UDS Diffuser Throwdown

---k--- · 12-04-2010, 04:47 PM

I've done about a 1/2 dozen smokes on my UDS now. The last smoke I did was a Turkey. With the higher temp (~325*) and I really noticed the difference between the center temp and the edge temp. So, I got interested in trying out a diffuser. Today, it is a wonderful 30* outside, so what better time.

This isn't a perfect test. As with all first attempts, I had some issues, and everything didn't go as planned, but I just rolled with it and think I got some usable results.

I lit a little more charcoal than normal, and spread it around to get more even heat diffusion.

The contestants:
Test 1 - No Diffuser
Test 2 - ECB Waterpan, 13.5" dia, 4" high w/ water.
Test 3 - Bunt Pan, 10" dia, 3.5" high w/ water
Test 4 - Pizza Stone, 15" dia

The temps are being measured with a thermometer on the side and my maverick wired to the bottom of the grate.

I'll also be measuring temps using these:

Test #1
Start 12:50.
Outside temp = 325*
Middle Temp = HHH - greater than 450*??? Wow
Cook time = 10 mins.

Test 4 is about to come off the smoke now. So, I'll post updates later.

---k--- · 12-04-2010, 04:49 PM

Crap. My photos didn't show up. Google's picasa doesn't allow this. Must use photobucket... I'll fix after the last rolls come off.

swamprb · 12-04-2010, 05:06 PM

Blasphemers!!

---k--- · 12-04-2010, 05:54 PM

Drum Temp and Cook time varies. You can not compare tests to each other.

Test #2, ECB Water Pan
I filled the water pan with hot tap water and let it simmer in the drum for 30 minutes. The drum wanted to run about 300* on the side with all vents open, so that's how we rolled.

Start 12:30 pm
Side Temp = 300*
Middle Temp - 258* after 5 mins.
Cook Time = 25 mins

Outside edge obviously a little hotter, but a more uniform cook than no diffuser.

---k--- · 12-04-2010, 06:01 PM

Test #3 - Bunt Pan

Like the ECB pan, I filled it with hot tap water and let it cook for 30 mins prior to loading the drum.

Start 2:30 pm
Outside Temp = 310*
Middle Temp = 322* after 5 minutes
Cook time 25 mins

I could see differences between this and the ECB pan. There definitely was small hot spot in the middle, and a hot spot around the edge.

Johnny_Crunch · 12-04-2010, 06:01 PM

awesome comparison! Thank you!

Dave Russell · 12-04-2010, 06:03 PM

The only diffuser I've used was an ECB charcoal pan, foiled to leave an air gap, and I typically used it for spares or chicken if cooking more than one rack's worth. On my new drum though, I'll probably try using it for butts or briskets as well. Gonna use a LOT more charcoal, though.

---k--- · 12-04-2010, 06:14 PM

Test # 4 - 15" Pizza Stone

I didn't realize how much charcoal I was going to use. So, before this test I had to pull the firebasket out and re-fill it and light another chimney. Of course I spilled most of the ash in the drum in the process... and I think I was a bit impatient with the charcoal in the chimney, because it took a while to get the drum back up to 300*. The stone was in there for a good 20 - 30 minutes to get preheated.

Start 4:25 pm
Outside temp = 290*
Outside temp = 295* after 25 minutes
Middle temp = 265* after 5 minutes
Middle temp = 306 after 25 minutes
Cook time = 30 minutes

This one seemed to be the most even. But, the outside was still a little darker.

I think I like the pizza stone or ECB pan. There will have to be more testing. I think the weather will make a difference. I saw the side temp drop pretty dramatically every time I opened the lid. Much more so than when it was warm outside. I'm not sure my temp probe in the middle was as accurate as it could have been, because it was wired tight to the mesh grate.

---k--- · 12-04-2010, 06:19 PM

After all that work, time to make dinner

The plan is to use the remaining package of rolls and some eggs for some Croissanwiches.

Dave Russell · 12-04-2010, 06:24 PM

Ryan, maybe I'm missing something, but are you sure you want all that grease falling on a pizza stone?

The ECB pan works great if you foil it w/ an air gap, and if you can find something the same size or a bit larger w/out a rim, so much the better.

Rich Parker · 12-04-2010, 07:05 PM

Terracotta pot base lined with aluminum foil works great. You get them in any size you need.

bigabyte · 12-04-2010, 07:27 PM

I put a little sand in my ECB pan for my WSM's, and cover that with foil. An air gap may be just as effective, I've never compared the difference.

