Hello guys, as times are getting harder and harder, I wanted to share a money savings idea, and maybe some other members have some secrets to saving some money with other ideas
I have needed to buy some American white oak sticks or chips lately, they are so damn expensive to buy (and not to mention finding). Then when you find them online they are expensive also, I was just in my local Home Depot and in the garden section they have Jack Daniel's half keg barrels (cut in half). I bought one and brought it home, cut the bands off and took apart the barrel by hand, Now a little time on the table saw and my mapp gas torch, and you have about 30 pounds of American white oak charred for about 32 bucks after tax. This is great news for me because i'm on a tight budget and my wife isn't nearly impressed with my hobby as I am.
Anyone else ran across some smoking deals on materials we could all use? Too bad I couldn't find a cheaper way to get sugar
I found the same barrels a My lowes this fall. Picked out one that had some lose and missing
slats then found a manager and picked it up for $10. Got 15 quarts on slats right now.
I also saw these half drums at Tractor supply not sure of the price.
Ní uasal aon uasal ach sinne bheith íseal: Éirímis.(Séamas Ó Lorcáin)
The great appear great because we are on our knees: Let us rise.(Big Jim Larkin)
I finally got me a 55 gallon plastic drum with a removable top lid. I bought it on Ebay for 55 bucks shipped. Ive looked for one around my place for awhile and no one seems to have this design of barrel. Im fixing to try the old Popcorn Sutton recipe in it. I found at a local supermarket some Pioneer brand White Cornmeal. It does say enriched which I didnt really want but Im sure it will work without any issues. My point is, finding the white corn meal online is expensive as hell by the time it is shipped. I found this in the local store 5# bags for $2.60 a bag. That was a damn good deal I thought. Especially when you use so much of it. This big barrel will be nice so I wont have to wait so long to get enough wash for another run. I cant wait to check it out
I picked up a fresh half barrel a few years ago, too. Took it apart, and it all fit in a large Rubbermaid tub. I only cut-up and char sticks as needed. I find that freshly charred/toasted oak is best, and it will take about 20 years for me to use up the entire tub's worth of oak.
I'm keeping an eye open for another one of these, but this time, I'm going to make a lid for it, and see if it will hold liquid. If it does, bingo! A 20-25 gallon barrel for $30.....!
Thats a good idea, char them as you go. I bet the taste will be better. From the looks at some of the barrels they had in stock, I wouldn't be surprised if they would hold liquids, the barrel was in surprisingly good shape
I have picked up barrels free at my local brew pub. Mine makes a porter annually and uses whiskey barrels to age it in and then discards or gives away the barrels. They get the used barrels from a distillery. A little clean up work, charring and you're good to go. Can't beat free!
I'm working on building a closed loop water resevoir now. Radiator, 55G drum, and a diaphragm pump. I'm sure it'll save some money after some time goes by. Its also ecofriendly.
You know I have been thinking about the radiator thing myself. I have a 55 gallon drum I circulate the water myself, I am amazed at how fast it heats up, after a 2 to 3 hour run its so warm you could easily take a bath in it. If not too hot. And this is winter time! Not the coldest winter by any means but VERY suprised how that much water could heat up that much. I have heard old motorcycle radiators work just fine. I dont really have access to any of these or I would slap one on. I need to address this issue before summer time for sure. Any good ideas for cheap radiators to shed the heat?
On another note, I installed a small desk top fan on my Phase angle controller facing the heat sink and REALLY cooled it down. Im sure its much happier.
