UDS design- Good/No Good???

TheRancheroGuy · 03-30-2010, 09:07 AM

I found a local builder for a UDS, and I was wondering if some of you pros would look at this and comment. http://thesmokingdrum.yolasite.com/
While I know this is expensive, it looks pretty decent to me. I currently have a Bandara and want something I won't have to babysit as much and that will hold a steady temp.
He is local, he can have it built in 2 weeks. What questions should I have for him? Questions I have are:
1) No second shelf for a water tray
2) Where is the exhaust?
3) What's the source of the barrels?
The builder is probabally a member of this forum (a guess), I just want to make sure this is all I will need. Thanks for any and alls input!
John

Bbq Bubba · 03-30-2010, 09:11 AM

U can build ur own EASILY for under $100.

Phubar · 03-30-2010, 09:13 AM

I like the ashtray idea,never seen it like that before.

smellysockalarmclock · 03-30-2010, 09:18 AM

If purchasing is your only option at this time, the build looks to be standard. Your questions seem to be reasonable, I might add: type of paint used? and What hardware material was used? You wouldn't want any galvanized materials in the cooking chamber.

Tweedle · 03-30-2010, 09:19 AM

Not a bad set up, but yu can build 2-3 for that price....

sdb25 · 03-30-2010, 11:58 AM

Honestly, half the fun is building your own! And it is so simple.

If it is your only option, I guess. But for that price you could find a better cooker at your local Lowes or Home Depot.

Good luck!

KStraker · 03-30-2010, 01:12 PM

The exhaust is the hole that is already in the top. You can barely see it on the near side of the lid. This looks like a decent UDS. I built one for a friend and it was bout 125.00.

jetfxr27 · 03-30-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdb25

But for that price you could find a better cooker at your local Lowes or Home Depot

Not sure about that one.

TheRancheroGuy · 03-30-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdb25

Honestly, half the fun is building your own! And it is so simple.

If it is your only option, I guess. But for that price you could find a better cooker at your local Lowes or Home Depot.

Good luck!

I'm curious, I thought the UDS was the way to go?? The Weber is $400, the BGE is even more, what cooker, available at Lowes or Home depot would perform better?
I have tried 2 offsets, 1 Bandera 1 Charbroil, and it's tough to regulate a steady temp, and they were/are wood hogs to boot.
Have I mis-read something all of you pro UDS chefs have said? I thought it was a GREAT, EASY, way to smoke.
What can I do with the Weber that I can't do with this?

suprfast · 03-30-2010, 01:58 PM

Not to hijack, but ill sell you an already seasoned in great condition UDS for 100.00. Im in CA though. I have two drums and i dont use my backup. Just a thought.

I dont see anything wrong with buying one for 250.00. Its no different than buying a stumps for 2000.00. When you consider time, abilities, and material its a close call. Ill be making my own stumps shortly, because i have the time and ability. I also made two of my own drums because i had the time, ability, and a company that sells brand new 55 gallon drums locally. Best part is, i hacked it up the way i wanted by adding a rotisserie, custom racks, weber lid, and the list goes on. If you think 250 is worth it, pull the trigger. It sure beats the BDS pricing.
kris

Divemaster · 03-30-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRancheroGuy

I'm curious, I thought the UDS was the way to go?? The Weber is $400, the BGE is even more, what cooker, available at Lowes or Home depot would perform better?
I have tried 2 offsets, 1 Bandera 1 Charbroil, and it's tough to regulate a steady temp, and they were/are wood hogs to boot.
Have I mis-read something all of you pro UDS chefs have said? I thought it was a GREAT, EASY, way to smoke.
What can I do with the Weber that I can't do with this?

For the price he's asking, I would go with a WSM... I don't think that the 18" is going to be much more than $250...

Skidder · 03-30-2010, 03:31 PM

I think the price is a bit high BUT he has to make a profit. Quality and everything is there though. The thermometer is a $16.00 one from Wally World but they do the job. So if you don't have the time or ability go for it as long as there are no shipping charges added.

1FUNVET · 03-30-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweedle

Not a bad set up, but yu can build 2-3 for that price....

I agree with Tweedle.

Bigg Higg's BBQ · 03-30-2010, 04:04 PM

I built mine for 65.00....that being said, I would ask if it comes with a cooking grate (for 250.00 i think it should). I didnt see that listed on his site. IMHO if you like it and want to buy it, buy it and enjoy. Good Luck !!!

sdb25 · 03-30-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRancheroGuy

I'm curious, I thought the UDS was the way to go?? The Weber is $400, the BGE is even more, what cooker, available at Lowes or Home depot would perform better?

