Ugly drum smokers?

Thanks. Just started looking, but the swing out bottom of the Oklahoma Joe seems super convenient for fuel/ash management. If the K4L had that, I'd probably get it.

I built one from scratch about 15 years ago. Had an old Weber Kettle that rusted out at the bottom. So, I reused the lid, the cooking grate, The wheels, and the bottom bowl of the Kettle. The bowl made for a huge charcoal basket the will burn for about 16 hours @ 225-230 degrees. I can barely fit that thing in there. Had an old bed frame that I used to make a cart for the drum to be on wheels. I got 4 ball valves at the bottom to control temp. I got big pizza pan with holes in it as a heat diffuser. The highest temp i can achieve is about 330 degrees. Maybe 350 on a very good day.

It cooks pretty good ribs with the diffuser in place. Cooks excellent pork steaks for old school BBQ. I use the drum every Thanksgiving to smoke turkey breast. I just wish i could get the temp higher to get crispy skin. Would NOT recommend for brisket or pork butt.

Today, I use a 26" kettle to cook everything except turkey breasts. From steaks to Brisket. It has a Slow n Sear that will outlive me. And a Spider Grills Venom to control temp (cause I'm lazy like that, lol). I'm really enjoying this setup!

OP, if you are dead set on getting a drum smoker thats already made then I'd suggest you look into Hunsaker Smokers. I know they make high quality stuff. They make a stainless steel drum smoker that would last generations. It's pricey!

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OP, if you are dead set on getting a drum smoker thats already made then I'd suggest you look into Hunsaker Smokers

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Yes, I have looked at pretty much all of them including Hunsaker and Gateway. There's a Bronco Pro locally available at a decent price and appears to be in great shape. Too many really positive reviews to ignore. Just watched a guy get right at 15 hours on one. After spending way too much time on reviews, I think I would go with the K4L over Hunsaker and Gateway. I wonder if those vortex diffusers fit in the Bronco Pro?

For those using these, how do you cook spare ribs? Hang by hook, flat on grate or those rib racks?

I was in your exact predicament a few years ago. I started out on a Weber 22" kettle doing indirect and the snake methods. Eventually I went with a drum smoker since it was the sweet spot of effort & quality for me. I personally went with the Bronco Pro and have no complaints.

Until this thread I didn't realize they changed the base model to a swing out basket. So I can't speak to how well that does or doesn't leak air.

The main drawbacks/hesitancy I had with the drum design: either you need to remove everything on top to reload the charcoal, or have a door for convenience that risks air leakage. I decided on the Bronco Pro for the charcoal basket size. I can get 12+ hours and do complete brisket smokes without having to refill. That plus the increased grate surface area. And I don't have to worry about a door gasket that will eventually wear.

I did 6 rib racks hanging once. And one fell. So now I do them flat. I never really cook more than a couple racks at a time anyway.

Definitely recommend a drum smoker for anyone who is looking for the sweet spot of price/quality/effort on smoking. Offsets will beat it in quality, but require more effort. Pellet grills will beat it in effort, but will cost more. I used to say Pellets wouldn't turn out the same quality either but they've gotten better. I still think the product on a drum over real wood chunks edges out the best pellets these days but the gap isn't what it used to be.

As for WHICH drum, it's all down to personal preference / brand loyalty. As I said I have no complaints with the Bronco Pro and would recommend it, especially if you get it on sale.


ETA: I have a vortex I use for my kettle. Not sure what you mean by using it in the drum but if you explain I can go try and fit mine in and take a picture.

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I snoozed and lost. The local one sold while I was making sure I wanted it. Can't find it on line anywhere.

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Ahh bummer. Keep an eye out on FB Marketplace, you can usually find some on there. I'll also add some drum designs can go overboard with better seals/doors/lid hinges/wheels/etc but you end up paying more than you would be able to get a quality pellet grill for. Which kind of defeats the purpose IMO.

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This search looks futile.

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I have to ask. Why not a WSM 22”? Are the UDSs that different?

Serious question.

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I did 6 rib racks hanging once. And one fell. So now I do them flat.

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I do mine flat, too. I put adjustable shelving hardware in the one I built so I can add multiple racks of meat.

I have a Weber Smokey Mountain. There is a reason there is a die hard, dedicated community to the WSM. They are so simple to operate. On top of that you can aftermarket mod the crap out of them if you want. Want to hang your ribs? No problem, there is an after market mod for that. Heat diffuser? No problem. If you can think of it, it's out there.

There really isn't much difference between a drum smoker and a WSM if you set up your WSM to operate like a drum smoker.

If you're thinking, "well, it's a water cooker. You need to put water in the pan.". No you don't, I never have.

I've used my WSM in so many different ways it's crazy. But the best part is I can just set it up and go to bed without even thinking about it.