Looking at the plans for the Big Baby Double Barrel Cooker

beachsands · Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 47

This looks like an interesting entry level cooker to start with. Have many of you built and used this smoker? I have viewed many manufactured models that look splendid but the costs are enormous for some of them.

At this point in the process, I have to convince my MIL that even laying out the cash to build a Big Baby is worth doing. She's one of those types that thinks "well why can't we just slap it on the char broiler and bast it with some store bought BBQ sauce". And if I go out on a limb and foot the cost of building a double barrel rig and it works decently....she will never see the need to buy or make a better or larger smoker. So you can see what I am up against. She is a great lady but doesn't often have the best restaurant smarts.

So at this point I'm kind of leaning towards a double barrel smoker.

Comments please!

Joel

Alien BBQ · Posted: Mar 21 2007 Post subject:

On the home page before the forum. Left hand side under "How To"

http://www.thesmokering.com/pits/metalpit/bigbaby/default.jsp
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bucket · BBQ Fan Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 272

I built a variation of one. (made it a little longer) I haven't had a chance to fire it up yet. A couple days after I finished it, it got cold, snowed.

My only advice is to pick a couple good barrels. Be sure to get something that isn't lined. Mine had veg oil in them. Also, the kits from Vogelzang are outrageously over priced. If you have a Tractor Supply store in your area, get it there, even if you have to have them order it for you. I got the Vogelzang double barrel kit for just under $40. They want well over $100 if you get it from the manufacturer.

I didn't keep close track of how much it cost me to build, but if I had to guess, I'd say I have in the neighborhood of $100 in it (and a lot of cut fingers). Wear gloves when cutting the barrels.

Here is a link to mine...I have since put an axel and wheels under it...

http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5998&highlight=

beachsands · Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 47

bucket,
Where did you find barrels that had food products stored in them.
I have started to check around and so far can only find barrels that had chemical products stored. I wonder if you can buy new 55 gal drums that haven't been used, i would think that they would be ok.

Did you put a grate over top of the fire bricks for an airspace?

Joel

james275 · Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Battle Ground WA

Before I built my offset smoker from a propane tank I was looking at building the big daddy. I found EBK containers, who sells new barrels.
Check it out
http://www.ebkcontainers.com/default.asp
Good Luck

bucket · BBQ Fan Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 272

OUr local bus company uses used veg oil in their busses, I got them from there. I don't know where they got them. Tractor Supply also sells new barrels but they aren't cheap.

Another local place that has them is a leather tanning plant. Something in the tanning process comes in the 55 gal drums and is harmless.

I haven't but the bricks in yet nor have I built a fire in it. I wasn't planning on a grate to start with. Figure that will be a trial and error segment.