Ugly Drum Smoker Build | How To Rebuild A UDS Smoker | Texas Style Cuisine Chef Johnny

First let me say I have ball valves on the UDS not gate valves. Sorry for the confusion, I guess I was having a senior moment.
Many years ago I built an ugly drum smoker. The UDS was easy to use and made great bbq. I used the ugly drum smoker at cook offs and at the house. We took the UDS many places since it was was easy to transport. The sad thing is that with wear and tear from usage and the beating it took from being transported, it began to break down. Now of course I was not storing my ugly drum smoker in a dry place out of the weather. It sat out in the sand where the sun a rain could beat down on it. So to say the least my ugly drum smoker on lasted me about six years. Now considering that it only cost me about $125 to build it, that's not to bad. The UDS basically cost $20 a year. Now after it was beyond repair, I just let it sit. This sitting in the weather continued to break down this excellent ugly drum smoker that my son and I had built. But, knowing that it had good parts on it I never threw it away, in hopes of someday I would show y'all how to rebuild this UDS and returning it to its glory. Well this last spring break we took time to rebuild this great old smoker that we had built many years before. I hope you enjoy watching my son and I rebuilding our UDS Smoker and will use the simple instructions to build your own. Remember to give that thumbs up for my video of "Ugly Drum Smoker Build | How To Rebuild A UDS Smoker". For more information email me at [e-mail] for you may try going to facebook and checking out the group, Ugly Drum Smokers Texas.
I have included a list of tools you will need to rebuild your UDS and the parts need for the ugly drum smoker build.
Tools Needed
assorted screw drivers
hammer
1/2 open end box end wenches
1/2 socket and ratchet
hack saw
pliers
channel lock pliers
drill
5/16" drill bit
1" hole saw
13/16th hole saw (or a 3/4" with a file or grinder attachment to enlarge the hole slightly)
I have included the full parts list for the build.
If you are reusing parts you can omit them from the list
1 - 55 gallon drum
1 - 22 1/2" Weber replacement grate
2 - 5/16 X 1 1/2" bolt
2 - 5/16 eye bolt (eye needs to fit over 3/4 pipe)
8 - 5/16 flat washers
4 - 5/16 nuts
4 - 3/4" nipples
8 - 3/4" electrical conduit lock nuts
2 - 3/4" caps
2 - 3/4" 90s
2 - 3/4" glavanized pipe 28" long
2 - 3/4" ball valves
2 - hook to hang lid with bolts
1 - handle with nuts
1 - 12" nipple for exhaust
Cheap Fire Basket For An Ugly Drum Smoker • Cheap Fire Basket For ...
I Think This One Needs A Heat Deflector
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Thanks
Chef Johnny
#texasstylecuisine #texasstylebbq #texasstylebbqandcuisine
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[@SmokinandGrillinwithAB]

Now you know I was going to find this video, lol. Thanks Chef Johnny!

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

I hope it helps out.

[@prevost8686]

I appreciate the family friendly language as well as the recipes!

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Yes sir that is what we strive for. An informative video that the whole family can watch

[@SuburbanBBQ]

I love "nuts and bolts" videos! Right up my alley. I love building stuff and a UDS is on my wish list.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Suburban BBQ thanks Jim. I say do it. I love cooking on one.

[@MelsSimpleMeals]

This is so great! So cool that you would take these to competitions...some pride in knowing your home build could compete against fancy smokers :) Thanks for sharing all of this knowledge!

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Well thank you for watching Mel.

[@martijnbammens8841]

This is the simplest uds i have seen with the best information given. Think i'm gonna build the same here in belgium. Thanks for the video!!!

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Let me know how it turns out. Feel free to email my if you have questions. Thanks for watching.

[@pnkflyd61]

Looks good. Got me motivated to make my own.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Get after it, buddy

[@olevetsbbq3118]

HEY JOHNNY , Great nuts and bolts video . Dang Old Son You More Then A Chef , Master UDS Builder TOO !!! Love This Video 4 Sure

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks buddy glad ya enjoyed it

[@edspencer7121]

First time UDS builder. Gonna make 2, 1 for me 1 for my folks. Good build chef Johnny. I'll be building off this platform. Thanks for sharing. Just subbed👍👍😎😆

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Ed Spencer Thanks for the sub. Let me know how they turn out.

