Could it be my nipples?

smooookin · 09-13-2008, 09:16 PM

I have built several drums but this one is killing me. I switched from 3 1 inch to 4 1/2 inch nipples for the intake. I had never had to remove the 3rd cap using the larger intakes.

I can get things going, the temp seems to settle in, I put on the goodies and the fire will practically go out. I mean if I put things on at 230 with in 10 minutes the temps will start a steady drop until I either remove the third cap or occasionally I have to crack the lid just a bit.

This drum just doesn't seem to want to cooperate. So, is it my nipples? Should I maybe change one out for a 3/4?

Looks like it will be a long night as I have a 12lb packer that needs to be eaten around 7 tomorrow night. I figure I will put it on around midnight and sleep light.

jeffjenkins1 · 09-13-2008, 09:17 PM

Not enough air flow, what size exhaust (although I don't think it matters)?

Jeff

BBQ Grail · 09-13-2008, 09:18 PM

This is the thing about drums that just fascinates me. I use 4 1/2 inch nipples. Three have caps and one has a ball valve.

I rarely need to remove more than one cap. For exhaust all I use is a four inch long threaded pipe in the lid.

smooookin · 09-13-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trp1fox

This is the thing about drums that just fascinates me. I use 4 1/2 inch nipples. Three have caps and one has a ball valve.

I have the same set up. As for exhaust, I used a 2 inch street "L" in the large bung hole and sometimes have removed the small plug as well.

The grate for the fire basket sets approx 2 1/2 inches off the bottom of the drum.

ON THE FARM · 09-13-2008, 09:26 PM

Could your fuel be damp?
I have 3 one inch intake on 1 of my drums and only 2 one inch intakes on the other 2 drums.
I have never even opened 2 intakes at all during a cook (14 hour butt cook).

smooookin · 09-13-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Could your fuel be damp?

I thought about that but I have gone through several bags(5 or 6) of RO while fighting this thing. Also the RO was purchased at different locations.

BBQ Grail · 09-13-2008, 09:30 PM

RO Lump?

I can't use lump in my UDS. It just won't work. Regular briqs work just find. Maybe 1/2 nipples won't work with lump.

jeffjenkins1 · 09-13-2008, 09:31 PM

I don't use lump either, I only use briqs.

Jeff

1_T_Scot · 09-13-2008, 09:32 PM

3 1" nipples have an equivalent flow area of about 9.45
4 1/2" nipples have an equivalent flow area of 6.28

So would you need 2 more to get enough air?

smooookin · 09-13-2008, 09:33 PM

HMM, All I use is RO. I works great in my other drums, maybe RO likes big nipples.

I can just imagine what a mess it will be to change to a larger size since I dont weld.

smooookin · 09-13-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1_T_Scot

3 1" nipples have an equivalent flow area of about 9.45
4 1/2" nipples have an equivalent flow area of 6.28

So would you need 2 more to get enough air?

Usually the drums with the one inch nipples only need one cap off and maybe crack the valve one other one.

If I open 2 and a half or three and a half intakes the temp goes to high. Maybe this drum just doesnt like BBQ.

Meat Burner · 09-13-2008, 10:32 PM

I have 4 1/2 inch valves in all my drums. The nipples inside are 1 inch and usually I have all four open a little to get an even burn on lump or briqs. Strange.

Midnight Smoke · 09-13-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smooookin

I can just imagine what a mess it will be to change to a larger size since I dont weld.

Get a Step-up bit, it will do it fast and easy. Just go a little at a time so not to get to big a hole.

Beerwolf · 09-14-2008, 12:22 AM

maybe try using some sort of blower ( hair dryer mod) at the intake just to see if you are indeed air starved before you start hacking?

Norcoredneck · 09-14-2008, 12:51 AM

I started out using 3/4" to 1/2" bushings. I had to have 2-3 open. I switched to 3/4" short nipples and never looked back. Seems if you watch the post the longer the nipples the more restriction. Also not that we have a lot here but humidity seems to affect how a drum burns.