BRBBQ · 12-04-2010, 07:37 PM

I bought an 18" pizza pan for $3, I like the diffusser in but I need to get a deep dish one for more water

---k--- · 12-04-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Russell

Ryan, maybe I'm missing something, but are you sure you want all that grease falling on a pizza stone?

The ECB pan works great if you foil it w/ an air gap, and if you can find something the same size or a bit larger w/out a rim, so much the better.

Dave,
You're not missing anything. I didn't really think about grease falling on my pizza stone. I knew a lot of people use terra cotta pots, as Rich mentions, I figured a pizza stone was similar and threw this in the mix because I had one.

I keep looking at the results and am thinking I like the ECB the best. I think Webber might know what they're doing!

Why do you you suggest a pan without a rim? I can probably find a metal mixing bowel without a rim. Just not sure if it is worth it.

Right now, I'm thinking either a sand filled bowel or a terra cotta pot, one of the big diameter but shallow ones.

Dave Russell · 12-04-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ---k---

Dave,
You're not missing anything. I didn't really think about grease falling on my pizza stone. I knew a lot of people use terra cotta pots, as Rich mentions, I figured a pizza stone was similar and threw this in the mix because I had one.

I keep looking at the results and am thinking I like the ECB the best. I think Webber might know what they're doing!

Why do you you suggest a pan without a rim? I can probably find a metal mixing bowel without a rim. Just not sure if it is worth it.

Right now, I'm thinking either a sand filled bowel or a terra cotta pot, one of the big diameter but shallow ones.

Yeah, Weber most definately knows a bit about smokers and grills, but speaking of pans, it's funny how they went from the shallow pan (Smokey Joe lid) to the great big pan (Smokey Joe bowl) that doesn't allow much room for tending the fire or heaping coals.

The ECB pan is what I use in my wsm, whether it has water or foil, but when I mentioned the rim, I was thinking about how it's wide enough for some of the fat to burn on it, not a good thing if cooking a turkey over it, for example, as I found out on Thanksgiving. I guess I should've layered it up a good bit, or just put a drip pan on the bottom rack. Turkey fat is not something you want smoldering, and I know it's not much of an area for it to land on, but it sure did stink.

12-04-2010, 05:54 PM	#4
---k--- is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-10 Location: Chicago, IL - West burbs	Drum Temp and Cook time varies. You can not compare tests to each other. Test #2, ECB Water Pan I filled the water pan with hot tap water and let it simmer in the drum for 30 minutes. The drum wanted to run about 300* on the side with all vents open, so that's how we rolled. Start 12:30 pm Side Temp = 300* Middle Temp - 258* after 5 mins. Cook Time = 25 mins Outside edge obviously a little hotter, but a more uniform cook than no diffuser. __________________ -Ryan Proudly Smoking on a UDS, PBC & Accidental Winner of the 2012 "Saucy" Throwdown.

12-04-2010, 06:01 PM	#5
---k--- is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-10 Location: Chicago, IL - West burbs	Test #3 - Bunt Pan Like the ECB pan, I filled it with hot tap water and let it cook for 30 mins prior to loading the drum. Start 2:30 pm Outside Temp = 310* Middle Temp = 322* after 5 minutes Cook time 25 mins I could see differences between this and the ECB pan. There definitely was small hot spot in the middle, and a hot spot around the edge. __________________ -Ryan Proudly Smoking on a UDS, PBC & Accidental Winner of the 2012 "Saucy" Throwdown.

12-04-2010, 06:01 PM	#6
Johnny_Crunch Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-03-10 Location: Cypress TX	awesome comparison! Thank you! __________________ J Crunch

12-04-2010, 06:14 PM	#8
---k--- is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-10 Location: Chicago, IL - West burbs	Test # 4 - 15" Pizza Stone I didn't realize how much charcoal I was going to use. So, before this test I had to pull the firebasket out and re-fill it and light another chimney. Of course I spilled most of the ash in the drum in the process... and I think I was a bit impatient with the charcoal in the chimney, because it took a while to get the drum back up to 300. The stone was in there for a good 20 - 30 minutes to get preheated. Start 4:25 pm Outside temp = 290 Outside temp = 295* after 25 minutes Middle temp = 265* after 5 minutes Middle temp = 306 after 25 minutes Cook time = 30 minutes This one seemed to be the most even. But, the outside was still a little darker. I think I like the pizza stone or ECB pan. There will have to be more testing. I think the weather will make a difference. I saw the side temp drop pretty dramatically every time I opened the lid. Much more so than when it was warm outside. I'm not sure my temp probe in the middle was as accurate as it could have been, because it was wired tight to the mesh grate. __________________ -Ryan Proudly Smoking on a UDS, PBC & Accidental Winner of the 2012 "Saucy" Throwdown.

