UDS vs BDS opinions please!

[bam]

I can't build shiggity so I got a bds or 2 or 4 and spend my time cooking.

 

[Midnight Smoke]

I don't know Bo, $1000.00 for a barrel, JMHO, but no way would I spend that kinda money for a drum. I agree with Mike that depending on what your plans are, the WOW factor may just not be there. Even if your food is the best, some people may just not venture to try based on 1st impressions.

By far no expert on other smokers out there, but I would wait and save and get a nicer unit, for me it would be a trailer rig maybe with a reverse flow. Or have one built! I like the idea of 3/8" steel insulated smoker that can go anywhere.

Whatever you choose, best to you!

 

[Norcoredneck]

My B.U.D.S. is an 85 gallon with 3 racks.

 

[Weiser]

Two Questions...

Norco, what is the height and diameter on an 85?
What lid will fit?
Just curious... on a drum mission come Wednesday.

Weiser

My B.U.D.S. is an 85 gallon with 3 racks.

 

[Norcoredneck]

Sears/Kmart had BBq Pro 26" Kettles at one time.
http://www.myerscontainer.com/drumpage/mccsalvagedrum.htm

Here is link from when I made it.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29215&highlight=buds

 

[Weiser]

Thank you Sir.

Weiser

Sears/Kmart had BBq Pro 26" Kettles at one time.
http://www.myerscontainer.com/drumpage/mccsalvagedrum.htm

Here is link from when I made it.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29215&highlight=buds

 

[Barbarian]

Spyder no problem, I just like the WOW of a good lookin' drum.

 

[big brother smoke]

I am with Spyder Mike and Pork Smoker. I do not think you will be successful doing on-site catering with Drums. YMMV

 

[JamesB]

Yeah for what you need to do, go with the mega. It's a sure shot. It costs more money but worth it. Plus, the UDS's are based off of it. Get the real deal.

Well, there were a lot of vertical drum smokers before Rocky started selling his, so I figure the UDS is just as real. :wink:

Back to the question at hand. If your serious about catering, get a pit that can handle what you need to do.

If you want to stick with the drums, I would just build a couple more UDSs and save the $$ for other expenses. My $.02

 

[Desert Dweller]

WOW! The wow factor here is that I sure did not expect 28 responses in less than 12 hours, but I appreciate every one of them.

Regarding the question can I feed 200 out of a drum?; well, out of the Mega I am supposed to have a 20 butt capcity. I did a cook last week for 150; 16 Butts took my UDS and my WSM 2 loads each at 10 and 11 hours on two consecutive days to complete. My objective here is to purchase something that can do the same job or a bit more in one load, and the BDS, Mega, is supposed to. Now I am not giving up any of my other smokers, so I will still have plenty of weapons for sides, appetizers, etc.

And if I find in a couple of years that I need something still bigger, well, I should have made enough money off these other cooks to justify a Lang, Klose, Spicewine or something along those lines.

I think I'll get the BDS... Thx evry1 for their input!

 

[Norcoredneck]

Eager to see when you get it.

 

[Norcoredneck]

Going for the Stainless?

Stainless Mega 3143-S
Same as the Mega BDS Model 3143, but made with 16 gauge 304 grade stainless steel. A gorgeous powerhouse. This is THE ULTIMATE BDS!!
$2,695.00​

 

[jaronimo]

Taller is always better (6'7"). Anyway, what is that thing that looks like a gramaphone crank on your UDS? I'm guessing it's a jiggler... We need closeups and an explanation, please. -- or a pointer to the post number in the UDS thread.

Thanks!

That is the JJC™ I give it a few spins every so often and it keeps the ash from clogging up. It really works well, I turned a handle out of mahogony ans will attach it once it warms up enough to finish my paint job.

 

[bmarley5780]

What about one of the fuel tank you see on the side of homes they look pretty stout...

 

[ThomEmery]

We cook in a FEC and serve out of a Klose on location
Yea the Wow is part of the package
We booked a Wedding and the Guy is removing a fence so we can get the Klose in the backyard
Thats what WOW does for them
Pictures of the Klose will get us extra $$$ on the bid

 

[TysDad]

That is the JJC™ I give it a few spins every so often and it keeps the ash from clogging up. It really works well, I turned a handle out of mahogony ans will attach it once it warms up enough to finish my paint job.

OK, I'll bite. What's JJC mean???

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[jaronimo]

OK, I'll bite. What's JJC mean???

Thanks for the clarification.

Jaronimo Jiggly Crank™

 

[Dr_KY]

Regarding the question can I feed 200 out of a drum?; well, out of the Mega I am supposed to have a 20 butt capcity.

If you are going to spend the cash then get the ProQ 20XL and add all the stackers you like. Now things will be easy to load, refuel, monitor and etc etc etc.

and chisks dig it!

 

[jcinadr]

I guess I don't appreciate the wow factor much - location, location, location. My neighbor has a tandem axle Klose - but within a .5 mile of my house are several other trailer pits and 4 large masonry pits (actually probably 6-8, since 2 locations have multiple pits). One set can cook chicken for about 3000, the others are a little smaller at about 1000 and maybe 500. (to be honest, the fire basket for one of the masory pits is the most impressive - I think it can make a cord of coals (maybe several at a time easily - the basket is about 8x8x6). One is private - but the others are constantly used by charities to do plates to go and cooking for weddings. Sometimes it seams like every weekend someone is offing plates to go.

To me, there is almost more "wow" in a drum - it is actually something different.

Curious, has anyone tryed racking their brisket? Likewise a square drum smoker could hang or rack a ton of meat. I was thinking about converting an old refrigerator using the draft technque of the uds - wanted to be able to smoke a hog worth of sausage at a time. I suspect a sealed refrigerator shell (with metal lining) and a BBQ guru would make one hell of a smoker.

 

[bam]

Its the cook not the cooker.