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UDS XL (85 gallon) build pics

C

ChiefOsceola

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Not done yet, but here's what I got done this afternoon. Still needing a handle for the lid and waiting on the welding shop to finish my fire box. 2 24.5" grates ordered. :p

1) Draft holes drilled (3 1" holes 2 1/4" above floor)

A-Draftholesdrilled.jpg


2) 3/4" nipple installed

B-intakenipplein.jpg


3) 3/4" ball valve installed

C-Ballvalveon.jpg


4) Grate bolt holes drilled (1/4" holes, 8 total, 4 per rack. Top rack 5" below top, bottom rack 10" below top)

D-Grateholesdrilled.jpg


5) Grate bolts installed

E-Grateboltsin.jpg


6) Thermometer installed (used a cheap Lowes thermometer with only a 2" stem. Sounds like I'm gonna need to upgrade)

F-Thermometerin.jpg


7) UDS XL almost ready...just needing the handle, grates & fire box

G-Readyforgrateslidcoalbox.jpg



Any ideas for changes/improvements? Gonna scrub it out good. Got this 85 gallon free from a customer of mine. Unlined and ready to go. :biggrin:
 
Looks good so far. You should be able to cook a lot of meat on that thing!!
 
Forgot to mention...still have to drill the holes in the top. Haven't yet decided if I want to do 8 smaller 1/2" holes or one 3" hole with a stack. Is one better than the other...other than ease of closing it down on the big pipe?
 
The 8 holes in top work fine, but I found out they don't keep the water out if it decides to rain on your cook! I would use the single stack method, easier to shield in case of weather.
 
That's a mighty fine looking UDS. Hurry it up, so we can see it in action.
 
Looks great - you gonna burn that out real good before you cook on it right? Looks like you have either paint or some kind of liner in there...
 
Good point on the rain Drifter. Only problem is I thought I was gonna have a coronary looking for a 1" bit. The step bits were $40+!!! Finally found a 1" hole saw for $10. Afraid to even think what a 3" will cost.
 
Moose said:
Looks great - you gonna burn that out real good before you cook on it right? Looks like you have either paint or some kind of liner in there...
Click to expand...

It's rust run down in it. It's unlined. Was used to carry bagged medical waste (excess pills) to a landfill. A truck driver client of mine normally tosses the barrels after disposing of the contents but I asked him to grab me one. It's clean...just rusty where it sat waiting on me. I'm gonna do a good burn in before cooking anyhow just to be safe.
 
ChiefOsceola said:
Good point on the rain Drifter. Only problem is I thought I was gonna have a coronary looking for a 1" bit. The step bits were $40+!!! Finally found a 1" hole saw for $10. Afraid to even think what a 3" will cost.
Click to expand...
Do you have access to a jigsaw? If so you can buy a metal cutting blade for just a couple of bucks. Or, drill a 3" circle of smaller holes side by side and clean out the burrs with a file. Just a few suggestions.
 
The lid has a rubber seal on it now. Do y'all recommend keeping it on there or doing away with it. I don't know how tight of a seal I need when smoking...and whether or not the seal will melt anyhow.

Thanks for all the help. Y'all are great.
 
ChiefOsceola said:
The lid has a rubber seal on it now. Do y'all recommend keeping it on there or doing away with it. I don't know how tight of a seal I need when smoking...and whether or not the seal will melt anyhow.

Thanks for all the help. Y'all are great.
Click to expand...


Toss the gasket on the lid.

Here is the lid from my 85 gallon drum



IMG_0516.jpg


Think about how heavy it is and plan your handle placement

IMG_0520.jpg


IMG_0519.jpg


Make a lid hanger strong enough to support it.

Hog-Que-Holic giving it the squeal of approval!

IMG_0622.jpg
 
River City Smokehouse said:
We have a salvage drum at work just like that. I have been hounding the upper management for it. He said NO. I told him that as soon as he retired it was MINE!:biggrin::eek:
Click to expand...

Just saw where online these things brand new cost $185! :eek:

Thanks for the pics and tips swamprb. What size vent holes on the top are those? They look bigger than 1/2".
 
smalls65 said:
Sweet!!!! Can't wait to see what you cook on it!!!
Click to expand...

You and me both. haha. The question is whether I CAN cook on it. Never smoked a thing in my life so this ought to be an experience!
 
ChiefOsceola said:
You and me both. haha. The question is whether I CAN cook on it. Never smoked a thing in my life so this ought to be an experience!
Click to expand...

Piece of cake......even a caveman can do it!! :biggrin::biggrin:.

Tips:
catch your target temp on the way up....
start with 8 to 10 lit coals only
don't open lid until done (really hard to do)
when it's don it's done
enjoy your good eats
start simple, a fatty and some chickens and MOINKS

By the way, we go through Douglas on our way to Jacksonville to hunt.

Paul B
SS UDS
 
ChiefOsceola,
Looking good, I am picking up a couple of drums this weekend and on a side note I will be about 30 miles from you this weekend at an arrowhead show in Homerville.
Adam
 
Very nice, gotta love those 85'ers:wink: Just wondering if you can get the bottom grill in without trimming one or two of your bolts shorter? I only ran 3 in mine and ended up cutting one just a bit to sneak the lower grate in.
Post up some pron on your maiden voyage.:biggrin:
 
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