Shuiend builds A dIy Drum Smoker (AIDS)
#1
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So this past late winter I decided I wanted a smoker and to smoke a pork butt. I went out and bought a cheapass Brinkmann Smoke'N Grill Charcoal Smoker from Walmart to learn on. Before my first cook I had already watched several videos on mods to make it work better. I did a few different mods to the smoker while I actively used it. The smoker could never hold a consistent temp. I would also have to add coals every 2 hours or so.
I had read about the UDS online and talked to a few people who loved theirs. After some searching I found these directions on how to build one. At the end of June I started building one.
Drum that I picked up from a local company, it cost me $48.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84144-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-mlnz0ip.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84145-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-qlkoyvq.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
First iteration of the smoker. My vents on the bottom were a tiny bit to high. So I added 2 more lower later one.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84146-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-iqfbsqv.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
I did my first brisket with the UDS and it turned out decently. I learned that I can hold temp for about 6 hours on a load of charcoal and that the UDS tend to cook a bit fast. The night after the brisket I did pork tenderloin.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84147-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-hvfwtrr.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84148-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-lpbp5sd.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
I wanted a dome lid instead of the flat stock one. You can get a Weber 22.5" grill lid and they are said to fit perfectly. I could not find one so I got a cheap Walmart 22.5" grill. The lid did not fit perfectly, but I have a welder and time. So I went to town on creating a dome lid.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84149-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-zccwltb.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84150-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-nzjsdjc.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84151-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-dhajhls.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
The cheap grill I bought came with hinges to hold the lid to the side. I figured I would try to get them to work with the top on the drum. They sort of work, not most stabled but not absolutely horrible.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84152-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-4mntjc5.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84153-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-0bzfa4u.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
The reason I want the dome is so that I can make 2 levels to cook on. Later this week I will go about adding a water pan, then putting the 2 grates on at proper height. After that I am planning on building a HeaterMeater to control temps with.
For now I have it going at 225 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack of spare ribs smoking.
I had read about the UDS online and talked to a few people who loved theirs. After some searching I found these directions on how to build one. At the end of June I started building one.
Drum that I picked up from a local company, it cost me $48.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84144-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-mlnz0ip.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84145-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-qlkoyvq.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
First iteration of the smoker. My vents on the bottom were a tiny bit to high. So I added 2 more lower later one.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84146-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-iqfbsqv.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
I did my first brisket with the UDS and it turned out decently. I learned that I can hold temp for about 6 hours on a load of charcoal and that the UDS tend to cook a bit fast. The night after the brisket I did pork tenderloin.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84147-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-hvfwtrr.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84148-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-lpbp5sd.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
I wanted a dome lid instead of the flat stock one. You can get a Weber 22.5" grill lid and they are said to fit perfectly. I could not find one so I got a cheap Walmart 22.5" grill. The lid did not fit perfectly, but I have a welder and time. So I went to town on creating a dome lid.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84149-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-zccwltb.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84150-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-nzjsdjc.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84151-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-dhajhls.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
The cheap grill I bought came with hinges to hold the lid to the side. I figured I would try to get them to work with the top on the drum. They sort of work, not most stabled but not absolutely horrible.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84152-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-4mntjc5.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84153-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-0bzfa4u.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
The reason I want the dome is so that I can make 2 levels to cook on. Later this week I will go about adding a water pan, then putting the 2 grates on at proper height. After that I am planning on building a HeaterMeater to control temps with.
For now I have it going at 225 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack of spare ribs smoking.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/84154-shuiend-builds-diy-drum-smoker-aids-wdkombs.jpg?dateline=1375033050)
#10
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,188
Total Cats: 1,684
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I think just 3 build threads, one for my actual 94 miata, one for my lamp, and now one for my smoker. Check FRT_Fun or Urbanshoot if you want to see people with more build threads then me.
Not sure exactly what was in it. Drum company sold a good number of different types, I told them that I was making a smoker and wanted a food grade drum. They told me which container to goto to get it. I do know they all get bead blasted and then cleaned before they sell them. I also burned it out before I did any first cooks on it.
Not sure exactly what was in it. Drum company sold a good number of different types, I told them that I was making a smoker and wanted a food grade drum. They told me which container to goto to get it. I do know they all get bead blasted and then cleaned before they sell them. I also burned it out before I did any first cooks on it.
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