British BBQ Society Forums

Hi all, new to the forum!

Since visiting TX on a meatie road trip, had to build my own smoker! Got an engine oil drum from local mechanic - no liner, fixed lid - and opened the lid inside the rim (like traditional can opener) with a jigsaw. Cleaned out with a bit of washing up liquid, cut 3x 1" holes in at the bottom, and set her alight with bits of old pallet!



Got some awful smoke as the paint burnt off, and then very clean. Repeated with more pallet.



Removed flaked on paint with a wire brush attachment for angle grinder, and finally a sand. Next up painted with Rustoleum BBQ paint.

Bought a donor BBQ from Tescos on offer for £35. Was planning to use the lid, but it turns out the base fits perfectly inside the lip of the drum. So ended up keeping the ash collector (with vents) on top! With vents on the side of the ash collector, it should mean it can run in the rain (but maybe not storms like today ).

Built the fire basket from the donor charcoal grate and some woven stainless mesh offcut to make the sides (20 guage, feels plenty sturdy), standing on some coach bolts sandwiched on to the grate with washers. I have bolts just below the top for the top charcoal grate (the "lid" is pretty high which is good), also sandwiched with washers on to the drum. I bought some tank couplers with caps for the intake holes, and a ball valve that I have yet to attach.

Got a thermometer from eBay USA - even if I should get a digi for cooking, you gotta have a big dial!

I call it "ODD JOB!".



So far, no welding, and reasonably air tight (just a wee bit from where the top hat slides on). Extinguishes when all vents are closed, holds 225 happily with one vent open. Managed around 6 hours from 5kg of briquettes minion-style, and that was with an hour or two at 350 for seasoning purposes. WELL HAPPY!

All I need now is another 55cm-ish grill grate so I can have two racks. All I can find are Weber replacements for £30! Anybody got any ideas? I'm in London.

Thighs, wings and fattie next I guess? Also, any good butchers to recommend?

For anyone considering building a UDS. DOOO IT!

Cheers

http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/BBQ-Grate/Pr407579000

Might be a bit small - use larger screws to hold it up.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st ... ber=589541

Bigger, but not as sturdy.

I can confirm what aris says the Homebase ones are not particularly strong, about the same as your cheapo Tesco one probably, but cheap enough not to worry if they fall apart after a few years.

Where about in London? Really awesome job. Nice character!

Cheers guys

aris wrote:http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/BBQ-Grate/Pr407579000

Might be a bit small - use larger screws to hold it up.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st ... ber=589541

Bigger, but not as sturdy.

Hmm, seem to be out of stock everywhere local and online

keith157 wrote:I can confirm what aris says the Homebase ones are not particularly strong, about the same as your cheapo Tesco one probably, but cheap enough not to worry if they fall apart after a few years.

Yeah, the Tesco one isn't too bad (has a couple of cross bars).. What's the width of the Weber 22.5 replacement? May maximum is 560mm?

PeanutZA wrote:Where about in London? Really awesome job. Nice character!

Northerns

For the money, the homebase one is fine really. I got a few last year for my unfinished UDS build. If you come across a good deal on something studier, you can always swap them out.

aris wrote:For the money, the homebase one is fine really. I got a few last year for my unfinished UDS build. If you come across a good deal on something studier, you can always swap them out.

Turns out they've been discontinued..

Never mind, I have one rack, which is enough to begin experimenting with. Gonna try some chicken and fattie tomorrow I think!

Can you clarify how you control air draw thru the bottom vents, have you got some sort of mechanism which can cover the holes partially/fully

Looks great by the way, have a drum just waiting to be converted....hallelujah

From what I've seen some people use control valves to open and close the vents. If you have a look at some pictures online, especially if you go to Si's facebook page there should be some pictures of his valves there.

https://www.facebook.com/Cyderpigq4u