My UDS charcoal basket "breakthrough"

CambuiAl · Jun 2, 2013

angrybird said:
Just came across this thread during a search.

Can you tell me the measurements of your final basket? Is it 18" diameter x 8" high with a 5" dia center ring? Or did you modify it at some point?

I'd like to try this as I like the idea of a more even dispersion of heat.

Do you think it is worth having several exhaust vents around the perimeter of the lid as opposed to one bigger single exhaust? Or does it not matter as much in your opinion? (I do prefer the appearance of a single pipe exhaust as opposed to several holes drilled in the lid).

R
Thanks

mine is 18" and I think it's too wide, so the idea of a central ring seems quite good, but with three air inlets, and mostly having 2 closed, my worry would be one side of the 'ring' nearest the open inlet, burning out completely, and not spreading the burn around the ring.

I have a flat lid with the two exhausts - one 2" and one 3/4". I have an additional two 3/4" holes. So far, i have kept all 3 of the 3/4" holes capped and just used the big exhaust (but I am still learning about how the exhausts impact airflow and temps). Certainly rotating the lid without opening it seems a good idea if using just the 2" exhaust.

For my next build, I will make a more standard 14" basket I think. 18" seems too wide.

enasnidx · Jun 17, 2013

angrybird said:
Just came across this thread during a search.

Can you tell me the measurements of your final basket? Is it 18" diameter x 8" high with a 5" dia center ring? Or did you modify it at some point?

I'd like to try this as I like the idea of a more even dispersion of heat.

Do you think it is worth having several exhaust vents around the perimeter of the lid as opposed to one bigger single exhaust? Or does it not matter as much in your opinion? (I do prefer the appearance of a single pipe exhaust as opposed to several holes drilled in the lid).

Thanks

Sorry missed this a couple weeks ago. My original dimensions have not changed. It still cooks every bit as good as the first day and I can say I don't remember ever needing to take out the ring in the middle for a cook. Just to empty the basket or clean out the ashes. Your cooks would likely be more even with several small exhaust holes. However I have a Weber lid on mine so it has one exhaust and works just fine. Like I said, I just spin the lid to put the exhaust over a different side when I check my temp every hour or two.

enasnidx · Jun 17, 2013

CambuiAl said:
mine is 18" and I think it's too wide, so the idea of a central ring seems quite good, but with three air inlets, and mostly having 2 closed, my worry would be one side of the 'ring' nearest the open inlet, burning out completely, and not spreading the burn around the ring.

I have a flat lid with the two exhausts - one 2" and one 3/4". I have an additional two 3/4" holes. So far, i have kept all 3 of the 3/4" holes capped and just used the big exhaust (but I am still learning about how the exhausts impact airflow and temps). Certainly rotating the lid without opening it seems a good idea if using just the 2" exhaust.

For my next build, I will make a more standard 14" basket I think. 18" seems too wide.

I did experience a little uneven burning if I didn't switch off which inlet I left open during the burn. I attribute this to the design of the UDS itself, regardless of the basket design you would experience uneven burning if you only use one intake the whole time. To combat this I've since put a ball valve on all three of my intakes and keep each partially open for even air flow. Worth the extra $18 in parts for me.

Carbon · Jun 17, 2013

I have only 1 large intake (sliding draft door) and I get a good burn pattern all around with my 18" basket.

My UDS charcoal basket "breakthrough"

CambuiAl

Knows what a fatty is.

enasnidx

Full Fledged Farker

enasnidx

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Carbon

is Blowin Smoke!

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