My first UDS build help

[bmaddox]

It is pricey but as a last resort you can order a new 55 gal lid

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-1593/Drums/55-Gallon-Steel-Lid

 

[timberjet]

I would try and find a new lid. Or a kettle lid. You want a good seal or the benefit of the UDS is lost. I don't know if you have joined the UK group yet but those guys can help you find stuff like the Mavericks and maybe some type of lid over there. Wade is very helpful.

 

[toonarmy]

I would try and find a new lid. Or a kettle lid. You want a good seal or the benefit of the UDS is lost. I don't know if you have joined the UK group yet but those guys can help you find stuff like the Mavericks and maybe some type of lid over there. Wade is very helpful.

Hi i didnt know there was a UK section. I will have a look.

I thought about running a thermal section of hose around the rim of the barrel to make up the gap created from cutting the lid off. Then sealing around the rim of the lid with thermal tape to sit ontop of the hose. I dont know if this will work yet.

Finding a cheap 57cm kettle lid is proving to be difficult over here.

My parts are coming together.

20150418_124245.jpg

• toonarmy
• Apr 18, 2015

20150418_163201.jpg

• toonarmy
• Apr 18, 2015

[

 

[kc5tpy]

Thanks timberjet for pointing him to the U.K. Group.  It's not like I have a real life but I missed this one.  Danny

Hello ToonarmY.  WOW!  I wish I had seen this before you cut your lid.  OK.  Too late now.  What is done is done.  A new Weber lid costs £99.  NOT AN OPTION!  As I see it you have 2 options:  Scour E-Bay EVERY day for a used 57cm BBQ or a barrel lid.  The top you cut out; I can't see that working properly no matter what you do with it.  The whole success of the UDS depends on the unit being "sealed".  I would not cut a door in it either.  Check out timberjet's UDS, no door.  You don't need the hassle of sealing that.  Just my opinion.  Let me know if I can help further.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[toonarmy]

Thanks timberjet for pointing him to the U.K. Group.  It's not like I have a real life but I missed this one.  Danny

Hello ToonarmY.  WOW!  I wish I had seen this before you cut your lid.  OK.  Too late now.  What is done is done.  A new Weber lid costs £99.  NOT AN OPTION!  As I see it you have 2 options:  Scour E-Bay EVERY day for a used 57cm BBQ or a barrel lid.  The top you cut out; I can't see that working properly no matter what you do with it.  The whole success of the UDS depends on the unit being "sealed".  I would not cut a door in it either.  Check out timberjet's UDS, no door.  You don't need the hassle of sealing that.  Just my opinion.  Let me know if I can help further.  Keep Smokin!
Danny

Hi Danny,


Which way would you have removed the lid to make it useable?

I tried a few different methods to remove the lid that would preserve a good seal but the construction of this drum just wouldnt seem to let me.

I think i have knocked the idea of adding a door to the build on the head. I doubt it would be used and like you said it is extra hassle.

 

[toonarmy]

Also it may be worth adding I managed to find a cheaper 57cm kettle lid.

The cook dome 701 and 702 bbqs are 57cm. Made by outback I believe. I emailed there warrenty departmant who said they could sell me one for £39.99.

This lid: http://www.outbackdirect.co.uk/outback-pa1ckhood-hood-to-fit-cook-dome-701-and-702.html

 

[kc5tpy]

Hey.  I would go for that option.

The dome lid is the best option but you could have cut the barrel with a grinder 2" below the lip.  Then lay the cut edge of the lid onto a hard surface ( a sledgehammer head would work ) and start to hammer the cut edge to about 1" above the cut.  Round and round.  As you hammer the edge it heats up and flattens out which causes the metal to stretch.  Soon the lid would have gone over the outside of the barrel.  Makes a pretty good seal.  Not the best option, but it would have saved you £39.99.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[toonarmy]

Hey.  I would go for that option.

The dome lid is the best option but you could have cut the barrel with a grinder 2" below the lip.  Then lay the cut edge of the lid onto a hard surface ( a sledgehammer head would work ) and start to hammer the cut edge to about 1" above the cut.  Round and round.  As you hammer the edge it heats up and flattens out which causes the metal to stretch.  Soon the lid would have gone over the outside of the barrel.  Makes a pretty good seal.  Not the best option, but it would have saved you £39.99.  Keep Smokin!
Danny

Ahh i see. I will bear that in mind for the future. The above hood may be the only option.

Im having myself a little bonfire right now. Does anyone paint the inside or coat the inside with anything after this stage?

