The Smokinator - Building an Ugly Drum Smoker

Last year, to add another dimension to my sauces, I tried out smoking my peppers. I loved what it added to the finished product. So I decided to build a proper smoker with the help of my brother
I am using 22mm or 7/8" compression fittings. You can use other sizes. Check your local plumbing or DIY store for the plumbing parts
Parts:
BBQ Cover: geni.us/bbqCover (keep it dry!)
Steel Oil Drum UK: bit.ly/45gdrum US: bit.ly/55gdrum
Coal Grate - 13.5"/34.5cm: geni.us/coal_grate
Meater Thermometer: geni.us/meaterplus
BBQ Thermometer: geni.us/bbqtherm
Stepped drill bit: geni.us/stepbit
22"/57cm Weber lid / BBQ Lid
Casters/Wheels: geni.us/castors
Steel diamond mesh
copper plumbing fittings
4 x 90' elbow
8 x bulkhead fittings
4 x ball valve taps
length of copper pipe
Nuts and Bolts (Make sure not to use anything galvanised!)
4x Coach Bolts & Nuts (to raise the coal grid)
4x U bolts (and extra nuts) to secure pipes
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[@designworksdw1949]

Stepper drill bit for the win. love those things

[@ChilliChump]

Yeah, I love the thing....so useful

[@derliebej7675]

Nice smoker! You can make your own smoked salt now: just spread some coarse sea salt over some baking paper and let it smoke with your peppers. It's awesome for making chili salt or for rubs. You could even make your fermenting brine with it ;)

[@ChilliChump]

Good idea, thank you!

[@mikeaguirre4108]

Very nice, looks simple and handy .

[@nw4980]

Best video yet of ugly drum, thanks

[@lukaszlucas1772]

Nice. Looks professional:) good to have a big brother ;) Have fun with new toy

[@poet519]

You have a straight up awesome brother.

[@sanchesxxx1245]

I love home smoked products!

[@nojosm]

Awesome build guys !

[@arkyandy9612]

Oh man those things cook like a champ. I have two myself. Great vid as always

[@jessiecole659]

I'm going to build one for sure thanks man

[@CDeanhartman]

Awesome project. Fortuitous that a Weber lid worked so well!

[@ChilliChump]

And also lucky that a friend of my brother had an old lid for me! Quick spraypaint with heat resistant paint, and good as new.

[@CDeanhartman]

@@ChilliChump Very true!

[@blacksmithbeta5337]

I'm excited for you.. that's pretty cool. 14/10 gonna have to try.

[@simplifygardening]

Great job and build guys

[@ChilliChump]

Thanks Tony! When are you coming for a visit to test it out? 😀

[@simplifygardening]

@@ChilliChump once i sort out my life here mate

[@bennielamb8911]

Awesome video. I definitely want to make one of these

[@JustinR82]

Added to the project list! Very cool!!

[@danielhasthemeatsweats3152]

Sweet. Love my UDS.

[@HappyPepper]

Super cool, Shaun! I smoke my peppers before dehydrating and making my powders and pepper flakes. Looking forward to the follow up video!

[@ChilliChump]

Thank you! I am busy editing the video for the first smoke that I did! Meat this time....but peppers are coming soon, once they ripen!

[@aaronthomas658]

Awesome video.

[@michaeljackson7361]

Awesome bro. Thanks

[@pete104242]

Did you use to be in the A-Team? Getting locked in a garage with a toothpick, some corrugated iron and built an attack truck? Although the A-Team music would be good for these builds!

[@carlosaguirre7723]

Think I’m going to to try this best way to build without welding, thank you.

[@thecub6012]

I do all my smoking in my Weber. That's pretty much just a way to fit a lot more in I love it! I can get drums that have been used for honey I'm pretty keen to make something like this now! I do a lot of fishing and it would be awesome for smoking fish at well! I love this channel chump your a wealth of relavant information 😊👍👍👍🌶🌶🌶

[@lukejosselyn7706]

Dustin The Australian you also have more layers depending how you setup your drum smoker & also better heat control + retention. I'm going to be building a UDS in a few weeks myself & currently have 5 Weber's 👍🏻

[@buddyweiz]

Nice hot smoker, next add a cold smoker! Basicly just an another woodburnerbarrel that you attach to your smoker thorough few meters of copperpipe so that the smoke cools down to 17-30 Celsius on the way... takes 4-5 days to smoke but it has way different aromas.

[@docink6175]

thats a really interesting design

[@linaso9739]

So, I assume sauce recipies with smoked peppers will follow 😁

[@ChilliChump]

Of course! 😀

[@AlabamaTree]

I’m going to make one of these. The drum is early to find.. I just need to source a Webber lid 🤔 Have you made any videos of it being used?

[@liliyachala7392]

Замечательная конструкция!

[@PanasiaexportsHK]

My next favourite thing after chillis is smoked meat. Cant wait!

