My unique take on an UGLY DRUM SMOKER

This is D&E's take on an Ugly Drum Smoker built from a 55 gallon barrel and parts from a Weber 22" charcoal grill. I did not follow all the rules which most follow when building a UDS style BBQ smoker, but I am hoping the end result can smoke meat with the best of 'em!
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We hope you enjoyed this video and will keep in mind that all information included is intended to be purely academic and in fact is only the opinion of D&E. We are not professionals, nor are we qualified to knight you a professional. D&E want to ensure that anyone modify or fixing their own vehicle does so in a safe manner which leaves the vehicle in a legal, roadworthy state. In short, DON'T BE A MONKEY WITH A TOOL BOX! If you don't know what you are doing, leave it the professionals!

[@rmcmillan]

Great job. Your really good with your hands and well thought through. I built one too so i appreciate what you have done.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thanks buddy! Nothing test better than food prepared on a Smoker you buuilt yourself!

[@user-neo71665]

The burn out on these makes me glad I have a pot sandblaster. A few minutes and I have a barrel ready for final paint. Heat rises, the hottest part of the smoker is the top of the drum (dome here). You put the thermometer down at grate level to know what the heat is where the meat is. All that said the best way is to get a probe and slowly cook the meat to the correct internal temp without worrying what the smoker temp is.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Yea, believe it or not, that thermometer at the top read cooler than at the grates. I did end up getting a probe which is the best way to go about it

[@83countrysquire]

Yes Metal conduit fittings for running electrical.... the one you have attaches to metal boxes. Normally good for if your running individual wires.

[@jerkmansgrillproductions8923]

Bro ?You have all the tools to your disposal! Man !! thats my dream.I live in an Apartment.3rd floor.All I have is a Tool Box.

[@martingindulis5310]

looks good

[@antoineanderson2415]

I just joined your channel awesome build I'm into grilling and smoking I always wanted to build my own smoker you made it easy for ah roockie like myself lol.thanks.

[@marvinhall471]

You are a great builder sir. The temp thing will work out better at food level because the temperature will be different then the top. But you may end up adding some more probes, one for in the meat and the other one for food level temp. I am looking hard at making one. Love your taking parts from another Webber grill!

[@themeatstall9001]

Outstanding video brother. Thanks for sharing

[@KyonNolex]

Eyy! I dig the fact that you were wearing a fello jeeper channels merch in this vid. The bearded Jeeper is actually from my neck of the woods, hah. I loved this build!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thanks! Bearded Jeeper is the man! I was actually wearing a BleepinJeep "I'm a Jeep fan" shirt as well... half my tee shirts are Jeep KZbin Channels. haha

[@TheBeardedJeeper]

Isokay Kyon us jeepers gotta stick together

[@MikeFLHT]

I am just starting to look into building a UDS. You really did a great job here. You put a lot of work into it but you used a lot of ingenious ideas and you stuck to it. I'll bet you're making some good food on that now. Thanks a bunch for all your hard work and putting it all on KZbin.

[@DEInTheGarage]

This UDS was the best thing I ever built. I have used it nearly every weekend for two years and it is holding up GREAT

[@LUCKYB.]

Better than what I thought 👍

[@jdgower1]

Nice build - but one should NEVER use zinc plated anything in a grill or smoker build. That's just bad juju for a lot of reasons. Like 'Poison'. (Those conduit fittings are not only made out of the softest steel you can find, they're also hella zinc plated). Also, while I'm usually a huge fan of ball valves in most applications, a plain jane gate valve would be what I would use. Ball valves and stop valves have plastic seals in them that could be damaged by the heat, but a rough and ready gate valve is just a wedge of brass stuck between a couple brass guides. Yeah, not as easily identifiable as for what setting you're shooting for, but hella more adjustable and repeatable over time.

[@perfectsmoked1674]

Excellent video, Maintain the good job. With thanks!

[@TheBeardedJeeper]

Looks great man. Nice bearded Jeeper shirt BTW thanks for the support brother. Can’t wait to see that smoker in action

[@DEInTheGarage]

Hell Yea buddy! A few of of your loyal subs noticed it and commented about it. Love that shirt!

