UDS Ugly Drum Smoker - BBQ

This is the completed UDS. I've got entirely too much money tied up into this project. If I had more time, I could have scavenged most of the parts or picked them up cheaper at yard sales.

I built this smoker in just around 5 hours. That includes the burn out time and painting.

Parts list:
55 Gallon drum
22.5" Weber kettle lid

Grates and supports:
8x .25"x2.5" stainless carriage bolts
8x .25" stainless nuts
16x .25" washers
2x 22.5" Weber replacement grill grates

Air Intake:
4x .75" conduit nipples
3x .75" pipe caps
1x .75" ball vave
12x .75" conduit nuts

charcoal basket
1x 18" weber charcoal grate
1x 54"x10" expanded metal grate
4x 3/8"x4" carriage bolts
4x 3/8" nuts
8x 3/8" fender washers

Handles:
2x garage door handles
4x .25"x.75" stainless bolts
4x .25" stainless nuts
4x .25" stainless lock washers

Thermometer
1x Dial thermometer w/12" probe and clip

If you have questions, post em here and I'll do my best to answer them!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• BBQ
• barbecue
• UDS
• ugly
• drum
• smoker
• upright
• smoke
• ring
• pork
• pulled
• beef
• brisket
• chicken
• fattie
• abt
• atomic
• buffalo
• turds
• ribs
• st
• louis
• spare
• spares
• sauce
• fire
• thin
• blue
• food
• cooking
• kitchen
• drums
• recipe

[KaznBigG]

I'm just about to start one of these, did you spray the drum with primer after the burn or just put the black straight on the steel?

[pyrogyrodude]

@KaznBigG I just applied the paint directly to the steel. I used Rustoleum High Heat BBQ Black in the Quart sized container and put on 3 coats.

[TheLongbeachguy]

How much are the 55 gallon drums?

[pyrogyrodude]

@TheLongbeachguy The drums can be found for free if you look around. I've heard of people paying anywhere from nothing to 100.00 for them though. Check craigslist, sometimes they have them listed there.

[007bondjb]

I thunk it was called a Up rite Drum Smoker

[pyrogyrodude]

UDS is ugly drum smoker. Google it and check out the smoke ring and the bbq brethren

[KaznBigG]

Thanks for the quick reply, I've got two cans of Plasti-Kote High Heat BBQ Black spray paint, I'm copying your design over here in UK :-) They all say on the cans ideally use a primer for metal application but none of the primers state high heat bbq use so I'll probably go straight on with a few coats of the black

[TheLongbeachguy]

@pyrogyrodude Ok, thank you! A free drum is a good drum!

[pyrogyrodude]

@lingbopper88 I've already replaced the thermometer with a large dial bbq specific one. I mix the lump charcoal with my wood and fill the basket. You really don't need to use a lot of wood in this smoker.

[lingbopper88]

Hey that is a deep fat fryer thermometer (for turkey fryer), get a grill gauge at a sporting goods store. They are only about an inch or so long.and way more heavy duty plus it will not be in your way like that giant probe is. Grill gauges will show better temp readings also, oyu can mark your sweet spot with a sharpie and check it from far away (inside the house). You have a cool set up- post a vid when your cook a brisket or something bro. How do you arrange the coals?

[pyrogyrodude]

@fvg3401 no water needed. The fat and juices drip onto the coals and create steam. Sweet delicious meat steam.

[fvg3401]

Do you have to set up water system in your drum smoker when smoking meat ?