[@craigjacob3704]

Just got gofted a oklahoma Joe for my birthday. Cant wait to put the mods on it and get her seasoned.

[@ChilliChump]

I had a look at that online. Looks amazing!

[@426superbee4]

Enough thing a matter with a drum smoker, they work good and cook good too Mine lasted 6 yrs. setting out side every day 24 hours a day> Never did paint it either > I would say a STAINLESS STEEL ONE WOULD LAST FOR EVER > best to season it b4 using it 2x

[@dlighted8861]

I have a dual fuel propane,charcoal smoker. Its brand new in the box. If I hadn't of been busy moving,a barrel smoker would have been a fun build.

[@j.l.anderson2509]

Great DIY video, you've inspired soooo much pepper mania around my home. I've grown peppers almost every summer but, I've always been curious about crossing pepper strains. Do you cross yours and do you have tips or tricks for helping pollinate the crosses? Perhaps some recommended strains to cross for a jalpeno with more heat. (looking to keep the same meaty thick-walled fruits with extra heat)

[@ChilliChump]

Funny you ask! I have crossed a few strains this year, and filmed it. Just gotta finish up the edit...and the video will be out soon!

[@iandawkins2182]

Any plans for building a cold smoker ? I can't live without mine and so, so easy and cheap to build. Smoked salmon, meat, vegetables, cheese even smoked salt is great in the kitchen.

[@ChilliChump]

I have got a plan to build one...I just need to find the time to do it! Did you build your own one? Which design did you go with?

[@iandawkins2182]

Hi, yes I built my own from using just cheap plumbing hardware available from the local DIY store a metal kitchen storage tin from Tesco and a cheap aquarium air pump and air tubing. As it is cold smoke you can use whatever container you want for the chamber, I use a plastic dustbin as it is easy to clean. Really quick and easy for anyone with basic DIY skills and a drill. If you want any information or details please let me know. Love the channel.

[@ChilliChump]

Thanks Ian!

[@iandawkins2182]

Yes, hot and cold smoking are like chalk and cheese. Each has its pros and cons but the ability to cold smoke so many food products makes it a must have. Home made cold smoked bacon, salmon, garlic, cheese, butter, salt, chillies, sausage etc. Once tried you will not go back.

[@WhiteThunderBBQ]

Thats a bad ass UDS - you need to paint a chili chump decal on it

[@Graceymay74]

won't zinc plated components be toxic at higher temps or do you do a really hot burn to shed the zinc?

[@kyleglasco6695]

Woke up to my crop of 15 plants destroyed almost beyond repair but deer this morning.i feel like crying.

[@ChilliChump]

Oh man! Don't even want to think I'm how I would feel if that happened to me. Sorry Kyle

[@danlancia]

nothing a big gun cant sort out plus you'll have loads of meat for the smoker/bbq. thinking smoked chilli deer, yummy.

[@MaxMonster1]

Yay, now I have to look for an old old drum... 😁 Maybe I try to connect a fan one of the pipes. What do you think about smokin the peach fantasy pepper? This could really improve their taste.

[@ChilliChump]

I actually said to my brother that we should add a fan...but he made a good point, you will end up making the ash fly everywhere 😄. And I'm trying a couple things with the peach fantasy at the moment, so hopefully I can make use of them still! Smoking is certainly an option!

[@MaxMonster1]

@@ChilliChump The ash is a point that I have not thought of, maybe a metallic mesh down on one tube can diffuse the airflow. I am really lookig forward to your results with the smoked peach fantasy. And of course to the results of the other smoked chilis. Really nice project!

[@Texas4x]

I know that this is an older thread, but where did you get that nifty tapered smoker box that sits between the flavorizer bars on your Weber Genesis?

[@ChilliChump]

Hi there. I got it of Amazon amzn.to/3jTxssx

[@CobraJamrock]

copper and Steel are dissimilar metals, you are using steel clamps on copper pipes, this will lead to rapid corrosion. you should wrap the copper in electrical tape or something vinyl to prevent the copper and steel from touching.

[@MikaelaSelene]

Welp, looks like I have yet another project to add to my list of future projects

[@DanBowkley]

Not sure if it needs to be painted like R2 or a Minion...

[@ChilliChump]

I had big ideas of how I was going to paint it. But I am just not artistic enough! So ended up just spraying it black and red. My vote would be R2

[@dlighted8861]

I saw one that looked like Darth Vader.😉

[@jameshobbs]

Lose the valves and get yourself a blower controller and you'll never look back. PID control for perfect temps. I just smoked 10 kilos of pork shoulder on mine today.

[@structioncontractors613]

I love this and have ordered my drum, which will be delivered as soon as they allow delivery of drums under the lock down regulations in South Africa. I am very keen to smoke some peppers. Can you smoke peppers and then ferment them or will the smoking process hinder the fermentation?

