Help! My first UDS attempt

Zed · 03-05-2018, 05:01 PM

Ok guys and girls I'm going to attempt a UDS. Today I got a larger than normal steel drum from a company next door to my shop. The i.d of the drum is 25 3/4 inches!!! and the height is 38.5 inches. Now I can get a normal size drum but that would cost me some cash and this was free. So my first question is where could a I get a cooking grate for this big boy? I believe Weber has a grate that measures 25 3/8 which would be perfect if I can find one on the cheap. Any idea's?

I think every thing else will be about the same for a normal size drum but if anyone knows different please speak up. I plan on doing this all from parts that are free or real close and or from the junk yard. The idea is to make my own UDS and not a kit smoker. Not that there is anything wrong with kits but for my first I want cheap and me all over it. I'm open to any and all advise you people are willing to give. Thanks in advance and I look forward to being part of this bbq crazy group. Cheers!

Nuco59 · 03-05-2018, 06:19 PM

Good news! You got a high dollar drum for zero bucks.

Bad news- you might wind up needing a custom grate or go: https://www.amazon.com/Weber-Hinged-.../dp/B00BG9RRQY That seems pretty high but you will have some serious real estate and will likely never need another.

Zed · 03-05-2018, 07:58 PM

I was thinking this was a hard to come by drum. I called weber after your post and they sell it for 79.00 plus shipping. So if you where me you would spend the money on this drum and push forward? I

el luchador · 03-05-2018, 08:01 PM

hi, congrats on getting a big drum.

do you have a steel shop around you? a 4x8 sheet of expanded metal is like $70 and should give you enough for for two grates and a charcoal basket!

or, if you dont want to fab something like that and dont want to spend a lot of money you can put some long bolts in there and use the cheap $10 grates that fit the wsm . you'll lose real estate but you wont spend that much and wont have to cut expanded metal( which is really easy to do actually.)

kwas68 · 03-05-2018, 08:45 PM

Seems like this free drum is going to cost you in the long run with the added expense of odd-sized grates. I'd see if you can't find somebody with a more standardized size drum to swap with.

Zed · 03-05-2018, 09:10 PM

I'd like to have 2 levels in the smoker and I was concerned about the size also. But if I can find some expanded steel with a thickness that will hold up would that not be about the same cost as 2 smaller grates?

-Chris- · 03-05-2018, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwas68

Seems like this free drum is going to cost you in the long run with the added expense of odd-sized grates. I'd see if you can't find somebody with a more standardized size drum to swap with.

Agreed, I just bought 4 drums with lids that were stored inside for $40. You will waste a lot of money trying to make this one work, IMO.

Chris

Zed · 03-05-2018, 09:25 PM

Thanks for the input. But so that I can say I thought this through, what other than the grates would be a bigger expense compared to ta normal sized drum?

effinUker · 03-05-2018, 09:40 PM

Grates and a cover are the 2 big things, everything else would be the same or similar. If it were me, I'd say: Love the one you're with.

Zed · 03-05-2018, 09:42 PM

The drum has a removable cover and a strap that locks it closed.

effinUker · 03-05-2018, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zed

The drum has a removable cover and a strap that locks it closed.

Yeah I'd soldier on. May as well just do the big one first.

(My wife made me do that with my motorcycle - get the 1800 now so I don't have to hear you bitch while you're riding the 1300 that you need the bigger one. I love her.

)

4dueces · 03-06-2018, 03:11 AM

Sounds like a recovery drum? I have one, made my own grates (3) out of expanded metal, made the same sized charcoal basket that i use in a 55 gallon drum, works great. Good Luck.

Zed · 03-06-2018, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4dueces

Sounds like a recovery drum? I have one, made my own grates (3) out of expanded metal, made the same sized charcoal basket that i use in a 55 gallon drum, works great. Good Luck.

That is exactly what it is, once you said it that rung a bell. I may have found a grate on Craigs list for 15 bucks. Waiting to hear back from the guy on the exact size. In his post it's described as 25 inches, which is perfect. If I could find or make another I'll be in good shape. Also good to know the basket would work in it thank you.

Any good ideas on a hinge for the lid or is that a stupid idea? Also, do you have any pics of your grates and the thickness and size of the expanded metal. It seems there are lots of choices out there.

Nuco59 · 03-06-2018, 05:31 AM

I'd keep it, use it and love it. The grates (however/where ever) you get them are going to be more pricey than the 22.5 inchers- no getting around it. Buy one /have one made and get it built -fire it up. You can always add a second grate at a later time. (I find a 2nd grate on a UDS style cooker to be a huge PITA- but some folks love them)

good luck!

Zed · 03-06-2018, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuco59

I'd keep it, use it and love it. The grates (however/where ever) you get them are going to be more pricey than the 22.5 inchers- no getting around it. Buy one /have one made and get it built -fire it up. You can always add a second grate at a later time. (I find a 2nd grate on a UDS style cooker to be a huge PITA- but some folks love them)

good luck!