[@ignanttv3006]

Best UDS video.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thank you so much I do appreciate it and I am glad it helped you out a little

[@mllm1]

Great simple build for a uds chef john.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks for watching I appreciate it. I will have another build coming out in the next couple of days using a kit from udsparts.com. So be watching for it.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks for watching I appreciate it. I will have another build coming out in the next couple of days using a kit from udsparts.com. So be watching for it.

[@chrisliberty1773]

Awesome build Chef! You are TRULY a CTE aficionado...tools/food/building things! Gonna build myself an UBS asap and try to up my bbq game.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks Chris, let me know how it turns out.

[@chrisliberty1773]

@@TexasStyleCuisine will do!

[@FireWaterCooking]

Bung Hole???? LOL Chef Johnny you crack me up! I need to build a UDS sometime...

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Fire & Water Cooking I say do it. Easy to build and cook great.

[@danialholt4174]

I learned the proper use of the word "bung hole" as a child, (referring to the hole top of a barrel), but later in life and more frequently used the term as slang for something else. LOL "Bung Hole". Indeed hearing Chef say it, is kind of funny.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

I know exactly what you mean. lol

[@bigronshobbies8209]

Nice build and rebuild Chef Johnny !

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks Big Ron

[@chiefestilette9572]

I like that video I wish you had one cookie with it I like the ball valves you put on it good job hope I see you down the road cooking Cajun land Church Point Louisiana

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks for watching and I do have videos of me cooking on it. I have a Ugly Drum Smoker Playlist and I have a Barrel House Cooker Playlist. I did not make the BHC but it is a drum smoker.

[@TheDawgfathasBBQ]

Good descriptive video chef!!!

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks Alton

[@TheDawgfathasBBQ]

@@TexasStyleCuisine Hey chef I'm just curious here. I've been thinking for a while about building one of these. Did you have to burn the barrel out at all or is it not necessary? I've heard both ways but not sure.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

buy an. unlined barrel, that is what I got. If it is lined you need to burn it out.

[@garymccraw1466]

Wow you made a Awesome UDS BBQ Cooker

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks Gary, glad you liked it.

[@LassesFoodAndBarbecue]

Nice build/rebuild Johnny

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks buddy

[@jshepard152]

Before you cut, drill, or weld an old drum, make damn sure the old contents were not flammable. Vapors can be just as explosive as the former contents, and guys have gotten killed cutting into "empty" drums that exploded. I was just reading about a guy in Pennsylvania who 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.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Absolutely correct. When making BBQ barrels I use food grade barrels. Most I see had cooking oil in them.

[@jshepard152]

@@TexasStyleCuisine 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jshepard152]

@@TexasStyleCuisine That's a good idea, if you can find them. Most of the ones I've seen advertised in my area are fairly sketchy. We have a lot of chemical plants around.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

@@jshepard152 I understand that so always be careful

[@mrschusterpgjr]

Great Video!! Thanks!

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks for watching, I hope you got some good tips and ideas from it.

[@alexarthur5104]

Thanks, Great job

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks for watching

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Here is another UDS build I did using a kit from usdparts.com kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2LRfml7eNh6paM

[@diabolicschemes]

I’d like to place an order for 2, bright red, with deflector plate, and please include the charcoal basket. Send the bill to B1 at Texas beard adventures. Good build Chef!!! I’m thinking about making one of these but welding on half of another barrel to get it higher for hanging multiple ribs.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

That would work and since B1 has plenty of money we can double bill him. lol Thanks for watching

[@butchwatts4297]

Outstanding Scratch Build Sir, You definitely have a creative mine for BBQ/ Smoking... Have you put hangers in your UDS for cooking Slabs of Ribs, Chicken or Sausage Links? Also, a tip that I use for UDS Builds is Two Cooking Level racks and a fire door at the bottom with hinges and a latch for easy access: That seems to work great for extended cooking periods

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks Butch. Glad ya liked it. I have never found a need for a door. I have always finished any cook I have done. I have not hung in my UDS. I have a Barrel House Cooker with the 5” extension that I do hang in. It works great.

[@tri-tipjunkie]

Very helpful thanks

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Great, I a glad I could help out. Thanks for watching.

[@riosecco4142]

Awesome awesome awesome!! Man, I sure wish I was your neighbor. When will we see you do a brisket on it?

