I used my 3 UDS's in my first competition, and I am proud to say the Big Drum Smoker design is THE REAL DEAL! I had ABSOLUTELY NO Problems controlling the fire in my drums even in windy conditions (we were on the boardwalk of a waterfront park) The teams on each side of me all had WSM's and they problems ranging from low/high temps, running out of water in the pan, to the doors falling of in the middle of the night. Now they all got their names called to the podium and my friends Ty and Debbie got Grand Champion, my drums were Rock Steady! I brought a WSM and didn't even fire it up, maybe I should have and I might have done better-I don't know? I had to do it for myself and they say "know your pit" and the Big Drum Smoker design UDS is a no brainer!
Ball valves would just add more cost and wasted space in my trailer.
I Love my UDS's!!
Brian
Midnight Ramblers