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Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking.


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Old 06-30-2015, 10:34 AM   #1
MattTucker
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Join Date: 03-12-13
Location: Byrnes Mill, MO
Talking Tucker's UDS Builds (#001 - #002)

I finally bit the bullet and decided to make an attempt at building a few Ugly Drum Smokers (UDS), while waiting for some shop time to build a couple of Gravity Fed Dual Pan Cabinet Smokers off of some SmokeBuilder plans that we purchased. Seems those gravity fed smokers might end up being a winter project at this point due to work in the shop. Plus, the original OzarkSmoke reverse flow smoker is a breeze to use and cook on; but it is really too big for home use. Which led me wanting to do a quick UDS build.

I purchased the drums from a company just outside of St. Louis, Missouri in Venice, IL called Container Distributors. They charged $60 for a brand new open top unlined drum with lid (here is the link http://www.containerdistributors.com/). These drums give me 33" of interior drum height to deal with, and for these we will be using a flat lid.

Here is my initial design (i hope to have some actual cad files / templates done up for the interwebs in a week or two):

Drum Interior Height = 33"
Location of Top Rack from Top of Smoker = 8"
Location of Lower Rack from Top of Smoker = 14"
Charcoal Basket Overall Height (Including 3" Standoff) = 13" (10" Charcoal wall)
Charcoal Basket Inside Diameter = 15" (using 3/4 x #9 Exp Metal)
Quantity of Air Intakes = 2
Size of Air Intakes = 1-1/2 Standard Pipe
Location of Air Intakes From Outside Bottom = 3" to Center of Pipe
Size of Exhaust On Lid = 3" Standard Pipe
Location of Exhaust On Lid = Unknown

We finished 2 of the 4 UDS smokers this week before Jeff Fitter and I took off for the Tri-County BBQ Championship in Festus, Missouri. We didn't cook our competition on the drums, but it gave us something to play with during the down time. I have to say, I am really really impressed with the drums.

Below are some photos from the process.

==================
Photo # 001 (New, Un-Lined Drums)

I bought these drums from Container Distributors in Venice, IL for $60/each.

Photo # 002 (An inside look at the layout)

You can see the layout lines for the 2 shelves, the diffuser shelf, and the hanging racks at the top.

Photo # 003 (Fitting up the lids.)

Time to fit up the exhaust on the lids. A 1ft piece of 3" Standard Pipe fit the bill.

Photo # 004 (The Cook Chamber)

Almost all fitted up and ready for welding.

Photo # 005 (Welding Time)

Time to get it all welded up.

Photo # 006 (Lid and Handle Design)

I did not want a hinged lid, but also didn't want a hook to just hang the lid. Some small tubing and round rod did the trick nicely.

Photo # 007 (Grinding)

Lots and lots of grinding.

Photo # 008 (Charcoal Baskets)

Without a doubt, the Charcoal Baskets took the longest to complete. Cutting 3/4 x #9 Expanded metal with a torch is tedious work.

Photo # 009 (Almost Complete)

Almost complete.

Photo # 010 (Bling)

Exhaust covers and some "bling" are painted up.

Photo # 011 (Phatso's BBQ UDS)

A look at the first one painted up for Phatso's BBQ, a friend of mine. We used Dupli-Color Engine Enamel for the paint in aerosol cans (it took 3 full cans per UDS).

Photo # 011 (OzarkSmoke's UDS)

A look at the first one painted up for OzarkSmoke, this one's mine. We used Dupli-Color Engine Enamel for the paint in aerosol cans (it took 3 full cans per UDS).

Photo # 012 (A look at both smokers.)

Both UDS's together. We have 2 more that are almost done, but weren't quite ready for photos.

Photo # 013 (OzarkSmoke Bling)

I really like the look of the stand-off for the logos, and the alternating colors.

==================

In the end, this build was a really fun project. I plan on building a few more for my own use and family and friends. I really can't believe how easy it was to control the temperature.

Like I said earlier, after only one cook, I am so impressed with them, I plan on making some CAD drawings with templates for use for layout, along with a material / parts list for when I go to make my next one.

