Learning how to use an ugly drum smoker takes a little time to get right. The setup is simple, but getting steady results can take a few cooks.
Most people run into the same challenges early on. Managing heat and keeping things consistent doesn’t always come naturally at first.
That’s where experience helps. These tips come straight from people who’ve spent time behind the smoker and figured out what works.
Lessons Learned from Using an Ugly Drum Smoker
Leila B.
Time Using an Ugly Drum Smoker: 5 years
First Dish: Italian sausage
What's the #1 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Keeping the temperature where you want it is a skill that may take a few tries to master! Be patient, you'll get it figured out.
What's the #2 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
It's easier to increase the temperature than it is to decrease the temperature. Keep track of your thermometer during your cook.
What's the Biggest Lesson You've Learned About Using an Ugly Drum Smoker?
The griddle can get hot! If you're making breakfast, cook your eggs near the front (farther from the heat source).
Is There Something You Wished You Knew Before Your First Time Using an Ugly Drum Smoker?
I would have started my cook with more charcoal since I needed the heat to be up a little higher. The charcoal chute made it easy to add more, but it took a bit of time before I figured out that I actually needed to add it to get the temp up where I needed it.
Mike F.
Time Using an Ugly Drum Smoker: 3 years 6 months
First Ugly Drum Smoker Dish: Whole turkey
What's the #1 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
You're going to be surprised by the results, smoking is more than cooking meat, it's a lifestyle that will change you forever. Your mouth, family, and friends will all thank you!
What's the #2 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Get the pizza oven kit and enjoy that wood-flavored pizza! Make it an experience for the whole family — let the kids "assemble" their own pizzas!
What's the Biggest Lesson You've Learned About Using an Ugly Drum Smoker?
You can fit a lot more in a (55-gallon) drum smoker than you think. Two turkeys aren't a problem.
Is There Something You Wished You Knew Before Your First Time Using Your Ugly Drum Smoker?
An ugly drum smoker does use up charcoal a bit faster since you're heating up a larger area.
Jeremy R.
Time Using an Ugly Drum Smoker: 1
First Ugly Drum Smoker Dish: Naan bread pizza
What's the #1 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Start with simple, relatively forgiving recipes until you can familiarize yourself with how to control the temperature.
What's the #2 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Don't leave your ugly drum smoker uncovered out in the rain. Water can collect in the bottom.
What's the Biggest Lesson You've Learned About Using an Ugly Drum Smoker?
When cooking pizza with the pizza oven kit on a windy day, orient the drum smoker so the wind is assisting in pushing the heat over the pizza. Angling the drum so the back is slightly into the wind is all that is needed.
Tyler H.
Time Using an Ugly Drum Smoker: 2 years
First Ugly Drum Smoker Dish: Chicken kabobs
What's the #1 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Give yourself plenty of time on the first attempt so that you can try different methods and settings to find the best results.
What's the #2 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
If you are making pizzas, start with flat bread or pre-cooked dough until you get familiar with cooking pizzas on the pizza oven.
What's the Biggest Lesson You've Learned About Using an Ugly Drum Smoker?
When smoking, you want to have the faint blue smoke, not the thick white smoke.
Is There Something You Wished You Knew Before Your First Time Using Your Ugly Drum Smoker?
You need to start your charcoal a half hour to an hour before you want to grill or make pizza.
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Keep the Fire Going Want to pick up a few more ideas? Start here: |
Jody O.
Time Using an Ugly Drum Smoker: 1 year
First Ugly Drum Smoker Dish: Pizza
What's the #1 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Use lump charcoal, not briquettes.
What's the #2 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Do a practice cook before preparing a dish for an important event.
What's the Biggest Lesson You've Learned About Using an Ugly Drum Smoker?
Less is more with the amount of charcoal to use.
See the pizza oven in action:
Brooke F.
Time Using an Ugly Drum Smoker: Less than a year
First Ugly Drum Smoker Dish: Pork butt
What's the #1 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Be careful opening the lid — the ugly drum smokers with Smokin' Ugly accessories puts out a lot of smoke!
What's the #2 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Invest in the wheel kit — it makes moving the smoker a lot easier
What's the Biggest Lesson You've Learned About Using an Ugly Drum Smoker?
How to smoke meat!
Mike W.
Time Using an Ugly Drum Smoker: 2 years
First Ugly Drum Smoker Dish: Wings
What's the #1 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
Be patient. It takes time to learn how to control the temp.
What's the #2 Thing You Would Tell an Ugly Drum Smoker First-Time User?
If you're looking for a faster route with temperature control, invest in a Flame Boss (a temperature control fan). It helps take the guesswork out.
What's the Biggest Lesson You've Learned About Using an Ugly Drum Smoker?
Cooking with family and friends can be a blast. Kids love to make their own pizzas.
Is There Something You Wished You Knew Before Your First Time Using Your Ugly Drum Smoker?
Having the heat deflector for wings. Put the wings above the deflector and the legs to the outside of it for a more even cook.
Putting It All Together: How to Use an Ugly Drum Smoker
Getting comfortable with how to use an ugly drum smoker takes time and patience. Each cook helps you build a better feel for heat control and how the smoker responds as it runs.
Stick with it and keep things simple as you build confidence. Small adjustments lead to better consistency. Your results will improve with each cook, and the process becomes easier to manage every time you fire it up.
More Tips on How to Use an Ugly Drum Smoker
If you want a simple way to build confidence, this guide walks you through the basics.
