I did it! The UDS is finished!

grilling24x7

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Joined
May 17, 2011
Location
Baltimor...
First off, big thanks to all the guys who chimed in with great ideas and advice for how to do this. Amazing!

I had a blast doing it and I can't wait to fire it up (probably next weekend). I guess I'll coat the inside with PAM, light it up and maybe toss a naked fatty on there.

Here's some details:
New unlined drum. This is a pure steel drum with no liner. I attempted to use a propane torch to take the paint off. I started with the lid. I ended up warping the lid. This caused so much panic and pissed-off-ness that I decided to keep the black paint from the new drum on the sides. I bent the lid back to proper form and decided to paint it purple. 45 inches of expanded steel bent into a circle and attached to a charcoal grate with U-bolts. I have 1 cooking grate at 7 inches below the top and I have another option for a grate 16 inches off the bottom of the smoker. This can allow for a diffuser or a water pan down the road. Obvious bottle opener and cheapo thermometer mounted in the side. I'll be doing accurate temperature readings through one of the 1 inch holes on the top with a digital probes. I got a small circular piece of wood from a big box store and stained and sealed it black. Mounted it to the side with cheap right angle brackets. Standard air intakes and 1 ball valve for temp control.

There we go! The official Grilling24x7 UDS is complete!!!! Can't wait to get a big packer brisket!
 

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Only one problem, it looks to clean:loco::becky: Seriously it looks good and like the table idea.
 
DIggin that Purple Haze Lid! ("poor choice of words" From a drug fueled youth.) "Purple Haze" & "Lid" :roll:
 
Is that a bottle opener on the side... :wink: if so That is awesome add on...:clap: Everyone should have one. lol
 
Great looking drum, they look better with TBS creeping out the vents.

I would recommend keeping eyes sharp for a Weber lid as I really like the extra heigth and clearance.
 
Great looking drum, they look better with TBS creeping out the vents.

I would recommend keeping eyes sharp for a Weber lid as I really like the extra heigth and clearance.

I tested my Weber lid (22 in performer) and it was too small. So that's why I decided against doing another cooking grate 1 inch from the top.
 
I tested my Weber lid (22 in performer) and it was too small. So that's why I decided against doing another cooking grate 1 inch from the top.

I had the same problem on my recent UDS build. I got a piece of aluminum stock from Lowes, it was 1.5 inches by 72 inches, so it fit around with a little bit of overlap. I attached it to the screws that hold my top cooking grate and it protruded from the top by about a half inch. That holds the 22.5" lid perfectly. I would suggest you try. Having the extra cooking space is very much worth the extra work.
 
Looks Great!! Mine's black & purple too. Def going to get one of those Ravens bottle openers for mine. I've got ribs in today to celebrate. Can't wait for the Super Bowl!!:bounce:
 
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