UDS grates: How Far from the top

BigTone · May 10, 2013

Hey folks, I've finished the UDS but As I look at it I'm wondering if I set the grates in the wrong spot. I have a flat lid, my first grate is at 4" and the second at 11". My thoughts were to use the top grate for ribs, chicken thighs/drums, steaks, fatties and then use the second grate for brisquet, pork butts, chickens/turkeys. Should I move these (i have not used it yet)? Where do you folks have yours set? thanks for the advice, ~Anthony

Heisenberger · May 10, 2013

Most folks have them have them set about 7 to 8 inches from the top. I personally don't think you need to move them. Most people talk about a 24'' minimum distance from grate to charcoal grate but I think as long as you're monitoring temps you will be fine. On my next UDS i'll have the grates at about 10" also.

Budman1 · May 10, 2013

You should be good. I have a flat lid and mine is at 9". My plan is to put another grate near the top when I get a dome/ weber lid for it. I would suggest maybe using some sort of heat diffuser on top of the charcoal basket. I found a perforated pizzia pan that fits perfect on the basket for a diffuser.

ajstrider · May 10, 2013

I went with only one grate, 7-8" height. I have never tried a big turkey before, but that is probably about the only thing that might not fit. I think you are fine. If you find that your bottom grate cooks too hot, add a deflector plate or water pan before it. Benefit of a UDS, it is never a complete project, you can always do more.

smokainmuskoka · May 10, 2013

Mine are 2", then 10" down. If I'm just using 1 grate I always use the lower one.

You'll be fine, just keep poultry below other foodstuffs if cooking at the same time
(which can be a b!tch if the chicken is done first, and you have to lift everything else out first to get at it).

Enjoy your UDS!

ssbbqguy · May 11, 2013

The ones I build are two racks for the 55gallon models and they are placed at 7 7/8" from top and another the same distance below that using flat lids, water pan, smoker plate and then firebox. My 85gallon and 110 gallon units use three and four racks all spaced around 8" using same configuration. Steve.

J-Rod · May 11, 2013

I think my top rack is about 7" from the top, giving me about 24" distance from coals. That said, I added a second grate about 6" below that one. My point is there's really no rules so do whatever works best for you. You can always add more bolts at a different height and leave the others so you have more options, just trim the bolts as needed for clearance when installing grates.

Richard_ · May 11, 2013

Budman1 said:
You should be good. I have a flat lid and mine is at 9". My plan is to put another grate near the top when I get a dome/ weber lid for it. I would suggest maybe using some sort of heat diffuser on top of the charcoal basket. I found a perforated pizzia pan that fits perfect on the basket for a diffuser.

the disposable perforated aluminum trays work great as well , I can get a few cooks out of them before tossing them

UDS grates: How Far from the top

BigTone

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Heisenberger

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Budman1

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smokainmuskoka

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J-Rod

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Richard_

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