09-13-2008, 09:16 PM	#1
smooookin is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 03-04-07 Location: KC Mo.	Could it be my nipples? I have built several drums but this one is killing me. I switched from 3 1 inch to 4 1/2 inch nipples for the intake. I had never had to remove the 3rd cap using the larger intakes. I can get things going, the temp seems to settle in, I put on the goodies and the fire will practically go out. I mean if I put things on at 230 with in 10 minutes the temps will start a steady drop until I either remove the third cap or occasionally I have to crack the lid just a bit. This drum just doesn't seem to want to cooperate. So, is it my nipples? Should I maybe change one out for a 3/4? Looks like it will be a long night as I have a 12lb packer that needs to be eaten around 7 tomorrow night. I figure I will put it on around midnight and sleep light. __________________ "Foil is a BBQ mans duct tape" my wife.

09-13-2008, 09:17 PM	#2
jeffjenkins1 Babbling Farker Join Date: 03-01-08 Location: Akron, OH	Not enough air flow, what size exhaust (although I don't think it matters)? Jeff __________________ You do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do! Ole Hickory Ultra Que 2 18" WSM 18" Weber OTS Primo Oval XL NB American Gourmet offset smoker UDS Big Chief Smoker Turkey Fryer

09-13-2008, 09:18 PM	#3
BBQ Grail somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Rocklin, CA	This is the thing about drums that just fascinates me. I use 4 1/2 inch nipples. Three have caps and one has a ball valve. I rarely need to remove more than one cap. For exhaust all I use is a four inch long threaded pipe in the lid. __________________ Larry Soon to be a Texafornian. For a limited time I will be issuing Moink Ball Certificates. I'm working on a special COVID 19 Verson. Email me for details.

09-13-2008, 09:26 PM	#5
ON THE FARM Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-07-08 Location: FARMERSVILLE, TX	Could your fuel be damp? I have 3 one inch intake on 1 of my drums and only 2 one inch intakes on the other 2 drums. I have never even opened 2 intakes at all during a cook (14 hour butt cook). __________________ EZ-Corer - The fastset and EZ-est Jalapeno corer/de-seeder around!!! www.wyldmanspice.com

09-13-2008, 09:30 PM	#7
BBQ Grail somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Rocklin, CA	RO Lump? I can't use lump in my UDS. It just won't work. Regular briqs work just find. Maybe 1/2 nipples won't work with lump. __________________ Larry Soon to be a Texafornian. For a limited time I will be issuing Moink Ball Certificates. I'm working on a special COVID 19 Verson. Email me for details.

09-13-2008, 09:31 PM	#8
jeffjenkins1 Babbling Farker Join Date: 03-01-08 Location: Akron, OH	I don't use lump either, I only use briqs. Jeff __________________ You do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do! Ole Hickory Ultra Que 2 18" WSM 18" Weber OTS Primo Oval XL NB American Gourmet offset smoker UDS Big Chief Smoker Turkey Fryer

09-13-2008, 09:32 PM	#9
1_T_Scot is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 06-03-08 Location: Pontiac Illinois	3 1" nipples have an equivalent flow area of about 9.45 4 1/2" nipples have an equivalent flow area of 6.28 So would you need 2 more to get enough air?

09-13-2008, 09:33 PM	#10
smooookin is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 03-04-07 Location: KC Mo.	HMM, All I use is RO. I works great in my other drums, maybe RO likes big nipples. I can just imagine what a mess it will be to change to a larger size since I dont weld. __________________ "Foil is a BBQ mans duct tape" my wife.

09-13-2008, 10:32 PM	#12
Meat Burner Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-22-07 Location: Springfield, MO	I have 4 1/2 inch valves in all my drums. The nipples inside are 1 inch and usually I have all four open a little to get an even burn on lump or briqs. Strange. __________________ my avatar swiped fatties from the plate....look how sorry he is. ________ Meat. NB Bandera with mods Weber 22 .5" x 2, 26.75" x 1 UDS x 3 KCBS CBJ Created "The Great Spam Revelation of 2011." www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111155

09-14-2008, 12:22 AM	#14
Beerwolf Take a breath! Join Date: 06-03-07 Location: Cloverdale, Ca	maybe try using some sort of blower ( hair dryer mod) at the intake just to see if you are indeed air starved before you start hacking? __________________ *"Assumption is the Mother of all F___ups!"*

09-14-2008, 12:51 AM	#15
Norcoredneck somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-11-06 Location: Norco, Ca.	I started out using 3/4" to 1/2" bushings. I had to have 2-3 open. I switched to 3/4" short nipples and never looked back. Seems if you watch the post the longer the nipples the more restriction. Also not that we have a lot here but humidity seems to affect how a drum burns. __________________ *Low and Slow.....* *The Prontologist is in...* *Ok let's see your Butt!*