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Rio Secco I have cooked a few briskets on it but I have never videoed one. I will try to do that for you. I did just cook up a great rack of lamb on it the other day. You need to check that video out. Just go to my ugly drum smoker playlist. Thanks for watching.

[@riosecco4142]

@@TexasStyleCuisine Cool, I'll go check it out (and give it a thumbs up) now. Have a blessed day.

[@jenwallace1766]

Thanks for sharing

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks you for watching. I hope it helps you build one for yourself.

[@KevinStaggs]

Nice detailed instruction. I don’t have a UDS but I do have a WSM. I wouldn’t think there’d much of a difference between the two. Is that right? Keep the videos coming.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Kevin Staggs very much the same. Thanks for watching

[@FireWaterCooking]

Some of the words used in this video that cracked me up... "Bung Hole, Nipples, Screw, Tites, pipe is too long, screwing the nipple into the bung hole.." LOL ROFLMAF

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

lol never thought about that

[@lesterfuller5926]

Where can I find the other video where you built the The charcoal holder for the bottom

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

The other video I bought a basket. But how I did it is I rolled my expanded metal around a 20lb propane tank. I welded mine but you can bolt it. Then I cut a bottoms from expanded metal and welded it on. I used 4 bolts 4” long to hold it up off the floor of the barrel. Just use 2 washers and two nuts. The bolt head was down and I had two nuts on the expanded metal to hold it up.

[@mudstud1064]

Great vid!

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks

[@daddydutchbbq]

GEE JOHN, shut up and let the old man talk.....lol Nice build Chef !

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks Kent

[@jerryees]

I was wondering if the original paint finish has to be burned off and repainted?

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

It does not.

[@teddysalad8227]

Splurge and get a grinder for those burs. Good build. I'll have to get off my butt and build one.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Zippy The Clown lol you are right about that. Could have grabbed a file also. Just did not want to walk back out to the barn. Lol thanks for watching

[@khalafdana2571]

Loved it, I will try to find you doing a brisket and if you can help out sharing the link 👍

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Thanks for watching. Here are a few videos. The first is where Inject a brisket kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYmTlaSebrt8f6c Here is one on an Ugly Drum Smoker. kzbin.info/www/bejne/imWmhpyantemjrc

[@ignanttv3006]

If you use shorter intake pipes, is there any advantage of one tall exhaust as opposed to the 4 elbows I see on a lot of builds?

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Not at all other then a two inch pipe has more airflow then four 3/4” holes I like having plenty of airflow on the exhaust.

[@CookingwithStephennJacklyn]

Nice video Chef Johnny me and my Dad looking as building one as future project in August . What is the best drum to looked for in terms of what content was stored in it previously thanks for the video.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Jacklyn n dad that will be a great project. Let me know how it turns out.

[@CookingwithStephennJacklyn]

@@TexasStyleCuisine Chef is there a special drum I should look for in terms of what contents the drum may of had in it before.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Jacklyn n dad yes food grade barrels work great then you know there is no bad chemicals in them. But the food grade you have to burn out first. Let you barrel guy know what you are using it for and he may have some unlined barrels that will work for you.

[@CookingwithStephennJacklyn]

@@TexasStyleCuisine Thanks.

[@joedavila8706]

Do you think a baffel over the fire basket will be needed. Or liner in the bottom

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Some people use a diffuser plate over their fire basket. I never have. I do have a diffuser plate someone gave me but I have not used it. Never used or heard of anyone putting anything on the bottom

[@christhompson6063]

Ball valves not gate valves for anyone buying parts

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Chris Thanks for correcting me on that. I knew that I guess old timers got me.

[@julyguynj]

You beat me to it....lol....First thing I noticed when he was going over the redo. Great rebuild video.

[@mrdee7887]

Question I have the same 55 gallon food grade drum color and all the drum I have was used for coconut oil do u still have to do a burn in on the drum

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

The question is, is it lined? If you barrel is lined then yes burn it out. I always try to buy unlined barrels. I get barrels here in San Antonio from Dave The Barrel GUY. HE CARRIES UNLINED BARRELS. Thanks for watching.

