Multi-use UDS

Mtmouse · 06-17-2011, 01:11 PM

For the past year I have been using my UDS as a substitute "conventional" BBQ, with limited success. The problem is the heat source is too far away from the cooking surface in order to get a good sear on the meat.

So today I decided to modify one of my UDS's so I can use it as a BBQ when needed. All I needed to do was drill four more holes 6" below my cooking grate for another set of bolts....I was going to do this anyways to add a second grate for larger smokes. I put two grates on top of one another (to limit the holes sizes as not to lose the small bits of charcoal) I'm sure one grate would have worked just fine, but I had an extra one sitting around.

Now I should be able to get a good sear on my steaks, etc....without reverting back to my gasser. I will be doing a test run tonight with some shish kabobs.

Callahan-que · 06-17-2011, 01:48 PM

I wonder how long those cooking grates will hold up using them as charcoal grates?

---k--- · 06-17-2011, 03:10 PM

I've thought about similar mods, but haven't done anything. Let us know how it goes.

harripooner · 06-17-2011, 03:42 PM

Brilliant!!!

woodbutcher1 · 06-17-2011, 04:07 PM

Hey,Mtmouse. Do a search for Grilling on a UDS. Post #7 by Southern Home Boy will give you an example of how to. I remember seeing some good ideas to do just that, cant remember where though .

BBQ PD · 06-17-2011, 04:10 PM

Looks like a great idea, but you might want to think of some sort of barrier between the charcoal and the sides of you drum. Those hot coals could burn and discolor the outside of the drum, I think anyway.

thillin · 06-17-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ PD

Looks like a great idea, but you might want to think of some sort of barrier between the charcoal and the sides of you drum. Those hot coals could burn and discolor the outside of the drum, I think anyway.

my thought as well.

El Ropo · 06-17-2011, 05:25 PM

I'm planning on doing something similar, only the charcoal basket will be sitting on it's own grate about 10" below cooking grate. All it takes is 4 more bolts installed in the drum, and set the original basket on the lowest grate. It has a pizza pan ash catcher mounted to bottom, so no worries burning out the cooking grate.

martyleach · 06-17-2011, 05:34 PM

I added 3 bolts to put another cooking grate in to hold my charcoal basket just below the cooking grate. Works great. This is how I make my new UDS's. However, I can't use the 550degree engine paint. I have to use the 1100 degree stuff which costs more....

woodbutcher1 · 06-17-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyleach

I added 3 bolts to put another cooking grate in to hold my charcoal basket just below the cooking grate. Works great. This is how I make my new UDS's. However, I can't use the 550degree engine paint. I have to use the 1100 degree stuff which costs more....

With all that extra $$$$$ you are making now selling the custom Weber handles now?????? JK Marty

swamprb · 06-17-2011, 07:18 PM

Not a very good location for the thermometer for that grilling setup.

just sayin'

Mtmouse · 06-18-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ PD

you might want to think of some sort of barrier between the charcoal and the sides of you drum. Those hot coals could burn and discolor the outside of the drum, I think anyway.

Too late.

What I have learned....besides above:

1. Use less charcoal.

2. Remove the firebox from below (with charcoal in it) or get a pizza pan to cover it so the burning coals that fall through won't light the lower coals.

Needless to say there was enough heat to make a great pizza oven or incinerator, but I think with a couple little tweaks it should suit my needs.

biglag · 06-18-2011, 08:35 AM

I used a stand from an outdoor burner to raise my firebasket and it was a perfect height and had perfect heat. My prob was that flame-ups were brutal cooking burgers and then sticking my hand down into the drum to flip them was HOT being that my grate is 8" below the rim surface. I'm sure steaks or anything you can use tongs on would be fine but using a spatula was brutal. But I was looking for a good excuse to buy a performer anyway so I didn't try again. Haha

Lag the lurker

LoveBBQ · 06-18-2011, 12:47 PM

I used a set of chains to suspend my charcoal basket in mid air about 5" below the top grate. Here is the thread: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=108048

06-17-2011, 01:11 PM	#1
Mtmouse Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 06-29-10 Location: Belle River, Ontario	Multi-use UDS For the past year I have been using my UDS as a substitute "conventional" BBQ, with limited success. The problem is the heat source is too far away from the cooking surface in order to get a good sear on the meat. So today I decided to modify one of my UDS's so I can use it as a BBQ when needed. All I needed to do was drill four more holes 6" below my cooking grate for another set of bolts....I was going to do this anyways to add a second grate for larger smokes. I put two grates on top of one another (to limit the holes sizes as not to lose the small bits of charcoal) I'm sure one grate would have worked just fine, but I had an extra one sitting around. Now I should be able to get a good sear on my steaks, etc....without reverting back to my gasser. I will be doing a test run tonight with some shish kabobs.

