blackdog043
is one Smokin' Farker
Good Luck ^^^^^^^^^^
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Ugly Drum Smoker
- Thread starter jgh1204
- Start date
D
Drunken Monkey
Guest
Here's my first UDS. I stripped it down and painted it last weekend. Yesterday I seasoned it and I have some ribs on now.
Temporary therm placement.
Next weekend I'm adding eyelets for probes and a sliding door for the access to the charcoal basket.
Temporary therm placement.
Next weekend I'm adding eyelets for probes and a sliding door for the access to the charcoal basket.
cgarrit
Knows what a fatty is.
The weather finally decided to dry up today so I took the opertunity to burn out the new project. The cool thing is I decided to shut of the air flow when it had about 3 inches of hot coals in the bottom. I wanted to see how long it would take to get cool from being so hot. 30 min people thats all it took for the drum to be cool to the touch. THAT IS AMAZING !!!!
Attachments
ksblues
Is lookin for wood to cook with.
Pro BBQ Teams Cooking on a UDS?
Aside from Big Mista, I've not been able to find many -if any - Pro BBQ folks cooking at the competitive ($$) level on a UDS. Can anyone point me in the direction of those I'm missing?
Aside from Big Mista, I've not been able to find many -if any - Pro BBQ folks cooking at the competitive ($$) level on a UDS. Can anyone point me in the direction of those I'm missing?
pigwacker
Found some matches.
UDS build in process
I'm not sure how many pages I have read on this thread, but they were all inspiring. So far I have one complete barrel that I've smoked ribs, brisket, sirloin roast, whole chicken and one of my favorites... bacon wrapped fingerling potatoes. I almost forgot, I made a couple of fatties as well. I think I have some pics somewhere and I'll try and add to the post.
Here's some pics and comments for my build.
View attachment 51165
This is a pic of the 1' square tubing that I welded to the disc. I welded a chain link to the top so that I can lift the whole basket/disc out of the barrel without spilling any ash.
View attachment 51166
This shows the basket that I welded together from flat-rolled expanded metal. I've made 5 baskets so far, the first two I wrestled into a circle using a come-along and allthread to pull the ends together. That was a pain! The other 3 were bent using the rosebud from the actylene torch to heat and bend the metal, that was pretty quick, but they aren't perfectly round or even close, but they work. Then I welded the raised-expanded metal (base) to the basket and cut a hole in the center of the base piece for the 1" square tubing to slide through.
View attachment 51167
This shows a basket with a burned load of briquets that I have dumped the ash from and am now dropping it down over the shaft on to the disc. (The discs were freebies, complements of a local dairyman; they ranged in diameter from 18-20".)
View attachment 51168
This pic shows the bottom of a disc, I welded three pieces of the square tubing to the bottom for feet. The disc acts as a heat shield, it catches all of the ash and fat drippings and it makes for a quick removal of the briquets and/or ashes. The bottom of the barrel stays pretty clean on the inside.
View attachment 51169
The baskets varied in diameter from 12-13" and in height from 12-14". I cut the shafts several inches longer than the baskets so that the chain link welded to the top of shaft was above the rim of the basket when it is set down on the disc.
View attachment 51170
I use fireplace poker to lift the disc/basket in and out of the barrel. I left the bottom of the basket square so that there is room for the ashes to drop. I didn't put any feet on the bottom of the basket to hold it up off of the disc.
View attachment 51171
I scored some free horseshoes from a cousin and welded one on each side for handles. I used the rosebud to heat them and hammered them to get the angle I wanted.
View attachment 51172
Air vents - I used 6- 1/2"x close blk nipples for air vents. I drilled a hole and then expanded the hole with a jigsaw to the right diameter for the nipples, then welded them in place. I bought a couple feet of 1/16" coated cable ($0.29/foot) and crimped some electrical fittings to each end of the cables, then pre-drilled the cap and attached the caps to barrel as shown.
View attachment 51173
Inside of barrel with 3 rectangular tubing blocks welded at two different heights in the barrel. I can use two grates, if I want. I am going to give it a second burn as there is still some residue from the barrel coatings. (barrels were freebies from a fruit wax service company, the content was oleic acid, which I believe is an animal fat used in the fruit wax)
View attachment 51175
22.5" weber grill fits on the top rack.
View attachment 51176
Inside look with the grate on the bottom rack with the basket and disc below.
View attachment 51174
Mostly completed barrel, just needs some paint, a thermometer, maybe a cutting board, possibly some wheels, a beer bottle holder, a stereo, etc...
Costs for material is as follows:
Discs - $0
Barrel - $0
Weber lid and grate - $0
Basket - $22-24
Air vents - $4 ea
A MIG welder, actylene torch, jigsaw were the primary tools that I used.
So far, the one barrel that I've smoked in holds the heat at 225-250F with 4 of the airvents open. I don't know how hot it will get with the six vents, I still need to test that. I burned a full basket of briquets over night (about 14 hours), just to see how long it would burn.
