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NVhunter
Joined: 25 Nov 2010
Posts: 18
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 Posted: Dec 19 2010 Post subject: 55 gallon smoker |
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Hay all, I made a smoker about a year ago that wheys about 300lb, so I built a trailer to mount it on, which is grate an all. But I doesn't fit in the back yard. What I'm planning on doing is building one out of a 55 gallon drum. Now I know were to buy some produce grade drums that have no rust. What I I'm looking for is advice on the design of the smoker. I love to smoke all kinds of food but what I do the most of is jerky. If you can help me out or point me in a direction that would be grate.
Plus this will give me the chance to try new stuff with out having to go through poundage of wood.
Thanks
Ian |
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lokin4deer
Newbie
Joined: 08 Jul 2010
Posts: 84
Location: Arnold, MO USA
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Pinkelephant
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
Posts: 1437
Location: Mode, IL
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| Posted: Dec 20 2010 Post subject: |
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i bought a weber 22.5 silver kettle for $90. I plan to use the legs, grills, wheels lid and maybe the side handles on a UDS.
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NVhunter
Joined: 25 Nov 2010
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Dec 20 2010 Post subject: |
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| I really like the idea of using a weber grill for the main part of the smoker. |
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Pinkelephant
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
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Location: Mode, IL
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Cranky Buzzard
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 13 May 2008
Posts: 2385
Location: Plano, Texas
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| Posted: Dec 20 2010 Post subject: |
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While those are very cool to look at, and they cook quite nicely, I generally try and convince folks to use the barrels for a UDS and build something like this out of materials that will last for a while.
This type of build can get labor intensive, may as well put the labor towards something that will last quite a few seasons.
The thickness of the average barrel, extreme heat in the FB, ash residue, and the elements will all take a toll in a short time.
my 2 cents...
Charlie
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NVhunter
Joined: 25 Nov 2010
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Dec 21 2010 Post subject: |
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| That is some cool stuff, but this build is going to have to be a budget build. |
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Cranky Buzzard
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 13 May 2008
Posts: 2385
Location: Plano, Texas
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| Posted: Dec 21 2010 Post subject: |
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| NVhunter wrote: | | That is some cool stuff, but this build is going to have to be a budget build. |
Then the UDS is what the Dr ordered. LOTS of great cooks coming from the critters and ya can't beat the price.
Charlie
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polishdon
BBQ Pro
Joined: 05 Aug 2009
Posts: 580
Location: Hamburg, NY
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| Posted: Dec 21 2010 Post subject: |
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| Cranky Buzzard wrote: | | NVhunter wrote: | | That is some cool stuff, but this build is going to have to be a budget build. |
Then the UDS is what the Dr ordered. LOTS of great cooks coming from the critters and ya can't beat the price.
Charlie |
+1
Cheap, easy and fun to build and will pump out some damn fine Q. Then again, you'll realize it's not what you cook it on, but how you cook it.
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NVhunter
Joined: 25 Nov 2010
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Dec 22 2010 Post subject: |
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| polishdon wrote: | | Cranky Buzzard wrote: | | NVhunter wrote: | | That is some cool stuff, but this build is going to have to be a budget build. |
Then the UDS is what the Dr ordered. LOTS of great cooks coming from the critters and ya can't beat the price.
Charlie |
+1
Cheap, easy and fun to build and will pump out some damn fine Q. Then again, you'll realize it's not what you cook it on, but how you cook it. |
I'm in 100% agreement with ya on that. |
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J0K3R-X
BBQ Fan
Joined: 02 Aug 2008
Posts: 357
Location: New Port Richey, FL
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| Posted: Dec 22 2010 Post subject: |
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Hey Ian,
The UDS's are just simply the best! I made a triple barrel smoker a while back and it really was a great smoker...! I sold it and now all I have is a UDS. Easy to build, easy to store away, cost close to nothing, easy to maintain, you don't have to babysit and tend the fire and takes a small amount of charcoal & wood... Best of all they turn out some of the best Q in my opinion! Good luck with your build whatever you go with...
~Jim
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NVhunter
Joined: 25 Nov 2010
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Dec 22 2010 Post subject: |
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| How much coal and wood do you guys think one of these smokers uses? |
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Cranky Buzzard
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 13 May 2008
Posts: 2385
Location: Plano, Texas
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| Posted: Dec 22 2010 Post subject: |
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| NVhunter wrote: | | How much coal and wood do you guys think one of these smokers uses? |
If you are talking about a UDS you can expect a burn time of 6-8 hours minimum from a basket full.
From what I have seen, the average basket holds about 4-7 pounds of coal with some wood chunks mixed in.
I'm telling you, ya can't go wrong with one of these!
In case someone asks why I don't have one, I usually cook much more than a UDS will hold. But, I've eaten Q from these critters many times and it rocked!
