UDS questions

allboy · Feb 11, 2008

A few question maybe someone could answer. I'm looking to build one of these for a friend who does not have the funds for a WSM. Does anyone know of a thread that may answer my question, or give some basic plans?

How tall of a 55 gal. drum do you need?
Is it better to find a drum with a removable lid?
How large of holes top and bottom/how many?
Should I use a Weber Kettle top since I have a extra?

txschutte · Feb 11, 2008

Here's your one freebie. Next time, remember the search function at the top of the page is your friend. It knows everything.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23436&highlight=Ugly+Drum+Smoker

allboy · Feb 11, 2008

I already did search and found that thread. I have not had time to read it. Its very large. I was looking for a short thread about how to build one with less chatin.
Thanks

Pyle's BBQ · Feb 11, 2008

Check with some of the WAFO that have built an UDS. I know there are a few in the area.

allboy · Feb 11, 2008

Whats WAFO?

txschutte · Feb 11, 2008

Washington Folks. swamprb and JD McGee are a few, give them a PM.

Meat Burner · Feb 11, 2008

Not everything is easy grasshopper. Read the long thread and learn...you will be happy you did.

FatDaddy · Feb 12, 2008

I read the long thread and i read several short ones plus followed most of em as they were in progress. I built mine over superbowl weekend. after getting a few general ideas. I built it and it worked ok. i modified it today by taking my vertical intakes off to increase the air intakes and it worked like a champ. gotta read if ya wanna succeed!!!

smooookin · Feb 12, 2008

How tall of a 55 gal. drum do you need?
Standard 55 gallon drum is fine

Is it better to find a drum with a removable lid?
If you can find one it is less work but you can cut the top out with a cheap angle grinder.

How large of holes top and bottom/how many?
Bottom, usually 3 or 4 hole using anywhere from 1/2 to 1 inch nipples.
Top, I generally just remove the 2 in bung plug when cooking and replace to kill the fire.

Should I use a Weber Kettle top since I have a extra?
If it will seal good, they work either way.

Send some time cruising the UDS threads to get some ideas. They are pretty much limited to your imagination.

Meat Burner · Feb 12, 2008

allboy said:
I already did search and found that thread. I have not had time to read it. Its very large. I was looking for a short thread about how to build one with less chatin.
Thanks

Take the time to learn from the folk that have taken the time to learn. It will make your venture more successfull! Keep us posted.

swamprb · Feb 12, 2008

I just found out I'm a WAFO!!

PM sent

BBQ Grail · Feb 12, 2008

There are no shortcuts in life. Nor are there shortcuts in BBQ. Please read the long thread. It has all of the mysteries of the UDS solved. What's a couple of hours in the world of low and slow.

allboy · Feb 14, 2008

Maybe someone can answer this. How tall of a 55 ga. drum do you need? I'm told they come in different heights. Is this true?

keale · Feb 14, 2008

Its up to you!

1 rack? 2 racks? as long as your bottom rack is 24 inches above your firebox...
If Wa. folks are WAFO, and Missouri folks are MOFO, does that mean I'm a HIFO?

:twisted:sorry couldn't resist, going to my room...

smooookin · Feb 14, 2008

My drums are almost 35 inches. I have one grate but could add another if I had a weber lid.

allboy · Feb 14, 2008

how tall of a drum do you need for two racks without a Weber top?

wlh3 · Feb 14, 2008

My drum is 34.5" Tall used Meatburner's suggestion top rack is 3 3/8"

below top of drum 2nd rack is3 3/8" below top rack. Firebox 2" of bottom

of drum. rack # 2 is 25" from grate on firebox hope this helps:icon_bigsmil

swamprb · Feb 14, 2008

allboy said:
how tall of a drum do you need for two racks without a Weber top?

38" minimum for 2 cooking grates without using a Weber lid IMO

Even with one grate on an average size drum( 34") you will be able to cram a lot of meat on a 22.5" grate.

Seriously, I've only done a couple cooks using two grates, I cook the large cuts like butts, shoulders or brisket on the top grate until its foil time, move them to the sides of the lower rack and do ribs or chicken on top between them so the juices are still able to drip on the coals.

I don't think there really is that much difference between cooking on the 38" or 34" drums IMO, if I use the large I always cook on the higher grate anyway.

It's hard to see in this pic, but I've got a couple butts foiled on the lower rack and 4 racks of ribs on top, with room for 3 or 4 whole chickens!

Unless you're cooking for large groups one grate is plenty big!

smooookin · Feb 14, 2008

Or you could do this ans have 6 or 8 grates.

Bbq Bubba · Feb 14, 2008

smooookin said:
Or you could do this ans have 6 or 8 grates.

Showoff!!

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