How to Build Your Own Rib Smoker

Smoked ribs can be prepared in you own yard.

There is nothing better than sitting down in front of a plate full of smoked ribs surrounded by all the trimmings. But, in order to get those smoked ribs, you usually have to go to a restaurant. Well, now you can skip the restaurant and smoke ribs in your very own backyard using just a few simple supplies.

Things You'll Need

• 55-gallon metal drum
• Kindling
• Firewood
• Fire extinguisher
• Drill
• Small metal discs
• 4 bolts, 2 inches
• 4 bolts, 1/2 inch
• 8 wing nut washers
• Charcoal basket
• Cooking grate
• Electronic thermometer

Instructions

1. Obtain a 55-gallon metal drum and clean out the inside. (Be sure whatever the drum was holding was not toxic.) Using the kindling and firewood, light a fire in the base of the drum and allow it to burn. This will get any remnants of what was held inside the drum out of it. Keep the fire extinguisher handy in case the fire becomes to large. After the fire is extinguished, remove and discard the ashes.

2. Drill four holes about 3 inches from the bottom of the drum using a 3/4-inch drill bit. Drill four more holes, each about an inch just above each of the first four. Finally, moving near the top of the drum, drill four holes about 6 inches below where the lid will be placed. All of these holes should be spaced equally around the drum.

3. Using the 1/2-inch bolts and wing nuts, attach one metal disc over each hole at the bottom of the drum. These metal discs will serve as the air vents to be adjusted while cooking.

4. Install the 2-inch bolts into the holes that were drilled near the top of the drum. Secure each bolt with a wing nut. These bolts will hold the cooking grate.

5. Below one of the 2-inch bolts near the top of the cooker, drill one final hole. During cooking, the thermometer will be entered here to gauge the cooking temperature.

6. Place the charcoal grate, full of charcoal, in the bottom of the drum. Light the charcoal to get the fire going, then place the cooking grate on the bolts. Seal with the drum lid and you now have your very own rib smoker. Throw on some ribs and get the party going.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to get a 55-gallon drum that held food or something non-toxic.

• To spruce up the rib smoker, buy high-intensity spray paint that is approved for high temperatures and paint the drum.

• While cooking, set the cooker up on cinder blocks so that the grass or driveway does not burn or scorch.

References

• "BBQ Smoker Site": Build BBQ
• "The Home Welder": 55 Gallon Drum Smoker