Semi-offset Weber Kettle/UDS hybrid idea: will this work??

tmjst · 03-11-2010, 01:11 PM

Mulling over smoker designs --

Here's an idea for turning a Weber kettle into a sort of a hybrid offset smoker. It uses hot coals in the top section for direct grilling (perhaps with the firebox door open, or using the barrel vents for heat control), and a fire in the firebox underneath for low-'n-slow. A 30 gallon barrel (the diameter of an 18" Weber) might be just about right as the base for a 22" Weber setup.

(Apologies for the amateurish photo editing )

Has this been tried before? I couldn't find anything similar in the forum anywhere, which might mean either (a) it's a stupid idea, (b) it's so obvious, it goes without saying, or (c) it's utterly brilliant.

hybrid uds.jpg

cdollar · 03-11-2010, 01:18 PM

When I saw the pic I immediately thought of "Forbidden Planet"

Chuck

bulldawgbbq · 03-11-2010, 01:20 PM

in theory it seems like it should work. I don't know of anyone doing this before, but I have very limited knowledge. I say go for it, and be sure to keep us updated.

Woodreaux BBQ · 03-11-2010, 02:02 PM

I am confused? how is that offset? you could get a longer cook time but a UDS and a weber will give you more surface area

tmjst · 03-11-2010, 02:08 PM

You're right, it's not really offset - more like "underset." The bottom of the kettle will shield the food from the radiant heat of the coals, so there's a little bit of offset effect. Not exactlythe same, though! But the key thing is to get more surface area compared with the regular kettle arrangement, plus it's (slightly) more appealing to a certain family member that would rather not see a UDS added to the collection.... ;-)

Bushwacker · 03-11-2010, 02:18 PM

Hmmmm Intresting !!

Woodreaux BBQ · 03-11-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmjst

You're right, it's not really offset - more like "underset." The bottom of the kettle will shield the food from the radiant heat of the coals, so there's a little bit of offset effect. Not exactlythe same, though! But the key thing is to get more surface area compared with the regular kettle arrangement, plus it's (slightly) more appealing to a certain family member that would rather not see a UDS added to the collection.... ;-)

It may give you a longer cook from this mod throughout the night. When you need to finish the product you can launch Apollo 13 and add a chimney of coals to it for high heat finish.
My better half doesn't like a UDS look either.

mick · 03-11-2010, 02:21 PM

Now it's offset.

Good design

mick

swamprb · 03-11-2010, 03:15 PM

I have to ask myself-why?

But then again I've had a bit of spare time lately and done my share of "mulling" too.

mbshop · 03-11-2010, 03:30 PM

i've seen that done somwhere. will try and find it.

beerguy · 03-11-2010, 03:34 PM

Nateman comes to mind

Smokin'Ron · 03-11-2010, 04:08 PM

I like it, almost making your own XL UDS in a way with a built in difuser.

I have a spare kettle, I have a spare drum prepped and ready, hmmmm... Now I just need a spare step stool to reach i after the build.

EDIT: I obviously didn't read correctly, you're thinking 30 Gal Barrel, I have a 55, which the darned kettle would just simply sit down in it...duh! I do think it is a good idea if it works, I would mock one up without cuting anything, throw a chicken quarter on after doing you initial burn and see what happens, If it works for you, snap it all down however you plan to. If it doesn't, sand the outside of the weber and repaint it, you're back to square one.
Good Luck

tmjst · 03-11-2010, 04:30 PM

A 30 gallon drum is only 27 1/2" tall - and a 20 gallon one is 19 1/4." I can see that it might be kinda tall with a 55 gallon (35") or worse yet an 85 (40")!!!

Jet2 · 03-11-2010, 04:33 PM

Spring is in the air and Frankenstein grills begin to pop into everybody's head.

Well they do don't they?

landarc · 03-11-2010, 04:44 PM

I am not sure I see the benefit either, if you do this, unless you modify the OT system, you will lose the ability to modify the air flow into the kettle. You will make servicing the coals in the UDS much more complex too. Just wondering, I say do it and see how it works.

03-11-2010, 01:11 PM	#1
tmjst Got Wood. Join Date: 03-03-10 Location: Oviedo, FL	Semi-offset Weber Kettle/UDS hybrid idea: will this work?? Mulling over smoker designs -- Here's an idea for turning a Weber kettle into a sort of a hybrid offset smoker. It uses hot coals in the top section for direct grilling (perhaps with the firebox door open, or using the barrel vents for heat control), and a fire in the firebox underneath for low-'n-slow. A 30 gallon barrel (the diameter of an 18" Weber) might be just about right as the base for a 22" Weber setup. (Apologies for the amateurish photo editing ) Has this been tried before? I couldn't find anything similar in the forum anywhere, which might mean either (a) it's a stupid idea, (b) it's so obvious, it goes without saying, or (c) it's utterly brilliant. hybrid uds.jpg

