Ugly Drum Smoker

I've been reading up on these Oil Drum Smokers, affectionately called UDS.

The idea is that you take 55 gallon drum, burn the stuff out of the inside, and put pipe fittings into the sides at low level. Then you can use control valves to adjust airflow to the basket of charcoal you put into it. I've seen reports of 12 hour burns at 250 degrees on one charcoal basket, add wet smoking wood and you can smoke 2 or 3 grill racks of whatever you want, seen 4-6 racks of ribs in a single smoker.


I'm in the process of chasing leads for the barrel itself, before pricing hardware etc.

Seems fairly doable, my dad has the experience and tools from 20 years of industrial maintenance, so I've got backup.  I'll try and post pics if I get it done and remember to photo the process.

Any tried making a smoker/grill before?

Excellent timing on the smoker topic mon frere.

As of yesterday I am the proud owner of my own brand spanking new smoker.

I was contemplating making my own out of an old washing machine husk, but then my dad happened upon one for sale at Canadian Tire for $55.

This was a much easier step than building my own so it happened.

Also, last week I bought a $70 meat grinder at a yard sale for a whopping $5.

So, now I am ready and set for sausage/pepperoni making when my buddy, with his new hunting and gun licenses, brings me deer and such.

I am on the road to greatness, sweet and tasty greatness.

Nice, I've heard a filing cabinet also works well for such a task, build  fire in the bottom and baffle the middle, meat in the top.