UDS grates: How Far from the top

BigTone · 05-10-2013, 04:18 PM

Hey folks, I've finished the UDS but As I look at it I'm wondering if I set the grates in the wrong spot. I have a flat lid, my first grate is at 4" and the second at 11". My thoughts were to use the top grate for ribs, chicken thighs/drums, steaks, fatties and then use the second grate for brisquet, pork butts, chickens/turkeys. Should I move these (i have not used it yet)? Where do you folks have yours set? thanks for the advice, ~Anthony

Heisenberger · 05-10-2013, 05:19 PM

Most folks have them have them set about 7 to 8 inches from the top. I personally don't think you need to move them. Most people talk about a 24'' minimum distance from grate to charcoal grate but I think as long as you're monitoring temps you will be fine. On my next UDS i'll have the grates at about 10" also.

Budman1 · 05-10-2013, 05:55 PM

You should be good. I have a flat lid and mine is at 9". My plan is to put another grate near the top when I get a dome/ weber lid for it. I would suggest maybe using some sort of heat diffuser on top of the charcoal basket. I found a perforated pizzia pan that fits perfect on the basket for a diffuser.

ajstrider · 05-10-2013, 06:01 PM

I went with only one grate, 7-8" height. I have never tried a big turkey before, but that is probably about the only thing that might not fit. I think you are fine. If you find that your bottom grate cooks too hot, add a deflector plate or water pan before it. Benefit of a UDS, it is never a complete project, you can always do more.

smokainmuskoka · 05-10-2013, 06:14 PM

Mine are 2", then 10" down. If I'm just using 1 grate I always use the lower one.

You'll be fine, just keep poultry below other foodstuffs if cooking at the same time
(which can be a b!tch if the chicken is done first, and you have to lift everything else out first to get at it).

Enjoy your UDS!

ssbbqguy · 05-11-2013, 10:18 AM

The ones I build are two racks for the 55gallon models and they are placed at 7 7/8" from top and another the same distance below that using flat lids, water pan, smoker plate and then firebox. My 85gallon and 110 gallon units use three and four racks all spaced around 8" using same configuration. Steve.

J-Rod · 05-11-2013, 10:28 AM

I think my top rack is about 7" from the top, giving me about 24" distance from coals. That said, I added a second grate about 6" below that one. My point is there's really no rules so do whatever works best for you. You can always add more bolts at a different height and leave the others so you have more options, just trim the bolts as needed for clearance when installing grates.

Richard_ · 05-11-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budman1

You should be good. I have a flat lid and mine is at 9". My plan is to put another grate near the top when I get a dome/ weber lid for it. I would suggest maybe using some sort of heat diffuser on top of the charcoal basket. I found a perforated pizzia pan that fits perfect on the basket for a diffuser.

the disposable perforated aluminum trays work great as well , I can get a few cooks out of them before tossing them

05-10-2013, 04:18 PM	#1
BigTone Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 01-25-13 Location: Salem, NY	UDS grates: How Far from the top Hey folks, I've finished the UDS but As I look at it I'm wondering if I set the grates in the wrong spot. I have a flat lid, my first grate is at 4" and the second at 11". My thoughts were to use the top grate for ribs, chicken thighs/drums, steaks, fatties and then use the second grate for brisquet, pork butts, chickens/turkeys. Should I move these (i have not used it yet)? Where do you folks have yours set? thanks for the advice, ~Anthony

05-10-2013, 05:55 PM	#3
Budman1 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-13-13 Location: Wyoming County, N.Y.	You should be good. I have a flat lid and mine is at 9". My plan is to put another grate near the top when I get a dome/ weber lid for it. I would suggest maybe using some sort of heat diffuser on top of the charcoal basket. I found a perforated pizzia pan that fits perfect on the basket for a diffuser. __________________ UDS, Mini-UDS, Weber OTS, smokey joe, gasser, 3 pie irons, and a weenie fork. [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/group.php?groupid=34"][COLOR="Blue"]Secret Squirrel Society[/COLOR][/URL] - Nope, doesn't exist. Bob Semper Fi

05-10-2013, 06:01 PM	#4
ajstrider is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-02-12 Location: Kentucky	I went with only one grate, 7-8" height. I have never tried a big turkey before, but that is probably about the only thing that might not fit. I think you are fine. If you find that your bottom grate cooks too hot, add a deflector plate or water pan before it. Benefit of a UDS, it is never a complete project, you can always do more. __________________ Weber Summit Charcoal Grill and 22” WSM. Former user of pellet grills and XL BGE

05-10-2013, 06:14 PM	#5
smokainmuskoka is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-30-11 Location: Huntsville, Ontario, Canada	Mine are 2", then 10" down. If I'm just using 1 grate I always use the lower one. You'll be fine, just keep poultry below other foodstuffs if cooking at the same time (which can be a b!tch if the chicken is done first, and you have to lift everything else out first to get at it). Enjoy your UDS! __________________ 1 x UDS, 2 x 22.5" Weber kettle, 1 x OK Joe's Highland offset, 1 x COS(for storage), 1 x Kingsford SJS knockoff, 1 x ailing 2 burner gasser.

05-11-2013, 10:28 AM	#7
J-Rod is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-15-12 Location: Irish Hills, MI	I think my top rack is about 7" from the top, giving me about 24" distance from coals. That said, I added a second grate about 6" below that one. My point is there's really no rules so do whatever works best for you. You can always add more bolts at a different height and leave the others so you have more options, just trim the bolts as needed for clearance when installing grates. __________________ Okie Joe offset, UDS, Akorn, Weber Kettles, I'm JD.

05-10-2013, 05:19 PM	#2
Heisenberger Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 09-07-12 Location: Los Angeles, CA	Most folks have them have them set about 7 to 8 inches from the top. I personally don't think you need to move them. Most people talk about a 24'' minimum distance from grate to charcoal grate but I think as long as you're monitoring temps you will be fine. On my next UDS i'll have the grates at about 10" also.

05-11-2013, 10:18 AM	#6
ssbbqguy is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-09-07 Location: carthage,mo.	The ones I build are two racks for the 55gallon models and they are placed at 7 7/8" from top and another the same distance below that using flat lids, water pan, smoker plate and then firebox. My 85gallon and 110 gallon units use three and four racks all spaced around 8" using same configuration. Steve.