What Are Oil Drum BBQs? And How to Build & Maintain Them!
Oil Drum BBQs have made a comeback!
Oil Drum barbecues, also known as Barrel Barbecues, Ugly Drum Smokers, or Jerk Pans, were considered as the poor man’s grill up until a few years ago. However, as people realize the advantages of a sturdy, versatile, and heat resistant grill, Oil Drum BBQs are back in demand.
Through this article, I am going to explain what an Oil Drum BBQ is, how to build one yourself, and finally, how you can maintain it.
Drum roll, please!
What is an Oil Drum BBQ?
Oil Drum Barbecues, also called Barrel Barbecues or Ugly Drum Smokers, are barbecue grills (or smokers) made using new or recycled oil drums. The drums’ size ranges from 42 to 96 US gallon drums (159 to 363 litres). They use charcoal as their fuel source and are great for smoking meat.
Looking to Buy a Drum-Style BBQ Grill?
Here are the best Barrel Style BBQ Grills you can buy in the USA, Australia, Canada, and the UK.
Here are the best Barrel Style BBQ Grills you can buy in the USA, Australia, Canada, and the UK.
The Origins of Oil Drum BBQ
The Invention of the Modern Steel Drum
During the Oil Rush of the 1900s, there was a high demand for leak-proof oil barrels. This is when Nellie Bly, a female journalist turned inventor, got her design of the steel drum patented.
Her Steel drum design is so robust that almost the same configuration is still in use today. Her design was a straight-sided steel drum, complete with rolling hoops and side or top fittings.
The difference is that her design had metal rolling hoops separate from the body. In contrast, the modern-day design features hoops attached to the drum itself.
Reusing Old Steel Drums
Because of the booming oil industry, there was a high demand for oil drums. This demand resulted in the mass production of steel drums.
As these oil drums became unfit for use because of leakages or damage, the resourceful immigrant workers found a way to recycle these steel drums and put it to good use.
Learn more about the role American immigrants played in giving birth to the different flavors of American Barbecue.
Contemporary Use
Until a few years ago, Oil Drum Barbecues were considered ugly. This is partly because of its humble origins and partly because of its industrial look. In fact, that’s where Oil Drums BBQs got their nickname “Ugly Drum Smokers.”
However, people have realized that Oil Drum BBQs are an excellent fit for grilling because of the sturdy build and heat resistance offered by a steel drum. The durable build of a steel drum is more than capable of giving big grill brands a run for their money.
Oil Drum BBQs have become a symbol of ruggedness. It is kinda like the ‘Harley Davidson’ of Barbeque grills. Oil Drum BBQs are easy to spot in motorsports events, BBQ tailgating parties, and authentic BBQ commercial kitchens.
Benefits of an Oil Drum BBQ
Robust Design
The hoops on a steel drum help it withstand more stress than a simple cylindrical design. Therefore, Oil Drum BBQs typically last longer than standard grills.
Easy to Build and Customize
With a steel drum and a few hand skills, you can build yourself a smoker or a grill with the exact configuration and colors that you prefer. This is guaranteed to suit your needs better than a commercial grill.
Comes in Many Sizes
Whether you are a lone-wolf or whether you own a catering business, you can find a steel drum size that meets your needs perfectly. Learn more about choosing the right Steel Drum size.
Repurposes Old Steel Drums
Oil Drum BBQs put old Steel drums to good use. Not only is this great for the environment, but making an Oil Drum BBQ helps you free-up space if you own a business.
Multi-Tiered Grates
Oil Drum BBQs give you the flexibility to add extra grates. Grill grates help you cook the meat low and slow and can also be used to keep the food warm until you are ready to eat.
Pitmaster Wisdom
If you have a dog, keeping the meat warm in the grill rack also keeps your BBQ meat from magically disappearing!
Great fit for Commercial Purposes
Commercial Grills and Smokers are often sold at a premium, so if you own a catering business, you can save money by making your own Oil Drum BBQ. You will be able to customize it to have all the features of a commercial grill which help you speed up the service and achieve a super-tasty barbecue.
Looking to Buy a Grill with All these Benefits?
Here are the best Barrel Style BBQ Grills you can buy in the USA, Australia, Canada, and the UK.
Is an Oil Drum BBQ a Grill? Or is it a Smoker?
An Oil Drum Barbecue can be used both as a grill and a smoker. What separates grills from smokers is that grilling is a direct way of cooking, whereas smoking is an indirect method. We’ve compared Grilling vs. Smoking in this article.
Whether you will be able to smoke or grill effectively, largely depends on how you set up your BBQ Drum. More on this in the next section.
Horizontal vs. Vertical Drum BBQs
If you’ve been to a fair number of barbecues, you know that Horizontal BBQ drums are more popular, but this doesn’t make them better than Vertical Drum BBQs.
