Shopping list for uds

I built mine completely with no welding. Your parts list will depend on features you want.

You will need SS nuts/bolts/washers to hold your grill grate in place and another set to hold your diffuser rack if you choose to install one. I used three sets of nuts/bolts/washers for each rack in my drum. Then you need the racks themselves. You need whatever hardware is required for your charcoal basket build. Your air intakes on the bottom of the drum may be as simple as 1" holes that you can cover with magnets or you might want to use pipe nipples/caps/ball valves. I posted my complete build notes and photos here if you want to have a look...

http://bbq.setzler.net/the-uds/

You can build a great UDS for a lot less money that I spent on mine for sure...

bluegrass smoke said:

Also I don't have a welder or welding skills. Is it possible to do it without one?

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I would say that a good majority of UDS's out there were made with no welding.
Good luck with your build. )

There is a 5 mil page thread on them. Im sure its in there

Between JM's thread and the one below, all of your questions should be answered.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43943

If you are going to use a ball valve I would suggest looking for it at Harbor Freight. It will be quite a bit cheaper if you don't have to travel very far to get there. You can also get a pretty good thermometer at Academy Sports for around $12.

Paul

Wyley said:

If you are going to use a ball valve I would suggest looking for it at Harbor Freight. It will be quite a bit cheaper if you don't have to travel very far to get there. You can also get a pretty good thermometer at Academy Sports for around $12.

Paul

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I just looked at HF and their ball valves are $8. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-threaded-brass-ball-valve-66233.html.

Still technically cheaper than HD, but only by a little bit.

JM - nice job on he uds build. i checked out your link and its most helpful. did you end of going with a diffuser rack and if so, what did you use?

Big_Alvin said:

JM - nice job on he uds build. i checked out your link and its most helpful. did you end of going with a diffuser rack and if so, what did you use?

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I did use a diffuser rack. I robbed the 22.5" grill grate out of the $30 kettle grill I bought from Big Lots and mounted it about mid way in the drum and used a $3 walmart aluminum pizza pan as the diffuser. I drilled some holes in the pizza pan as well to let the drippings fall through. I have not tried this setup with a water pan yet and not sure if I will.