[bernman]

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

[bluesman]

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.

[tschmidlin]

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.

<edit>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.

[bernman]

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.

[bernman]

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.

[tschmidlin]

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

[Kit B]

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

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

[tschmidlin]

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.

[bernman]

Nice. Looks like the non-edible casings.

[euge]

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.

[tschmidlin]

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. "

[Kit B]

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.

[tschmidlin]

Cool, good to know.

[Jimmy K]

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

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

[bluesman]

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

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

Nice UDS build!