"Found" a 44 Gallon Drum

[bentalphanerd]

Long story short, I went to the Oktoberfest yesterday & came home with an almost new 44 Gal drum with lid and sealer ring.

I'm dreaming of a big wood/coke/briquette BBQ. Have power tools & metal work experience but no oxy or welder.

Anyone have a plan?

[thehotpepper.com]

Make sure there wasn't toxic waste in it unless you want some glow in the dark ribs :lol:

[bentalphanerd]

mmmmmmm - toxic ribs:drooling:

[chilliman64]

didn't find it in an abandoned bank vault in South Australia I hope...

[DevilDuck]

Hacksaw, vise-grips, and a hammer.

[chilliman64]

try www.buildabbq.com/buildabbq.htm

I reckon you could build a great smoker out of it!

[chilliman64]

speaking of Snowtown, did you hear about the body found in the 44 gallon drum filled with acid at Newcastle in a storage shed today? true story.

[bentalphanerd]

I remember one of Chopper Read's "friends" torso was found in a 44 floating down the Yarra River. Chopper said he died in a "bizarre fishing accident"

[chiliman]

mmmmmmm - toxic ribs:drooling:

That's the first thing i thought of, as well! Good on ya!

[bentalphanerd]

Sooo 'topic' - cut it down the middle with an angle grinder, some hinges, a handle. Does it need a chimney?

[LUCKYDOG]

heres one you can use or get ideas from
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/content/bbq.asp

and more to get ideas from
http://bbqguyblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/bbq-smoker-plans.html

I built one myself thats how got started... I offset the cutting of the "hood" leave some metal on the outside of the ends and used strap steel on the inside so the lid would rest on it. also a reason for this is to put a tapin (hvac) supply to attach the chimney. simply stick it to the side and screw in with 5/16 hex bolts and attach a 3ft section of pipe with cap (flu pipe) and use expansion steel for grill top. the legs or stand could be an old gas grill take the grill off and set on top.
before you cut all the way around --- after you cut the back put your hinges on it so it will be square.

have fun

[bentalphanerd]

Perfect, just what I was looking for. Thanks LUCKYDOG.

Is there a reason only 1/4 is cut away - I was planning on doing halves. Would that matter?

[LUCKYDOG]

You could do it half way I wanted my smoke stack at just abouve grate height on the side... it was too much weight on the top to keep swinging open I also chained my lid to the angel iron I bolted to the barrel to so I could leave the hood open... it primarily because of weight and smoke distribution...
Are you going to have the coals inside? If so I would also create a clean out door/vent (like a slide) on the bottom ...

Its a lot of fun... A friend of mine like to use 1/4 barrel stainless beer kegs to cook in cut sideways a gas burner under the bottom and you can boil crabs or make keilbasa and saurkraut in the whole barrel it wont rust so its perfect....

[bentalphanerd]

Sliding ash door on the bottom...great idea.

The whole top comes off this drum so I'm going to hinge that as well to stoke the wood/coals. The chimney will go on the other end. Do you put a damper in the flue? Thought it might help to go from bbq to smoker.

[LUCKYDOG]

Yes definitly a damper, a lot of these parts could be bought a hvac supply places or big box stores... You will probably end up running the damper close to being closed.... Barrels are not the most air tight and thick ... but for less than 50$ you can tgo wrong. You can get pretty creative I used an old wooden closet pole and small carriage bolts to make my lid handle and a good place to hang your tongs, gloves, spatula and try to have shelf for your beer or a table nearby

[bentalphanerd]

Creative is the word here. Smokers, flavored wood chips, even hot peppers that aren't 'birdseye' are as rare as hens teeth. Everything will need to be adapted from something else or built from scratch.
Shelf for beer hmmmm. I'm going to have to get a welder huh?

[LUCKYDOG]

Thats what makes it fun... get one of those helmets with the two beer compartments on it ....
Nah you dont need a welder a good drill bit and some bolts will get you thru. Like Frankenstein ... I named mine Cinderella my new one is PETA People Eating Tasty Animals
Is there any Orchards around? I use Mesquite and hickory alot you can probably buy a length of the lumber and chunk it up. I say the orchards if you can get some of their pruning bits you can get a nice smoke.

[bentalphanerd]

Thanks for all your help LUCKYDOG. I think I've got enough to get started on one of the 20 something plans I made in last few days.
:cheers:

[LUCKYDOG]

Any time.... let me know if you need any ideas

[xgrafcorex]

great info here. i might ultimately just be lazy and by a prefab one. :lol: does sound like a fun project though.

you could also go to a store that sells grill/smokers and look at them carefully to try to get some ideas on specific ideas you might want to include.

post pics of your progress. would love to see how it all comes together.

[chilliman64]

bent, you got that smoker working yet?

btw - you can get smoker chips at BBQs Galore and camping goods stores, though I recommend checking out local timber merchants/carpenters/'people who make stuff out of real timber' and see if you can't get some freebies. even if you get a piece of solid would you could always get yourself an old plane or rough file and make your own sawdust/shavings.