Absolutely, the drum is the way to go. I'm the biggest drum fan around, but the idea of spending $250 for one is hard to take in my opinion.

I bet there's someone here not too far from you who would be happy to give/sell their drum or help you make your own. I bet you could find someone to build you a drum for the cost of materials (they are so easy to build).

If you need to have something now, I think the best store-bought smoker for less than $300, would be an 18" WSM.

03-30-2010, 09:07 AM	#1
TheRancheroGuy Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 03-23-09 Location: Chandler, AZ	UDS design- Good/No Good??? I found a local builder for a UDS, and I was wondering if some of you pros would look at this and comment. http://thesmokingdrum.yolasite.com/ While I know this is expensive, it looks pretty decent to me. I currently have a Bandara and want something I won't have to babysit as much and that will hold a steady temp. He is local, he can have it built in 2 weeks. What questions should I have for him? Questions I have are: 1) No second shelf for a water tray 2) Where is the exhaust? 3) What's the source of the barrels? The builder is probabally a member of this forum (a guess), I just want to make sure this is all I will need. Thanks for any and alls input! John

03-30-2010, 09:13 AM	#3
Phubar somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-24-09 Location: Utrecht,TheNetherPharkinglands	I like the ashtray idea,never seen it like that before. __________________ -TG -WGA (3) -UDS (S,M,L) All fueled by [COLOR=lime]Ecobrasa[/COLOR] Coco Briquettes [URL="http://lowlandsmokers.blogspot.com/2011/06/lowland-smokers-workshop-hei-en-boeicop.html"]Lowland Smokers[/URL] Dutch BBQ Champion 2011 - 2012 [URL="http://lowlandsmokers.blogspot.com/2011/06/lowland-smokers-workshop-hei-en-boeicop.html"]Lowland Smokers[/URL] Dutch BBQ Champion 2013 Low 'n Slow WGA Ambassador

03-30-2010, 09:18 AM	#4
smellysockalarmclock On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-28-09 Location: Kalamazoo, MI	If purchasing is your only option at this time, the build looks to be standard. Your questions seem to be reasonable, I might add: type of paint used? and What hardware material was used? You wouldn't want any galvanized materials in the cooking chamber. __________________ UDS, MUDS, Weber 22 OTG

03-30-2010, 09:19 AM	#5
Tweedle Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-07-09 Location: Surry NH	Not a bad set up, but yu can build 2-3 for that price.... __________________ Barbeque, It's not just for breakfast anymore! Check us out at angrypigbbq.com

03-30-2010, 11:58 AM	#6
sdb25 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-03-09 Location: Long Beach, CA	Honestly, half the fun is building your own! And it is so simple. If it is your only option, I guess. But for that price you could find a better cooker at your local Lowes or Home Depot. Good luck! __________________ -elbows deep in someone else's misery.

03-30-2010, 09:11 AM	#2
Bbq Bubba somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: New Baltimore, Mi.	U can build ur own EASILY for under $100.

03-30-2010, 01:12 PM	#7
KStraker Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 11-06-09 Location: Easley,SC	The exhaust is the hole that is already in the top. You can barely see it on the near side of the lid. This looks like a decent UDS. I built one for a friend and it was bout 125.00.

03-30-2010, 01:58 PM	#10
suprfast Take a breath! Join Date: 01-08-10 Location: State of confusion.	Not to hijack, but ill sell you an already seasoned in great condition UDS for 100.00. Im in CA though. I have two drums and i dont use my backup. Just a thought. I dont see anything wrong with buying one for 250.00. Its no different than buying a stumps for 2000.00. When you consider time, abilities, and material its a close call. Ill be making my own stumps shortly, because i have the time and ability. I also made two of my own drums because i had the time, ability, and a company that sells brand new 55 gallon drums locally. Best part is, i hacked it up the way i wanted by adding a rotisserie, custom racks, weber lid, and the list goes on. If you think 250 is worth it, pull the trigger. It sure beats the BDS pricing. kris

03-30-2010, 03:31 PM	#12
Skidder Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-02-08 Location: Westfield,Ma.	I think the price is a bit high BUT he has to make a profit. Quality and everything is there though. The thermometer is a $16.00 one from Wally World but they do the job. So if you don't have the time or ability go for it as long as there are no shipping charges added.

03-30-2010, 04:04 PM	#14
Bigg Higg's BBQ Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 01-24-10 Location: Troy, NC	I built mine for 65.00....that being said, I would ask if it comes with a cooking grate (for 250.00 i think it should). I didnt see that listed on his site. IMHO if you like it and want to buy it, buy it and enjoy. Good Luck !!!