I'm not sure how many pages I have read on this thread, but they were all inspiring. So far I have one complete barrel that I've smoked ribs, brisket, sirloin roast, whole chicken and one of my favorites... bacon wrapped fingerling potatoes. I almost forgot, I made a couple of fatties as well. I think I have some pics somewhere and I'll try and add to the post.
Here's some pics and comments for my build.
View attachment 51165
This is a pic of the 1' square tubing that I welded to the disc. I welded a chain link to the top so that I can lift the whole basket/disc out of the barrel without spilling any ash.
View attachment 51166
This shows the basket that I welded together from flat-rolled expanded metal. I've made 5 baskets so far, the first two I wrestled into a circle using a come-along and allthread to pull the ends together. That was a pain! The other 3 were bent using the rosebud from the actylene torch to heat and bend the metal, that was pretty quick, but they aren't perfectly round or even close, but they work. Then I welded the raised-expanded metal (base) to the basket and cut a hole in the center of the base piece for the 1" square tubing to slide through.
View attachment 51167
This shows a basket with a burned load of briquets that I have dumped the ash from and am now dropping it down over the shaft on to the disc. (The discs were freebies, complements of a local dairyman; they ranged in diameter from 18-20".)
View attachment 51168
This pic shows the bottom of a disc, I welded three pieces of the square tubing to the bottom for feet. The disc acts as a heat shield, it catches all of the ash and fat drippings and it makes for a quick removal of the briquets and/or ashes. The bottom of the barrel stays pretty clean on the inside.
View attachment 51169
The baskets varied in diameter from 12-13" and in height from 12-14". I cut the shafts several inches longer than the baskets so that the chain link welded to the top of shaft was above the rim of the basket when it is set down on the disc.
View attachment 51170
I use fireplace poker to lift the disc/basket in and out of the barrel. I left the bottom of the basket square so that there is room for the ashes to drop. I didn't put any feet on the bottom of the basket to hold it up off of the disc.
View attachment 51171
I scored some free horseshoes from a cousin and welded one on each side for handles. I used the rosebud to heat them and hammered them to get the angle I wanted.
View attachment 51172
Air vents - I used 6- 1/2"x close blk nipples for air vents. I drilled a hole and then expanded the hole with a jigsaw to the right diameter for the nipples, then welded them in place. I bought a couple feet of 1/16" coated cable ($0.29/foot) and crimped some electrical fittings to each end of the cables, then pre-drilled the cap and attached the caps to barrel as shown.
View attachment 51173
Inside of barrel with 3 rectangular tubing blocks welded at two different heights in the barrel. I can use two grates, if I want. I am going to give it a second burn as there is still some residue from the barrel coatings. (barrels were freebies from a fruit wax service company, the content was oleic acid, which I believe is an animal fat used in the fruit wax)
View attachment 51175
22.5" weber grill fits on the top rack.
View attachment 51176
Inside look with the grate on the bottom rack with the basket and disc below.
View attachment 51174
Mostly completed barrel, just needs some paint, a thermometer, maybe a cutting board, possibly some wheels, a beer bottle holder, a stereo, etc...
Costs for material is as follows:
Discs - $0
Barrel - $0
Weber lid and grate - $0
Basket - $22-24
Air vents - $4 ea
A MIG welder, actylene torch, jigsaw were the primary tools that I used.
So far, the one barrel that I've smoked in holds the heat at 225-250F with 4 of the airvents open. I don't know how hot it will get with the six vents, I still need to test that. I burned a full basket of briquets over night (about 14 hours), just to see how long it would burn.
Attachments
Last edited:
inv3ctiv3
is one Smokin' Farker
I bought a HF weed burner today so I can burn out my drum again, gonna just go around with the WB and torch it and the basket so if there is any zinc/gavanization it will burn off. I'll wash and then re-coat with vegetable oil and paint it.
firemedic
Knows what a fatty is.
ANY excuse to play with the weed burner is a good one!
Skidder
Babbling Farker
Pigwacker lookin good. I always cap my nipples too. Wow that just didn't sound right! What I mean is I attach them with the wires the same way. No loosing them that way. Nice work.
h20loo
is one Smokin' Farker
Pigwacker- why didn't you just put one big hole? Nice job on the preparation and I like the horseshoes
bover
is one Smokin' Farker
I see them at every contest I go to, and it seems that I'm not the only one. Check out this thread:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102086
blackdog043
is one Smokin' Farker
Why are you adding an access door to the basket? Their really isn't a need for one. It looks like your basket is big enough for a long burn.
1FUNVET
Babbling Farker
I was wondering the same thing
Along with why you have 6 nipples on the same side of the drum.smokindave74
Knows what a fatty is.
Agree with FunVet and BlackDog...........some questionable methods on here every once in a while.......overthinking things, IMHO.....
