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55 GALLON DIY SMOKER....

Fletch

Senior Member
Supporting Member
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118
This should be right up Dustin's alley.... Anyone ever build a 55 gallon smoker?? Plenty of plans on the internet and they look pretty simple... I thought of building one several years ago but finding a food grade 55 gal drum was not all that easy... Well the other day I met a guy that is in the honey business and he gets honey in 55 gal drums and had about 30 empty barrels in his garage and said help yourself to one or two... So just might have to throw one together...
 

Quantum673

Black Hat Cajun
Supporting Member
I’ve heard good things about the pellet smokers. Then I could do other things and not babysit.

Love mine so far. Only had it a little over a week but have used it almost everyday.

Buddy of mine made a drum smoker this spring. So far he likes it a lot. I will see if I can get some pics and post.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
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I guess to me, my time is worth the price of a smoker. That’s what I’m saying.

I agree but I have never in my life tasted a brisket that came off an electric or gas smoker that came close to the flavor of one done over charcoal and wood. Will it get you 80% there, sure. Is the loss in flavor quality acceptable for not having to babysit a smoker, that's up to you. Just all depends on what you want. Old Dan Tucker and Woodford reserve are both whiskeys. If you just want to eat some smoked meats with little fuss then electric or gas will get the job done.
 
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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I agree but I have never in my life tasted a brisket that came off an electric or gas smoker that came close to the flavor of one done over charcoal and wood. Will it get you 80% there, sure. Is the loss in flavor quality acceptable for not having to babysit a smoker, that's up to you. Just all depends on what you want. Old Dan Tucker and Woodford reserve are both whiskeys. If you just want to eat some smoked meats with little fuss then electric or gas will get the job done.
My wife does brisket and ribs in a instapot, they ain’t all that bad, so someone like myself would be happy with the pellets. I didn’t grow up eating smoked foods and I appreciate being able to go to a smoke master. I don’t care to have that skill. Some things in life “good enough” is fine by me. Kinda why I drink Bud Light! 😂 Can’t afford to drink them other beers or be 37,926 lbs by July!
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
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DING DING.... And we have a winner... Who in their right mind would make a smoker out of a plastic barrel???

Hey I learned a long time ago on the internet to never assume someones being sarcastic. We've had some doozies over the years. Once we even had a fella show up and ask about the legality of crawling in an active coyote den to drag one out. 😂
 

Beentown

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
15,740
154
Sunbury, OH
You don't need to babysit a UDS (Ugly Drum Smoker). An automatic temp controller does wonders. I sleep while mine cooks.

My UDS is SUPER ugly now. Holds 275 for 14 hours and doesn't vary 5 degrees the whole time if I leave it alone.

Also, many charcoal cookers are adaptable for use with an ATC.

Here is one that I recommend.

https://pitmasteriq.com/products/iq110
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
You don't need to babysit a UDS (Ugly Drum Smoker). An automatic temp controller does wonders. I sleep while mine cooks.

My UDS is SUPER ugly now. Holds 275 for 14 hours and doesn't vary 5 degrees the whole time if I leave it alone.

Also, many charcoal cookers are adaptable for use with an ATC.

Here is one that I recommend.

https://pitmasteriq.com/products/iq110

We'll I'll be a monkeys uncle! That little gadget is worth its weight in gold.