Horizontal drum setups are popular because they can be used both as a grill and a smoker. However, if you want to use your steel drum as a specialized BBQ smoker, the vertical drum setup is your best bet.
Here’s a comparison between horizontal and vertical BBQ drum placements:
| Horizontal BBQ Drum | Vertical BBQ Drum | |
| Use for Grilling | Ideal Option | Not Practical |
| Use for Smoking | Possible (How to Use Grills for Smoking) | Ideal Option |
| Versatility | Can be used for grilling and smoking | Can be used for smoking only |
| Multi-Tier Grill Grates/ Racks | Up to two tiers of grates possible | Up to four tiers of grates possible which lets you work with multiple levels of heat |
| Ease Of Access (Ergonomic Efficiency) | All grates are accessible while standing | Some grates aren’t accessible while standing |
| Stability Of Setup (lower center-of-gravity) | More difficult to tip over | Easier to tip over |
| Floor Space Occupied | Takes more floor space | Takes less floor space |
Buying vs. Building an Oil Drum BBQ
Important Note
Before buying or building your Oil Drum BBQ, ensure that Barbecuing is not in violation of local fire regulations in your area. It would do you no good to invest the time and money on a grill that you’re not allowed to use.
Buying an Oil Drum BBQ
Even though I would personally build my own BBQ drum, it’s not the best idea for everyone.
I wouldn’t recommend building if it’s your first time barbecuing because there’s a fat chance of having unsatisfying results. You could even end up hurting yourself if you’ve never worked with construction tools before.
However, you can still enjoy all the benefits of an Oil Drum BBQ! There are many Oil Drum Grills and Smokers that can give you fantastic results on par with their customized equivalents. Here’s an updated list of the best drum-style Grills and Best Smokers.
Building an Oil Drum BBQ
Making your own Oil Drum BBQ is popular among enthusiasts. This is because it gives you control over every last detail – from selecting the best BBQ drum to getting all the features that you love.
If you’re sure about the smoker you want to build and have experienced with metal cutting and welding tools, I would recommend building your Oil Drum BBQ.
How to Build an Oil Drum BBQ Grill?
Making your own oil drum Barbeque doesn’t just give you control over every aspect of your grilling/smoking equipment, it is also a lot of fun! You can also use it as an excuse to spend some quality time with your family and be proud of how your combined efforts turned out. Come to think of it, isn’t that what Barbecuing is all about?
Here’s How you can Build Your Own Oil Drum BBQ Grill:
Step #1: Build out the Core
In this step, we will prep and cut the drum, and build a sturdy frame to hold it.
Step #2: Accessorize Your Grill
In this step, we’ll paint the grill and add all the parts that make your grill usable.
Step #3: Build a Heavy Duty Grill Rack
Finally, it’s time to get yourself some great sear-marks!
Don’t Own Metalworking Tools?
You could still build a barbecue smoker with a wood saw, a drill, and a screwdriver! Get the Homemade BBQ Smoker Plans.
You could still build a barbecue smoker with a wood saw, a drill, and a screwdriver! Get the Homemade BBQ Smoker Plans.
How to Clean and Maintain an Oil Drum BBQ Grill?
It’s important to keep your Oil Drum BBQ free from grime, dirt, algae, and harmful chemicals. Cleaning your grill in the following way will help you do just that!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Charcoal Oil Drum?
A Charcoal Oil Drum is an Oil Drum BBQ that uses charcoal as its fuel source. Even though Oil Drums can use gas or electrical coils for heating, charcoal is the most common type of fuel used in an Oil Drum BBQ.
Are Oil Drum BBQs Healthy?
As long as the Oil drum you are using does not have a chemical lining and was not used to store toxic substances, it is perfectly healthy to cook using an Oil Drum. Just be sure to choose the right BBQ drum, and clean it thoroughly.
Which Oil Drum Should I Use to Make a Smoker?
The best oil drum to make a Barbecue smoker is an unlined, open headed, cold-rolled carbon steel drum. Both reinforced and straight-sided drums work just as well to make a BBQ smoker. Learn more about choosing the right Drum for your smoker.
Are Oil Drum Barbecues Safe?
Barbecuing with an Oil Drum BBQ is just as safe as using any other Barbecue grill. Be sure to follow all the safety tips for barbecuing with fire, and you will have no problem.
Looking to Buy a Pre-made Drum-Style BBQ Grill?
Here are the best Barrel Style BBQ Grills you can buy in the USA, Australia, Canada, and the UK.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you gain a better understanding of Oil Drum BBQs.
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll be sure to send some helpful information your way.
If you’ve decided to build your own Oil Drum BBQ, you must read our articles on How to Choose the Right Steel Drum.
If building a Drum Grill or Smoker sounds like too much work, check out the Best Oil Drum Grills and Best Oil Drum Smokers on the market.
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