drum for smoker

I am thinking of building a UDS and have a question about a barrel I found on craigslist. The description list it as " out of a food factory, have the rust proof inner poly-ceramic liner ". Form the picture it looks red inside of the barrel. Is this barrel safe to use for a smoker?

Thanks

You will need to remove the liner prior to use. I understand that sandblasting them out is the best method of removal because burning them out takes a significant effort. I would try finding one unlined as you will be able to skip this step.

I got my barrel from a local reconditioner for $45, with the coatings all removed.  I recommend it as an easy way to do it.  You might get a coated one cheaper than I did or even free, but then you’ve got to deal with cleaning it up.

Try a place like this: http://milfordbarrel.com/

If you’re not near Milford, google “steel drum reconditioner” for your location.

Tell them you want it uncoated/unpainted, just a bare drum.  Call ahead, they may need time to get it ready for you (pull it out of the pipeline and set it aside).

Since you’re talking about making a UDS, tell them you want an OPEN HEAD drum, and you want the lid WITH a bung hole and NO LID GASKET.  This will all make your life easier.

Let us know how it goes.

Sorry for the weird caps, but they were very confused when I told them I wanted an open head drum for a smoker, they expected I’d want a closed head to make a horizontal smoker.  Just be clear about what you want.

Thanks for the replies. I will look for other reconditioners in my area. I did not even think to search for them. I just happened to see the barrel in question on craigslist for $30 (open head with lid, $35 for lid with bung hole) and got the idea to try making a UDS. I will pay a little more if I can get one without the liner and not have to worry about it. Milford is about an hour and a half away so not that bad but I will look for something closer.

Thanks again for the replies.

I sent Milford Barrel an e-mail last night and they have unlined open head barrels in stock for $45. Thanks again for the suggestion Tom. I will be in that area in a few weeks for work and will try and stop by to get a barrel. Much easier to pay $10 more for a barrel without a liner and not have to worry.

Awesome, good luck and let us know how it turns out.

You’ll probably need it sandblasted or seriously well burnt.

Just built my UDS Saturday & smoked 20# of venison summer sausage, yesterday…

Nice UDS!

What are those cases?  They look plastic, which makes me wonder how much smoke they can take on, so I assume they are not.

Nice. Looks like the non-edible casings.

I would think that there’ll be a smokiness to each slice edible casings or not. Yes please report back. I could always toss a Hilshire Farm in the smoker.

Does smoke penetrate plastic?  I’ve never tried.

They look like these:
http://www.sausagemaker.com/26200mahoganydeersalamicasing376mm.aspx

"No smoking is needed as the mahogany color simulates the color of smoke. " ;D

They are these guys:

Fibrous Casings

Funny that they said that about the color…
Color isn’t quite what I concern myself with, when I make summer sausage.
That’s comical.

Fibrous casings can actually take in quite a bit of smoke.
It honestly surprised me, the first time I used them.

Cool, good to know.

You can also add black food coloring to Miller to make a stout.  :slight_smile:

Nice UDS build! :slight_smile:

Thanks, everyone!
I appreciate the kind words.

I’m gonna have to find me a barrel.

Lem Products is a pretty cool site. The Smoke Pistol is pretty interesting.

It’s cool euge, but I like my ProQ.  It’s cheaper and works well, and the refills aren’t $6.49 each. :o