[bentalphanerd]

bent, you got that smoker working yet?

Any day now lol...probably get started this w/end. I have the inclination, the tools & a fridge full of beer.

What could possibly go wrong?

[chilliman64]

indeed, what could possibly go wrong???

[bentalphanerd]

...you could also go to a store that sells grill/smokers and look at them carefully to try to get some ideas on specific ideas you might want to include.

post pics of your progress. would love to see how it all comes together.

Wish there was a store graf - this city is so backward on all that stuff that best I can do is look at pics on the forum.

Will post pics so you can see true professionals in action ;)



btw - you can get smoker chips at BBQs Galore and camping goods stores, though I recommend checking out local timber merchants/carpenters/'people who make stuff out of real timber' and see if you can't get some freebies. even if you get a piece of solid would you could always get yourself an old plane or rough file and make your own sawdust/shavings.

I took a look at the local BBQ Galore & they had both kinds of bbq, gas & briquette. I did see some chips down at Bunnings in 1/2 kg bags for ridiculous prices, and spotted some smokers in a camping place that were big enough to fit a few prawns in. Lots of lumber yards about though, I'll go raid one for scraps.

------------------

I have been seeing these offset fireboxes for the smokers - how does that "pipe" in to the cooking area?

[bentalphanerd]

So heres the pics so far:

Busy week doing nerd stuff so went down the road & picked this hooded beast up for $99.

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/273/image001br7.jpg

Im going to quick hitch the legs on it tomorrow so I can remove the base & cart it around in the van when needed. Also try to track down a thermometer I can drill into the lid. I stuck my dehydrator thermo in there to see what temp it gave on full open...it looked good -

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4395/image002ic1.jpg

Isn't it amazing what can happen when you have a project & its 50C in the shed :lol: Still going to do the drum, at least now I can eat while putting it together. :cool:

[chilliman64]

won't be long and you'll be making smoked nerd ribs and smoked beef jerky and smoked salmon and smoked cheese and smoked chicken and smoked duck etc...

[DevilDuck]

won't be long and you'll be making smoked nerd ribs and smoked beef jerky and smoked salmon and smoked cheese and smoked chicken and smoked duck etc...

HEY!!! :shocked:

[chilliman64]

sorry Duckman...

[Pam]

HEY!!! :shocked:

Really. After that tequila thread I would be very cautious about letting you near anything with an open flame.

[DevilDuck]

I'm not flammable, just pickled.

[Sickmont]

I'm not flammable, just pickled.

Speak for yourself, bro....my blood can be used as a fuel source:lol:

[LUCKYDOG]

perfect temp! How long did it hold the heat?

[bentalphanerd]

perfect temp! How long did it hold the heat?

That was the gas full open & the lid up, so will hold it all day...is that what you meant?

[LUCKYDOG]

Sorry I thought it was coal :oops:

Still will work great for ya.

Make sure you have enough propane... Im sure you have enough gassssssssss.....

[bentalphanerd]

my kitchen stove runs off bbq bottles too...i have 3 spares in the shed.

I bought a few chooks today, will try roasting them in there tomorrow. Looking forward to that.

[LUCKYDOG]

Beer can Chook (chicken) is fantastic ...definitly try that

[bentalphanerd]

I've seen them in the Recipe section in here, look great.
I actually saw some purpose made frames down at the bbq show last week for that... $45 ...i pointed, laughed & left. In that order.
Will try a slow roast first, if that works out, I'll get adventurous.

[chilliman64]

and then...???

[bentalphanerd]

Worked out perfect - after a bit of fiddling I got it humming along at 180 C for two delicious moist crispy skinned chickens.
Might try for a pork leg next w/end. Who's got the lowdown on making crackling. I've heard many techniques but they all seem to only work 2 out of 3 times. Whats the secret?

[chilliman64]

I believe that a lot of salt is required...

[chilliman64]

no need to thank me for the insight! ;)

[bentalphanerd]

Thats where a tertiary education gets you.

Best results I've had have been from drying the fat thoroughly with paper towel & rubbing a little rock salt & dill into the cuts. Cook at very hot (around 280 C) for the first 20 mins then crank it back to normal roast temps. Still doesn't always work.

[LUCKYDOG]

I've never done it ....cant help ya there

[bentalphanerd]

can't do it this w/end anyway - will be in the shed making 'distilled water';)

[xgrafcorex]

i want to try some of that beer can chicken. sounds great!

good luck with the "water" :lol:

[chilliman64]

mmmmmmmmmmmm... distilled 'water' that tastes like bourbon...

[chilliman64]

bent, I bought a sausage making book the other day and it has some info on home made smokers - I'll scan and email it to you.

is it too early to tell how the water tastes?

[bentalphanerd]

bent, I bought a sausage making book the other day and it has some info on home made smokers - I'll scan and email it to you.

That would be very helpful Thanks again, again.

is it too early to tell how the water tastes?

Tch...can't rush these things you know, it takes time for a smooth, mellow tasting water.

Will be ready in 12 hours lol

[chilliman64]

better get your coherent posts out of the way then! ;)