Ugly Drum Smoker Build

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Been wanting to do one of these for a long time, and can't believe how simple they are to make, and how well they work. A lot of the info I found on the web recommends first doing a dry run without food to learn how to set the temps, but figured I might as well throw a couple racks of baby back ribs on. I used three 3/4" closed nipples, and evenly spaced them around the drum, and added a ball valve to one nipple, and can cap off the other nipples as needed, the bottom of the charcoal basket sits 24" from the cooking grate, I tack welded an ash pan to the bottom of the charcoal basket, and the ash pan sits about 1" from the bottom of the drum, and the charcoal basket about an 1-1/2" above the ash pan.  Also added two beer bottle openers, only one is shown. I filled the basket with about 6 lbs of unlit charcoal, then filled a charcoal starter full, lit those coals and when they were ready added them along with 3-4 chunks of hickory to the unlit coals, this is called the "Minion" method, and gives you a long steady burn The drum still held steady temps for another 3 hours after the cook, I forgot to take a picture of the ribs though, as I couldn't wait to get them inside and dig in! I cooked these baby back ribs for a total of 4-1/2  hours, 2 hours at the start, then 1-1/2 hour wrapped in foil with about a 1/2 cup of apple juice, then 1 hour out of the foil, and added sauce in the last 15 minutes. I'd recommend anybody buillding one of these to invest in a decent digital thermometer so you can monitor temps at the cooking grate, and the temp of the meat. When the thermometer on the outside of my drum read 250 degrees, my digital unit read 310 degrees at the cooking grate, this is due to the charcoal basket is about 17" in diameter, but the drum diameter is about 23" and the stem on the thermometer only protrudes into the drum about 2-1/2", so all the heat is in the center of the drum, but by capping the two intakes, and closing the ball valve about 1/2 way I was able to bring the cooking grate temp down to 240,  this was on a day when the outside temp was about 28 degrees.I still want to add a shelf to the drum, and need to drill a hole and find a grommet that I can run the two thermometer probes in through the side of the drum. There is a lot of information on the web on building and using these units, BBQ Brethren, and The Smoke Ring sites are a couple good ones. Another site I like is Amazingribs.com  it's full of recipes, and advice on using all kinds of smokers, grills, etc;Can't wait for the next cook! Attached Images
Reply:Very Nice! Nothing like something that is simple and works well. Also good pick on your team! Are you in NE like me?
Reply:Originally Posted by NECHEVYGUYVery Nice! Nothing like something that is simple and works well. Also good pick on your team! Are you in NE like me?
Reply:I like the desigh and build. How do you plan to move it? I didn't see any rollers.
Reply:You can find the grommets in the electrical department.  I think they are used as "water tight" fittings for flat wire.  To get to the center of the grate, use a Turkey Fryer thermometer.  Set it directly below the grate & it will be fairly accurate.  Then the digital remote thermometer can monitor the meat temp.Also if you can find a way to cap the exhaust, you can kill the fire & save on charcoal some.  90 west of Omaha, that's either Milford area or a bit further west, not quite to York.You can add your location via the User CP.  Location may come in handy if you need help or have something to sell.Last edited by MarkBall2; 01-19-2013 at 02:14 PM.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Originally Posted by a1998z3I like the desigh and build. How do you plan to move it? I didn't see any rollers.
Reply:Originally Posted by a1998z3I like the desigh and build. How do you plan to move it? I didn't see any rollers.