Beginning the Journey of Building (First Build)

[Astrobeerman]

Just got my first 55 Gal Drum which was used to ship coconut oil for my UDS build. I'm excited to get this going.
I guess my first couple of questions would be: With this shipping coconut oil (and no liner), do I need a full burnout?
The barrel still has reminents of the coconut oil, any idea how to clean it? And finally, do I remove the lid sealing liner?
I appreciate the help, and attribute Don (berryman) in pushing me to jump into my first build (his pics are awesome)
Thanks
Beerman

[Astrobeerman]

Appearantly this stuff is used to make popcorn at movie theatres.....interesting

[Smokeone]

I would burn it out. If not I think everything will taste like coconut. I can't see the lid liner on my phone, but I would remove it, I think.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[Astrobeerman]

Coconut ribs......ugh....lol
Thanks for the tip......here is the lid....the stuff is basically a rubber basket of sorts...that basically sticks from the back side....doubt it can stand the heat.....pun intended....lol

[berryman]

Astrobeerman,
Glad you decided to build one. A lot of good ideas and advice here.
Don

[SmokinFF]

I always burn them out. Start your fire and place the lid at an angle on top. It will melt outta there. The burn helps with paint removal on the whole drum.

[berryman]

Coconut ribs......ugh....lol
Thanks for the tip......here is the lid....the stuff is basically a rubber basket of sorts...that basically sticks from the back side....doubt it can stand the heat.....pun intended....lol

Beerman,
Yes you want that gasket out of there. It will mostly come out easy, then I used my needle gun (lightly) and a wire wheel to clean.
Don

[Tom_Heath]

Thats the same style drums that I used.

Get the lid warm and the gasket will fall right outta there, I built mine and fired it on coals holding good smoke temps for 30 some hours and the rest is history.

No co co nut rib flavor here.

[Astrobeerman]

I'm bout to burn out my UDS. Was it me or did everyone else struggle to dismember these damn pallets....
I'm so tired I might put off the burn till tomorrow.........hopefully it doesn't rain.

[The Czar]

Sawzall and a big hammer....

[Astrobeerman]

I am about 4-4.5 hours into my burn and am out of wood........a pic of the drum is below
I dnt think that bottome third will fully get the paint off....
I used 3 pallets......flame was full blown....top 2/3rd is clean as a whistle.....

Thoughts on where to go from here? Shld I get more wood? Do you think this is sufficent enough?
I dnt think i can get more wood, I can try....
I'm not concerned with color outside.....but just want to make sure inside is cleaned out and ready to go...

Thanks for any help

[Astrobeerman]

[Astrobeerman]

Damn it.......I think I did something wrong.....

Well, I ran out of wood, as from story above, and I went searching for more wood. I went in my garage, and pulled out a couple 2x4s and a couple of compressed wood sheets......very small section of compressed wood......like a 3 by 4.....I broke it up and fed thhe fire.....

Well, I put the lid on after the fire began going down....just bc....and a light avacado green smoke began coming out......I took my lid off.....and its entirely black....and had some sort of shinyness to it....but black.......
Not sure if those small sections of wood were treated or anything.....not sure....
But, from reading before about some wood and such maybe releasing some acid or something (maybe the wood treatment stuff)....I'm scared I might hhave done something wrong.....
Thoughts? Ill take a pic of the lid below...

[Astrobeerman]

I put this lid on the drum....half way.....and after a bit....the blackness shiney stuff got burnt off.......will do that....and hopefully watever was on it.....will burn away......damn its hot

[SmokinFF]

How clean in a whistle?
It's hard to say on the black stuff. If you put the lid on, it could be a product of incomplete combustion. Once it cools down, grab a rag and see if it will wipe out. If so, you're ok.

[Frank_Cox]

even if it is soot or something that wont wipe off, your ok, Power Washer... the Hot kind...

[Astrobeerman]

Can I use rebar for my basket? Believe rebar is basic carbon steel.
Thanks

[The Czar]

You betcha.....

unless some one else proves me wrong.....

[Smokeone]

I'll deny it, but I agree with DC.
I bet it will be a little heavy tho. ;)

[Astrobeerman]

It actually isn't that heavy. Here we are half way, me and pops

[The Czar]

....You won't have any problems.....

[Smokeone]

[Tom_Heath]

Looking good man, actually the expanded is plenty strong by it self. Welded or rolled.

And I bet the black ick was from the glue in the flake board. The other thing that you can do is feed even a small fire with a leaf blower and it make a hotter fire faster. And you can always hit those paint spots with a wire brush while its still hot.

[Astrobeerman]

Thans for the help everyone.

Bout to paint the outside. As far as inside is concerned, is peanut oil preferred when ubbing down the inside,, or is any oil fine? Thanks again

[Smokeone]

I use spray on type, usually it is canola. But most any will work.