Building my first UDS, and I had a couple questions

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BBQMIKEM

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I'm working through building my first UDS, and it's going well. I'll post some pics soon. I have run into a couple of bumps and wondered if anyone had similar issues in the past.

First issue is I am having a hard time finding a large enough piece of expanded metal for my charcoal basket. Did anyone use a different design for their basket?

Second is there an adhesive or sealant that anyone would trust to put on the smoker? I'm hesitant to use any chemicals for obvious reasons, but i definitely have a few places like down near my bottom air intake which could use some sealing/adhesive

Thanks
Mike
 
Home Depot or ace hardware will have the expabpnded metal , I used hi temp rtv around my intake , once it cures your fine , just use it on the outside
 
Ditto on Home Depot for the expanded metal. It came in a cardboard package, which I was not expecting, so it doesn't just jump out at you.
 
I simply went to a good sheetmetal/fabrication shop, had them roll some 9 guage expanded metal into an 18" cylinder, then had them cut me a piece I could cut and weld to the bottom. Cost me about $30 for the metal and the work, and about an hour of welding and cutting.
 
The sheets/pieces from HD you will need 2 to form your basket. Most employees do not know they even sell it. Go down the bolt/rope/strap isle and you will see the angle iron etc. Standing up on it's side are a few different types/sizes in white cardboard. Trims easily with tin snips. Bolt, wire, weld after shaping the expanded metal. Bends easy around a pole so go easy. High temp RTV around the outside of the barrel like mentioned if required.
 
There are several different ways to approach your UDS build. Yes, HD and Lowes do have 2' x 2' sheets of expando - for a bit over $20.00 You will still need a grate (or another piece of expando) for the bottom.The 13.5" dia charcoal grate (for the 18.5" weber) is a good size but you will likely have to order it online- never saw one in HD or Lowes on the shelf. Then bust your 2 x 2 expando in half and have enough to wrap around the grate. Wire it together with clothes hanger wire, or SS or mild steel rebar tying wire- all work. Might hit Grainger (they seem to be everywhere) - same size sheet but thicker for half the price. Or you can get a 4'x 4' sheet of 3/4 #13 expando from Grainger for about 30.00 - do a bit of trimming and make yourself a dandy square basket- no grate needed. Hit Google-there are a couple of videos showing how- do yourself a favor and don't get the 3/4 #9...very tuff to bend- go thinner.

On ball valves/ nipples/emt washers/ sealant... IMO- I don't bother- honestly. Yes, they look Industrial Cool- something about "grabbing a lever and making that slight tweak"speaks to a fella. But try this- drill your intake holes- hit amazon, a craft store, a sign shop and get a small sheet of magnetic flexible vinyl - cut you some 3x5's and go to town. They last a long time- will not leak, you will not stub your toe on them, you can see how much hole you have open/closed and they are dirt cheap. They don't have the cool factor- granted- but I would defy anyone who said that their valves work better.

Good luck- however you build it- you will love using and sharing what comes off your UDS
 
Nuco59 said:
There are several different ways to approach your UDS build. Yes, HD and Lowes do have 2' x 2' sheets of expando - for a bit over $20.00 You will still need a grate (or another piece of expando) for the bottom.The 13.5" dia charcoal grate (for the 18.5" weber) is a good size but you will likely have to order it online- never saw one in HD or Lowes on the shelf. Then bust your 2 x 2 expando in half and have enough to wrap around the grate. Wire it together with clothes hanger wire, or SS or mild steel rebar tying wire- all work. Might hit Grainger (they seem to be everywhere) - same size sheet but thicker for half the price. Or you can get a 4'x 4' sheet of 3/4 #13 expando from Grainger for about 30.00 - do a bit of trimming and make yourself a dandy square basket- no grate needed. Hit Google-there are a couple of videos showing how- do yourself a favor and don't get the 3/4 #9...very tuff to bend- go thinner.

On ball valves/ nipples/emt washers/ sealant... IMO- I don't bother- honestly. Yes, they look Industrial Cool- something about "grabbing a lever and making that slight tweak"speaks to a fella. But try this- drill your intake holes- hit amazon, a craft store, a sign shop and get a small sheet of magnetic flexible vinyl - cut you some 3x5's and go to town. They last a long time- will not leak, you will not stub your toe on them, you can see how much hole you have open/closed and they are dirt cheap. They don't have the cool factor- granted- but I would defy anyone who said that their valves work better.

Good luck- however you build it- you will love using and sharing what comes off your UDS
Click to expand...

Great idea, shame my UDS is stainless steel !!
 
I'm not a fan of the home depot expanded.. they gouge you on price and you have to connect it in 2 places. Find a steel shop and have them cut you a piece. I explained what I wanted, had it cut while I stood by making sure he was cutting how I wanted.. 1 piece 10"x4' and a 16" square for the bottom. Whole thing cost 30 bucks. I took it home and wrapped it around a bucket to make it round.

For a sealant, you can use RTV or JB Weld. Either works great.
 
You can get a round grate for the bottom of it at academy for around $5 and then attach the grating to it by any of the ways mentioned. I have made 10 or so this way with the expanded metal grating from home Depot cut in half and bolted together
 
Awesome thanks for all the tips guys. Doesn't look like I'm getting a day off for the next 30 days haha, but soon as I do I'll be completing this build and posting the final product
 
You dont need expando for a basket, pretty much anything that can contain the fuel and a bottom grate to let the ash fall through will work.

For reference take a look at the Pit Barrel Cooker and the Hunsaker Smokers Vortex basket. (google is your friend)

Trust me on this and thank me later!
 
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