[@mrdee7887]

It doesn't have a liner...I bought it from dave the barrel man cost 30.00 I live in San Antonio also

[@elpapaupa838]

Hi sir i have a question do you paint the inside lid or you just clean it real good and leave it unpainted

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Unpainted. I spray the inside with oil and light a fire in it. That sets the oil in it. No worries of rust then.

[@elpapaupa838]

@@TexasStyleCuisine thank you very much love your smoker new subscriber here

[@frankzamudio4166]

Hi. Why cant the intake be higher than the exhaust ? Thanks

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Frank It screws with the air flow. If the intake is higher it will reverse flow and start sucking air through the exhaust. Thanks for watching.

[@jonc.swansonakatioloco43]

Chef Johnny, where did you get the barrel? I can get one from work, but it would have had synthetic oil or hydraulic fluid in it. Not too conducive to cooking food!🤢

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Jon, mine came from Dave the Barrel Guy here in San Antonio. He has some that are unlined, so you dont have to burn them out. pretty good barrels.

[@jonc.swansonakatioloco43]

Thank you!

[@dusty265]

Nice build, was it had to find a drum within the liner in it?

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Forrest thanks for watching I do appreciate it. I can get unlined barrels pretty easy. Here in San Antonio I go to Dave The Barrel Guy and he usually has some unlined barrels.

[@backyardgrillmaster2910]

K.I.S.S :-0) great video

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Backyard Grill Master Thanks I hope it helps

[@WineOnTheDime]

I've sent this video to my wife 5 times now and I still don't think she is getting the hint.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

maybe you need to be a little more obvious. lol

[@johnwaters441]

I’m not understanding about the nipples that you have caps on,is that how you control air flow or the ones with the Valve?

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

they are all for airflow. I usually dont have all four open unless I am running the temps up high. Usually I have the fron bottom open and the two ball valves adjusted to fin tun the temp.

[@johnwaters441]

Texas Style BBQ and Cuisine thanks,I get it now.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

John Great let me know if you have any more questions. I will have another build posted next week. Made one from a kit from udsparts.com.

[@johnwaters441]

I have plans to build one shortly,i will be watching for your video.

[@Reviews-Tidbits]

Where did you get the barrels

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Dave the barrel man. Most towns has a place that sells used barrels.

[@Reviews-Tidbits]

@@TexasStyleCuisine All I’m finding is one’s that you need to cut the top off of😟

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

@@Reviews-Tidbits try facebook marketplace

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

You may also try some ugly drum smoker Facebook groups and ask on there.

[@mikeritter2979]

He said bunghole 😆

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Mike Ritter probably more then once. Thanks for watching.

[@vancegodin4149]

y'all work for NASA too?

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

I wish I bet they pay better. lol Thanks for watching

[@red12dirt]

a work bench would made it alot easier lol

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

you are right about that John. I was doing it in my outdoor kitchen so that I could video it easier.

[@donhgr]

Now days go to UDS parts.com don’t waist your time with those pipes they don’t let enough air in

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Flat Top actually they let plenty of air in the way I set them up. If you buy a kit you will spend over $100 on the kit plus the barrel. I spent $20 plus a barrel. I used the original one for over 6 years and have no gripes about the airflow. Thanks for mentioning the kits they work very good I simply chose to rebuild what I had and save that money of the expensive kits.

[@prevost8686]

If you need a larger pipe than that you’re not smoking ... you’re baking/roasting which is fine if that’s what you want to do. I don’t have a UDS but I do have a PBC and to get that thing to cook below 300 means you need very,very little airflow. That’s why it’ll run 8-10hrs on 1 basket of briquettes. If I had it to do over, I’d do exactly what the creator of the video is doing.

[@prevost8686]

Texas Style BBQ and Cuisine Have you ever set one up to hang meat such as ribs inside? My complaint with PBC is that it’s really not tall enough to hang full racks inside without the lower portion of the rib rack getting overdone because they are only inches from the coals. I’d love to have a taller barrel like the one you whipped up to hang ribs in. Thanks for the video.

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Wayne Swicegood Thanks Wayne

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Wayne Swicegood I have not rigged one up to do that but it would not be that hard to do. I do have a barrel house cooker and they sell a 5" extension that really helps on brisket and ribs

[@lizvc277]

Write me mail, I have an invitation for you in my food business, thank you, I love your channel

[@TexasStyleCuisine]

Will do. I have your email. I will get back to you.