New to UDS- burning out the barrel?

[crewguy498]

Hello gang,
I am on my way to building a couple of these smokers. I have acquired 2 new drums. Inside of the drums are orange. I assumed this was the dreaded paint that needs to be burned off. I drilled the bottom of the barrels for future vent holes and loaded both with hardwood. The next day I checked the insides and both still had the Orange paint. Again I loaded the barrels and lit them up. Still the Orange paint is there. Do I keep burning?

I built the charcoal baskets out of expanded metal to a size of 16" tall and around. This seems a little tall. I was thinking of cutting them down. What size would be desired?

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

You may need to have it sandblasted. I hear the Orange liners are pretty tough.

[Wood]

To burn the paint out you're gonna need a hot fire. You may even have to put the barrel on it's side and roll it while burning to get the heat to the paint instead of out the top.
Sand blasting is an option or I got a brand new unlined barrel for $40 and saved myself the brain damage

[Backnblack]

Hello gang,
I am on my way to building a couple of these smokers. I have acquired 2 new drums. Inside of the drums are orange. I assumed this was the dreaded paint that needs to be burned off. I drilled the bottom of the barrels for future vent holes and loaded both with hardwood. The next day I checked the insides and both still had the Orange paint. Again I loaded the barrels and lit them up. Still the Orange paint is there. Do I keep burning?

I built the charcoal baskets out of expanded metal to a size of 16" tall and around. This seems a little tall. I was thinking of cutting them down. What size would be desired?

You do mean the side near the bottom....right?