55 Gallon Drum Smoker Build Project

[@bluetank92]

I think the craziest part is that they took not one but two of the best, nearly ready UDS smokers and turned them into a moderately ok offset smoker. But, I guess whatever gets them smoking and makes them happy. Nice effort fellas.

[@atozrecovery518]

My grandfather used a wood burning stove and a long metal flex pipe to a 55 gallon drum. Making his homemade smoker. Thanks for sharing

[@bryanthomaslee]

I’m building one like that now. Found an older stove that couldn’t be used as a heater or stove anymore, but would suit the purpose of a firebox.

[@JesseLynnLibertarian]

I love this channel, because it's like everything I'd do if I had the skills, money and time!

[@snykerjuniorpeapea5049]

Cc'd

[@jshepard152]

Before you do this, make damn sure the old contents of the drum were not flammable. Vapors can be just as explosive as the former contents, and guys have gotten killed cutting or drilling into "empty" drums that exploded. A guy in Pennsylvania got killed by a burn barrel last week. There was another incident in Iowa that killed a man who was welding on top of a barrel, using it as a workbench. Filling the drum with water before cutting into it can displace explosive vapors, if done correctly.

[@LUpton-rq1fg]

Honey, explosive? 🙂

[@Gravertrain]

Good job! Not sure what your time is worth, but fabricating is hard work and time consuming. After watching, I think I'd spend the $300 at Lowes and get one that comes in a box. Can't even imagine how much beer this project took. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@alexduke5402]

Lol I don't get it I see all these diy vids on the internet and they spend 50-100hrs building apiece of shit and are all proud of it when you can go buy it for 100-300$ and it looks a hell of a lot better. IDK me? I'll go work a few hours and buy one. If I'm going to build something I'm going all out on it and it will be something that goes fast! When I was younger I did all the welding on a guys he was fabing everything and had me lay all the bead on it. it was one of those oval 200 gal house tanks built a trailer and everything turned out a really good smoker/grill! He spent a lot of time on it but he was retired and bored!

[@jacquelynn2051]

@@alexduke5402 I enjoy seeing Men build things...even overly time consuming things. This would not work in my life. I have no man.

[@kyletracey5819]

Nice job ! Im telling you , anything you smoke in this unit will be amazing ! Theres something about it being your own home made smoker that makes the food even better. Pro unit vs home made ? I would go for homemade anyday ! Liked your bender , trailer hitch bender. Keep on smoking boys ! Cheers from canada

[@Whin556]

Love the mindset going in. Just made adjustments and had fun with it. Nice job!

[@gawalacs1]

When using a hole saw that is for wood on metal, run it in reverse, it will cut thin steel like that like a charm without damaging the bit. Obviously set the guide drill bit like normal, then reverse your drill when starting with the hole saw. I actually only buy the cheap wood hole saws because you can buy a dozen of them for a price of a quality metal hole saw.

[@hugedickerinokripperino5299]

Scalawag . I feel like getting a quality diamond hole saw would be better in general no?

[@philbertoneriver5923]

Awesome tip. Thanks!

[@bareavis]

I have made several cookers/grills/smokers whatever you want to call them out of 55 gallon drums that contained paint. The best thing to do is wash all the contents out then grind where you are going to weld. Cleaner and not as much time lost. In the past I used a skil jigsaw which has a laser to cut the hood and side opening but now I have a plasma cutter. I'd strongly recommend a jigsaw since it makes a cleaner cut than an angle grinder.

[@swarren925]

Was super pumped to see this being done by guys in my state.

[@ericstonge3285]

Nice job guys going to build one this week end. Great and easy. Thanks!!! Now me and my boys have some time to hang have fun . No phones lol just men face to face .

[@heyreddin2.0s10]

Great video! It's a little easier to access the inside off the barrel for wire brushing after cutting the lid hole. Good job men.

[@kingofthejungle3833]

I take it that you didn't notice the threaded bung holes that could've been used for the chimney and air intakes

[@lettmien218]

That's the cutest lil shop vac Ive ever seen.

[@billytwowillies]

I built one of these a few years ago. Mainly just because I had a drum laying around, and its good practice welding and cutting. Its one of those things you would build different the second time around. Mine works...but haven't really used it...takes ALOT of charcoal to keep the heat in a big drum.

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

Yes, we went through multiple large bags of charcoal on that first use. The volume of the drum, air leaks, and thickness of the sheet metal all play a role in that I assume.

[@stevenmchenry8417]

Even nicer video after watching a few months later. I have the same mig welder as well.

[@campbellmarty36]

God I so miss the patients I USED to have to do this kinda stuff!! Now I just grab an $89 Weber and head home!!!🤣🤣🤣☝️☝️

[@tmtaylo4983]

Using a tape measure to hold up the metal handle as you cut it... looks like when I’m working. Cutting stuff on top of the garbage can... 😂

[@MrMalcolm220]

These are the kind of projects I love doing....

