Newbie has questions about Smokers

[cardiac_cadet002]

I'll have to vote UDS. I'm sure you will have no problem building it since you are an avid woodworker. I don't own a WSM, but I don't doubt that it produces good que, as does the UDS. IMO, you would enjoy the UDS better simply for the fact that you built it, and you made good que on it.

[tntitan]

why spend the money to let the wsm sit build the uds it wont be your last i cook on mine in comps also

[Dale P]

UDS are great but if you dont want to build one a WSM is the best choice for smoking with a $300 budget imho. If you want to play with fire and you dont want to spend much money, the Chargriller with sidebox is the one to get. It is a great grill, warmer, and smoker. I have owned both the WSM, and the chargriller. Both are great. The WSM is better for overnight cooks if you want to sleep. No question about that, but I am more than happy with my cheap chargriller. Since getting the Spicewine, I didnt need the WSM so I loaned it to my nephew, but he aint getting my CGer. All the info in this thread is good, you cant go wrong with any of it.

For about $375-$400 you can buy both the WSM and the CGer.
good luck.

[CrackerJack from KC]

Originally Posted by smooookin

If you followed the thread about the XXL UDS, I built that in less than a full day. A regular UDS just takes a few hours and minimal tools. Besides, If you decide to do one, I know an avid woodworker that would be willing to help out. :D

Thanks for the offer.

I might just have to go UDS. So where is the best place to get the Drums in KC, or is Drum hunting part of the process?

You guys definately have me thinking.

[Smokin Gator]

I cannot disagree with anything that has been posted... I have a WSM and 2 UDSs and I love to cook on them all. Two points... do not be intimidated about building a UDS if I can do it anyone can. The only tools involved are a drill and maybe a wire brush.

Also, there is a bit of difference in the taste of the food on the UDS. Since you are cooking direct and the fat drips on the coals you get what I call the old time flavor of Q. I prefer that most of the time.

Best of luck with your decision... I don't think you will go wrong either way.

[Harbormaster]

I love my WSMs. Have thought about building a UDS, but I want to use my barrel to build a retort first.
To answer your other question, a WSM does not require mods out of the box, but you will find that you will want to add a thermometer to either the dome or the center section, and for a couple of bucks I'd add handles to the center section too. Also, pick up a charcoal grate from an 18.5 inch Weber kettle to place on the stock WSM charcoal grate (turned 90 degrees) as it helps to keep charoal from falling into the ash bowl too soon.

[butts a fire]

As far as a smoker goes I think it all depends on what you are looking for since you have the 2 electric smokers and are looking to possibly play with fire a Bandera might be what you are looking for. If you still want a more hands off smoker than a WSM or UDS might be right up your alley.


By the way I have a Bandera that I am selling if you are interested shoot me a PM.

Here is a link to some pictures of it http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...hlight=Bandera

[KC_Bobby]

Originally Posted by CrackerJack from KC

My issues with building a UDS is that I once built a Cyclone Dust Collector (for my other hobby woodworking), and althought it works great, I would not wish that level of effort on anyone.

Sorry, but I'm kind of laughing here. Anyone else sense any contradiction here? I love working with tools, but I don't want to work with tools?

Maybe I misunderstood and it's not the tool part, it was the detailed design and working through issues to get the dust collector to work at optimum performance. If so, the UDS should be a breeze in comparison.

Either way, no offense - just wondering if anyone else got a chuckle out of that.

[BobBrisket]

You could buy a WSM for $200-220 even with free shipping if you look hard enough.
On your budget you could do both. The WSM certainly isn't a default smoker. I love mine. Great smoker, efficient as hell, and makes some great Q. You won't regret it.

[CrackerJack from KC]

Originally Posted by KC_Bobby

Sorry, but I'm kind of laughing here. Anyone else sense any contradiction here? I love working with tools, but I don't want to work with tools?

Maybe I misunderstood and it's not the tool part, it was the detailed design and working through issues to get the dust collector to work at optimum performance. If so, the UDS should be a breeze in comparison.

Either way, no offense - just wondering if anyone else got a chuckle out of that.

Its the metal I don't like to work with. Don't much like working with really hard woods either. (purpleheart is a pain to work with, splinters like metal)

[smooookin]

Originally Posted by CrackerJack from KC

Its the metal I don't like to work with. Don't much like working with really hard woods either. (purpleheart is a pain to work with, splinters like metal)

you have a pm. I know where I can hook ya up.

[pigpen269]

Originally Posted by butts a fire

As far as a smoker goes I think it all depends on what you are looking for since you have the 2 electric smokers and are looking to possibly play with fire a Bandera might be what you are looking for. If you still want a more hands off smoker than a WSM or UDS might be right up your alley.


By the way I have a Bandera that I am selling if you are interested shoot me a PM.

Here is a link to some pictures of it http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...hlight=Bandera

I'll buy your bandera from you. I sent you a PM.

[Ron_L]

Wow! What a comprehensive thread! We have hookups via PM and Bandera's being sold

CrackerJack... Lots to think about. I haven't built a UDS yet but it's on my list of things to do. I have two WSMs, an Egg and a large Good One smoker. I use them all depending on my mood and what I want to cook. If I am cooking for a party or to restock the freezer then the Good One get fired up since it can hold a ton of food (I've done three butts, two packers, four fatties, a pan of beans, abts, cheesy bread and 9 slabs of ribs at once and had room left. For long cooks it's either the WSM or the Egg (probably the Egg since it is new ) and for grilling it's the Egg. I'd suggest that you look at how much you want to cook at one time and how much time you want to spend doing it. Both the UDS and the WSM fit your budget and both are easy to use. The WSM is a proven entity so it may be a better place to start. The UDS has been used successfully by a lot of Brethren, but it can take some tuning to get it right. It just depends on how much tinkering you want to do.

[Dr_KY]

With all parts in hand a UDS can be built in less than two hours.

`Clean drum with lid
`4 stainless nuts,washers and bolts
`grill
`hand drill and bit. step drill bit or hole saw
`Ball valve

It really is that easy unless like me you want to do it on the fun/cheap side and try and find as many parts for free as you can .

You can't go wrong giving it a try and for very little money if it's not for you then no real money has been lost and you can turn the drum into a recycle bin for your wood cut offs.

[Greendriver]

I ain't gonna have nothing ugly in my back yard, front yard, or anywhere else if I can help it, unless it's my truck or my dead grass from the drought. A UDS is not for this boy and besides I have not seen where they are very versatile anyway. If you had one wouldn't you also need a good grill?