Well, here we go

[Eaglewing]

Got my 2 barrels and this is what they look like and contained...

raw steel inside, but what about that paint on the outside... I'm guessing that needs to go?

[Bassman]

Since they just had soap in them, I'd wash them out good, peel off the stickers and get after it. I doubt if the paint would last, but you could burn it off, then use your high temp paint. Great looking barrels!

[DDave]

I wouldn't worry about the paint on the outside unless it bothers you. Get your parts and start drilling and building.

After a few runs if the paint starts to look bad, you can always wirewheel it off if you didn't want to burn it.

Unless you're into high heat cooks like 400°+, I don't know that you'd really hurt the paint even in the bottom third.

Dave

[Slanted88]

Good on ya & stay after that build!

[dales133]

Nice drums glad you found some unlined ones

[Eaglewing]

Nice drums glad you found some unlined ones

Yeah, cool place and right across from one of the biggest knife sharpening places in STL.

7 of my big meat knives sharpened for only $20, each barrel only $25...








DDave, I'm going to Home Depot tomorrow, thnx for all you advice.


Stay tuned!!

[Richtee]

Well..guess washing them out will be easy enough... Get to building :{)

[dales133]

If you build it they will come

[Eaglewing]

If you want to use a flat lid, I would strongly recommend you do something to your lid to make it higher in the middle. Even a flat lid will be a bit convex. You don't want the low spot in the middle though because stuff condenses on the lid and you don't want it dripping on the meat.

Dave

Howz this?















I know, I know... I've been real busy and I'm taking baby steps, I'll kick it in the ass now.

[SixPack]

Damn...I gotta get after one of them uds smokers. I'll watch this build and then go find a drum. Please don't forget the pics.

[DDave]

Howz this?

Excellent.

Dave

[crusty ol salt]

nice score

[SixPack]

Got any updates I love a good build thread

[Eaglewing]

Got any updates I love a good build thread

I sure do!!!

Got most of my guts and it was finally a good day in STL...

So I went outside to start to put everything together:


Internal air piping system:








Open the intake and get 4way air surrounding the charcoal






Then I took my pre-bought mini BBQ pit and USED some of the parts that came with it to make my ash pan, bending the legs installed upside down to make feet to keep it centered at all times...







Notice the 4 air intakes are not interrupted buy the ashpan




Cut my expanded metal with a very thin cuttoff wheel and made my charcoal basket... this one is 8" high and 16" dia





I still have the 13" grate to make a smaller one but since Dave made 2, I compromised and made one half way between the 2 other sizes.


Drywall bucket handle.



Almost ready for testing!!!!
Hope you guys like!!!

[DDave]

Looks good.

One suggestion though . . .

Open the intake and get 4way air surrounding the charcoal

I'd get rid of that. Even with the ashpan, stuff still seems to find its way to the bottom of the drum. Those pipes will make it a pain in the ass to clean.

Plus, all the 90° angles will restrict natural draw and are totally unnecessary. Atmospheric pressure will take care of surrounding the charcoal with air.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_pressure

Just my 2 cents.

Dave