A few things I did learn from this build, and looking at a few of them during the competition this weekend:
*Add large rear wheels and 1 front post for maneuverability.
*Add ash pan to bottom of charcoal baskets
*Add a shelf for use with Digital Probes
*Add a port for the addition of a fan controller


I am already looking forward to the next time i cook on this. I think they turned out pretty darn good.

--Matt Tucker
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Old 06-30-2015, 10:37 AM   #2
Bob C Cue
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Location: St. Louis, MO
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Very impressive work. They look amazing!
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Old 06-30-2015, 10:38 AM   #3
AlwaysSmokey
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They look great. Good job.
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Old 06-30-2015, 10:42 AM   #4
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Really nice work! Can you show us the inside? It looks like there are hanging bars. How are they removable? Nice logos and paint too! You are going to love it!
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Old 06-30-2015, 10:58 AM   #5
dadsr4
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Location: Howell, MI
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I can't see the ugly part. You do nice work.
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Old 06-30-2015, 11:41 AM   #6
Doog
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Nice fabbing!! Some unique options, "I like lid setup" Wondering how the rack hangers will be to work with.
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Old 06-30-2015, 12:26 PM   #7
MattTucker
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For the "Hanging Racks" all we did was take some bar stock and nibble out half of a hole so that a 1/2" round bar would sit down in it. Welded the bar stock across from each other in the drum and cut the 1/2 round to fit.

I am sure i could hang ribs from it, but the real reason i wanted it was to hang chickens, sausage, and other items from. I haven't used that option yet; but i thought it was better to give me the option now than to go in and weld on the inside of the drum after it is coated with grease.

We are going to finish the other 2 drums soon from this build, so i will get some photos of them as they progress.
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Old 06-30-2015, 12:53 PM   #8
SmittyJonz
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Old 06-30-2015, 01:12 PM   #9
LifeLongWNYer
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Nice job. It seems like almost every time someone post pictures of a UDS build, they show a feature that I've never thought about, and which I want to use. Your treatment of the lid support is very nice. Thanks for showing it.





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Old 06-30-2015, 01:40 PM   #10
Jason TQ
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Like that swivel lid design!
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Old 06-30-2015, 01:42 PM   #11
yakdung
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MattTucker View Post
I finally bit the bullet and decided to make an attempt at building a few Ugly Drum Smokers (UDS), while waiting for some shop time to build a couple of Gravity Fed Dual Pan Cabinet Smokers off of some SmokeBuilder plans that we purchased. Seems those gravity fed smokers might end up being a winter project at this point due to work in the shop. Plus, the original OzarkSmoke reverse flow smoker is a breeze to use and cook on; but it is really too big for home use. Which led me wanting to do a quick UDS build.

I purchased the drums from a company just outside of St. Louis, Missouri in Venice, IL called Container Distributors. They charged $60 for a brand new open top unlined drum with lid (here is the link http://www.containerdistributors.com/). These drums give me 33" of interior drum height to deal with, and for these we will be using a flat lid.

Here is my initial design (i hope to have some actual cad files / templates done up for the interwebs in a week or two):

Drum Interior Height = 33"
Location of Top Rack from Top of Smoker = 8"
Location of Lower Rack from Top of Smoker = 14"
Charcoal Basket Overall Height (Including 3" Standoff) = 13" (10" Charcoal wall)
Charcoal Basket Inside Diameter = 15" (using 3/4 x #9 Exp Metal)
Quantity of Air Intakes = 2
Size of Air Intakes = 1-1/2 Standard Pipe
Location of Air Intakes From Outside Bottom = 3" to Center of Pipe
Size of Exhaust On Lid = 3" Standard Pipe
Location of Exhaust On Lid = Unknown

We finished 2 of the 4 UDS smokers this week before Jeff Fitter and I took off for the Tri-County BBQ Championship in Festus, Missouri. We didn't cook our competition on the drums, but it gave us something to play with during the down time. I have to say, I am really really impressed with the drums.

