Mini UDS Build Questions

Found a decent Smokey Joe at a second hand store this week for cheap. Nice wood handle. Picked up a 32 qt pot as I have read about in the forum at Walmart for $20 because of a small dent.

Planning on doing pulled pork, chicken wings, and my first fatties on the offset this weekend. Figured the mini would be a fun project to work on with my son while we cook....

I have read through here and the TVWB forum. Many great posts but I have a couple questions I am hoping for some help with.

It looks like I need about 4" clearance for the top cook grate to fit a rib rack. I would like to put in a second rack. That will be just about 4" below the first rack. Does this sound right? I thought the top rack would be about 2" below the top of the steamer pot based on what I read. But it looks like I need more headroom.

Second, I've read a lot about using heat sink and bought a 9" plant holder. I seem to remember some people putting this right on the steamer tray that can sit on the bottom ridge of the smoker. I posted a pic of it here. My question is if the surround holes will let enough heat through to maintain temp or if it will be fine.

Lastly if I take that route or something similar, how far does the cook grate have to sit above the heat sink? It looks real close with it 4" below the top grate.

I've read quite a bit... may be tired out. Hoping for some Brethren help!

Thanks. I used the rib rack as a test which is why I know the clearance. So not sure what measuring it would provide.

My question goes back to my post. The second rack would leave me under 4" clearance and be 1.5-2" above the heat sync. Wondering if this is correct/ok thinking.

Thinking about it this morning I think I will plan on setting the rib rack to fit on the second grate. Leaving the top grate at about 2-3" from the lip of the steamer. I think that will work. Probably should have posted this in the mini wsm thread..sorry still a noob here!

Thanks to both of you. I read most of those same posts as well. I planned on cutting out the bottom guided by what others did leaving the lip of the pot for stability. Those holes you see are the steamer insert. One post I reread this morning suggested using something to raise the clay pot base so you don't lose temp. But that may lose me some space. I agree on the grate idea. Swinging by ace this morning. Interesting reading what folks have done w these...

Glad to see some MA members!

Love the idea of the clip. What type of strip did you use? Will it hold a decent amount of weight for a shoulder or something?

Also. Picked up two racks at ace he this morning for about $8 each. They had glossy black high heat 1000 degree paint. Picked up a can and will retrn the flat black rustoleum. Anyone use this ace product before?

Thx. Not trying to hijack my own thread. . But I thought the paint primer was for the car enamel paint people were using? I didn't get the impression that grill paint needed it?

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109288

That's one good one. There are a bunch of others and a mega one at the weber bullet forum.