New here, building my first smoker.

AnimalLover · 03-17-2013, 08:44 AM

New here this is my first post. I'm working on my first smoker build. Got a question. Is versatility important when buying a smoker? Do you look for the do all end all item? Something with the ability to smoke and grill? Or is a grill a grill and a smoker is a smoker?

Kave Dweller · 03-17-2013, 08:46 AM

I think a grill is a grill and a smoker is a smoker.

Kave Dweller · 03-17-2013, 08:46 AM

Welcome to the brethren

SmokinFatties · 03-17-2013, 09:22 AM

I agree with Kave Dweller. Some setups can do both but to do it well I've found out it's best to have a dedicated setup for each.

Kave Dweller · 03-17-2013, 09:54 AM

If you are going to build one, I don't think there is a better, easier build then a UDS, they really work.

Muscrat · 03-17-2013, 11:12 AM

X2 on the UDS. Mine cooks as good as my big offset cooker. And can be built for less than $100

el_matt · 03-17-2013, 11:24 AM

Buy an OTG, and build an UDS. Then build a stick burner, if you need it. Scratch that word, who of us NEEDS all of the cookers we have?

Matt

Kave Dweller · 03-17-2013, 11:37 AM

Weber kettle and a UDS can get ya through most anything, spend any left over on a pit control, BBQ guru, stoker, etc.

Muscrat · 03-17-2013, 11:37 AM

Oh they are a necessity for sure. I spent 6 weeks working away from home with NO way to smoke anything. It sucked bad!!

Neonnblack · 03-17-2013, 11:52 AM

A jack of all trades is a master of none.

AnimalLover · 03-17-2013, 09:05 PM

Thanks for the input. I already built one, well a prototype. I was just thinking if I should make it more than just a dedicated smoker. I think the uds is great, I'm looking for year round smoking so I went with some insulation. Thanks again.

J-Rod · 03-18-2013, 12:17 PM

An UDS has great insulation properties IMO. Well at least mine does- I can't believe how well that sucker holds heat consistently in the winter compared to other cookers. So in the "do it all" category, I'd have to say UDS built with a grill feature. Build a standard UDS, but also so you can raise/hang the coal basket directly under the grate for hot and fast grilling. Weber kettles are very versatile too.

hamiltont · 03-18-2013, 12:50 PM

I designed mine to do just that, grill or smoke. I can take the grease pan & deflector out and slide the charcoal basket into the bottom rack's guides and grill on the rack just above it or if I want to get close & personal the grilling rack can rest right on top of the charcoal basket. I leave the bottom door shut and the ash will fall into the ash pan on the bottom. Here's a pic of the smoker:

Kave Dweller · 03-18-2013, 01:07 PM

Nice build, how bit is the cook chamber on that beast?

SmokinJohn · 03-18-2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_matt

Buy an OTG, and build an UDS. Then build a stick burner, if you need it. Scratch that word, who of us NEEDS all of the cookers we have?

Matt

*cough* *cough* Me. Really, I do.

"The gasser is for steaks, dogs, and burgers, the charcoal combo is for trip tips, the UDS is for butts and briskets, and the double barrel is for....uhh....whole hogs and turkeys! Think of the block party we could host!!!"

This argument gets a

from the Mrs.

03-17-2013, 08:44 AM	#1
AnimalLover Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 03-16-13 Location: NY-PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New here, building my first smoker. New here this is my first post. I'm working on my first smoker build. Got a question. Is versatility important when buying a smoker? Do you look for the do all end all item? Something with the ability to smoke and grill? Or is a grill a grill and a smoker is a smoker?

03-17-2013, 08:46 AM	#2
Kave Dweller On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-12-12 Location: Hampshire, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New here, building my first smoker. I think a grill is a grill and a smoker is a smoker. __________________ "Onyxwoods" clone, a Guru and some of Tennesse's finest whiskey.

03-17-2013, 08:46 AM	#3
Kave Dweller On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-12-12 Location: Hampshire, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New here, building my first smoker. Welcome to the brethren __________________ "Onyxwoods" clone, a Guru and some of Tennesse's finest whiskey.

03-17-2013, 09:22 AM	#4
SmokinFatties Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 03-10-13 Location: Ironton Oh Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I agree with Kave Dweller. Some setups can do both but to do it well I've found out it's best to have a dedicated setup for each. __________________ Mini-wsm, UDS, Rescued CB Masterflame 9000, MB Gas Smoker, CG Smokin Pro w/sfb, pitmaster IQ110

03-17-2013, 09:54 AM	#5
Kave Dweller On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-12-12 Location: Hampshire, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New here, building my first smoker. If you are going to build one, I don't think there is a better, easier build then a UDS, they really work. __________________ "Onyxwoods" clone, a Guru and some of Tennesse's finest whiskey.

03-17-2013, 11:12 AM	#6
Muscrat Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-15-10 Location: Tuscola Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	X2 on the UDS. Mine cooks as good as my big offset cooker. And can be built for less than $100 __________________ Its Si-intistic, Jack! Comp smoker on wheels for sale!

03-17-2013, 11:24 AM	#7
el_matt is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-08-09 Location: Turlock, California Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Buy an OTG, and build an UDS. Then build a stick burner, if you need it. Scratch that word, who of us NEEDS all of the cookers we have? Matt __________________ 22.5 OTS(H), 22.5 OTG(DA), 22.5 Daisy Wheel Kettle(EE), NBBD, UDS, MUDS, 6-burner gasser

03-17-2013, 11:37 AM	#8
Kave Dweller On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-12-12 Location: Hampshire, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New here, building my first smoker. Weber kettle and a UDS can get ya through most anything, spend any left over on a pit control, BBQ guru, stoker, etc. __________________ "Onyxwoods" clone, a Guru and some of Tennesse's finest whiskey.

03-17-2013, 11:52 AM	#10
Neonnblack Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-15-13 Location: Reno, NV Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A jack of all trades is a master of none.

03-17-2013, 09:05 PM	#11
AnimalLover Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 03-16-13 Location: NY-PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the input. I already built one, well a prototype. I was just thinking if I should make it more than just a dedicated smoker. I think the uds is great, I'm looking for year round smoking so I went with some insulation. Thanks again.

03-18-2013, 12:17 PM	#12
J-Rod is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-15-12 Location: Detroit Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	An UDS has great insulation properties IMO. Well at least mine does- I can't believe how well that sucker holds heat consistently in the winter compared to other cookers. So in the "do it all" category, I'd have to say UDS built with a grill feature. Build a standard UDS, but also so you can raise/hang the coal basket directly under the grate for hot and fast grilling. Weber kettles are very versatile too. __________________ "Hey careful man there's a beverage here!!!"

03-18-2013, 12:50 PM	#13
hamiltont is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 05-24-10 Location: Kearney, NE Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I designed mine to do just that, grill or smoke. I can take the grease pan & deflector out and slide the charcoal basket into the bottom rack's guides and grill on the rack just above it or if I want to get close & personal the grilling rack can rest right on top of the charcoal basket. I leave the bottom door shut and the ash will fall into the ash pan on the bottom. Here's a pic of the smoker: __________________ If Homebrew & BBQ aren't the answer, then you're askin' the wrong questions... Cheers!!!

03-18-2013, 01:07 PM	#14
Kave Dweller On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-12-12 Location: Hampshire, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New here, building my first smoker. Nice build, how bit is the cook chamber on that beast? __________________ "Onyxwoods" clone, a Guru and some of Tennesse's finest whiskey.