IMG-20150419-WA0014.jpeg

• toonarmy
• Apr 19, 2015

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello.  No coating is necessary now but you MUST NOT leave it out overnight.  Once the metal is heated and the coating burned off it will begin to rust immediately overnight if the barrel gets wet from dew.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[toonarmy]

 
Hello.  No coating is necessary now but you MUST NOT leave it out overnight.  Once the metal is heated and the coating burned off it will begin to rust immediately overnight if the barrel gets wet from dew.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

Ok I have brought the barrel into shelter. Whats to stop the inside rusting in future from dew once I have completed the UDS?

 

[manfjourde]

After you've painted the exterior and gotten all ready to cook you will wipe cooking oil on the inside and season it like a cast iron Dutch oven. I used vegetable oil on mine, get it around 400 for a few hours and it will turn dark and give it a nice coating.

 

[timberjet]

 
Ok I have brought the barrel into shelter. Whats to stop the inside rusting in future from dew once I have completed the UDS?

Yes you have to season it. For now you would want to wash it out, dry it and oil it with veg. oil or cooking spray. You will want to get the outside either primed or just painted pretty soon because as danny said it will start rusting really fast. When you get your basket made you can fire it up and bake the oil on to the metal. Then you are good to go for smoking meat.

 

[toonarmy]

After you've painted the exterior and gotten all ready to cook you will wipe cooking oil on the inside and season it like a cast iron Dutch oven. I used vegetable oil on mine, get it around 400 for a few hours and it will turn dark and give it a nice coating.

 
Yes you have to season it. For now you would want to wash it out, dry it and oil it with veg. oil or cooking spray. You will want to get the outside either primed or just painted pretty soon because as danny said it will start rusting really fast. When you get your basket made you can fire it up and bake the oil on to the metal. Then you are good to go for smoking meat.

Thanks guys. I brought the barrel inside after burning it out. I have jet washed it down tonight, fully dried it inside and out. I have began sanding the outside only down which is hard work. Once the sanding is complete I will prime it then spray it with a high heat paint.

My grills arrived today which fit perfectly. I also managed to get a 57cm kettle lid for £30 new.

Photos so far:

20150422_192433.jpg

• toonarmy
• Apr 22, 2015

20150422_192445.jpg

• toonarmy
• Apr 22, 2015

20150422_193949.jpg

• toonarmy
• Apr 22, 2015

20150422_202407.jpg

• toonarmy
• Apr 22, 2015

20150422_202539.jpg

• toonarmy
• Apr 22, 2015

20150422_202824.jpg

• toonarmy
• Apr 22, 2015

 

[bmaddox]

Looks good. You might want a bigger wire wheel 

 

[toonarmy]

Looks good. You might want a bigger wire wheel :kewl:

Haha i agrea that took about 40minutes. I look to getting one when im out and about. I take it people dont bother sanding the inside too

 

[bmaddox]

Nope I sanded the inside of mine. It was a pain in the rear. Especially since you have to crawl inside it to sand the bottom. You want to make sure that there is nothing but bare metal inside the drum. I used a 4" grinder with a 40 grit grinding/prep wheel than followed that with a orbital sander with 80 grit paper, then steel wool. It was not fun by any means.

 

[toonarmy]

Nope I sanded the inside of mine. It was a pain in the rear. Especially since you have to crawl inside it to sand the bottom. You want to make sure that there is nothing but bare metal inside the drum. I used a 4" grinder with a 40 grit grinding/prep wheel than followed that with a orbital sander with 80 grit paper, then steel wool. It was not fun by any means.

Oh dear this is going to be a ballache to do!

 

[timberjet]

I did not sand the inside of mine but there was no paint or liner inside so there was not a reason to. I just scrubbed it out with a steel potscrubber and ajax, rinsed it out and seasoned it. You burned it out and there was no liner so no need to do the inside.

 

[toonarmy]

I did not sand the inside of mine but there was no paint or liner inside so there was not a reason to. I just scrubbed it out with a steel potscrubber and ajax, rinsed it out and seasoned it. You burned it out and there was no liner so no need to do the inside.

Thank christ for that [emoji]128512[/emoji]

 

[kc5tpy]

Darn it timberjet; I wanted to see the pictures of him inside that barrel with that tiny wire brush!  

Hello ToonarmY.  I gotta agree with the above, you shouldn't need to brush the inside and I gotta say: THAT WIRE BRUSH IS HARD CORE BROTHER!  I think after about 30 minutes of that and I would be looking for something to slit my wrists!  

  Keep up the good work!  It will be worth it.  Keep Smokin!

Danny