Users' questions

Can you build a smoker out of a 55-gallon drum?

Can you build a smoker out of a 55-gallon drum?

A steel drum and a few plumbing parts make up this no-weld smoker you can build with just a few hours of work. Add meat and smoldering wood—and get ready to feast. BBQ isn’t really cooking—it’s a DIY project that ends with eating meat. …

Are drum smokers any good?

Drum smokers produce outstanding results with less effort than most other types of charcoal smoker. Whether you’re smoking ribs, brisket or chicken, drum smokers have a high capacity and a faster than average cooking time.

What can you do with 55 gallon drums?

Uses for a 55 Gallon Barrel in the Home

  • To Make an Inexpensive Wood Stove.
  • To Make a Small Septic System.
  • As Part of a Humanure System.
  • As Part of a Gray Water System.
  • As an Emergency Water Storage Solution.

Are drum smokers good?

How much is a good smoker?

Smokers can be had for as little as $50 and up to $10,000 or more. If you aren’t going to use it heavily, you may want to start with a small vertical water smoker.

How does a drum smoker work?

A: We’ll go into more details later but the simple answer is this: burning charcoal at the bottom of the drum produces heat (duh) and smoke, which heats up the air. The hot air rises to the food and cooks it before escaping out a vent at the top. As the air rises it pulls in more air through a small vent at the bottom.

How much will a 55 gallon drum float?

Each 55 gallon barrel will float approximately 450 pounds, BUT that is when the barrel is 99% submerged. If you only want half of the barrel in the water, cut that 450 figure in half.

Where can I get a 55 gallon drum for free?

Here’s a list of places to get free drums:

  • Free Stuff on Local Online Classifieds.
  • Drink Manufacturers.
  • Construction and Insulation Companies.
  • Car Dealerships & Auto Shops.
  • Car Wash.
  • Homebrew Supply Store.
  • Industrial Waste Collection Companies.
  • Newspaper Ad.

How much is a drum smoker?

If you have $800 to $1,000 to spare, feel free to pick up that 55-Gallon smoker or a similar large model. However, you can get a solid smoker for less than $200 as well.

What is an ugly drum smoker?

An Ugly Drum Smoker is a smoker built from a standard 55 gallon steel drum. The drum stands upright, with a charcoal fire at the bottom and a grill for food about 2 feet above the fire.

How much does a 55 gal metal drum weigh?

Weight: The weight for 55 gallon drums varies depending on thickness and material used. Metal drums, on average, weigh about 40 pounds, whereas poly drums average about 20 pounds. Water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon, which means each drum will have 460 pounds of water, added to the weight of the drum itself.

What is a barrel smoker?

The Barrel Smoker. The barrel smoker is a simple smoker made from a retrofitted steel drum. They have been around for a while in various forms, and since they were generally hand made, no two designs were exactly alike.