Hey ya'll. I picked up the finished UDS (Ugly Drum Smoker) from my very good friend Dave Jensen over at Silver State Machine this afternoon.
http://www.silverstatemachine.com/
I supplied the design and materials and Dave, Bob, and Garret did the work. The best part....NO CHARGE! I gave them a 55 gal. drum that had been emptied of hydraulic oil used in pistons for hydraulic elevators. They cut off the top of the barrel, and rolled the edge to smooth it out. Dave's dad, Bob, burned out the barrel with a propane torch. For venting the fire basket I had them drill 6 each 5/8" holes an inch from the bottom of the barrel which I would use 5/8" heavy steel bolts and washers as plugs. For more air, pull out a plug. For less, push one in. Easy. Bob welded some feet to hold the 2 grates I would be using. Just large enough to hold them but not so big as to make it difficult removing them. I got the grill grates from Home Despot. 2 each 18" Weber's with the folding sides. For the lid, Bob insisted on cutting one out of plate steel on their water jet machine. Cool. They then welded a handle and jetted 2 large vent holes with sliding covers for dampers. I was hoping the lid would be on the heavy side as we get so much wind here in the big dry ditch. This 'thang weighs about 12 pounds. No wimps will be using this smoker anyhow. I should get the thermometer I ordered the other day in the mail today or tomorrow. Drill a 3/8" hole and screw it in. Done. I have a propane burner I bought for starting the charcoal and wood to be used and will burn the barrel one final time with it tomorrow and then it should be good to go for smoking this weekend. Groovy. I can't decide on colors so I'm gonna' break the 'thang in a few times with some que and paint it later.
Here some UDS porn!
Check out the vent plugs...
Hole.
Check out the welded grill feet..
More to come ya'll....
http://www.silverstatemachine.com/
I supplied the design and materials and Dave, Bob, and Garret did the work. The best part....NO CHARGE! I gave them a 55 gal. drum that had been emptied of hydraulic oil used in pistons for hydraulic elevators. They cut off the top of the barrel, and rolled the edge to smooth it out. Dave's dad, Bob, burned out the barrel with a propane torch. For venting the fire basket I had them drill 6 each 5/8" holes an inch from the bottom of the barrel which I would use 5/8" heavy steel bolts and washers as plugs. For more air, pull out a plug. For less, push one in. Easy. Bob welded some feet to hold the 2 grates I would be using. Just large enough to hold them but not so big as to make it difficult removing them. I got the grill grates from Home Despot. 2 each 18" Weber's with the folding sides. For the lid, Bob insisted on cutting one out of plate steel on their water jet machine. Cool. They then welded a handle and jetted 2 large vent holes with sliding covers for dampers. I was hoping the lid would be on the heavy side as we get so much wind here in the big dry ditch. This 'thang weighs about 12 pounds. No wimps will be using this smoker anyhow. I should get the thermometer I ordered the other day in the mail today or tomorrow. Drill a 3/8" hole and screw it in. Done. I have a propane burner I bought for starting the charcoal and wood to be used and will burn the barrel one final time with it tomorrow and then it should be good to go for smoking this weekend. Groovy. I can't decide on colors so I'm gonna' break the 'thang in a few times with some que and paint it later.
Here some UDS porn!
Check out the vent plugs...
Hole.
Check out the welded grill feet..
More to come ya'll....
