Ugly Drum Smoker

Edward Alt · Dec 27, 2012

It's getting there ...

Basket needs a little more work, and I have a wire handle for it somewhere around here. Lid is in the process of being drilled (battery died again), and I do have a weber kettle lid I'll be using eventually. Will be seasoning tonight, and smokin' tomorrow ...

Mason Dixon Bowhunta · Dec 27, 2012

Okay, I'm a newbie to this site and have become addicted to reading through the many posts on this thread. Lot's of great info, but my ADD is kicking in and I'm wondering about the holes that are drilled into the base of the barrel. They are obviously for air flow, but do you need a valve on each hole? Or do you only only need a valve on one of the holes.

Bluesman · Dec 27, 2012

Rob that Police UDS is great. What did you use for the handle, a blue gun? I love it. great work

mike5150 · Dec 27, 2012

Mason Dixon Bowhunta said:
Okay, I'm a newbie to this site and have become addicted to reading through the many posts on this thread. Lot's of great info, but my ADD is kicking in and I'm wondering about the holes that are drilled into the base of the barrel. They are obviously for air flow, but do you need a valve on each hole? Or do you only only need a valve on one of the holes.

If was going to build another one...I would not use the valve I would use pipe fittings on all three. I seem to always leave it wide open to keep my temp at. 235-250 ish just my 2c

My name is Mike and I approved this message

cheapbeer · Dec 27, 2012

At Mason Dixon Bowhunta. You only need the ball valve on one intake. The first uds I built I used four 1/2 pipe nipples and I used a regular gate valve that is used on waterhose applications and to be I can keep it around 240 degrees just by using the caps on or off with the valve completely open. The next drum I built I got the drum from a friend with the holes drilled for 1/2 nipples but he messed up the hole spacing so there was a larger gap between one set of holes. I drilled a 1 inch hole in the middle of that space that space and installed a 3/4 nipple with a ball valve. That drum sometimes I leave one nipple off and regulate the airflow with the valve and sometimes I just use the valve with all the nipples capped depending on weather conditions. I believe that if a guy was on a low budget he could put in six equally spaced 1/2 nipples and regulate the temps just using the caps on or off a few nipples.

mike5150 · Dec 27, 2012

3/4 is what I used BTW

BGBarracus · Dec 27, 2012

My original black drum with ribolator/weber extension ring next to the new burnt copper with black accents.

Edward Alt · Dec 27, 2012

Mason Dixon Bowhunta said:
... Lot's of great info, but my ADD is kicking in and I'm wondering about the holes that are drilled into the base of the barrel. They are obviously for air flow, but do you need a valve on each hole? Or do you only only need a valve on one of the holes.

I have one 3/4" and three 1" holes and will regulate intake airflow using refrigerator magnets. No nipples or valves needed. K.I.S.S. (life is too complex; q is for relaxing)

Mason Dixon Bowhunta · Dec 27, 2012

Edward Alt said:
I have one 3/4" and three 1" holes and will regulate intake airflow using refrigerator magnets. No nipples or valves needed. K.I.S.S. (life is too complex; q is for relaxing)

thanks Ed. Just out of curiosity, why is one of the holes 1/4" smaller than the others?

Edward Alt · Dec 28, 2012

Mason Dixon Bowhunta said:
thanks Ed. Just out of curiosity, why is one of the holes 1/4" smaller than the others?

Mine is modeled after a drum I used that just used aluminum foil to plug/unplug intake holes as needed. I thought with just one 3/4" hole it'd cruise low(er) and slow. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of fridge magnets, so they could all be larger. I'm gonna keep the one 3/4" anyhow.

dupemaster · Dec 28, 2012

After thinking about building one of these for years I finaly did it, but I didn't do it for me.

Gave it to dad for christmas.

C0B4B331-3E20-4603-9518-F7F1A8B3B386-757-00000131CC8629C5.jpg

Even after reading how stingy they are with fuel I was shocked to see how little it used.

This is after burning full blast with all three vents open (dont know temp, my therm was pegged at 500) for 3 hours, 350 or so with only two open for another 3 hours, then closed all but one and let it go all night (midnight to 8am) it was 235 when I went to bed and 197 when I checked it at 8. Total burn time of 15 hours.

We had 2/3rds of our kingsford left.

CD95CD89-7AD5-4055-8473-19638F867BE2-757-00000131E36C7630.jpg

And the christmas pig was cooked on it.

1952784F-713A-4823-919A-5431793D8011-757-00000131F86B6E5A.jpg

mike5150 · Dec 28, 2012

Very nice work rob, you should get a get out of jail free card for that build:thumbup:

u-joint · Dec 28, 2012

I just completed my UDS this morning (would have been done yesterday, but I was short a bolt), and I wanted to add pics of my UDS to this thread.

Honestly, without all the great help in this thread I don't think I would have had as easy of a time as I did putting this together. Thanks everyone :thumb:

Edward Alt · Dec 28, 2012

Fired up my new build for standing rib roast today ...

Took it to 126 internal, rested while au jus was cooking, then seared in high oven. Probably could have cooked it a litte longer, but it all pretty much disappeared this evening ...

SmokerKing · Dec 29, 2012

Another BUFORD is born;

mike5150 · Dec 29, 2012

Smokerking can we see more of the firebox

Mike :thumbup:

SmokerKing · Dec 29, 2012

mike5150 said:
Smokerking can we see more of the firebox

Mike :thumbup:

Skidder · Dec 29, 2012

SmokerKing said:

Just wondering why all this extra work? It's super cool but.....

pbj · Dec 29, 2012

I'm just guessing, but maybe he wants a stick burner at times.

SmokerKing · Dec 29, 2012

Skidder said:
Just wondering why all this extra work? It's super cool but.....

I like access and adjustability. Starting the fire and dropping it in from the top and not being able to make any "adjustments" if needed is not a good idea too me. With a standard UDS, you have to remove your grates, meat, thermos, etc. if you need to get to the fire. Big PIA IMO.

Advantages:
1. Start the fire outside, slip it through the door. Easy.
2. If there is any adjustment needed for the fire, simply open the door and access the fire basket.
3. Need to add chips? Open the door, pull out the basket and add.
4. Need to stoke the fire, open the door, pull out the basket.
5. Too hot? - Pull out the basket.
6. Need to add charcoal or bring the heat up fast, simply open the door.
7. Clean out, open the door and wash out.

I have the time, tools and skills, why not? This feature makes the UDS a simpler, convenient and more practical smoker to me with access to the fire basket at any time.

This is my 5th BUFORD build and the adjustability and functionality is awesome.

Ugly Drum Smoker

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

is one Smokin' Farker

Babbling Farker

Got Wood.

Full Fledged Farker

Got Wood.

Knows what a fatty is.

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

is one Smokin' Farker

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

Knows what a fatty is.

Got Wood.

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

Attachments

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

is One Chatty Farker

Got Wood.

is One Chatty Farker

Babbling Farker

Full Fledged Farker

is One Chatty Farker

Similar threads