Barbecue barrels have evolved considerably since their inception.  However, that’s not to say that a fire still can’t get away from you.  The most common way a drum can catch fire is by leaving the lid open for too long.  Barrel cookers are relatively new to a lot of people, and sometimes don’t understand the nature of air flow and combustion.  Their upright design is created for direct upwards heat and smoke, which is their natural direction.  By leaving the lid open for too long, and not closing off the air intake dampers you could introduce too much unwanted air to your fire.  Large “out of control” fires have greatly been diminished through the introduction of baffle plates or heat/flame diffusers.  It’s harder now for a giant unwanted rocket stove to get roaring.  But, it’s still good practice to keep your lid closed while your fire is going even after taking meat off your pit.

The 2nd way a drum can catch fire is from grease.  Although a grease fire in a drum seems to be a rarity it can still happen.  It all depends on how much grease is built up inside.  Grease has a tendency to pool inside at the bottom.  Now, the fire in the coal box doesn’t generally make contact with this pooling.  However, the introduction of new grease spillage from, let’s say poking through a foil wrapped brisket by mistake can set it off.  All that grease can fuel a fire kind of quick, and without a heat shield you could easily burn off the paint at the bottom of your drum if it gets way too hot!  As far as the fire goes in this case all you have to do is close the lid and dampers to starve the fire of oxygen till it dies a little bit.  Then resume.  Cleaning out your drum as part of a regular maintenance routine is recommended.  A drain system is included standard with all of our premium and customized drums making them really easy to clean, and eliminating the need to turn them over and risk messing up the paint job.

Don’t be alarmed by this bit of information.  You just need to understand some things.  First off, a smoker drum is a serious piece of pro equipment.  These things are designed to cook fantastic BBQ.  All you really have to do is remember not to walk away from it while the lid is open with the air intakes continuing to draw in air feeding the live fire in your coal basket.  It’s common sense really.  Can barbecue smoker drums catch fire easily? Find out more.