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MikeUSMC: "Bury Me in Smoke"

Ok, I started with a Jim Beam barrel on Craigslist for $100



Sanded it down with a wire wheel on an angle grinder on the bands.
80 grit, then 120 grit, then 150 grit sandpaper "flapper" wheel on the oak
Cleaned it up nice


5/8" self tapping stainless screws (predrilled pilot holes) in every stave to hold the bands up, and to stop the barrel from falling apart when I cut the top off. This took FOREVER


Off comes the top, out comes the loose char. Smelled like smoky bourbony awesomeness


Little 14" Weber "Smokey Joe" for the bottom. I drilled a ton more holes in this for better airflow, and altered the legs a little so it would sit lower




Access door to refill water pan/charcoal




Four 3/4" threaded pipe air vents w/ caps to control the airflow. High-temp, food grade caulk in each stave joint



Somewhere along the way, after all the hardware was on (holes drilled), I was ready for paint. I love the textured look of this stuff. (Spray paint) "Forged Hammered Antique Pewter"



A coat of stain, and BOOM!

'MERICA. :cheers:









Boss, let me know if you want me to delete any of the double posted pics. I'm not looking to get in trouble here :)
 
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSDDypSDxng

IMG_5845.JPG
 
MikeUSMC said:
Ok, I started with a Jim Beam barrel on Craigslist for $100



Sanded it down with a wire wheel on an angle grinder on the bands.
80 grit, then 120 grit, then 150 grit sandpaper "flapper" wheel on the oak
Cleaned it up nice


5/8" self tapping stainless screws (predrilled pilot holes) in every stave to hold the bands up, and to stop the barrel from falling apart when I cut the top off. This took FOREVER


Off comes the top, out comes the loose char. Smelled like smoky bourbony awesomeness


Little 14" Weber "Smokey Joe" for the bottom. I drilled a ton more holes in this for better airflow, and altered the legs a little so it would sit lower




Access door to refill water pan/charcoal




Four 3/4" threaded pipe air vents w/ caps to control the airflow. High-temp, food grade caulk in each stave joint



Somewhere along the way, after all the hardware was on (holes drilled), I was ready for paint. I love the textured look of this stuff. (Spray paint) "Forged Hammered Antique Pewter"



A coat of stain, and BOOM!

'MERICA. :cheers:









Boss, let me know if you want me to delete any of the double posted pics. I'm not looking to get in trouble here :)
Click to expand...
Where did all the pics go?!

 
 
Walchit said:
I need to stop clicking on this thread, Walmart has a 268 dollar smoker with my name on it
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Yeah? I want to get into smoking in the worst way this year but I don't want any second thoughts or regrets when I do. I seen a 99.00 smoker at Wal-Mart, just don't th ink that's the answer I am looking for.
 
It's a good quality build and cheap, considering it is built like some in the $800-$1200 range (with 1/4" steel I believe and welded not bolted construction). They make two sizes as well.
 
The real question is, are you prepared to deal with uneven temps? If so great. If not, there are better options.
 
Walchit said:
Alot of the reviews say you need some sealant and some defuser for the heat, one of these days I will have a smoker
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The offset smoker will always have temp differences, no matter what mods. That doesn't mean you can't cook good food! But the firebox is on the side, not under, and as wood/charocal burn, get low, etc. and heat needs to move from the side, you get fluctuations. With something like a UDS or WSM, the heat is under and rises, and you get way more even temps even when coals are low.
 
I have an offset btw. Yup I sealed it. I used a brick oven grade mortar when I joined all the pieces.
 
CAPCOM said:
Thanks but I like to do things in BIG ways.  I would like the capability to do 6-7 slabs of BB ribs a couple 10lb pork roasts a turkey and say maybe 20-30 lbs of sausages and then some. At least.
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  All at once?! :shocked: Do you cater parties, or have like 60 people living at your house? :rofl:

Walchit said:
The one I've been looking at seems like a decent one, I'm tempted
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Walchit, you might wanna think about looking into a UDS. I'm not sure if you're any good w/ power tools or not, but if you can handle a drill and a sander (and a few cans of spray paint), you should look up some UDS "kits." I've seen 55 gallon steel drums on Craigslist for as little as $25.

Scroll down towards the bottom of this link and you'll see what I mean. If you don't count the elbow grease you'd have to put into it, you can probably do it for cheaper than the $265 one you're looking at.
https://www.bigpoppasmokers.com/bps-drum-kit

I'm definitely going to build a UDS in the future. I've heard you can get a 24 hour burn time out of one load of charcoal too (provided you build the basket big enough)
 
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