  The UDS is a fantastic smoker but shelf life is limited  That enamel coating sells the Weber to me every time.  Took me years but I have learned.  Others may have different advice.  Just my opinion..  Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[lbitp37]

I made my choice to go with a "UDS", and will do a burn out on the drum this week, then drill, paint, install, etc.

MY real concern now is ( How much charcoal to use and how much wood chunks to use for a 5 hour total time) ?

Many more questions to come , Thanks.