The newest addition to the arsenal...Mini UDS

It was inevitable. I was bound to do it……okay so after I finished helping Mikeyd with his Santa Maria, I thought I would build something that was finished a little quicker:becky: So I had this in the backyard



And this out of my SJ



I laid it out very similar to Norcoredneck's design with a few tweaks to accommodate the smaller drum




Time for a little test fit




Looking good so I threw it out into the driveway and started the burn out








While it was burning in the driveway, I took the coal grate from my SJ, some expanded metal and some misc bolts I had laying around and built this



However I didn't like the bolt and nut look so I removed the nuts and welded the bolts to the coal grate



And here is the finished basket



After the looong burnout, I took my weed burner and hit the spots that still needed it. Then I hit the whole thing with a wire brush on my grinder, and started assembly.






After a good bath of simple green and dish soap, a quick dry with the weed burner and we were ready for paint. A little paint, some SS bolts and a fitting for my Maverick thermo and we were ready to go





Time for a seasoning burn. Started with some KBB and a few chunks of Hickory



A little incentive to help it along




Got it purring along at about 250*



Can't leave out the fatties




I ran it for about 4-5 hours at 260* and this was what was left in the basket when I shut it down




This little thing is cool. I can't wait for its bigger brother. I have two 55's in the garage with the holes drilled and waiting for a burnout. Should be fun. Thanks for looking. :thumb:

El Ropo said:

That's gonna put out some great food.

Just a little tip, hit the top center of coal basket to light it. Should slowly burn down and out from the center instead of going from one side to the other.

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Thanks for the heads up El Ropo, I lit it like that because I thought it should burn back towards the intake, but I will definitely try lighting the top this weekend.

mbshop said:

what size drum is that ? i have a 16 gal one that i can't make up my mind on.
sweet unit for sure.

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I say go for it MB. It is a 16 gallon drum and the SJ stuff fits perfectly, I found the SJ for free, the bottom and grates were shot but the lid was okay. I made this one with three racks because I have read about guys using heat deflectors and I wanted that ability. So far I havent used it but I have only cooked on it a couple of times. Going to do a couple of butts this weekend so we will see.

Update.... The little one in my avatar has officially named the mini as "Ruby" Not sure why, but who cares. With any luck I will have her cranking out Q it in no time:becky: