Ugly Drum Smoker Build

[Mudkat]

I am in the process of building my Ugly Drum Smoker so I thought I would get some things posted of my progress. I've had some problems uploading pics recently so I'll break this into smaller posts.

The drum.

Food Grade Tan Liner from Craig's List supposedly used by a bee keeper for honey storage.




The plan.

After reading a bunch of build story's on the Inet started sketching out my plan.




When done I hope to have a charcoal basket, ash catcher, two grill grates, a water bowl option, and holes to hold rebar for hanging meat.

[Mudkat]

Next weekend I hope to burn out the lining so I picked up four or five discarded pallets. I converted one of the pallets to use as a barrel work table top. I removed a few boards, flipped it over and the rails held the barrel in place perfectly.

[SoCalTim]

Awesome! Have you been t the Big Poppa Smoker website to check on UDS accessories?

[Mudkat]

Yeah! Lot's of great stuff on that site and many others as well. I better be careful 'cause of course I want it all!

[jecucolo]

I like your plan. I hope to see progress photos. Build it and it will smoke!

[Mudkat]

I ordered two air intake pipes and a smoke stack from UDSParts.com. I really like the way the teardrop dampers looks so I splurged a little to get them. While I waited for the items to arrive I got to work on the charcoal basket and ash catcher. I wanted the ash catcher to be attached to the basket so I bolted the basket to the bottom of a cheap Anytime/Anywhere table top grill.

The Basket

2 -12" x 24" Expanded Metal pieces from Tractor Supply
1 Weber Charcoal grate from a Weber 22" Kettle
1 Anytime Anywhere Table Top Grill
4 5" Stainless carriage bolts, fender washers and nuts
6 1" Stainless nuts and bolts for the basket expanded metal top

[Pirate Scott]

Great idea on the Basket\ Ash Pan.

[Mudkat]

I wanted to drill the intake holes before I burned the barrel out to allow the best air flow while burning it. I laid out the installation of the air intakes on the barrel. I use a chalk line and tape to mark the line for the intakes, drilled the holes, and attached them to make sure everything fit.

[HawkerXP]

Looking good!

[Mudkat]

Everything fit and the air intakes look great! I took them back off for the burn next week. This has been a lot of fun so far and now it's all I want to do! Stay tuned if your interested and I'll post more as I go along.

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[Mr. Bones]

Cool build, I will be stayin' tuned, brother!

[Mudkat]

It's a blast too my friend! Can't wait 'til next week. I got an infrared thermometer just to see how hot the barrel gets when I burn it out. I looked into having it sand blasted but no one was interested in a small job like that. So burn it is! Cheaper and a whole lot more fun! Mr. Bones!

[RickyBobby]

Looks awesome so far! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the project and your first cook results!

[kmhfive]

Thanks for the update! Looks cool.

[Mr. Bones]

Yer pics in response # 9, above, ain't managed to come through, yet...
Leastwise, not here...

[Steve R.]

Same.

[Oakgrovebacon]

I like the way you have tackled this project! Looking good! Please keep the thread going so we can see the finished cooker.

[Mudkat]

[holehogg]

Mudkat Great workmanship and fantastic looking. Curious to find out if there is a reason that the intake holes ends are located towards the top of the drum?

[Mudkat]

holehogg Thanks! I've had too many birthdays to bend down to adjust the air intake. Smile.