12-04-2010, 06:19 PM	#9
---k--- is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-10 Location: Chicago, IL - West burbs	After all that work, time to make dinner The plan is to use the remaining package of rolls and some eggs for some Croissanwiches. __________________ -Ryan Proudly Smoking on a UDS, PBC & Accidental Winner of the 2012 "Saucy" Throwdown.

12-04-2010, 04:47 PM	#1
---k--- is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-10 Location: Chicago, IL - West burbs	UDS Diffuser Throwdown I've done about a 1/2 dozen smokes on my UDS now. The last smoke I did was a Turkey. With the higher temp (~325) and I really noticed the difference between the center temp and the edge temp. So, I got interested in trying out a diffuser. Today, it is a wonderful 30 outside, so what better time. This isn't a perfect test. As with all first attempts, I had some issues, and everything didn't go as planned, but I just rolled with it and think I got some usable results. I lit a little more charcoal than normal, and spread it around to get more even heat diffusion. The contestants: Test 1 - No Diffuser Test 2 - ECB Waterpan, 13.5" dia, 4" high w/ water. Test 3 - Bunt Pan, 10" dia, 3.5" high w/ water Test 4 - Pizza Stone, 15" dia The temps are being measured with a thermometer on the side and my maverick wired to the bottom of the grate. I'll also be measuring temps using these: Test #1 Start 12:50. Outside temp = 325* Middle Temp = HHH - greater than 450??? Wow Cook time = 10 mins. Test 4 is about to come off the smoke now. So, I'll post updates later. __________________ -Ryan Proudly Smoking on a UDS, PBC & Accidental Winner of the 2012 "Saucy" Throwdown. Last edited by ---k---; 12-04-2010 at 05:46 PM..*

12-04-2010, 04:49 PM	#2
---k--- is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-10 Location: Chicago, IL - West burbs	Crap. My photos didn't show up. Google's picasa doesn't allow this. Must use photobucket... I'll fix after the last rolls come off. __________________ -Ryan Proudly Smoking on a UDS, PBC & Accidental Winner of the 2012 "Saucy" Throwdown.

12-04-2010, 05:06 PM	#3
swamprb somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-27-06 Location: Bothell WA	Blasphemers!! __________________ Brian - Left Hand Smoke BBQ PNWBA 2010 Team of the Year BGE's/WSM's/Pellet Pro WSM/BWS Gater/BDS Clones/Cookshack 008/Weber Performer w EZ-Que/Cajun Bandit/Rib-O-Lator Test Pilot/La Caja China/BBQ Guru/Weber 1000 RK Drum Coffee Roaster Follow Left Hand Smoke on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Left-H...462391?sk=wall KCBS CBJ/PNWBA CBJ www.pnwba.com

12-04-2010, 06:03 PM	#7
Dave Russell is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-06-10 Location: Lebanon, Tennessee	The only diffuser I've used was an ECB charcoal pan, foiled to leave an air gap, and I typically used it for spares or chicken if cooking more than one rack's worth. On my new drum though, I'll probably try using it for butts or briskets as well. Gonna use a LOT more charcoal, though.

12-04-2010, 06:24 PM	#10
Dave Russell is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-06-10 Location: Lebanon, Tennessee	Ryan, maybe I'm missing something, but are you sure you want all that grease falling on a pizza stone? The ECB pan works great if you foil it w/ an air gap, and if you can find something the same size or a bit larger w/out a rim, so much the better.

12-04-2010, 07:05 PM	#11
Rich Parker Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-20-09 Location: Grand Rapids, MI	Terracotta pot base lined with aluminum foil works great. You get them in any size you need. __________________ Outlaw BBQ Smoker - TheBBQSuperstore.com

12-04-2010, 07:27 PM	#12
bigabyte somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-10-06 Location: Overland Fark, KS	I put a little sand in my ECB pan for my WSM's, and cover that with foil. An air gap may be just as effective, I've never compared the difference. __________________ Asshattatron Farkanaut, CGCFO Chief Galactic Crockpot Foil Officer *Certified MOINK Baller & IMBAS Certified MOINK Ball Judge #0003 - Are you MOINK Certified?* *Sole recipient of the Silverfinger and fingerlickin Awards!* Don't forget about the Throwdown Thingies! The Secret Squirrel Society doesn't exist - Zero Club Duh.

12-04-2010, 07:37 PM	#13
BRBBQ Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-05-08 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa	I bought an 18" pizza pan for $3, I like the diffusser in but I need to get a deep dish one for more water