Cool! Can you post some more details or photos? I've got a couple drums I'd like to make into these for gifts. Thanks.
That looks like a removable lid drum. Can I convert a closed drum for this purpose I should I try and trade the ones I have out?
Basically you just need to make some sort of coal basket and pop some holes in the bottom of the barrel to adjust temperature and put some supports towards the top to hold your grate. Most people, including myself use a Weber kettle grate.
Here you can see my coal basket in the bottom (a piece of culvert and some expanded metal) most people use all expanded metal to create their coal basket, but I don't weld--so I had to come up with a weld-free design.
You can use a closed drum, but I would suggest using a Weber kettle lid in lieu of the piece you cut off. Unless you can weld, I don't see a very good way to create a good seal at the top.
you can convert a closed drum by cutting off the top but the open top would be easier and cleaner. i beleive a weber kettle lid fits these drums well so you can raise the food grate and cook larger items
Yep--and also if you use a Weber kettle lid you actually create enough space to have two grates inside of the drum for double the cooking space.
Just wondering what was in the drum and how did you clean it out ?
To be honest, I'm not sure what was in the drum. It had a white lining though--I've read the red lining is terrible to deal with.
This is how I cleaned it out. (Video)
What is a "UDS" some sort of bbq grille/smoker?
UDS stands for Ugly Drum Smoker--and yes, it's a smoker. You could use it as a Kettle type grill as well though.
Adrien
