I did a test run to season the drum. The worst that could happen is the drum tip over and make a mess. The cord is a thermocouple plugged into my multimeter. I have a nice wireless thermometer on order but couldn't wait.
It is also only running 225 degrees. The coals are obviously hotter than...
Google UDS (ugly drum smoker). They made from a 55 galling drum. Many of them are not so ugly. Just finished mine. Trying it out for the first time tomorrow.