Steve IA wrote:

Just got an empty 55 gal. drum from a local eatery that held vegetable
oil. I'd like to use it as a burn barrel,

For a better burning barrel, cut *both* ends out in a manner suggested by
others. Set the remaining cylinder on a grate (the heavier the better)...

Sounds better. One of my neighbors made a "grate" by pushing several rebars
through holes near the bottom. A bottomless drum on a concrete block U
would get lots of airflow, and it would be easy to shovel ashes out.

Nick