Big Poppa's Engineered DIY Drum Smoker Kit
- Thread starter Big Poppa
- Start date
Thom Emery
New member
Still need to do a little more assembly . Have to put on the Cool tool hooks. Not sure yet if and where the handles will go on. Maybe they will be installed after it is painted. July 1 we are having another BBQ party and the Big Poppa Smokers Drum will be assiting the MAK grills with the cooking.
Thems purdy
cmsmith225
New member
The drum I purchased looks like it has a redish epoxy liner. Do I need to grind off all that off or just do a big initial burn? Thanks in advance.
Last edited:
Salmonsmoker
New member
I doubt that it's an epoxy liner on a food grade barrel. Most likely it's a pvc or hdpe type material.
cmsmith225
New member
Thanks for the replies! I'll plan on getting after it on that first burn. I wasn't looking forward to grinding the inside of the barrel. The barrel was from some acai berry juice, so I am not sure what type of coating it is.
Salmonsmoker
New member
cmsmith,
I got curious and did a little research and came up with a few things and ideas from another forum. Seems the lining might very well be an epoxy polymer and you can't burn it out according to some who've tried it. It needs to be sand blasted out. You could tell if it's plastic or not by scraping the surface to see what the scrape looks and feels like.
However, this might help you out also; I stole a post from one guy that did this, and it seems to have worked:
Quote: "Hello, please bear with me for I am new to this. I just built my first UDS and feel compelled to pay it forward, for your site was invaluable to me and my efforts. I live in one of the largest cities in the US Chicago and you would think getting a 55 gallon drum would be easy "well its not" at least to get one for a reasonable cost under 30 dollars. After searching CL and a few other places I found a food grade open lid 55 gallon drum used to store apple raisin spread and it had the DREADED RED LINER. I followed many posts and figured a good burn out or 2 would do the trick, well after 2 good burns (Approx. 2 pallets each time) the liner still remained. I couldn't believe my eyes I just assumed it would flake and burn off like the paint on the exterior of the drum, its as if it was part of the steel. My best way to describe this lining is to say its looks like the lining sprayed into the back of a pick-up truck bed and apparently just as durable (I believe their called Rhino Linings) but there is hope. Being the BBQ MacGuyver that I am and refusing to admit defeat (which my wife was waiting for) I decided to wash the inside of the drum out with some Comet and a green 3M scuff pad sponge. And there it was right before my eyes the lining like magic started to wash away....I couldn't believe it!!!! The more I washed and scrubbed the more it went away until 95% was all gone, all that remained were the spots where I tried to sand and wire brush it off. It appears the more you brutalize it the harder it is to remove. After 2 good burns the liner will turn a chalky red/pink color, let this be don't try anything harsh until you give it a good Comet or Ajax scrub and you will be amazed by the results there may still be a few spots were the burn didn't get to but a wire wheel will make quick time on these parts with minimal dust and debris. This is for those of you that cant spend 90 dollars on a new unlined drum or don't have access to any other types try this it works!!!!"
I got curious and did a little research and came up with a few things and ideas from another forum. Seems the lining might very well be an epoxy polymer and you can't burn it out according to some who've tried it. It needs to be sand blasted out. You could tell if it's plastic or not by scraping the surface to see what the scrape looks and feels like.
However, this might help you out also; I stole a post from one guy that did this, and it seems to have worked:
Quote: "Hello, please bear with me for I am new to this. I just built my first UDS and feel compelled to pay it forward, for your site was invaluable to me and my efforts. I live in one of the largest cities in the US Chicago and you would think getting a 55 gallon drum would be easy "well its not" at least to get one for a reasonable cost under 30 dollars. After searching CL and a few other places I found a food grade open lid 55 gallon drum used to store apple raisin spread and it had the DREADED RED LINER. I followed many posts and figured a good burn out or 2 would do the trick, well after 2 good burns (Approx. 2 pallets each time) the liner still remained. I couldn't believe my eyes I just assumed it would flake and burn off like the paint on the exterior of the drum, its as if it was part of the steel. My best way to describe this lining is to say its looks like the lining sprayed into the back of a pick-up truck bed and apparently just as durable (I believe their called Rhino Linings) but there is hope. Being the BBQ MacGuyver that I am and refusing to admit defeat (which my wife was waiting for) I decided to wash the inside of the drum out with some Comet and a green 3M scuff pad sponge. And there it was right before my eyes the lining like magic started to wash away....I couldn't believe it!!!! The more I washed and scrubbed the more it went away until 95% was all gone, all that remained were the spots where I tried to sand and wire brush it off. It appears the more you brutalize it the harder it is to remove. After 2 good burns the liner will turn a chalky red/pink color, let this be don't try anything harsh until you give it a good Comet or Ajax scrub and you will be amazed by the results there may still be a few spots were the burn didn't get to but a wire wheel will make quick time on these parts with minimal dust and debris. This is for those of you that cant spend 90 dollars on a new unlined drum or don't have access to any other types try this it works!!!!"
Salmonsmoker
New member
[ i found a company in roseville that makes fresh drums to order for $70. brand spanking new. w/ lid. i'm going that route.[/QUOTE]
I like that route. A drum, Sparky style!
I like that route. A drum, Sparky style!
cmsmith225
New member
Thanks salmonsmoker that was helpful. I have a buddy who does sandblasting for a living. I'll have him give it a once over.
sparky
New member
welp, the drum quest is still on. i went the the drum company today and the make drums but the sheets of steel alreay have the red stuff on it. so, still looking. its hard to find a clean empty drum w/ out the red stuff in it. these drums arent cheap either like i thought they would be.