Do you know if a lower side door for getting to the charcoal would be practical?

03-05-2018, 05:01 PM	#1
Zed Got Wood. Join Date: 03-01-18 Location: Greenville SC Name/Nickname : Zed	Help! My first UDS attempt Ok guys and girls I'm going to attempt a UDS. Today I got a larger than normal steel drum from a company next door to my shop. The i.d of the drum is 25 3/4 inches!!! and the height is 38.5 inches. Now I can get a normal size drum but that would cost me some cash and this was free. So my first question is where could a I get a cooking grate for this big boy? I believe Weber has a grate that measures 25 3/8 which would be perfect if I can find one on the cheap. Any idea's? I think every thing else will be about the same for a normal size drum but if anyone knows different please speak up. I plan on doing this all from parts that are free or real close and or from the junk yard. The idea is to make my own UDS and not a kit smoker. Not that there is anything wrong with kits but for my first I want cheap and me all over it. I'm open to any and all advise you people are willing to give. Thanks in advance and I look forward to being part of this bbq crazy group. Cheers!

03-05-2018, 06:19 PM	#2
Nuco59 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-18-13 Location: Texas	Good news! You got a high dollar drum for zero bucks. Bad news- you might wind up needing a custom grate or go: https://www.amazon.com/Weber-Hinged-.../dp/B00BG9RRQY That seems pretty high but you will have some serious real estate and will likely never need another. __________________ I started out with nothing and I got most of it left.

03-05-2018, 08:01 PM	#4
el luchador is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-01-17 Location: North Texas Name/Nickname : EL Luchador	hi, congrats on getting a big drum. do you have a steel shop around you? a 4x8 sheet of expanded metal is like $70 and should give you enough for for two grates and a charcoal basket! or, if you dont want to fab something like that and dont want to spend a lot of money you can put some long bolts in there and use the cheap $10 grates that fit the wsm . you'll lose real estate but you wont spend that much and wont have to cut expanded metal( which is really easy to do actually.) __________________ 3 of the top 5 teams in KCBS TOTY, AND the no1 team in Pork were cooking on UDS. AMEN!

03-05-2018, 08:45 PM	#5
kwas68 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-09-10 Location: Oak Forest, IL	Seems like this free drum is going to cost you in the long run with the added expense of odd-sized grates. I'd see if you can't find somebody with a more standardized size drum to swap with. __________________ Co-Pitmaster of Hatfield and McCoy Barbecue Pitmaster of South Side Pit Men UDS's, Multiple Weber Grills

03-05-2018, 09:25 PM	#8
Zed Got Wood. Join Date: 03-01-18 Location: Greenville SC Name/Nickname : Zed	Thanks for the input. But so that I can say I thought this through, what other than the grates would be a bigger expense compared to ta normal sized drum? __________________ Weber E310 Genesis 2 and a 2012 Weber Spirit E210. I have a sickness and BBQ is the cure.

03-05-2018, 07:58 PM	#3
Zed Got Wood. Join Date: 03-01-18 Location: Greenville SC Name/Nickname : Zed	I was thinking this was a hard to come by drum. I called weber after your post and they sell it for 79.00 plus shipping. So if you where me you would spend the money on this drum and push forward? I

03-05-2018, 09:10 PM	#6
Zed Got Wood. Join Date: 03-01-18 Location: Greenville SC Name/Nickname : Zed	I'd like to have 2 levels in the smoker and I was concerned about the size also. But if I can find some expanded steel with a thickness that will hold up would that not be about the same cost as 2 smaller grates?

03-05-2018, 09:40 PM	#9
effinUker is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-15 Location: rockford il Name/Nickname : Tim, Moon	Grates and a cover are the 2 big things, everything else would be the same or similar. If it were me, I'd say: Love the one you're with.

03-05-2018, 09:42 PM	#10
Zed Got Wood. Join Date: 03-01-18 Location: Greenville SC Name/Nickname : Zed	The drum has a removable cover and a strap that locks it closed. __________________ Weber E310 Genesis 2 and a 2012 Weber Spirit E210. I have a sickness and BBQ is the cure.

03-06-2018, 03:11 AM	#12
4dueces is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-19-10 Location: Cornpatch USA Name/Nickname : Fitz	Sounds like a recovery drum? I have one, made my own grates (3) out of expanded metal, made the same sized charcoal basket that i use in a 55 gallon drum, works great. Good Luck.

03-06-2018, 05:31 AM	#14
Nuco59 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-18-13 Location: Texas	I'd keep it, use it and love it. The grates (however/where ever) you get them are going to be more pricey than the 22.5 inchers- no getting around it. Buy one /have one made and get it built -fire it up. You can always add a second grate at a later time. (I find a 2nd grate on a UDS style cooker to be a huge PITA- but some folks love them) good luck! __________________ I started out with nothing and I got most of it left.