Sammy_Shuford
is Blowin Smoke!
Nice looking UDS, the door seems to seal nicely. No stains at the edges.
Enjoy!
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
Enjoy!
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
I had been using Kingsford, but at the notification of a brethren member, I found some 16# RO bags at Kmart on sale for $2.49 a bag. I grabbed 10.
At about the same time I added ball valves to all my intakes, and on two I installed the ball valves on top of a 2' pipe riser
And at the same time I bought the RO at Kmart, they also had one of the Weber 18" portable grills, which I then converted to used as a ash pan under my charcoal basket. I drilled 1" holes around it
Now my problem was that suddenly I couldn't get anything higher than 275* with all intakes open. Not bad if you wanted to stay below that temp for a good low and slow smoke. I was going to be smoking a Thanksgiving Turkey, and it needed to be smoking at a more like 350* setting in order to have a crisper skin.
I put a bag of apple wood chips in with my RO and managed to get the temps to 325*, so it did finally get there.
Today I did a beef brisket in 5 1/2 hours. I removed the ash pan, and laid a piece of tinfoil under the basket.
Result --- 400* within an hour. shut down one of the ball valves, and it went to 350*, another valve shut off, it down to 310*, so my control of temps was back by removing the ash pan. I will probably re design it so there isn't so much of a wall blocking the air flow. I still need to be able to easily get the ash out of the bottom of the drum with out a mess.
I built my first UDS back in March and haven't been all that thrilled with it. I come from the WSM school of cookers so not having a door was bothering me..
There is no such thing as too faint of smoke. Your smoke should almost be clear.
Unfortunately, that was about 2 months ago.When was that RO on sale? I need me some!
That is the "Dreaded Red Liner". Make your intake holes first, then fill it with wood, start the fire, and point a leaf blower at the holes once the fire is going. If you're lucky, this will remove most of the liner. Of course, all this needs to be done outside, away from trees, houses, cars, etc. If you can get an unlined drum for three times the price you'll be better off.
That is the "Dreaded Red Liner". Make your intake holes first, then fill it with wood, start the fire, and point a leaf blower at the holes once the fire is going. If you're lucky, this will remove most of the liner. Of course, all this needs to be done outside, away from trees, houses, cars, etc. If you can get an unlined drum for three times the price you'll be better off.