Easy UDS Weber Lid Mod (w/pics)

JMSetzler

JMSetzler

Babbling Farker
Joined
Apr 25, 2011
Location
Valdese, NC
Name or Nickame
John
I finally got around to 'fixing' my UDS to hold a Weber dome lid properly. I know there are a lot of ways to do this and I believe this method has been done before as well...

I went to Lowes and found a strip of aluminum measuring 8' x 1.5" x 1/8" so I picked it up for $20. I cut it down to the right length to fit around the inside of my drum...

IMG_1050.JPG


The strip needs to rise 1/2" above the lip of the drum...

IMG_1053.JPG


I bolted it in place with some SS #10 bolts with washers, lock washer, and nuts...

IMG_1055.JPG


I then sealed the edge with some Permatex silicon (rated to 500°)...

IMG_1051.JPG


Then the weber lid fits really nicely...

IMG_1052.JPG


I know lots of people like to just invert the drum and work from the bottom with the Weber lid, but this 'fix' is going to work pretty well for me I think.

My UDS is going to get a new paint job for this summer... Something a little nicer than the flat black if I can come up with a good idea :)
 
Thanks for the post. I just picked up a seldom used 22" Weber off of CL for $25, yippy for me.
 
AlanTX said:
Thanks for the post. I just picked up a seldom used 22" Weber off of CL for $25, yippy for me.
Click to expand...

I got one for $30 over the weekend just to use the lid for this project... I had hoped the grates would be usable as well but they were rusted out pretty badly so all the parts except for the lid are going out in tomorrow's trash...
 
Looks good JM, glad tp see it worked guess I'm heading to Lowes this weekend. Give it a try!

pwa
 
Ill have to remember this one when I get to that stage. Don't think that aluminum would hard to shape being that thin.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
 
Good idea! I bought a rotisserie a few weeks back and just got my Rib-O-Later last week, so I now need to a dome lid to my UDS. Balancing the lid on top of the drum isn't working so well.

Wonder if there is a way to make this removable so you have the option of using the flat again? Then I wonder if there is a reason why you'd want to use the flat lid vs the Weber dome?

There I go again, making things more complicated than they need to be...

--eric
 
eribac said:
Good idea! I bought a rotisserie a few weeks back and just got my Rib-O-Later last week, so I now need to a dome lid to my UDS. Balancing the lid on top of the drum isn't working so well.

Wonder if there is a way to make this removable so you have the option of using the flat again? Then I wonder if there is a reason why you'd want to use the flat lid vs the Weber dome?

There I go again, making things more complicated than they need to be...

--eric
Click to expand...

I had that same decision to make. I typically only need a single cooking rack in the drum and the flat lid was working out fine for that. The only advantage of using the flat lid and a single rack is reducing the volume inside the cooker which creates a little more efficiency, even though its minor. I don't believe this particular mod can be made effectively if it was made removable. You would have a rather significant air leak at the top of the drum between the aluminum gasket and the inside edge of the drum.
 
eribac said:
Good idea! I bought a rotisserie a few weeks back and just got my Rib-O-Later last week, so I now need to a dome lid to my UDS. Balancing the lid on top of the drum isn't working so well.

Wonder if there is a way to make this removable so you have the option of using the flat again? Then I wonder if there is a reason why you'd want to use the flat lid vs the Weber dome?

There I go again, making things more complicated than they need to be...

--eric
Click to expand...
You could elongate the bolt holes on the strip (if it is wide enough) and raise and lower.
 
Great and yet simple mod there JM. I have been on the lookout for a weber lid for my UDS, but have been very happy with my flat lid with it's clamp down. Your mod makes me want to try harder for that "Find".
 
BillywannaQ said:
How difficult is to shape that flat stock?
Click to expand...

Not too bad... i just got it close to where it needed to be and then drilled my holes and bolted it into position one point at a time all teh way around... i used 6 bolting points... 8 might make it a little cleaner but 6 worked out ok for me.
 
JMSetzler said:
I got one for $30 over the weekend just to use the lid for this project... I had hoped the grates would be usable as well but they were rusted out pretty badly so all the parts except for the lid are going out in tomorrow's trash...
Click to expand...

Dont throw away the bowl. Option 1: You can cut it down along with the legs to make an ash basket for UDS. Doesnt look good but it works great.

Option 2: Make a planter out of it. I have 4 Serronos thriving in one right now.
 
msuman said:
Have you used it yet? I am just curious if it makes for a tight seal around the lid.
Click to expand...

I just fired it up for the first time a bit ago to test it. Initially there is a little smoke coming out around the lid fit but after the drum warmed up it stopped. The seal with this is not as tight as the flat lid seal.
 
I did the same thing for my drum JM. I have used a rope gasket around the drum resting against the outside of the steel stock. I have been having problems with the silicone seal however. Once it heats up, it gets hard and starts to flake. I don't know if I am applying it wrong, but I have gone through about 3 gaskets. The gaskets fall apart quickly too. I think it is not sticking well enough because the gasket is not resting on much surface so the weight of the lid must be enough to knock it off. I would recommend you putting a gasket around the outside though.
 
I also forgot to mention that I was stupid and before I got the steel band, I tried to unroll the lip of my drum. A gasket would be able to rest nicely on the lip of your drum
 
I'll probably cook on mine to see if the rope gasket seal is a necessity before I actually do it. I sorta doubt that it would be a requirement.
 
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