[@ChilliChump]

Have a look at this video of mine, it should give you some tips about fermenting smoked peppers kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5bYYpaVqNacjZo

[@structioncontractors613]

@@ChilliChump That's a really cool idea and I am going to do that this afternoon. Will I be able to freeze the some of the smoked peppers to use later as the lactobacillus has already been compromised or will the freezing deter from the smoked taste?

[@ChilliChump]

Yeah, there is no reason why you can't freeze it. The texture will be affected, but that won't be an issue because you will be blending anyway.

[@danh7804]

have you had any temp spikes when removing lid ?

[@ChilliChump]

No not at all, if anything the temperature goes down a few degrees until the lid goes back on.

[@Ivan.Atanasov.]

Hi Shaun, how's your uds holding? Was the coal basket mesh good choice? How long it's held? Any advise after the period you used it?

[@ChilliChump]

Hi Ivan, yes the mesh has held up well. Light rusting, but still strong. Only advice after using it for a while, probably a good idea to cut an opening at the bottom to make it easier to remove ash.

[@Ivan.Atanasov.]

@@ChilliChump I'm planning to build coal basket with Ash tray underneath, so should be better I suppose. Thanks for your reply

[@ChilliChump]

I am talking about a small door on the side at the bottom to get to the ash. Can slide out your ash tray nice and easy

[@Ivan.Atanasov.]

@@ChilliChump Ah I see. Thank you for the advice

[@goonygoogoo2]

Hi Chillichump,,,can you please tell me the temperature in the fermentator ? Thank you...

[@ChilliChump]

It really depends on the length of the fermentation...but if you stick to 20' Celsius you should be good (I go lower temp when doing longer ferments)

[@goonygoogoo2]

@@ChilliChump thanx a million...I wrote on the other video a trick I found to stop liquid separation...

[@DLong-wp8su]

There is nothing wrong with the design, but would it be much cheaper just to drill 1"-3" the center hole bottom of the drum. Add damper/vent open/closed the center hole and can open bottom side. Add wheel and something to raise it few inches of the ground. The cost would be about 1/4 - half of what all the parts that to use.

[@ChilliChump]

For sure. That would work. What I like about this design is just how controllable it is. I can get the temperatures where I want them within a few degrees. With the pipes away from the drum, they also can be adjusted throughout the cool, without them heating up.

[@hamanu23]

So do you just turn it upside down to get the ashes out?

[@ChilliChump]

pretty much yeah. I considered cutting a "door" at the base, but I didn't want to overcomplicate it. You don't need to empty it every time either

[@hamanu23]

@@ChilliChump cool, cool. I'd probably use a shop vac because I'm lazy. I'm going to build this with my brother too. Cool video

[@danielhasthemeatsweats3152]

I use a pizza pan under the charcoal basket to catch the ash. It catches 99% of the ash and I just reach in and pull it out after a cook.

[@reallifeistoflat]

Don't know if i missed it but i hope none of those nuts and bolts were galvanized. The fumes are pretty toxic

[@ChilliChump]

Hey there, good call. I should have mentioned in the video not to use anything galvanised. I have included this in the description. Thanks for the reminder

[@reallifeistoflat]

@@ChilliChump no worries i just would hate to see people get sick. Galvanized is the most popular style of hardware so it's important to watch out for it.

[@danlancia]

@@reallifeistoflat burning it out a couple of times should release any zinc fumes, metal fume fever is a real concern with anything galvanised

[@reallifeistoflat]

@@danlancia i agree that should be sufficient but i would rather tell people a method that doesn't require then to burn it out. For the small quantity of hardware pieces needed just upgrade to stainless and skip the whole ordeal.

[@thenerdnetwork]

I know you wanna make some videos with smoked peppers, but dont be shy about throwing some meat on that bad boy and making a video of it :^)

[@ChilliChump]

Got one in the works already! Finishing up the edit...it was a lovely pork shoulder. So good!! Got a brisket in there at the moment

[@thenerdnetwork]

@@ChilliChump Sounds awesome cant wait to watch the videos man! Keep up the good work and hope you have continued success on your channel!

[@ChilliChump]

@@thenerdnetwork thank you!

[@SnapographyAP]

Where's the Arduino? Loads more scope for unnecessary complications;-)

[@ChilliChump]

Lol....I did think about it, but don't think there is much to add with an arduino! I did however treat myself to a Meater+ which is brilliant.

[@simonhenry7415]

Is Steve into growing peppers too? Or is that just your forte and he likes to drink the sauce you make?

[@ChilliChump]

Lol...that's what he has me for...I grow the peppers and keep him stocked up in hot sauce!

[@DM-jf3lg]

Instead of building this contraption, just buy an Orion Cooker. I own two of them and I can smoke 30 pounds of pork butt in 5 hours. In just one smoker. In the other one I can smoke fall off the bone pork ribs in about an hour and a half.