Anyone can build these things however they want, but the Norcoredneck design is hard to beat.
Evenly spaced draft holes, 2 with pipe caps, 1 with a ball valve. Hard to beat this. It works like a charm. I just left the holes open, and I cover them with refrigerator magnets instead.........very cheap and reliable.
My next advancement is a homebrew draft controller which will attach to a pipe nipple and valve on one of my draft holes. These things burn rock solid all on their own, but a draft controller just gives a little peace of mind on an overnight cook, when I want to sleep, rather than anxiously feel the need to check the cooker for temp.
Smokin'Dave
p.s. Don't add a door to the firebox.......too much potential for air leakage and draft problems. If you have a big enough basket, you will never have to add coals or wood. Use the smoking wood sparingly......only a couple chunks needed for a 12 hour+ cook.
Anyone can build these things however they want, but the Norcoredneck design is hard to beat.
Evenly spaced draft holes, 2 with pipe caps, 1 with a ball valve. Hard to beat this. It works like a charm. I just left the holes open, and I cover them with refrigerator magnets instead.........very cheap and reliable.
My next advancement is a homebrew draft controller which will attach to a pipe nipple and valve on one of my draft holes. These things burn rock solid all on their own, but a draft controller just gives a little peace of mind on an overnight cook, when I want to sleep, rather than anxiously feel the need to check the cooker for temp.
Smokin'Dave
p.s. Don't add a door to the firebox.......too much potential for air leakage and draft problems. If you have a big enough basket, you will never have to add coals or wood. Use the smoking wood sparingly......only a couple chunks needed for a 12 hour+ cook.
Skidder
Babbling Farker
Yup K.I.S.S. is the way then u have no questions or problems in my book!
pigwacker
Found some matches.
H20loo & 1FunVET - I used multiple air-vents so that I could regulate the heat better. I put all the vents on one side for two reasons, 1) I wanted to be able to use a hand cart to move the barrel, so i didn't want the vents in the way and 2) I'm lazy and didn't want to have to walk all the way around the barrel to open and close vents. I like the horseshoes too. They were cheap.
coop
Found some matches.
Got the first butt out on my UDS a couple of hours ago. I followed the KISS model for my first one. Most all of the parts were scavenged from my in-laws and my garage.
Future projects include the bottle opener mod, a dome lid when I find one,maybe some graphics, a dolly or some type wheel setup, and a rain abatement system (maybe the " Mary Poppins" mod?).
Thanks for all of the advice so far. Pron when it gets done.
Future projects include the bottle opener mod, a dome lid when I find one,maybe some graphics, a dolly or some type wheel setup, and a rain abatement system (maybe the " Mary Poppins" mod?).
Thanks for all of the advice so far. Pron when it gets done.
cgarrit
Knows what a fatty is.
quick question. does a uds have to be lifted off the ground for some reason ? I'm going to put casters on mine but is there a reason for it to be off the ground ? does it help during cooks ?
M
Mossberg
Guest
I have read thru about half this thread and i didnt see anything like this (might be in the other half) I am trying to make the coal basket, have a piece of 3/4' #9 8" wide x55" long expando steel, and i am having a hard time shaping it. What is the best way to roll the expando around my cooking grate? I dont have a vice, or anything else i could use to keep it in place. Also i cant find any hog nose rings and i cant weld, would bailing wire work? Any help even a thread posting about this would be great. thanks
Here is my build thus far. Thinking of cutting about a 8-10" extension from the bottom drum. As i dont have a kettle lid.
Marked the spot for 4 3/4" holes 2 inches from the bottom
Holes Drilled
No bung so i drilled 6 7/8" holes for exhaust.
Moss
Here is my build thus far. Thinking of cutting about a 8-10" extension from the bottom drum. As i dont have a kettle lid.
Marked the spot for 4 3/4" holes 2 inches from the bottom
Holes Drilled
No bung so i drilled 6 7/8" holes for exhaust.
Moss
MushCreek
Full Fledged Farker
I've tried rolling the stuff around various round objects, but it's too springy. I just step on it and force it gradually in to shape- wear gloves! Once I get it somewhat round, you can ratchet it tighter with vise-grips. Each time you force it tighter, clamp the over-lapping section so you can get a new bite. Once you have the size you want, you can simply bolt it together using large flat washers to span the holes. I'm getting ready to build another one soon; maybe I'll try to do a pictorial.
smokindave74
Knows what a fatty is.
Noticed you still have the orange liner in there.......you planning to burn it out or sandblast. Those can be hard to deal with.
Regarding the expanded steel....depending on the size of your ring, you can try bending it around a propane tank. Kind of like using the propane tank as a bending brake. And like someone else stated.....wear GLOVES.
Regarding the expanded steel....depending on the size of your ring, you can try bending it around a propane tank. Kind of like using the propane tank as a bending brake. And like someone else stated.....wear GLOVES.