Keep this in mind, it isn't the pit that makes the cook, it's the cook that makes it!
The cook below was done on the fly and it worked....
http://thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=162968&highlight=#162968
Trust your judgment and you can cook on most anything! Prep, temp control, and meat tending will go MUCH further than a shiny fancy pit...
Charlie
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Teleking
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 26 Sep 2007
Posts: 4139
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Dec 22 2010 Post subject: |
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| Cranky Buzzard wrote: | If you are talking about a UDS you can expect a burn time of 6-8 hours minimum from a basket full.
From what I have seen, the average basket holds about 4-7 pounds of coal with some wood chunks mixed in.
I'm telling you, ya can't go wrong with one of these! |
Mine can hold a 10 lb bag of RO lump and wood chunks and I still had a couple pounds left after a 19 hour brisket cook 
As said, of all the cookers I have built....the UDS is the one
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Cranky Buzzard
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 13 May 2008
Posts: 2385
Location: Plano, Texas
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| Posted: Dec 22 2010 Post subject: |
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| Teleking wrote: | | Cranky Buzzard wrote: | If you are talking about a UDS you can expect a burn time of 6-8 hours minimum from a basket full.
From what I have seen, the average basket holds about 4-7 pounds of coal with some wood chunks mixed in.
I'm telling you, ya can't go wrong with one of these! |
Mine can hold a 10 lb bag of RO lump and wood chunks and I still had a couple pounds left after a 19 hour brisket cook
As said, of all the cookers I have built....the UDS is the one |
Even better than the averages I have heard from others! Just think, you can cook and sleep at the same time! LOTS of us covet that!
Looks like a UDS will be a very good cooker for you!
Charlie
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KCcookin
Joined: 08 Jun 2010
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Jan 06 2011 Post subject: |
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| Cranky Buzzard wrote: | | Teleking wrote: | | Cranky Buzzard wrote: | If you are talking about a UDS you can expect a burn time of 6-8 hours minimum from a basket full.
From what I have seen, the average basket holds about 4-7 pounds of coal with some wood chunks mixed in.
I'm telling you, ya can't go wrong with one of these! |
Mine can hold a 10 lb bag of RO lump and wood chunks and I still had a couple pounds left after a 19 hour brisket cook
As said, of all the cookers I have built....the UDS is the one |
Even better than the averages I have heard from others! Just think, you can cook and sleep at the same time! LOTS of us covet that!
Looks like a UDS will be a very good cooker for you!
Charlie |
I wholeheartly agree. You cant go wrong. I have no problem mantaining 225 degrees with my uds. I have smoked butts for 10 hours without having to refuel. If you are looking for a one stop shop for how to get it built there is a book available. Click the ad to the right or go to smokerbuild.com. Everything you need to know from start to finish. |
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Pit Boss
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 04 Sep 2008
Posts: 2362
Location: Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
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| Posted: Jan 06 2011 Post subject: |
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The UDS is what you're after. UDS, by the way, stands for Upright Drum Smoker (some folks will use the word Ugly instead of Upright).
With a fire basket large enough you can dump a whole bag of coals in, throw some live coals on top, and get 10-20 hour burn times w/o refueling. Temps are said to be easy to maintain with little adjustment.
Theoretically, you can build one for less than $100. For $150 you can build a NICE one. I like the cheap way out. $100 and start cooking.
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killswitch505
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 05 Apr 2009
Posts: 3921
Location: Hobbs, NM
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| Posted: Jan 06 2011 Post subject: |
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| Pit Boss wrote: | (some folks will use the word Ugly instead of Upright).
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have you seen mine pm me i'll send you a pic
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Soapm
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 06 Aug 2010
Posts: 2087
Location: Mile High City
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| Posted: Jan 06 2011 Post subject: |
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| killswitch505 wrote: | | Pit Boss wrote: | (some folks will use the word Ugly instead of Upright).
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have you seen mine pm me i'll send you a pic |
Ugly is in the eye of the beholder... |
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Phret Bender
BBQ Fan
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
Posts: 101
Location: Milwaukee, WIS
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| Posted: Jan 08 2011 Post subject: |
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I was thinking the same thin a while back and built a double barrel pit with two flues between the fire bbl and the cook bbl. It was great and did an excellent job. The fire bbl had fire bricks and grates on the lower half and could cook from 200 up to over 700. A few issues were thaqt even at the lowest temps the door vents were not large enough to keep a proper fire. I had to crack the door open to adjust the temp. I should have installed a vent below the door to allow and adjust incoming air. Inside of 2 years with only moderate use the fire bbl was about shot, and I purchased them new, I built a UDS and it was 1/3 the price and twice the cooker!
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/PhrettBender/BBQ2.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/PhrettBender/bbq6.jpg
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