The size of a peanut roaster is determined by the size of the batches you want to roast and the size of barrels you have access to. A 55-gallon drum barrel gets filled halfway with peanuts for roasting. Supplies for this project can be found at salvage yards and home improvement or hardware stores.
 
Instructions
 
1. Find the center of each end of the drum barrel. Weld a 6-inch length piece of pipe to each end. This pipe holds the drum on the stand and allows it to turn during roasting.
 
2. Cut an opening on one drum end. Use a marker to draw a half moon shape above the pipe to within 1 inch of the edge for the drum. Use a cutting tip on the welder to cut out this piece. Make the cut as clean as possible because this piece is the access door to your roaster.
 
3. Attach the hinges and handle to the door, which is the half moon shape you cut out earlier. Use the drill to make holes for the screws that came with the hinges and handle. The door is hinged at the bottom; you should have at least two hinges centered on the bottom edge. The handle is attached closer to the top of the door. Attach the hook and eye closure in the same way, with the hook attached to the door and the eye attached to the body of the barrel.
 
4. Measure the height of the burners. Add 2 inches to this measurement. This will allow the roaster space to move above the heat source during roasting. Measure the distance from the center of one of the pipes to the outer edge of the barrel. Add this to the previous measurement.