Converted drumhead

I was finally after several weeks of scrounging for parts and supplies able to build my very own UDS and finished it this afternoon. I started my seasoning run and my temps were out of control even with closing all of my vents it was still running 300. I knew something was bad wrong. I got to looking and figured it had to be an air leak around the top. I made some temporary gasket with some folded aluminum foil around the whole top of the drum to seal it up tight. (I order some ceramic rope gasket for a permanent seal). I refired it up with just 10 burning briquettes and it got to right where I like it at 240 with one intake open and the ball valve at 1/4 open. It has been rock steady at that temp for the last 4 hours without me doing anything. When it shut it down within 15 minutes the temps were dropping right down. I ran it empty for the test run and know it will change a little when loaded with what I want to cook, but for a dry run for it to work so great amazed me, I figured I would have to fiddle with it quite a bit but I didn't. Now I know why you all rave about them so much.....