My buddy is a newbie - is a UDS right for him?

grilling24x7 · 01-08-2013, 05:18 PM

I've been posting a lot about UDS building b/c I'm researching it heavily. I wanted to get a few of my friends in on it so perhaps we could build 3-4 at a time all together. One of my buddies has a big interest in smoking but has never done so alone. He's a newbie to the grilling world. He's watched me smoke a few pork butts and brisket but never tackled the stuff solo.

Is a UDS real hard to get used to compared to let's say a 18.5 inch WSM? Or is it about the same learning curve?

I've been smoking and grilling long enough that I'm certain I can handle any issue that the UDS presents but I'd feel awful if we get these UDSs built and my buddy can't manage it.

So would you think a UDS is a good beginners smoker?

Thanks,

John

Teamfour · 01-08-2013, 05:26 PM

Tim Campbell · 01-08-2013, 05:27 PM

As a beginner, I was looking for something that can go from 225 to 350 and is easily controllable. If a UDS can do that, it should be fine

Boshizzle · 01-08-2013, 05:31 PM

Three words: "Most definately YES!" It's also good for seasoned BBQ cooks.

sdbbq1234 · 01-08-2013, 05:34 PM

Yes!

And, there are not too many issues with a UDS other than storing it out of the rain/snow. My storage space is very limited.

wallace

jrn · 01-08-2013, 07:20 PM

It's the perfect first smoker if you ask me.

Muscrat · 01-08-2013, 07:26 PM

I would say yeah like everybody else. They are pretty much idiot proof. I've got 2 of them. They don't cook the same though.

cowgirl · 01-08-2013, 07:27 PM

Another YES here! I think everyone should have at least one.

woodbutcher1 · 01-08-2013, 08:01 PM

Yup,it sure is the right place for beginners, that is how i got started.
I now have three of them.

martyleach · 01-08-2013, 08:01 PM

Yes, with one caveat. Beginners always want to take the lid off and spritz and whatever. The temperature soars and they burn up their food. Some think that taking the lid off will cool it down.... ??? Leave the stinkin' lid on and let it cook!!

J'ville Grill · 01-08-2013, 08:14 PM

Your buddy will also have you to guide him along if needed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

gaspipe1 · 01-08-2013, 08:20 PM

UDS is a great 1st smoker. It's offered at a great price point. Can be real cheap with some work or you can go buy one if you have no time.

You can smoke anything in it except for a whole hog so it's versatility is great. Also I think it's real easy to control it's temp.

Once he learns the minion method to start his drum he'll be onto ribs and other delicious Q in no time!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BobBrisket · 01-08-2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyleach

Yes, with one caveat. Beginners always want to take the lid off and spritz and whatever. The temperature soars and they burn up their food. Some think that taking the lid off will cool it down.... ??? Leave the stinkin' lid on and let it cook!!

Best thing for him to learn...............Minion and catch the temps on the way up and cover it so it stabilizes. I agree no spritzing and leave the lid on. If you're lookin, ya ain't cookin!

thirdeye · 01-08-2013, 10:21 PM

Does your buddy have a grill now? And does he at least cook steaks, chops, wings, sausage and the like? If so it will be easy for him to move into a smoker..... and a drum is as good a choice as any. If not..., starting with a smoker, but not being able to grill sometimes might cause him to loose interest.

davefan360 · 01-08-2013, 10:29 PM

I also vote for a YES.

Or maybe not build him a full size UDS, but a Mini. Get a little 14.5in weber and a 16 gallon drum. he can still learn on it, might not be able to cook 8 pork butts but he could cook one.

01-08-2013, 05:18 PM	#1
grilling24x7 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-17-11 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My buddy is a newbie - is a UDS right for him? I've been posting a lot about UDS building b/c I'm researching it heavily. I wanted to get a few of my friends in on it so perhaps we could build 3-4 at a time all together. One of my buddies has a big interest in smoking but has never done so alone. He's a newbie to the grilling world. He's watched me smoke a few pork butts and brisket but never tackled the stuff solo. Is a UDS real hard to get used to compared to let's say a 18.5 inch WSM? Or is it about the same learning curve? I've been smoking and grilling long enough that I'm certain I can handle any issue that the UDS presents but I'd feel awful if we get these UDSs built and my buddy can't manage it. So would you think a UDS is a good beginners smoker? Thanks, John __________________ Weber Performer 18.5" WSM UDS build: http://grilling24x7.com/UDS1.shtml http://www.grilling24x7.com

01-08-2013, 05:26 PM	#2
Teamfour is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-12 Location: Sterling, VA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yes! __________________ BWS Party \|UDS\|Great Outdoors Propane Vertical\|Bar-B-Chef Offset \|Maverick ET-73 \|Maverick ET-732 \|Super Fast Orange Thermapen \| BBQ Guru DigiQ \|Two 100 QT crawfish boiling rigs \| LEM Meat Grinder \| Grizzly Sausage Stuffer KCBS CBJ

