Converting ECB into a mini UDS

B

Burk504

Guest
I have done the standard mods that everyone suggests for the ECB and find it still needs fuel added every 30-45 minutes, which is a major pain in the arse. I added a charcoal basket to try and fix that (see pic below) but because there is so much air flow in these beasts, I couldn't get below 350 and even broke 415 once!!! Useless!

Now I am considering removing the legs altogether and converting this thing into a mini UDS. Has anyone ever done that? Can't find a thread for it on here.

Update: For some reason the pic didn't come through. here is a link to it.
http://twitpic.com/ib0ql

30747261-d1264d544dc4a8cc79f342759b245ecf.4ab4f82b-scaled.jpg
 
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Don't know of a thread about that conversion. It would take a lot of work to seal all the air, IMO. The pic here is a little box with a red x in it.
 
Meat Burner said:
It would take a lot of work to seal all the air, IMO.
Click to expand...

If I took the legs off and the 'barrel' sat flat on the ground, wouldn't that seal it? I may need to raise the water pan up a bit, but that is easy.

Also, is it feasible to use a few small air holes in the side to control the air flow? I could block up holes until there was just the right amount coming in.
 
I'm not sure the effort would be worth the results. The ECB with the mods can turn out some decent bbq. If you want a small UDS, you could just get yourself a 30 gallon drum and build one. The results might be a little more to your liking.

Or in Pirate Talk:

I be nay sure th' effort would be worth th' results. Th' ECB wi' th' mods can turn ou' some decent bbq. If ye want a wee UDS, ye could jus' get yersef a 30 gallon drum an' build one. Th' results might be a wee more t' yer likin'.
 
Burk, a few brethren on here have build mini drums from actual drums. You might do a search and get some input from there. Just my opinion, but I think setting it on the ground without somehow sealing it better would allow too much air. The door, the top, are all going to create air leaks I am sure it can be done and would be a whole lot better that what you have now. I am just thinking a mini would be real air intake critical. Keep after it, you can get it done!!
 
MOS, I tend to agree with Larry but around here we all like a real challenge. Just a thought, if you could fine something to use as a lit, could you possible take the legs off and somehow attach to the lid for a base for the the barrel part to fit in and create a seal with some mods. It would have to be an air tight fit. Just throwing that out.
 
Are you using the minion method on your burn? I can get 4 hours out of a pan on mine. And have pretty good results on temp with a full water pan. I start with only 6 lit briquettes in a full load of K.
 
ipls3355 said:
Are you using the minion method on your burn? I can get 4 hours out of a pan on mine. And have pretty good results on temp with a full water pan. I start with only 6 lit briquettes in a full load of K.
Click to expand...

Chris, you may have nailed it for me. I did use the minion method for my test but used natural lump (which does burn hotter than K) and maybe started out with too many lit.

I have taken the legs off already, so I am going for a test run. The only airflow in from the bottom will be through the 6 holes that were used to originally mount the legs. Lets see what sort of burn length and temp control I can get out of that.

Wish me luck.
 
Burk504 said:
Chris, you may have nailed it for me. I did use the minion method for my test but used natural lump (which does burn hotter than K) and maybe started out with too many lit.

I have taken the legs off already, so I am going for a test run. The only airflow in from the bottom will be through the 6 holes that were used to originally mount the legs. Lets see what sort of burn length and temp control I can get out of that.

Wish me luck.
Click to expand...
http://www.randyq.addr.com/ecb/ecbmods.html

Here are the mods I made to my ECB.
 
one question. WHY??.. time wise you could have probably built a UDS using many parts from your ECB... go get a weber from Freecycle or Craigs and do it.. I was in the same dillema, stuck in ECB mode and I finally went for it and havent looked back since
 
you can just use a weber smokey joe as the coal burner. need to make the legs a little longer on the ecb. i used a weber vent wheel on the lid and you need to use foil made into a rope to seal the lid. works fine after that.
 
I ran a test last night with a full basket unlit and 8 lit coals to get the party started. I still had some high temp issues (260-280) but this baby burned for 6 hours. The bottom is sealed pretty well, so only a little air is coming in through the side door. My lid has a very poor seal, so if I seal that up well with gasket or foil, would that help keep the temp down? I still don't fully understand all of the physics behind this concept.
 
I did another test today and got 7 hours of 200-250. The trick to keeping the temp lower was stuffing rolled up aluminum foil around the lid to seal it a little better (thanks George!) I also put a brick in the charcoal basket to control the burn a bit. Those 2 changes were all it took to turn this into a much better smoker!

IMG_7942.jpg


IMG_7946.jpg
 
We used an old fryer basket and put some legs on it for a fire basket. I cut some bigger holes in the bottom for ask to fall. With a little aluminum magic wrap we were able to keep it between 220-280 for about 4 hours View attachment 31496

View attachment 31497

View attachment 31498

The second time we used half as much charcoal and it worked alot better. I have some additional mods for the bottom air vent that should help consistency also.
 
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