UDS build crossroads...

First, Thanks to all for what I have learned thus far.

My UDS build has begun. Burned off the paint, wire wheeled inside and out- painted the outside and "oiled" the inside with cooking spray.

My wallyworld kettle grill lid will not fit without either cutting off the lip of the drum, or basically flattening the lip of the kettle lid. I discovered- while painting the bottom, that the kettle lid fits the bottom perfectly. So...

I can obviously cut out the bottom and make it the top- but I worry about the lid leaking too much air making my cooker uncontrollable. This was an open head drum, with a somewhat bulky locking ring- ring should be no problem if I either add casters, or simply set drum upon properly spaced blocks. Making the top the bottom may make the drum easier to clean (?)

Remove the gasket and run a bead of high temp silicon- hopefully sealing the lid ( bottom ) ? I am trying to make my way through the monster that is the UDS thread- but I swear it grows the same amount that I can read each day...:crazy:

I call upon the Bretheren Drumheads for wisdom and thoughts. :hail:

expatpig said:

JM Setzer posted here a few weeks ago with his method, it just may work for you, I'm going to give it a try on one of my drums with the same WM kettle lid as yours. He fastened a metal strip around the circumference of the inside of the drum.

Click to expand...

I saw what he did, and actually was headed in that direction. I was going to cut the WM bottom thereby utilizing its sealing surfaces and "fit" it into my drum-space as needed and seal the remaining gap...that was the plan- until i had my drum sitting upside down- and it looked smaller. Tried my lid and it fits perfectly- just a tad snug even. Now here I sit, wondering do I go left or right.

Clamping my lid back on and making it my bottom seems to be the cleanest way to git-er-done but I'm just wondering how much air she will suck. May not be much after seasoning with a few cooks? I dunno- too noobie to know.:tongue:

expatpig said:

I'd try his method, if it doesn't work for you flip it over and do it the other way.

Click to expand...

Just looked at it again ( Thanks for the bump! ) And it really did come out sweet.

I have everything to do this already also. Aluminum strip, SS fasteners etc... decisions, decisions...

Luckily I did not hit this project full boar and drill my intakes already. It's not like I cannot do what you suggest and give it a try first.

I'll resolve the where is my bottom question and deal with the rest later.