[@ThatE46]

U should make a little sliding box underneath where the wood burns. To make for even easier cleaning, that way you dont need a shopvac to suck out old burnt coals. 👍👍 seems like you guys could make that happen pretty easily

[@jeffarp7409]

Hey guys good video, But you can lay the barrel on its side and rolled the barrel around WITH THE FIRE IN IT, so it will burn off the paint on the sides. it will burn under the wood and above the fire so dont let it lay in one spot for very long because it will warp the metal, so " SO KEEP IT MOVIN MOVIN " not critiazing just commenting and sharing the knowhow. Love the project.

[@zorilla6151]

Just FYI and I know not everyone can just go out and get this but sand blaster works great for this type of stuff

[@jamesbaileybailey1672]

Q

[@jimmysjamin1]

That was so Awsome been wanting to do something like this for a long time ! Now thanks to your video and very cool ideas I'm going to give it a shot going to be a nice winter project me thinks ! Bravo guys on a job well done thanks again This will be my tutorial video.

[@rosstrue1]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. For future reference it is called expanded metal not perforated mesh.

[@Jonroy6969]

If you need to clean the inside of a drum after burning just fill with a bit of sand and small stone, cap end and take for a roll.. Sandblasting on the cheap :)

[@peanut71968]

Nice job, Fuzzy!

[@kansaIainen]

Add hinge before cutting the lid loose. Much easier.

[@cnclathe21]

Great job guys but as a lot told you cut the barrel do what ever you want to do with it and finally sent it for a sand bluster and its ready to rock

[@nathanblanchet2648]

I plan to make a few of these once I get the barrels. Luckily I've got a powerplasma cutter. It sure will make the cutting easier.

[@Ryan-zb2nw]

It’s 3 o’clock in the morning and the only thing that trips my brain is that I have the same welding helmet as his

[@Tigerfire75]

To keep the rust off the barrel you can always coat it in a food grade epoxy

[@mikesmith7136]

Lmao

[@alexduke5402]

It's not the welder it's you I hear people all the time saying they're welder doesn't do thin metal good...I was welding exhaust pipe in highschool with a stick welder constantly hearing you can't weld that thin of Pipe with a stick... If tell them Hey man look under my truck or 3 of my friends truck I'm sure you can still find some slag. When I finally I got the Miller 252. Welding sheet metal was like working with a hot glue gun lol! You can do it just keep practicing I HIGHLY DOUBT It's the welders fault. If I can learn with an old farm Miller stick welder under a truck than you can do it on a smoker with a mig! I have faith in you!

[@sjagain]

So in other words, no need to look for "food grade" drums? Which one of you is Lloyd and which is Harry?

[@Phil454LSX]

After watching this, I would say that if you are going to burn it out, why bother with food grade? Just get the fire hot enough to burn everything but the steel.

[@hugedickerinokripperino5299]

The only dangerous thing you’d really have to look out for is galvanized steel

[@Matzieu1]

Two kids ended up dying by doing the same thing with non-food grade drums a few years ago. Turn out that peppermint oil residue in the drums can ignite pretty easily.

[@hugedickerinokripperino5299]

Mathieu Seguin damn what??? But not really toxic.

[@strayingboi5389]

sjagain it's called natural selection evolution finds a way

[@conqueeftador245]

Quick tip for next time, to remove the paint use a propane tank with a torch attachment and burn off the paint like that.

[@63517489]

You want a ripping flame going in your burn out. You should be able to see a large plume over the top of the edge. That way it burns off what can be burnt and creates your initial char layer in the smoker (kind of like a dutch oven with seasoning them). Each additional cook after that adds to it and provides somewhat of an insulation to keep the smoker at temp. Also, you want it running for at least 8 hours, but usually around 12. You don't want to stop that fire from going. Let it work. However, because you choked it out, you got a mild burn out, but also made some charcoal, that if you still have, should use for smokes. You want a way smaller exhaust and intake from the fire box. Like 2" diameter max.

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

Thanks for the info! We quickly learned that the firebox intake was too big when using it lol

[@tedcombes6247]

Dad dicks galore I’m currently building an offset smoker out of a 55 gallon drum, but I can’t find what the correct size fire box to smoke chamber opening should be. Im going to use another 55 gallon drum the same as in this video. Can you help? Cheers

[@zorilla6151]

Good job guys. Looks pretty good fellas

[@RED2K2TIMMY]

Now I’m looking for a good safe barrel lol. + side I’m also in md - side it’s been two years since this video was posted lol

[@wildmaninmt]

Good to see you are using a 1970,s jigsaw

[@brotherbrian1]

8:01 I used to have a Jigsaw just like that I got from my Dad. Those things just don't die. Not like the B&D of today for sure.

