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Thanks for all the ideas guys. I know they're around, was just looking for some sources. Carl, I'm a western sloper, not very close to Denver. But your craigslist plan led me to make a post in the want to buy section. I already got a response. Ive found plenty of places that "get them in sometimes" but none that have one they want to get rid of.
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I forgot the add a cheap welding blanket from
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/N...tt=welding blanket&D=welding blanket&Ns=P-Price&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsear...ng+blanket
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We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.
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t- that's all i use now is a welding blanket. well, i have a little feed wash bucket the smoker sits in that helps too. i was thinking getting the barrel and using it along with the blanket might help. maybe the barrel isn't even necessary, i don't know. i just have a hard time getting my temps up in the winter. thinking about ditching the water in the water bowl, and using the clay pot trick. maybe that will help too.
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Cold is cold and it's tough to fight. Then throw wind in the mix and it evacuates the heat faster. I like the idea of a piece of duct. It's cheap and light. Anything you can do to hold the heat is good.
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We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.
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I also lined the bottom of my smoker with fire bricks, and it has really helped with temperature stability (along with the welding blanket.)
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hey t- i scored one of these barrels. got an email from a local oil drilling company. couldn't beat the price, that's for sure. cut the bottom and top off and put some handles i got at the hardware store on the sides. i think it's going to work really well. my question for you, sir, my smoking guru- do you think the air coming in from the top will be enough to keep my fire going, or should i get it up off the ground a little bit?
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BBQ is all about trial and error and you do need a draw. If it's a prob, I would cut a 2h X 4L inch slice at the 12 and 6 position and test it. If you need more, do it at the 3 and 9.
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I have a UDS (ugly drum smoker) that I use to smoke with. 55 gal drums are perfect for holding heat since they are thick steal. On one load of coal I can make my drum chug along at 20-225 for 12 hours without touching the coals. On mine all I have is 3 1" holes at the bottom for air control. For your application I would cut maybe 4 1" holes for air flow and be fine. Are you putting a WSM in the barrel?