Someone posted something a while back....

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...and made me drool all over my keyboard when I followed the link he had posted.The link lead me to "The Smoke Ring" where the folks there are dedicated to good food.  After spending about 2 weeks drooling, I had a hankering for some smoked meat, so I built a smoker.  Commonly called there an Ugly Drum Smoker (UDS) made out of a 55 gallon barrel.I didn't take any photos of the build, until it was done.  But I've had some good comments about it there.Here ya go......... Attached ImagesMarkI 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:So, after it was built, I had to burn it out to get rid of all the old grease that was in the barrel.  Then I seasoned it the following day with spray Olive Oil. Attached ImagesMarkI 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:So today, I fired it up and smoked a Top Sirloin Tip roast.  Took about 4 hours at 225-350 degrees.  Turned out very nice.  Nice and tender, the "bark" was a bit salty, so next time I'm going to create my own rub.  One with less salt.Thermometer reads about 20-25 degrees low as verified with boiled water & electronic thermometer.  Smoked the roast to 165 degrees then foil wrapped it.  Took it out at 180 degrees to let it rest, it continued to cook until it reached 190 degrees.  Unfoiled & let it cool a bit before supper.Here ya go, a different type of porn............ Attached ImagesLast edited by MarkBall2; 10-02-2009 at 10:37 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:Joker, I'll have something ready this weekend, if you want to bring the wife & kids over for some Que.  Just let me know.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:I dont know if I was the one who posted about the smoke ring but I'm over there, still working on my cooker but its taking about 9 months longer then expected. However it should be done soon, it has to be ready for the GT v FSU game next weekend!wait until you try a butt thats been cooked low and slow for about 14hrs, nothin' like it.If you cannot convince them, confuse them.         Harry S Truman
Reply:Well, I'll let you take the blame.  I have a Boneless Turkey breast ready for this weekend.  Might even do a fattie too, don't know yet.To be honest, I don't know how to cook.  I just play at it.  I think taking this to 190 was a bit too much.  Probably should have started the cooling at 180.  It was awful tender though.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:I dunno how you like your beef but I'd have that sucker off their at 140(medium) and let it rest half an hr then slice it thin as can be and make some killer french dip sandwiches. Throw a foil pan under while it cooks and catch some drippings then grab half a cup of beef stock, some kitchen boquet (one drop) and a small amount of corn startch and whip up a killer as-ju.If you cannot convince them, confuse them.         Harry S Truman
Reply:Looks good Mark. I'm curious how you fuel it. Do you have a door in the lower side to stoke it (not shown), or just feed the coals from the top?I've got a friend who love to grill and smoke. He wants me to do a smoker for him at some point. Now if he'll only make up his mind what he wants me to build... He keeps changing his mind. Oh and the smoke ring IS a great site..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Well Mark, with the addition of the of the cart, you almost ruined it for the category of ugly .. But hey the meat tastes great I'll bet. Looks good.
Reply:I think you would be right Silverado.  140 would be a better temp, but I don't like "rare" meat.  Next ones I do, I'll decrease the temp & see how it looks.  Just finished slicing it (about room temp) & still moist.  Tossed it in the fridge after slicing.  I would love a good French Dip.  Have to try it next, but no grill below the grate to hold a foil pan.DSW, the fuel is Royal Oak lump that goes in the fire pan/box I built.  A person loads it from the top, then adds a few lumps of whatever wood you want to use for smoke.  Then toss in some lit coals & let it run.  There are 4 air inlets at the base of it.  3 are capped & one has a ball valve on it to control the air intake.  These were 2" long 1" pipe nipples, with a 1" conduit lock nut welded to the side of the barrel.Here are a few pics of what the air intakes & the design.  I did add the dolly myself, cause I may want to move it once in a while.  It rolls over the grass to the concrete by the pool pretty easy. Attached ImagesMarkI 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:Not really Sandy..................take a gander at the welds, pretty ugly if you ask me, but they work for this project.  The important ones are much better.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:I had a small 25 or 30 gallon drum that set around here for years not knowing what to do with it other than as a temporary table from time to time. The bottom finally rusted through setting in the dirt for so long. It would have been an ideal candidate for a small version of what you've done.
Reply:I have another one, but it's a 30 gallon & a solid lid.  I'd have to cut it out, but Joker has a Plasma Cutter.A modification on the UDS is to use the Weber charcoal grill lid.  It fits perfectly.  Then you can get 2 grates & do a whole turkey on the top.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:Well, I had a Jennie-O Turkey Breast from Walmart in the freezer.  Took it out & let it thaw a day or so in the fridge before I could get to it.  Come to find out the maker had wrapped it & put a marinade on it.  I just took it out & didn't do much to it.Wrapped in a basket weave Bacon wrap, tossed it on the smoker for 2.5 hours at 300 degrees.  Tossed in some baked beans with onions & left over bacon pieces, let it all cook for a few hours.Pulled the turkey at 160 internal temp, foiled it until it reached 170, then sliced it up.....Dang this was better than the roast.  Not salty at all, very moist, could cut it with a fork.  Beans turned out good too.  Not much left over after I had my way with it!!!! Attached ImagesMarkI 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