03-11-2010, 01:20 PM	#3
bulldawgbbq Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 10-26-09 Location: Starkville, MS	in theory it seems like it should work. I don't know of anyone doing this before, but I have very limited knowledge. I say go for it, and be sure to keep us updated. __________________ Baby Stump's, DigiQ DX

03-11-2010, 02:02 PM	#4
Woodreaux BBQ Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 12-12-09 Location: Madison,MS	I am confused? how is that offset? you could get a longer cook time but a UDS and a weber will give you more surface area __________________ www.ThinBlueSmokeBBQ.com

03-11-2010, 02:18 PM	#6
Bushwacker is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-13-09 Location: Cape Coma, Fl.	*Hmmmm Intresting !!* __________________ Charm-Glo Gasser, Generic Grill, Smoker conversion, State Park Charcoal Grill. UDS (Under Construction)

03-11-2010, 03:15 PM	#9
swamprb somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-27-06 Location: Bothell WA	I have to ask myself-why? But then again I've had a bit of spare time lately and done my share of "mulling" too. __________________ Brian - Left Hand Smoke BBQ PNWBA 2010 Team of the Year BGE's/WSM's/Pellet Pro WSM/BWS Gater/BDS Clones/Cookshack 008/Weber Performer w EZ-Que/Cajun Bandit/Rib-O-Lator Test Pilot/La Caja China/BBQ Guru/Weber 1000 RK Drum Coffee Roaster Follow Left Hand Smoke on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Left-H...462391?sk=wall KCBS CBJ/PNWBA CBJ www.pnwba.com

03-11-2010, 01:18 PM	#2
cdollar Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-03-09 Location: Deep in the East TX Piney Woods	When I saw the pic I immediately thought of "Forbidden Planet" Chuck

03-11-2010, 02:08 PM	#5
tmjst Got Wood. Join Date: 03-03-10 Location: Oviedo, FL	You're right, it's not really offset - more like "underset." The bottom of the kettle will shield the food from the radiant heat of the coals, so there's a little bit of offset effect. Not exactlythe same, though! But the key thing is to get more surface area compared with the regular kettle arrangement, plus it's (slightly) more appealing to a certain family member that would rather not see a UDS added to the collection.... ;-)

03-11-2010, 03:30 PM	#10
mbshop Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-24-07 Location: visalia, ca	i've seen that done somwhere. will try and find it. __________________ george spam, can't live without it

03-11-2010, 03:34 PM	#11
beerguy is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 05-05-05 Location: Fredericksburg Va	Nateman comes to mind __________________ I support PETA - People Eating Tasty Animals Other half of the Cat Sass BBQ team Traeger BBQ100 18.5 " WSM X2 Weber Gold Kettle 22 1/2" Weber 18 1/2 " 22.5 " WSM X2

03-11-2010, 04:08 PM	#12
Smokin'Ron Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-09-09 Location: Cincinnati, OH	I like it, almost making your own XL UDS in a way with a built in difuser. I have a spare kettle, I have a spare drum prepped and ready, hmmmm... Now I just need a spare step stool to reach i after the build. EDIT: I obviously didn't read correctly, you're thinking 30 Gal Barrel, I have a 55, which the darned kettle would just simply sit down in it...duh! I do think it is a good idea if it works, I would mock one up without cuting anything, throw a chicken quarter on after doing you initial burn and see what happens, If it works for you, snap it all down however you plan to. If it doesn't, sand the outside of the weber and repaint it, you're back to square one. Good Luck __________________ 3 - Brinkman Offset Smokers; 2 UDS' 1 w/Weber Lid and 1 with an Odd Lots Special Lid; 2 - Turkey Fryers; 2 - Gassers (Large and mini me); Maverick ET73 1- Cheap Charcoal grill (gone to the graveyard)

03-11-2010, 04:30 PM	#13
tmjst Got Wood. Join Date: 03-03-10 Location: Oviedo, FL	A 30 gallon drum is only 27 1/2" tall - and a 20 gallon one is 19 1/4." I can see that it might be kinda tall with a 55 gallon (35") or worse yet an 85 (40")!!!

03-11-2010, 04:33 PM	#14
Jet2 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-30-09 Location: Alexandria, LA	Spring is in the air and Frankenstein grills begin to pop into everybody's head. Well they do don't they? __________________ John 22.5 WSM Weber Smoky Joe Hathorn Pit Strabulestone gasser UDS in progress Orion Cooker (It looked great in the pictures!) Gator Pit Bandit (When I need to use it)

03-11-2010, 04:44 PM	#15
landarc somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-26-09 Location: sAn leAnDRo, CA	I am not sure I see the benefit either, if you do this, unless you modify the OT system, you will lose the ability to modify the air flow into the kettle. You will make servicing the coals in the UDS much more complex too. Just wondering, I say do it and see how it works. __________________ [COLOR=DarkGreen][COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]me: I don't drink anymore Yelonutz: me either, but, then again, I don't drink any less [/SIZE][/COLOR][/COLOR][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed] [COLOR=Pink]SSS[/COLOR] [/COLOR][/SIZE]

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