Below are some photos from the process.

==================
Photo # 001 (New, Un-Lined Drums)

I bought these drums from Container Distributors in Venice, IL for $60/each.

Photo # 002 (An inside look at the layout)

You can see the layout lines for the 2 shelves, the diffuser shelf, and the hanging racks at the top.

Photo # 003 (Fitting up the lids.)

Time to fit up the exhaust on the lids. A 1ft piece of 3" Standard Pipe fit the bill.

Photo # 004 (The Cook Chamber)

Almost all fitted up and ready for welding.

Photo # 005 (Welding Time)

Time to get it all welded up.

Photo # 006 (Lid and Handle Design)

I did not want a hinged lid, but also didn't want a hook to just hang the lid. Some small tubing and round rod did the trick nicely.

Photo # 007 (Grinding)

Lots and lots of grinding.

Photo # 008 (Charcoal Baskets)

Without a doubt, the Charcoal Baskets took the longest to complete. Cutting 3/4 x #9 Expanded metal with a torch is tedious work.

Photo # 009 (Almost Complete)

Almost complete.

Photo # 010 (Bling)

Exhaust covers and some "bling" are painted up.

Photo # 011 (Phatso's BBQ UDS)

A look at the first one painted up for Phatso's BBQ, a friend of mine. We used Dupli-Color Engine Enamel for the paint in aerosol cans (it took 3 full cans per UDS).

Photo # 011 (OzarkSmoke's UDS)

A look at the first one painted up for OzarkSmoke, this one's mine. We used Dupli-Color Engine Enamel for the paint in aerosol cans (it took 3 full cans per UDS).

Photo # 012 (A look at both smokers.)

Both UDS's together. We have 2 more that are almost done, but weren't quite ready for photos.

Photo # 013 (OzarkSmoke Bling)

I really like the look of the stand-off for the logos, and the alternating colors.

==================

In the end, this build was a really fun project. I plan on building a few more for my own use and family and friends. I really can't believe how easy it was to control the temperature.

Like I said earlier, after only one cook, I am so impressed with them, I plan on making some CAD drawings with templates for use for layout, along with a material / parts list for when I go to make my next one.

A few things I did learn from this build, and looking at a few of them during the competition this weekend:
*Add large rear wheels and 1 front post for maneuverability.
*Add ash pan to bottom of charcoal baskets
*Add a shelf for use with Digital Probes
*Add a port for the addition of a fan controller


I am already looking forward to the next time i cook on this. I think they turned out pretty darn good.

--Matt Tucker
Nice. You went the smart route purchasing the new drums. Love the plasma work. Freehand or did you use a table?
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Old 06-30-2015, 01:50 PM   #12
Blue Smoke BBQ
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Very Nice!
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Old 06-30-2015, 02:22 PM   #13
BigBobBQ
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Location: Live Oak, Florida
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very nice looking work on those drums.
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Old 06-30-2015, 02:32 PM   #14
MattTucker
Found some matches.
 
Join Date: 03-12-13
Location: Byrnes Mill, MO
Default All Of The Toys

So I have to confess, If you couldn't tell from the photos, I have access to a pretty well equipped steel fabrication facility.

For the plasma work, we have a Koike Aronson PlatePro Extreme 2500 with a ThermoDynamics Ultra300 Plasa Unit and a HyperTherm ArcWriter running Promotion controls that sits on an 8ft x 20ft table. We can cut up to 1-1/4" with the plasma, but the table also has 2 oxy orches for anything up to 3" thick. We created the logos/lettering in CAD and cut the DXF out.

Definitely pretty fortunate, about the only thing we don't have in our shop is a large bed brake press (we can only bend up to about 18" in house), a large bed shear (same limitation), and a large rolling machine. Generally we buyout all of those items.

--Matt Tucker
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Old 06-30-2015, 03:15 PM   #15
bigpernz
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Holy fark those are really sweet. I think you need to drop the U from UDS tho. Great lid design and hanging option you'll have tons of fun cooking on it I'm sure.
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