Nothing encapsulates the spirit of American summers quite like the distinct scent of smoky barbecue wafting through the air. Among the many ways of achieving this culinary delight, one option stands out for its cost-effectiveness and fun factor – the oil drum BBQ smoker.
Not only can you build this DIY smoker for around $50, but you also get to enjoy the unique process and the unbeatable satisfaction of smoking meat yourself. The secret to a successful oil drum BBQ smoker is maintaining a low temperature and ensuring a consistent flow of smoke. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get started.
Table of Contents
The Crucial First Step: Cleaning the Oil Drum
Before you begin crafting your smoker, it’s important to thoroughly clean the oil drum, especially if it’s been previously used for storing oil. A popular approach involves lighting the oil barrel on fire and letting the oil burn away completely. This can then be followed by pressure washing the interior with soap and water.
However, if you’re looking for a greener alternative, natural base kitty litter can work wonders. By pouring it inside the barrel and rolling it around, the litter will absorb the oil. Repeat the process as necessary and dispose of the soiled litter at a local recycling facility.
Cutting and Welding: Shaping the Oil Drum
To create the structure of your smoker, you’ll need a cutting torch or oxyacetylene torch to cut the steel pipe used to weld the oil drum together. If you’re not familiar with welding, consider hiring a professional.
Start by cutting a 3 feet long by 2 feet wide lid out of the oil drum. Drill a hole in the middle of the lid for a thermometer. Weld hinges to the length of the lid, attaching it to the drum. Depending on your preference, one or two handles can be added to the lid. Just behind the lid, cut a 3″ diameter hole and weld a smokestack. Weld angle iron inside the oil drum at your desired height to hold the grill racks.
Creating the Firebox
The firebox, or heat source, is best constructed from ½” gauge metal plate, measuring 24″ square. Cut a hole in the former top of the oil barrel and repurpose the cutout as a firebox door. Weld this door on using hinges. For the connection between the firebox and the oil drum, cut a 6″ long x 3″ wide hole in the firebox’s side.
A conventional barbecue grill can be converted into a firebox for your smoker. Remove the grill’s top air vent, attach an electric dryer vent hose, drill a hole at the end of the oil drum smoker’s diameter of the vent hose, and connect it to your newly fashioned smoker.
Building the Sturdy Base
For the base legs of your smoker, use 2-foot-long metal fence posts. Weld these posts onto the oil drum with an angle iron, ensuring a stable structure. If you’ve created a separate firebox, weld two legs to its front end and the backside to the oil drum. After welding the smokestack in place, test the solidity of all the welds by lighting the oil drum smoker.
Finishing Touches: Ready to Smoke
In the final stages, place a metal grate inside the bottom hole of your smoker. Add some charcoal to the bottom of the oil drum, place your choice of food on the metal grate, and cover the top hole with a metal lid.
Conclusion: Time to Enjoy Your DIY Barbecue Smoker
The process of building a barbecue smoker from an oil drum might seem daunting, but with patience and careful execution, it can turn out to be an engaging DIY project.
Nothing encapsulates the spirit of American summers quite like the distinct scent of smoky barbecue wafting through the air. Among the many ways of achieving this culinary delight, one option stands out for its cost-effectiveness and fun factor – the oil drum BBQ smoker. Not only can you build this DIY smoker for around $50, but you also get to enjoy the unique process and the unbeatable satisfaction of smoking meat yourself. The secret to a successful oil drum BBQ smoker is maintaining a low temperature and ensuring a consistent flow of smoke. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get started.
The Crucial First Step: Cleaning the Oil Drum
Before you begin crafting your smoker, it’s important to thoroughly clean the oil drum, especially if it’s been previously used for storing oil. A popular approach involves lighting the oil barrel on fire and letting the oil burn away completely. This can then be followed by pressure washing the interior with soap and water.
However, if you’re looking for a greener alternative, natural base kitty litter can work wonders. By pouring it inside the barrel and rolling it around, the litter will absorb the oil. Repeat the process as necessary and dispose of the soiled litter at a local recycling facility.
Cutting and Welding: Shaping the Oil Drum
To create the structure of your smoker, you’ll need a cutting torch or oxyacetylene torch to cut the steel pipe used to weld the oil drum together. If you’re not familiar with welding, consider hiring a professional.
Start by cutting a 3 feet long by 2 feet wide lid out of the oil drum. Drill a hole in the middle of the lid for a thermometer. Weld hinges to the length of the lid, attaching it to the drum. Depending on your preference, one or two handles can be added to the lid. Just behind the lid, cut a 3″ diameter hole and weld a smokestack. Weld angle iron inside the oil drum at your desired height to hold the grill racks.
Creating the Firebox
The firebox, or heat source, is best constructed from ½” gauge metal plate, measuring 24″ square. Cut a hole in the former top of the oil barrel and repurpose the cutout as a firebox door. Weld this door on using hinges. For the connection between the firebox and the oil drum, cut a 6″ long x 3″ wide hole in the firebox’s side.
A conventional barbecue grill can be converted into a firebox for your smoker. Remove the grill’s top air vent, attach an electric dryer vent hose, drill a hole at the end of the oil drum smoker’s diameter of the vent hose, and connect it to your newly fashioned smoker.
Building the Sturdy Base
For the base legs of your smoker, use 2-foot-long metal fence posts. Weld these posts onto the oil drum with an angle iron, ensuring a stable structure. If you’ve created a separate firebox, weld two legs to its front end and the backside to the oil drum. After welding the smokestack in place, test the solidity of all the welds by lighting the oil drum smoker.
Finishing Touches: Ready to Smoke
In the final stages, place a metal grate inside the bottom hole of your smoker. Add some charcoal to the bottom of the oil drum, place your choice of food on the metal grate, and cover the top hole with a metal lid.
Conclusion: Time to Enjoy Your DIY Barbecue Smoker
The process of building a barbecue smoker from an oil drum might seem daunting, but with patience and careful execution, it can turn out to be an engaging DIY project.