[@TheBeardedJeeper]

D&E In The Garage that’s awesome I didn’t even know that

[@PoohBeer6342]

Nice build. But a little advice, you should drill a hole for the thermometer closer to the cooking grate since that is where you're food is actually cooking at. Hot air tends to rise faster so you might find that where the thermometer is at through the exhaust it might read 250, but the grates are actually 225 or lower.

[@chrisl3567]

Nice build man! It's a lot cleaner than my UDS. Mine stays ugly lol. Just a little hint, I used my air chisel on the inside lip of the top and the 22in top seals tight on the roll. It also took like 45 seconds to a minute to cut around that thing if you strap it to something so it doesn't move. Great video!

[@DEInTheGarage]

That is an awesome tip. Thanks buddy! I am planning another build, so I will likely go that direction

[@Bailedelosito]

T size air pipes did you use 3/4 or 1 inch. Great job man

[@outdoorsmansgarage]

This was Outstanding man! Breaking up the routine on a KZbin channel is a good thing.

[@DEInTheGarage]

I agree! I am hoping to sprinkle in some BBQ vids now that the smoker is up and almost running

[@robgittens4533]

Bro you have to do a video using the ugly smoker..... and I agree needs a jeep emblem.....

[@DEInTheGarage]

There will DEFINITELY be a video when I finally get the smoker going.

[@danhambrick6331]

Damn Doug,that looked like a lot of work!!!

[@DEInTheGarage]

It absolutely was and honestly only cost marginally less expensive than a similar product from PBS, but there is something to be said for the satisfaction of DIY.

[@garygerard4290]

I've seen enough I've subbed and will check out some more of your builds

[@4WDriver]

This guy truly sleeps, breathes and now eats Jeep! Doug, you said this video was going to be non Jeep related, and you end up using a castellated nut from a Jeep Dana 30! Couldn't resist, could you? LoL 😂. I can't give you too much flack here, though, cause I would make a grill/smoker out of the hood and grill of a Jeep if I had the money and space to store it. Honestly, I think you screwed up, bud... You're Ugly Drum Smoker isn't very ugly.

[@ProjectDanH]

Dude! I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this vid. It came out amazing. I really wanna make a D&E smoker now! I just have to get my wife to like smoked meats first 🤣. Maybe one day..

[@DEInTheGarage]

Haha... who doesnt like smoked meats?! Thanks for the view and comment, Danno!

[@owenbame1131]

Dude that looks nice

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thanks buddy

[@nathanevans2755]

You should have cut the lid off from the top, like a can opener so you can preserve the curved lip at the brim.

[@dougbowen4685]

Yep. Grind the edge of the lid’s lip until you see the crack where the lid meets the drum. Once you see it, use a little screwdriver and a light hammer to work your way around the drum popping the little off. That way you keep the lip on the drum for strength. And the Weber lid will still fit.

[@joepfohl5259]

Great build man. Love the wheel setup. I will say, I think you're going to get temp readings that are way hotter than the cooking temps are at the level of the racks (which is the only location that actually matters when you're smoking). Maybe throw a digital on the rack and compare to the temp of what you're getting in the dome.

[@DEInTheGarage]

You are correct that this thermometer has been inaccurate so far, but believe it or not the racks are about 20 degrees hotter I have found. I cannot figure why that would be at all.. I am going to do exactly what you said and put a digital probe at the racks at some point

[@joepfohl5259]

@@DEInTheGarage Is the thermometer in the dome adjustable? A lot of the dial type thermometers are pretty inaccurate and require calibration. It's definitely surprising that the rack temps are hotter. All that matters though is that you like the food that comes off it. 👍

[@DEInTheGarage]

@@joepfohl5259 This one does not seem to be adjustable. It was a super cheapest option. I have had success just acknowledging that it is 20 degrees hotter and adjusting valves accordingly. This smoker has produced some EXCELLENT BBQ so far. mostly ribs and wings so far. Already itching to build a bigger one with an indirect heating source.