06-17-2011, 01:48 PM	#2
Callahan-que Babbling Farker Join Date: 11-18-10 Location: Callahan Fl Name/Nickname : Rick	I wonder how long those cooking grates will hold up using them as charcoal grates? __________________ Rick

06-17-2011, 03:10 PM	#3
---k--- is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-10 Location: Chicago, IL - West burbs	I've thought about similar mods, but haven't done anything. Let us know how it goes. __________________ -Ryan Proudly Smoking on a UDS, PBC & Accidental Winner of the 2012 "Saucy" Throwdown.

06-17-2011, 03:42 PM	#4
harripooner Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 04-19-11 Location: Venice	Brilliant!!! __________________ Brinkman Gasser, 2- Modded ECB's, Weber Smokey Joe, 22" Weber Kettle, Porkalypse Now UDS

06-17-2011, 04:07 PM	#5
woodbutcher1 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-04-10 Location: Shelby Twp. Macomb Co. SE Michigan	Hey,Mtmouse. Do a search for Grilling on a UDS. Post #7 by Southern Home Boy will give you an example of how to. I remember seeing some good ideas to do just that, cant remember where though . __________________ leonard ----------------- Real Men Don't Drink Milk-----They Eat The Cow. 55 Gal. UDS 30 Gal. UDS 16 Gal. Mini. UDS [COLOR=Blue]Maverick ET-732 & iQue - 110 [/COLOR]

06-17-2011, 04:10 PM	#6
BBQ PD is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-17-10 Location: Livermore, CA	Looks like a great idea, but you might want to think of some sort of barrier between the charcoal and the sides of you drum. Those hot coals could burn and discolor the outside of the drum, I think anyway. __________________ Dave CBJ, 15' custom BBQ trailer with a Backwoods Competitor, Pitts & Spitts off-set, & Santa Maria grill. Ole Hickory CTO, 1 BGE, 2 Weber kettles and 1 Smokey Joe, BWS Chubby, Sonoma gasser, and a BBQ store full of everything BBQ.

06-17-2011, 05:25 PM	#8
El Ropo Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-06-10 Location: Austin, TX Name/Nickname : Roger	I'm planning on doing something similar, only the charcoal basket will be sitting on it's own grate about 10" below cooking grate. All it takes is 4 more bolts installed in the drum, and set the original basket on the lowest grate. It has a pizza pan ash catcher mounted to bottom, so no worries burning out the cooking grate. __________________ 22.5" WSM nicknamed Fuel Hog! Rescued 22.5" OTS. 18.5" OTS. SJS Mini-WSM. Building UDS ver 2.0. HEB briqs (rebranded Royal Oak). Pecan/Hickory/Cherry/Apple/Peach woods. 2016 Fuji Absolute 2.0 LE (for burning off all the great BBQ)

06-17-2011, 05:34 PM	#9
martyleach Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-17-10 Location: Pleasanton, Ca	I added 3 bolts to put another cooking grate in to hold my charcoal basket just below the cooking grate. Works great. This is how I make my new UDS's. However, I can't use the 550degree engine paint. I have to use the 1100 degree stuff which costs more.... __________________ XL BGE, Kamado Joe Jr, Santa Maria pit, 26" Weber custom performer, MAK One Star pellet cooker, 14.5" WSM, Jumbo Joe, WGA, Arte Flame griddle insert for the 26" Weber. Custom wooden handles for BBQ's made by Marty Leach (oh, that's me) [url]http://www.amlwoodart.com[/url]

06-17-2011, 07:18 PM	#11
swamprb somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-27-06 Location: Bothell WA	Not a very good location for the thermometer for that grilling setup. just sayin' __________________ 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

06-18-2011, 08:35 AM	#13
biglag On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-26-11 Location: baton rouge, la	I used a stand from an outdoor burner to raise my firebasket and it was a perfect height and had perfect heat. My prob was that flame-ups were brutal cooking burgers and then sticking my hand down into the drum to flip them was HOT being that my grate is 8" below the rim surface. I'm sure steaks or anything you can use tongs on would be fine but using a spatula was brutal. But I was looking for a good excuse to buy a performer anyway so I didn't try again. Haha Lag the lurker

06-18-2011, 12:47 PM	#14
LoveBBQ On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-29-11 Location: Monroe, NC	I used a set of chains to suspend my charcoal basket in mid air about 5" below the top grate. Here is the thread: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=108048 __________________ Mike - UDS (born 5/22/2011) and a Weber E310 gasser