Convert the 18.5 kettle to a WSM??

[badjujumatt]

Would like to convert my 18.5 kettle to a smoker specifically for fish. I have a 22 WSM and love it. Looked at cajun bandit and if I am going to drop that $$ I will just get a new 18.5 WSM. Any suggestions?

[MacEggs]

Welcome to the forum, badjujumatt.

If you are handy, and want to save $$, then consider getting a 30 gallon drum and modify it to fit your desired intentions.

It's my understanding that Jiffy Lube has them, and they just give them away once empty.  Worth a try.

[Bob BQ]

Welcome to the Club, @badjujumatt . Either a 30 gallon drum or do what @Winz   did with an 80 quart pot.

[Qreps]

The Cajun Bandt is expensive but the quality is excellent. It has heavy gauge stainless steel and works great.

[swamprb]

I wanted a Red SJS and the chances of that are slim to none, so I made my own.



Added the 18" Cajun Bandit Stacker and Reversible Rotisserie ring.







I cook dry and use a 1/8" steel disc for the heat deflector





Pizza pan that gets foiled for the drip pan



I have a 30 Gallon Drum Smoker and the Rotis ring gets a workout on it as well.





So, here's the deal on the 30 Gallon drum - the diameter of the drum is larger than 18" kettle. I sacrificed a rustbucket 18" Bar-B-Kettle and cut off the top 1.5" of the bowl and had it tack welded inside and use the lid since the drum had none.







so YMMV on the 30 gallon drum for a WSM mod. I think I would have seen a lot of PBC's with Weber lids if it was to be. just sayin'

https://www.facebook.com/Left-Hand-Smoke-116187658462391/timeline/

[MacEggs]

@swamprb , you have a great set-up there! 

That's a nice mod you did there for the 30 gallon drum ... I was not aware that they were a smidge larger in diameter.
I have never seen one in person, as I can't find one up here in Canada.  Thanks for the info and the pics.

[Lumpy Coal]

The 45/55(US) gallon drum is the same way for the 22" kettle base.  It works great for the lid but not the base.  Found out the hard way this weekend. 

[swamprb]

The 45/55(US) gallon drum is the same way for the 22" kettle base.  It works great for the lid but not the base.  Found out the hard way this weekend.

Well that depends if you are using a tight head (closed) drum, some, but not all will occasionally accommodate a kettle lid if you cut the top or bottom inside the rim.





Open drums are usually @ 23" dia. and for those I'll use the soon to be patented "swamprb UDS Kettle Flange" mod

[Lumpy Coal]

Ya, I used open drum.

[swamprb]

Ya, I used open drum.

Drum Smokers kick ass!

[Qreps]

Great set up swamprb. Thanks for the info on the lid mod.