01-08-2013, 05:27 PM	#3
Tim Campbell On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-12-12 Location: Bristol, CT Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	As a beginner, I was looking for something that can go from 225 to 350 and is easily controllable. If a UDS can do that, it should be fine __________________ WSM 22.5", Little Chief, Weber Spirit 300

01-08-2013, 05:31 PM	#4
Boshizzle somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-26-10 Location: Virginia Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Three words: "Most definately YES!" It's also good for seasoned BBQ cooks. __________________ Jambo Pit - UDS - Lang 60 (Sold) 18.5" & 22.5" Weber Kettles - Smokey Joe and Mini-WSM - Bubba Keg - #2 La Caja China Chargriller Outlaw Impeccably Accurate BLACK & RED Thermapens KCBS CBJ Operation BBQ Relief Founding Member I am Obsessive Compulsive about BBQ. Google it.

01-08-2013, 05:34 PM	#5
sdbbq1234 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-11-10 Location: Northern VA Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Yes! And, there are not too many issues with a UDS other than storing it out of the rain/snow. My storage space is very limited. wallace __________________ - Life Is Good, Butt BBQ Is Better! - BWS - Fat Boy - simple UDS - KCBS CBJ# 58657 - MABA Member

01-08-2013, 07:20 PM	#6
jrn Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-30-12 Location: Quitman, Ms Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's the perfect first smoker if you ask me. __________________ UDS, mini wsm

01-08-2013, 07:26 PM	#7
Muscrat Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-15-10 Location: Tuscola Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I would say yeah like everybody else. They are pretty much idiot proof. I've got 2 of them. They don't cook the same though. __________________ Its Si-intistic, Jack! Comp smoker on wheels for sale!

01-08-2013, 07:27 PM	#8
cowgirl somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-18-07 Location: Oklahoma Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Another YES here! I think everyone should have at least one. __________________ jeanie sittin' by the campfire with my Brethren friends. Lifetime member of the Society for the Preservation of Authentic Royal Magical Rare Kaskaskian Peppers (Thanks Ash :)) http://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/

01-08-2013, 08:01 PM	#9
woodbutcher1 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-04-10 Location: Shelby Twp. Macomb Co. SE Michigan Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yup,it sure is the right place for beginners, that is how i got started. I now have three of them. __________________ leonard ----------------- 22.5" Weber------OTS 18.5" Weber------OTS 14" Weber---- Smokey Joe 55 Gal. UDS 30 Gal. UDS 16 Gal. Mini. UDS Maverick ET-732 & iQue - 110

01-08-2013, 08:01 PM	#10
martyleach Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-17-10 Location: Pleasanton, Ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yes, with one caveat. Beginners always want to take the lid off and spritz and whatever. The temperature soars and they burn up their food. Some think that taking the lid off will cool it down.... ??? Leave the stinkin' lid on and let it cook!! __________________ Large Big Green Egg, Cold smokehouse, UDS with hinged lid, Santa Maria pit 26.75" Weber OTG, Weber Performer, WGA MAK One Star General Pellet Pooper Hasty Bake Gourmet Custom wooden handles for BBQ's made by Marty Leach (oh, that's me) www.amlwoodart.com

01-08-2013, 08:14 PM	#11
J'ville Grill is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-18-10 Location: Jacksonville, Fl. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Your buddy will also have you to guide him along if needed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Rick 18.5" Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5" Weber OTG with Cajun Bandit Conversion Kit Char-Griller Akorn with side cart 1999 Weber Master-Touch - bent but not broken 14.5" Weber Smokey Joe Silver

01-08-2013, 08:20 PM	#12
gaspipe1 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-23-11 Location: Cranford, NJ Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	UDS is a great 1st smoker. It's offered at a great price point. Can be real cheap with some work or you can go buy one if you have no time. You can smoke anything in it except for a whole hog so it's versatility is great. Also I think it's real easy to control it's temp. Once he learns the minion method to start his drum he'll be onto ribs and other delicious Q in no time! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-08-2013, 10:21 PM	#14
thirdeye Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-14-06 Location: At home on the range in Wyoming Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Does your buddy have a grill now? And does he at least cook steaks, chops, wings, sausage and the like? If so it will be easy for him to move into a smoker..... and a drum is as good a choice as any. If not..., starting with a smoker, but not being able to grill sometimes might cause him to loose interest. __________________ ~thirdeye~ I Play With Fire and Smoke *KCBS - CBJ* Big Green Eggs, Big Drum Smokers, Big Chiefs, Weber Smokey Joe "Custom Tall Boy" Oil Patch Horizontal Visit my Cookin' Site by clicking HERE Barbecue is not rocket surgery

01-08-2013, 10:29 PM	#15
davefan360 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-25-11 Location: Warren MI (dreaming of sitting in a treestand) Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I also vote for a YES. Or maybe not build him a full size UDS, but a Mini. Get a little 14.5in weber and a 16 gallon drum. he can still learn on it, might not be able to cook 8 pork butts but he could cook one. __________________ 1 Ugly Drum, a OTS Red kettle, a OTG maroon kettle , and a green SS performer, 120g trailer smoker