Burn Barrel for "True" Wood Smoking!

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I'm thinking about building one myself. The problem I envision is having enough wood to sustain a 10 hour cook. Do you have a log fire burning the whole time? If so, how much wood do you waste in between the periods when you add?

I live in Ft Myers, FL and oak firewood is scarce.

Thanks,

T King
 
I'm thinking about building one myself. The problem I envision is having enough wood to sustain a 10 hour cook. Do you have a log fire burning the whole time? If so, how much wood do you waste in between the periods when you add?

I live in Ft Myers, FL and oak firewood is scarce.

Thanks,

T King
 
I'm thinking about building one myself. The problem I envision is having enough wood to sustain a 10 hour cook. Do you have a log fire burning the whole time? If so, how much wood do you waste in between the periods when you add?

I live in Ft Myers, FL and oak firewood is scarce.

Thanks,

T King
 
Was wondering if any of you current stick burners out there use this method, sure sounds like if getting wood is not an issue, would work like a charm.
 
I have built several different sizes of these burn barrels, from a 15 gallon barrel to a 24" pipe. I have never welded legs on my burn barrels, just set them on the ground. My advice is to match your burn barrel to your smoker in order to save on wood. I am glad to say that with the abundance of oak and mesquite here, I do not have that problem. Also I use the tank from an old hot water heater cut in half lengthwise with something welded on the bottom to keep it from rolling. It don't have to be fancy in order for it to work.
 
Do ya'll think somthing like this would work, I have one that we bought probably 15 years ago and never used once. Or do you think it is to "open air" and would waste that much more wood because of a quicker burn time.

PS> I should say the one I have has a much larger and deeper bottom than this one.

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Torch probably. Either saw with the correct blade will work as well. Jig would probably be cleaner result.

Hmm this method of wood treatment sounds somewhat familiar...LOL!
 
Sorry Richtee, but please do not cut any drum with a torch. Even if it had only had water in it. To many people are KILLED each year doing this. Guess I been welding to long.

The very best way to open a drum is use a pipe wrench. Open the wrench up and place front claw over the lip of drum and hit the back of the wrench with a hammer. Go all the way around like this. The best thing about this is it folds the durm next to the ring so you have no sharp edges. Makes a lot of noise.

geob
 
Soo why pray tell? All you old welders got some sorta code to kill anyone cutting up a drum with a torch?

Surely they know better than to do flammable containers. And punch holes first. Surely.
 
That's what the plan is.

Was the wierdest thing, i was out yest cutting some more firewood from this abandoned acreage when this 30 gallon drum just jumped into my trailer.


It held engine oil so no worries about chemicals. Will have a few burns in it before trying to preburn for the smoker.

Thanks Geob for the advice, safe on the torch issue, i don't have access to one. Do have a pipe wrench though, will give that a try. I like making noise too
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.

Friend has a sawzall that i'll use for cutting the opening to get the coals out.







 
I'm confused. Where does the food go. I see Hardwood at the top of your barrel and the coals at the bottom so I have to assume there is nothing in between. Maybe an additional pic would clear my foggy old brain.

Thanks in advance, Denny.


Duh, !!!!!!! just hit me I think. It's a hot coals "generator" and the coals are tranferd(shoveled) into the smoker???????
 
Yes, UIF, that is exactly what it's for. You preburn your wood of choice in the top part and the hot coals are created as the logs burn and break apart. Thus, hot coals fall throught the Rebar grate, and you shovel them from the chamber below the rebar and put them in your smoker's firebox.
 
Here's a question, well two actually.
#1 When i get my burn barrel made (soon i hope) will i be able to preburn greener wood, or should i let it season for 3 to 6 months before attempting to use.

#2 - Will it have to be debarked or can i just split in half then use.
 
I did a lot of burning in a barrel when I had nothing but my little RedRiver side pit. It was a lot of work and I'm lazy. So with my upgrade to my 2040CC (with mods and fire brick heat sinks in the firebox and cooking chamber) my coals stay hot enough so as when my temp starts to drop, the stick(split) catchse before the door gets closed and total cumbustion occurs and creosote/soot problems are not a problem. I've cut wood use up to 50-60%. Makes life easier, (more time to do other stuff-Honeydo's)!
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LOL)!
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I think I've finally found the place to ask this question!
I have a couple of old barrels I want to turn into grills, but they had hydralic oil in them, is this a good idea, or should I get another type barrel?
 
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