probably a really dumb UDS question

jwalk721 · 05-21-2010, 09:06 AM

I'm starting UDS version 2.0 and am going the BGE vent route for the intake. my question for those who have done this is how big do I cut the hole? I'm going to try to get as close to the bottom as I can to make it easier to get the ash out. Thanks in advance.

expatpig · 05-21-2010, 09:28 AM

Build your charcoal basket with an ash pan and don't worry about it.

Sub · 05-21-2010, 10:18 AM

here's a link to someone who built one:

http://www.bbq-4-u.com/forum/viewtop...=19755&start=0

Looks to me like he just traced the vent hole fully open...

Now for the ash, like expat said, just attach a cheap pizza pan to the bottom or grab a cheap 5$ metal ash pan (which is what I did) and drill holes in the side

HeSmellsLikeSmoke · 05-21-2010, 10:29 AM

I also cut the hole sized to match the hole in the BGE vent. I also put it as close to the bottom as possible. I used an abrasive blade in a skilsaw to cut it and cleaned the corners with a sawsall.

It was easy to do works great.

jwalk721 · 05-21-2010, 04:29 PM

Thanks for the replies. Sometimes things are too simple and you can't get your head around them.

Paul B · 05-21-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalk721

Thanks for the replies. Sometimes things are too simple and you can't get your head around them.

Ya know what you mean.....

Paul B
SS UDS
SS Auspit
SS ROL

h20loo · 05-21-2010, 09:57 PM

Cut the full opening of the vent and you will be able to reach in and give the basket a shake in the event that you get an ash buildup.
No need for an ashpan and the greasy mess under it as you can just dump the ashes out your vent. Don't do it to often as its nice to have a buildup of ashes to soak up the grease.
I've tried a few different styles but the BGE or Primo vents are still the best.
I tried one with three1" holes like the picture below and it worked better than the tap and nipples but not as handy as the BGE vent.

thirdeye · 05-22-2010, 10:44 AM

BGE's actually have about a 1/2 drop from the bottom of the lower vent door to the bottom of the cooker. This is partially to allow some ash to accumulate without spilling out on it's own, and so hotties don't bounce out when you catch a reverse draft.

With the right end on your ash scoop, it's really easy to scoop the ash up, and out the door. For a drum with a vent door, you could always make a scooper on one end and a wiggle rod on the other. This sketch was for a mini cooker tool, but you get the general idea.

05-21-2010, 09:06 AM	#1
jwalk721 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 12-18-08 Location: Fort Wayne, IN	probably a really dumb UDS question I'm starting UDS version 2.0 and am going the BGE vent route for the intake. my question for those who have done this is how big do I cut the hole? I'm going to try to get as close to the bottom as I can to make it easier to get the ash out. Thanks in advance. __________________ Weber Performer, Super Pro w/SFB, UDS, Weber Silver

05-21-2010, 09:28 AM	#2
expatpig is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-20-10 Location: Cochrane, On.	Build your charcoal basket with an ash pan and don't worry about it. __________________ "When I was in Canada, I had a lot of time to think."- Doug Sahm [B][COLOR=red]UDS x 5[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR=red][B]Weber Performer[/B][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=red]Napoleon Apollo[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR=#ff0000][B]GOSM[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=blue][B][I]CSBBQA, KCBS, NOBS(Northern Ontario Barbecue Society)Professional Barbecue Team. USAJFKCENMA.[/I][/B][/COLOR]

05-21-2010, 10:29 AM	#4
HeSmellsLikeSmoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-02-07 Location: Warren, Vermont	I also cut the hole sized to match the hole in the BGE vent. I also put it as close to the bottom as possible. I used an abrasive blade in a skilsaw to cut it and cleaned the corners with a sawsall. It was easy to do works great. __________________ Jim - Another transplanted Texan Former KCBS CBJ Large and Medium Big Green Eggs , Black 18.5" WSM, Blue Weber Performer - Stainless, Green Weber OTG Kettle , Brinkmann SnP Pro, and a Stainless UDS. One retired Portable Kitchen grill. Red Thermapen, Maverick ET-732, EdgePro Apex Sharpener. Avatar is the original 1951 Weber Kettle

05-22-2010, 10:44 AM	#8
thirdeye somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-14-06 Location: At home on the range in Wyoming	BGE's actually have about a 1/2 drop from the bottom of the lower vent door to the bottom of the cooker. This is partially to allow some ash to accumulate without spilling out on it's own, and so hotties don't bounce out when you catch a reverse draft. With the right end on your ash scoop, it's really easy to scoop the ash up, and out the door. For a drum with a vent door, you could always make a scooper on one end and a wiggle rod on the other. This sketch was for a mini cooker tool, but you get the general idea. __________________ ~thirdeye~ I Play With Fire and Smoke *Barbecuist ~ Charcuterist ~ KCBS Master Judge & CTC* Big Green Eggs, Big Drum Smokers, Big Chiefs, Weber Smokey Joe "Custom Tall Boy" Oil Patch Horizontal, SnS Deluxe Kettle Visit my Cookin' Site by clicking HERE Barbecue is not rocket surgery “The problem with quotes on the Internet is that it's hard to verify their authenticity” ~ Abraham Lincoln

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05-21-2010, 10:18 AM	#3
Sub Got Wood. Join Date: 03-09-10 Location: Justin, TX	here's a link to someone who built one: http://www.bbq-4-u.com/forum/viewtop...=19755&start=0 Looks to me like he just traced the vent hole fully open... Now for the ash, like expat said, just attach a cheap pizza pan to the bottom or grab a cheap 5$ metal ash pan (which is what I did) and drill holes in the side

05-21-2010, 04:29 PM	#5
jwalk721 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 12-18-08 Location: Fort Wayne, IN	Thanks for the replies. Sometimes things are too simple and you can't get your head around them.

05-21-2010, 09:57 PM	#7
h20loo is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-22-08 Location: waterloo ontario	Cut the full opening of the vent and you will be able to reach in and give the basket a shake in the event that you get an ash buildup. No need for an ashpan and the greasy mess under it as you can just dump the ashes out your vent. Don't do it to often as its nice to have a buildup of ashes to soak up the grease. I've tried a few different styles but the BGE or Primo vents are still the best. I tried one with three1" holes like the picture below and it worked better than the tap and nipples but not as handy as the BGE vent.