Hey everyone,
I apologize for the long read.
So here's the scoop: I just received a 55 gallon drum from a friend, and i have a plan to build a horizontal smoker (not like the ugly upright style). I need you guys to poke some holes through my plan so i keep safe and efficient with the whole process.
Here's what i know so far about the barrel itself:
- This drum was used to hold Methyl Ethyl Ketone (Butanone) which is a flammable liquid (water soluble). It is emptied but of course has maybe a cup of liquid still swishing around at the bottom.
- Its a black steel drum that a fridge magnet sticks to. The reason i think its NOT galvanized OR stainless is because of the black paint and the fact that there is surface rust around some of the top and body. PLEASE correct me if i'm wrong here because that will kibosh this whole process if its galvanized
- It is a sealed drum with a metal spout and hole in the lid
Here's my crazy plan:
- First the flammability issue. I'm going to assume for a second that this isn't galvanized, because that complicates a lot. I want to use a drum de-header, because its non electric and would cause little to no sparking. however, the "non spark" versions of these cutters are upwards of 300+ dollars for a can opener that i'll only ever use once. the regular models are as cheap as 40 dollars. Not sure if anyone has experience with drum de-heading. since there is little flammable liquid in the container, i feel like i can fill the container up a quarter way with very soapy water, swish it around, and dispose properly of the excess liquid. then i would pour cat litter in to soak up any remaining liquid after a couple days of letting it dry. After its been cleaned enough, i can use the regular de-header without worrying that sparks will cause any explosion.
- Once the heads off it will be easier to give it a full scrub down, and then a good burning of a couple logs to burn off anything that's left in the container. I would then buy a steel drum cover for sealing it up in the future.
- After thats done i'd make 4 cuts with an angle grinder through the side of the body, making the lift door. I would drill screw holes for hinges and also screws for shelving support.
After all of that, there will be minor adjustments for whether or not i feel like i can do an offset reverse flow, or i just want to do a single chamber. i'll be buying/building a cart to put the barrel up on with wheels for easy movement. I just want to get over these couple initial hurdles and get to the meat of this project. Thoughts/suggestions/comments/criticism are more then welcome, and as always i really appreciate the help.
I apologize for the long read.
So here's the scoop: I just received a 55 gallon drum from a friend, and i have a plan to build a horizontal smoker (not like the ugly upright style). I need you guys to poke some holes through my plan so i keep safe and efficient with the whole process.
Here's what i know so far about the barrel itself:
- This drum was used to hold Methyl Ethyl Ketone (Butanone) which is a flammable liquid (water soluble). It is emptied but of course has maybe a cup of liquid still swishing around at the bottom.
- Its a black steel drum that a fridge magnet sticks to. The reason i think its NOT galvanized OR stainless is because of the black paint and the fact that there is surface rust around some of the top and body. PLEASE correct me if i'm wrong here because that will kibosh this whole process if its galvanized
- It is a sealed drum with a metal spout and hole in the lid
Here's my crazy plan:
- First the flammability issue. I'm going to assume for a second that this isn't galvanized, because that complicates a lot. I want to use a drum de-header, because its non electric and would cause little to no sparking. however, the "non spark" versions of these cutters are upwards of 300+ dollars for a can opener that i'll only ever use once. the regular models are as cheap as 40 dollars. Not sure if anyone has experience with drum de-heading. since there is little flammable liquid in the container, i feel like i can fill the container up a quarter way with very soapy water, swish it around, and dispose properly of the excess liquid. then i would pour cat litter in to soak up any remaining liquid after a couple days of letting it dry. After its been cleaned enough, i can use the regular de-header without worrying that sparks will cause any explosion.
- Once the heads off it will be easier to give it a full scrub down, and then a good burning of a couple logs to burn off anything that's left in the container. I would then buy a steel drum cover for sealing it up in the future.
- After thats done i'd make 4 cuts with an angle grinder through the side of the body, making the lift door. I would drill screw holes for hinges and also screws for shelving support.
After all of that, there will be minor adjustments for whether or not i feel like i can do an offset reverse flow, or i just want to do a single chamber. i'll be buying/building a cart to put the barrel up on with wheels for easy movement. I just want to get over these couple initial hurdles and get to the meat of this project. Thoughts/suggestions/comments/criticism are more then welcome, and as always i really appreciate the help.
Comment