Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

I think I am more inclined to go the DIY way- I love to tinker (it's a big part of why I am here, having just bought the Tacoma a few months ago).

Also, I imagine shipping would be a deal-killer on such an item.

 

No pricing on there as they are all one-offs. We take inquiries on them, put together a quote, then build if still interested. We don't price them because, frankly, there isn't a lot of value in them for us. Lots of work, coordinating, etc., but the margins are really thin.

That said, I'm ALWAYS happy to help build or share any measurements, tips, tricks, etc. Our version of the UDS is pretty badass, if I do say so myself.

The tailgating keg smokers are even badass-er yet .

Get a barrel, get a used 22" Weber lid, and get building!

Received and appreciated! I'll get to packing this evening!

Happy to quote to sell or happy to help guide someone's DIY project for free .

Thanks for the rub endorsement!

Yeah, shipping would be a bit pricey. Full size UDS start around $375 and go up through $550, depending on options. They are all powder coated, for what it is worth. Keg smokers are around $500 (most of the bits from a fully-optioned UDS are required for the keg smoker).

 

This seems to be the problem. Found a source for a food grade unlined steel 55 gallon drum for $60... then found shipping was $160.

There are a couple being sold locally through Craigslist, but no telling what is in them.

I am kind of wondering if a good hot wood fire inside would clean it out well enough...

 

You can burn them out or sandblast the inside.

If you have a decent place to go for sandblasting, that is what I'd do (inquire about powder coating, too).

We pay no mind what was in the barrels ahead of time. They all get sandblasted and baked before food ever goes inside of them.

If you are doing the burning/cleaning yourself, the only thing I would try to avoid is anything with the plastic liner sprayed on the inside. Sandblasting gets it no problem, but burning/scraping it out is a pain in the ass.

 

Good to know! I am setup to sandblast or burn. Guess I know what I will be doing soon! I imagine the rest of it is just a matter of a trip to Lowe's for iron pipe from the plumbing section, and miscellaneous handles.

 

Pretty much! That and the fire-basket. The charcoal grate from a 22" Weber, a pizza pan, and some expanded metal are all you need for it.

If you need a parts list or measurements, let me know.

 

I am thinking I can knock together some angle iron and expanded metal to make the fire basket. Everything else should be straightforward.

 

Is the Green egg worth the money ?

 

They're badass but they dont make you a better cook.

 

I had sticker shock when I researched them.
Any ok alternative ?

 

And this right here is why I need to NOT build an UDS, as I already have a COS. Put the time, money, and effort I would have spent in making an UDS and seal up the COS... then get to work learning more.

 

Is that enhineer talk ?

 

Po Boy smoker
DIY Oil Drum Smoker (aka ODS, UDS)
DIY trash can smoker - I made mine out of a hot plate and a few bits I had around the shop.

If I was doing it again and knew about it at the time (I didn't), I'd buy the Po Boy smoker. Already built for something like $150, ready to cook. That's VERY hard to beat. It's also small and portable enough to tailgate or camp with.

 

Sorry- definitions:
COS- Cheap Offset Smoker
UDS - Ugly Drum Smoker (AKA ODS, Oil Drum Smoker)

 

LOL.

 

Pretty dog in your Avatar pic- is that a Blue Heeler?

 

Yep. 15 years old. Does a lot of the sleeping thing these days. Very smart and was tough as nails in his day

 

Awesome. I have a cousin of his line, an Australian Shepherd, Kylie. She's 14 and has slowed down a bit as well. We lost our Lab, Toby, last year around this time. Cried like a baby, but when Kylie passes it's going to be even worse.

Not soon... heaven forbid.

 

Dude will eat anything off the grill, or anything for that matter.