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

Yep, it's a great little saw!

[@gregpallett1839]

brotherbrian1 I have one from my dad too.

[@timothyleger4385]

I still have mine !! 1980 model !! 😁😁👍👍✌

[@1985cjjeeper]

Add me to the list. Thanks dad!

[@warpedone2]

Thanks for filming

Excellent job guys.

[@haroldkemp499]

That is awesome. Good work

[@BIGBUDDY291]

That was awesome guys. Keep the videos coming.

[@derek3249]

Well done lads. Looks awesome

[@sarcasmo57]

Love this so much.

[@Plan9wood]

You guys are real men

[@johnchestnutt6892]

Recently i went to a buddy's house for the first time in a while to watch golf and cook out and was surprised what he had turned into his smoaker. He had several different meats in 3 drawers of a 4 drawer fireproof tall file cabinet. Maybe some of ya'll have seen this but i hadn't. Maybe i can get him to do a how to build video on it. Oh, the first time i met him in college he had something else just as cool that he built sitting on his bar. It was a working guillotine about a foot tall! I asked what he used it for and was told, "mice, dummy, isn't it obviously a mousetrap"?

[@wesleypipelayer7627]

I find that most bed frames are made from cheap and/or cast iron. Usually causing lots of problems with the welds holding up over time.

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

I wouldn't put a huge amount of load on the welds, but so far so good on things I've built with them. Drilling is awful and welding is messy/difficult, but free is free and sometimes that's good enough

[@wesleypipelayer7627]

@@FuzzyDiceProjects Haha…. Very true.

[@ear3d]

Would love to know total price spent for drums, grates, fans. Could have just bought a smoker at Lowe's

[@nickw9376]

"As usual, the project is much more complicated than it initially seemed" HAH! Spoken by a man who is always doing something for the first time....and being heard by a man just like him. :-)

[@DrunkGrilling]

@ 1:25 now that sounds like some Bill Clinton talk we tried not to inhale

[@bryanmayes9234]

I...did not..have...sexual...relations...with that barrel

[@bryanmoffett1917]

I use a 12 gauge deer slug to vent my burn barrels. Way more fun👍

[@goldenhorshoe4814]

Nicely done

[@chefgiovanni]

Nice build, it looks sturdy like my Char Griller. I suggest you line it with pizza stones or bricks for even heat retention, try it. Thumbs up.

[@TheKnightDrag0n]

This is ART!

[@tonyabbott3882]

Great video

[@cristian6766]

Holly fuck!!! Even you dig a hole in the ground I would watch with interest, and it would be interesting as hell!!! I love what you post and don't know what to do with my life until the next one :D All the best!

[@josevazquez4125]

Very cool smoker

[@TheFilosa93]

That's awesome guys ! Keep it up

[@csufjeff]

Awesome build cheers Jeff

[@zuilok]

Very nice, I´ve done something very similar a couple of years ago. And while mine works just fine it doesnt look anywhere as nice as this one, I gotta step up my game.

[@triblues7065]

Why soany negative and sarcastic comments? Kudos to the blokes for a job well done. /world peace

[@hughjass1980]

That's a damn good looking pit. Great job man! 🔥🐮🐷🐔🔥

[@desertdawg3409]

Try it next time... After burning drum out good, fill drum about 1/4 with water, sand, small stones/gravel and just a dash of liquid dish soap.. Put lid back on and have the kids roll it around the yard for an afternoon. It will clean off almost all of the burnt paint down to steel and save a lot of time wire wheeling. If you're going to burn the drum out, you don't have to worry about food grade materials.

[@williammiller7791]

yep, i was thinking gravel and pushing it around with the mower, the slurry sounds like a good plan

[@desertdawg3409]

@@williammiller7791 It works good. By incinerating the inside almost any barrel could be used unless real nasty stuff. Larger stones give weight and sand, well it's like liquid sandpaper. Longer you roll it the more polished it'll get... pop the lid and check it.. Only used washed sand, no dirt in it, get sandblasting sand at big box home supply store.... easy I have built several and cleaned the barrels that way.

[@watitduful]

Much props guys!

[@ELCRAIG04]

Great looking smoker

[@brandonharvey7939]

Heat rises so if you are trying to heat the barrel then maybe the giant hole in the barrel should be facing any direction besides up...... flip the barrel over ... your blower is just blowing heat out the top faster

[@benscott19841]

Nice video, but honestly i would have made two UDSs, they take no time hardly to build and work great. I like where you went and you did great work.

[@guardianenelmuro]

Friends for the next project i recomend to create the smoker weld everything and then you burn all !! i did like this to mine and works better. less work..

