The making of a drum!!

   I thought that now I've putting together drums # 3 and 4 I could share some of the steps I've been through.  I have photos from all 4 here but will put them in an order closer to the steps in putting a drum together.  They are really easy, but time consuming.

I start by drilling three 1 inch holes evenly spaced around
the drum, about 3 inches up from the bottom.

The air holes make the burn out easier.  This can take
a while, and make sure you're one good terms with
your neighbors and fire deptartment.

This is what you're looking for, the liner burning and
flaking off.

It makes it easier to set the lid
partially on during the burn and
rotated it around to evenly
heat and burn.

You'll stll need some sanding,
but the better the burn, the easier
the sanding. :)

You will get dirty.

A dry fitting of handles
and bolts to check fit
before painting

After the burn of my first 2 drums,  I
put what I thought were cooled ashes
in our plastic garbage can.

24 inches up from the bottom of the fire
basket (which is 3 inches from the
bottom) not 27" like the phot has.  I used  1 1/2 x 7/16 " bolts

Other than the fire basket
itself, this is the key to
heat control. 

Adding a threaded 3/4"
ball valve to the nipple
allows you to control
air flow.
More air = hotter temps

For the base of the fire box I
use the charcoal grate from the Weber
22.5" BBQ.

3/4" expanded steel is used
to form the ring on the basket.
I use 13 gauge steel, some say
use heavier, but I have had
no problems.  It's actually easier
to form.

I use a cheap WalMart 16" pizza pan to
catch ashes and keeping drum cleaner.

Using three 3 1/2 x 7/16" bolts to attach the
pan and hold the basket off the ground
(allowing air circulation and a place for
ashes to fall).

My well used basket.
Dirty, but lots of
burns left in it.

One of my first editions.
Learned later that painting
them with a coat or two of
high temp silver will help later
coats go on evenly.

This what I mean by painting
a coat of silver first will help
later.  Looks leopard printish.

Took a long time to get the blue one to
smoke.  The red one was a natural. ;)

I use the cheap turkey frier thermometers
mounted through the wall just below the
cooking grate to watch drum temps.
Low and slow when smoking.

Another cheap WalMart feature.
A remote meat thermeometer
to watch meat temps.

My brother Gary's drum.
This is where I learned
about first coat of silver.

At least the drum smells good!
Sorry Gary, had to say it.