confused with UDS

Jack2u2 · Jan 18, 2008

Bought all my hardware and parts. Have an expanded metal firebox being made. Here's my question...
The firebox will be 15 1/2 X 15 1/2. I bought 3 6" nipples for the air intakes. After screwing them in, there will be about 5" extending inside the barrel. So.....the barrel is 23" wide. 15 1/2 + 10 = 25 1/2. I think I messed up getting the 6" nipples. Would 4" be he answer and will that put enough air in the right place? Also, is 2 1/2" off the bottom the recommended location for the intakes?

Thanks! Want to do a burn by tomorrow night and cook something Sunday.

Meat Burner · Jan 18, 2008

Jack2u2, exchange those for about 2 inch nipples. Mine burn much more even with the shorter ones. Tried the long nipples on one and switched it back. Just my $.02.

Jack2u2 · Jan 18, 2008

Almost got them yesterday, but thought most of the pics I saw had 6's. I thought about it after seeing that the BDS has holes, no pipes.

Norcoredneck · Jan 18, 2008

I go with as short as nipples as possible (@1"-1.5"). I now use long bolts (4.5-5") double nutted to space fire basket off bottom. If you don't have a pan in the bottom you will have to work around those long nipples to scoop the ash out. You can dump the ash out but after the first time it sticks to all grease build up on the sides you will probably change your mind. Don't do the "Trash Man Slam" or you will oval out the top like I did and lid wont fit as nice.

Make a Thirdeye Hoe scoop

DaChief · Jan 18, 2008

Norcoredneck said:
I go with as short as nipples as possible (@1"-1.5"). I now use long bolts (4.5-5") double nutted to space fire basket off bottom. If you don't have a pan in the bottom you will have to work around those long nipples to scoop the ash out. You can dump the ash out but after the first time it sticks to all grease build up on the sides you will probably change your mind. Don't do the "Trash Man Slam" or you will oval out the top like I did and lid wont fit as nice.

Make a Thirdeye Hoe scoop

Thanks for the info and the pics. I am learning a lot before my first UDS venture.

tntitan · Jan 18, 2008

i went with 2 inch and sat my expanded metal right on top of the pipes also i put 4 pipes on the bottom

Jack2u2 · Jan 18, 2008

Norco - your intakes right on the bottom?

Norcoredneck · Jan 18, 2008

Jack2u2 said:
Norco - your intakes right on the bottom?

I think I measure 1.5" up and use a 1" hole(3/4" nipple screws in nice).

Smokin Gator · Jan 18, 2008

I have four 3 inch pipe nipples 2 1/2 inches off of the bottom and my fire grate and ring sit right on top of them.

jestridge · Jan 18, 2008

I like the hoe. Great ideal.

SmokeWatcher · Jan 18, 2008

Meat Burner said:
Jack2u2, exchange those for about 2 inch nipples. Mine burn much more even with the shorter ones. Tried the long nipples on one and switched it back. Just my $.02.

I had 6" nipples on mine. I cut them back to about 3" so my fire basket could sit a little lower and away from the lower grate.

wlh3 · Jan 18, 2008

If you don't have a hoe or a welder, go commerical for about $ 20.00. But do get a new one!

:lol:

Bbq Bubba · Jan 18, 2008

Same as Norco, 1" holesaw and 3/4" closed nipple thread's in rather tight.
Installed 4 bolt's to hold a piece of expanded that hold's my firebasket.

Wyatt · Jan 18, 2008

I'm 1 1/2" and I think mine's a good sized but I think your's is to big.

Brian in So Cal · Jan 18, 2008

wlh3 said:
If you don't have a hoe or a welder, go commerical for about $ 20.00. But do get a new one!:lol:

LOL:grin:

Norcoredneck said:
I go with as short as nipples as possible (@1"-1.5"). I now use long bolts (4.5-5") double nutted to space fire basket off bottom. If you don't have a pan in the bottom you will have to work around those long nipples to scoop the ash out. You can dump the ash out but after the first time it sticks to all grease build up on the sides you will probably change your mind. Don't do the "Trash Man Slam" or you will oval out the top like I did and lid wont fit as nice.

Norco, Is there a way to get a side view of your charcoal holder. I can't quite figure how you did the bolts.

Thanks

Wyatt said:
I'm 1 1/2" and I think mine's a good sized but I think your's is to big.

UH OH. We got the makings of an expert. WTG Wyatt.

keale · Jan 19, 2008

Smokin Gator said:
I have four 3 inch pipe nipples 2 1/2 inches off of the bottom and my fire grate and ring sit right on top of them.

Same as Smokin, it rests on the nipples, no problems... wait, he helped me build mine!

Maybe the next one will have short pipe nipples...does it make a difference Meat? Norco?

Norcoredneck · Jan 19, 2008

keale said:
Same as Smokin, it rests on the nipples, no problems... wait, he helped me build mine! Maybe the next one will have short pipe nipples...does it make a difference Meat? Norco?

In my opinion it wouldn't make a difference in flavor or temp. I would think as long as the holes don't get obstructed the fire will draw the air in. The reason I go for short nipples is for cleaning out the buildup of ash and sludge on the bottom. I don't dump mine but rather scoop it out. I don't like the ash sliding on the "Protective coating"

on the sides.

Norcoredneck · Jan 19, 2008

Brian in So Cal said:
LOL:grin:
Norco, Is there a way to get a side view of your charcoal holder. I can't quite figure how you did the bolts.
.

That is Single Fins. He had posted pics of it (I forgot to take pics). I really like this set up. Next one I build will use a weber charcoal grate, expanded metal ring and an ash pan TBD. Like a 30 gallon drom cut like Mista's first Balcony smoker.

Here is what I found I had. Hard to tell but there is a gap between bottom pan and grate.

Set up like this but sandwich grate instead if drum. Lets ash drop and air flow unobstructed under grate.

Meat Burner · Jan 19, 2008

I use 4 1/2 inch valves and originally used 4 inch nipples. Worked real well but changed over to 1 1/2 inch nipples and it really made a big difference. Seems like the oxygen drew the fire out toward the outside of the basket better with the shorter nipples and burned much more even. Just my $.02.

Bbq Bubba · Jan 19, 2008

I'll reiterate what i learned yesterday......
4 - 1/2 closed nipple's meaning they stick in about a 1/2".....
6# of Rancher charcoal burned 10 hrs in 18* weather at 238* the whole time, actually had about 12 briquette's left when i shut it down!
Long or short, don't know what's better but no complaint's here!!! :wink:

P.S. ran with 1 cap off and ball valve open 1/3..........

confused with UDS

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