[@joepfohl5259]

@@DEInTheGarage Very nice. Can't wait for the vid. I'm not a Jeep guy (yet) but I'll sub for the BBQ content for sure. Thanks and keep up the good work!!

[@DEInTheGarage]

@@joepfohl5259 Well thank you. Jeeps and automotive content is our bread and butter, but I will be sprinkling in the occasional smoker video. I have my wing recipe almost perfect, so i will post a video soon to show that off

[@MrPauletime]

Nice video. What's your take on a used oil drum for the smoker? I am thinking that is what you used? Any other people out there that have used an oil drum? I do not have easy access to a food grade drum. comments appreciated.

[@eltonsbbq-pit]

I'm about to make an UDS myself so thanks for this detailed guide. Wht size was that weber lid you used? 22 inch? Cheers from Norway!

[@peterodriguez2364]

the only industry tool I know is a long flat screwdriver and a hammer. lol... layed it. on th back of my truck bed and reached in n got ti work like an Argentinean Coal Miner.. hehe.. Industrial

[@whayes1282]

You keep saying unique. I built one almost identical to this only I didn't cut the rolled edge off the top and my intake was a single 2" hole at 2 inches up from the bottom. Then I cut 4 2" holes 2inches down for my rebar hanging rods. The top I used was also a webber kettle lid from and old grill I had. I didn't use any ball valves for air. As for my fire box I too used an old small propane tank where I used 4 2" holes for air. I used it for about 4 years before it rusted out on me completely. Not many make it this way, but mine worked so good. I now have materials to make me another one.

[@thomasmetzger3447]

I like it but , avoid anything conduit related minimal as possible your heat will probably never get enough to release it *** but galvanize when hot enough lets off poisonous gas **

[@DEInTheGarage]

That is a fair point to make. When I make my next one I have a number of design modifications to make

[@godra051]

Thermometer is put on the rack level as it's different temp thennin the dome

[@sadatdelavega]

Good day sir, Excellent build on that smoker. I was trying to build one the cheapest way I can now but I’m new to it all. I was wonder, with a burn out on the drum to purify it, if I burn it out 3 times, does it matter what was in it before or if it’s “FoodGrade?” In other words, does the burn out make any barrel drum safe to smoke with after? Thanks in advance

[@beforeandafterphotos]

Did you only need one can of spray paint?

[@jack0903]

I just wire 11 ga. To tie the exhaust

[@fattieworkman4601]

Awesome work man. Question is that a Thursday tattoo on your arm?

[@jake-mv5oi]

I'd guess the real elec-chickens just use a hammer and a flat blade screwdriver to tighten up those nuts.

[@DEInTheGarage]

good call!

[@Miohunter444]

I sold car paint for years and I've heard stories of guys cutting thinner drums to make a grill blowing the selvs sky high lol

[@DEInTheGarage]

Had a buddy do it on a propane tank he "knew" was empty. haha

[@Miohunter444]

@@DEInTheGarage Wow, how bad of shape was he in.?

[@mannyfilmsinc]

If you need to ad more wood or charcoal , you need to remove everything that is on top ... ?

[@DEInTheGarage]

For now, yes. I am working on a design for a door

[@danletourneau2220]

Well done! Sad that only 1 Jeep part was used though.

[@DEInTheGarage]

I almost cut the end of the CV axle I just pulled to use as the front food, but ti seemed like an unnecessarily heavy piece for no reason. If it works out I was to add some stuff like shelfes and possible a chimney on top. Maybe I can work in some Jeep parts then

[@MatthewHoldcraftVideos]

It’s an EMT connector

[@DEInTheGarage]

thanks :-)

[@elinino5275]

Does it matter how long this bottom tubes are? Most in YT are as tall as the drum!

[@dougbowen4685]

That’s the “Fat Man Mod”… some say it restricts the airflow and makes it harder to regulate the temperature. I’ve never built one that way so I can’t really say if it does or not.

[@ryanwilson_canada]

Grinder and paint. Lol.

[@mannyfilmsinc]

I would put the thermometer where the meat is , not on the top

[@DEInTheGarage]

That thermometer is just for rough estimates. I have a digital probe I use on the rack