[@gregbenwell6173]

Great Idea and an amazing build.....BUT I see one small problem with your design!! The Chimney should be, HAS TO BE placed higher up on the barrel side and then it should be aimed UP above your lid height!! The reason this is done on professionally built smokers is to "direct" the air flow (and smoke" from top to bottom and thus allow the heat and smoke to be pulled THROUGH the smoker and across your cooking food! Think about it like making a ditch so water flows DOWN HILL, but instead you want the smoke to work in your favor, and run "uphill", fire at the bottom, smoke out of the top!!!!

[@themanthelegend7048]

Good job boys.

[@MrGarrettPearsonPhD]

"Not a how- to. A how-did." 😂😂

[@RedRisotto]

That is funny! I actually involuntarily tinkled... I am not proud of myself.

[@coatamundi8059]

I wish I knew all that I'd like to know on this subject . But what I do Know I'll pass on; For the Paint removal , Next time try one of these Chemicals; 1) Brake Fluid , It works in 1 to 4 days . It causes the Paint to Bulge-Up or wrinkle-up ! 2) " Concentrated " Chlorine Bleach. It will work, but will take days longer. 3) Petroleum Distillates, Best to go to a Chemical Supply Company ( or Warehouse ). You can get good Advice . And Not have to endanger your lungs and eyes ( w/ Sanding ). On the " Wood for Smoking " Certain Cookbooks have that Information " . For chicken [ & possibly Seafoods ] try certain Citris Woods; Orange wood, or Lemon wood and you can experiment w/ others . In " Experimenting " A rule of thumb may apply in this case ! I once was scanning the dial on the A.M. radio and one person asked ; " How can you tell if a Wine will be Good for Cooking " ? The Guest said; " As Rule of Thumb , if you don't like the taste of it when Sipping, you won't like the taste of it in the Food " ! As for Smoking Foods, I " can't " say if this will work as well , BUT Taste and Smell are very similar . " Use you own Discretion " !

[@MasterDisaster00]

Awesome. Do more DIY stuff like this. It seems you always try to repurpose things and that's great to see.

[@sheadc13]

The chimney should be on top. It would not require a wind cover in that position either

[@coolbytestv]

you can use lacquer thinner to melt down paint coating inside of the drum

[@terrygrant3206]

great camera work.

[@paulminor4707]

the easiest way to do this is to get empty oil (or Waste oil) barrels, they are usually not coated on the inside and a fire or some break cleaner easily gets rid of the leftover oil.

[@Mono_Jungla]

Great video !!

[@joeschmoe1862]

Enjoyed this video very much. Now is it possible to make a longer smoker or griller.

[@tysonmayberry1208]

well done very enjoyable and informational video. if only our government were run by people this intelligent

[@cpjeffers]

Nice, cool project!

[@jeremyhigdon3402]

I'm just wondering if anyone might know this question? Can I use the charcoal from the wood for a filter for dirty water. Like in a survival situation. I know I have to boil it to purify it. I'm just wandering if charcoal would help filter the water.

[@nathanblanchet2648]

A project like this would go so much faster with a powerplasma cutter. Excellent job cutting straight lines with the angle grinder though.

[@joemarsamson1380]

Bro, sand blaster is real..you should try it

[@davidopliger1347]

awesome job dudes.

[@indylive4926]

I had my barrel blasted clean by a powder coat company for $50, I think. Well worth it.

[@Stevil808]

i used a food grade coconut oil drum, it was bare metal inside.

[@yhwhswarrior6086]

Great job!

[@larryparish5984]

Why not just use the bung holes for the intake & exhaust ? No cutting, or welding holes.

[@eliezerriveraperez3810]

Nice,I used to live my self at Salisbury MD until 2007

[@nickw9376]

Just a comment. Using the trailer hitch to bend the rod was good, but to make it MUCH easier, put a piece of pipe over it and use that to bend the rod. You get heaps more leverage, with even a couple of feet of pipe.

[@daveb9576]

Awesome good job guys

[@BushiBato]

thank you for the video.hope you guys have kept at the BBQ journey,also there are tons of great KZbin BBQ channels and the community vibe there is amazing.i have been BBQin here in SoCal for about 20 years,and it is one of the more fulfilling things you could do.Besides your projects on your channel of course.btw you kinda sound like Mark Wiens fyi

[@M_Ladd]

Awesome video! Not worth the time for it will only last about two years if your lucky!

[@paullamoureux5014]

Something you guys could have done to remove the paint quickly was to sandblast it either commercially or with a power washer sandblaster attachment

[@firearmssanctuary2448]

sand blaster is the way to go lol.

[@Kari-tu3fs]

High temp engineers silicon covers a lot of sins when needing air titghtness on things like this.

[@ramiroarellanojr.4852]

Nice,good job!

[@johnnymack8442]

Great video.now I am hungry.