Puttin' holes in the barrel is easy. It's a good excuse to empty a 30 rounder from the ol' AR-15.
I like to
cut a 1' high by 2' wide rectangular port in the side of my burn barrel, way down low. I then put rebar thru the drum. Now a grate on top of the rebar. The ash goes thru. Then put the ash in a bucket and get rid of it. The barrels last way longer 'cause the rainwater ain't sittin' in the bottom doin' a Chevy impersonation. Rustin' away.