Newbie here and I have a few questions.
I have bought most of the parts I need to make my UDS. I have a question about my barrel though. I was told it was food grade and vegetable oil was the original product. But I'm not sure. The barrel is black and the inside is a rusty red color. I am going to go ahead and do a good long burn. Will this be enough? Is there a need to sand if you do a burn?
Also there are two grates. Is the lower grate used for a water pan? A friend asked me if it had a place for a water pan, and I told him I didn't think it did, but that got me thinking, Is that what the lower grate is for?
You will have to remove all of the red liner. A good hot burn along with some elbow grease (sanding) is usually needed to get it all out.
The lower grate can be used for whatever you want to use it for. If you raise it up a little higher you can use it to cook on or as a holder for a diffuser (I use a 15" clay pot tray) or to cook on. If you put it down near the fire it can be used to hold a water pan or a diffuser. I don't think there is any need for a water pan on a UDS. However, if you don't like the flavor imparted to the food from the vapors of burning fat, you will need a diffuser.