BigTerp
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2015
- Location
- Falling...
All of the UDS builds on here were SO helpful while planning mine, I figured I should at least try to document my build to hopefully help others.
Been using a Smoke Hollow offset for the last 2 years. It does OK after I stove roped the crap out of the fire box and grill lid. But I still had to babysit it while smoking and there is barely enough room for 2 splatchcocked chickens. It also heats pretty unevenly, which was really annoying. Have wanted a better smoker pretty much since I first started using my offset, but didn't want the price tag. So I just stuck with my frustrating offset and definitely don't use it as much as I would a better smoker.
Don't remember how, but I stumbled upon UDS builds and was very intrigued. After doing some research and talking to my buddy to see if he'd be willing to help me with the welding, he wanted one as well. So it looks like we'll be doing 2 UDS's.
Plans are for 3 3/4" nipples, 2 with caps and one with a ball valve for intake. We are using the flat lid as is. Our barrels have the 2" and 1" or so smaller bungs on the lid. Going to use a 2" x 6" nipple with 90 degree threaded pipe elbow for the exhaust. Will plug the smaller bung with a threaded pipe plug. Will also use a threaded pipe plug to plug the exhaust after a cook to choke out the fire. We will have 2 grates. One at 6" below the lid and the second at 12". We are using #9, 3/4" expanded metal with a ring of 1/8" steel rod for reinforcement as our grill grates. Our fire box will be made with the same expanded metal and be 15" in diameter by 10" high. Will be using 5/16" steel rod for the fire box legs. I'm planning on 2 casters and a piece of steel rod as a center leg for the bottom of mine. It will get moved around a decent amount and having only 2 casters with a centered leg will keep it stable while cooking. Going to use the electrical water tight conduit connectors that others have used on here for our thermo probe inserts. Only other mods are a lid handle and a handle on the back for rolling the UDS around. I'm knocking around the idea of a side table made of steel angle and expanded metal. Not sure on that yet though.
This will be an all weld build except for the grate supports. I'm sure it really doesn't make a difference, but my buddy likes to use his welder so I figured why not.
After a lot of searching and frustration trying to find an unlined barrel, I ended up getting a pair of food grade drums earlier this week. They were used to store honey and have the tan liner. Wanted to get these smokers built, so I'll deal with getting the liner out.
Got my holes drilled for the intakes and grate supports the next day. Drilled my intake holes 1-1/2" up from the bottom. How tall should the legs on my fire box be?
Also got the top portion of our fire baskets cut. We are using expanded metal for the bottoms as well.
This will take a 2" threaded nipple, right?
What size threaded pipe plug will this smaller bung take? I don't think it's quite 1"?
That's it for now. Going to burn both barrels this evening. Have a bunch of well seasoned fire wood left over from camping and a pallet. Also borrowed my buddies weed burner for extra measure. Hoping at least most of the liner comes out with the first burn. I'll find out soon enough.
Been using a Smoke Hollow offset for the last 2 years. It does OK after I stove roped the crap out of the fire box and grill lid. But I still had to babysit it while smoking and there is barely enough room for 2 splatchcocked chickens. It also heats pretty unevenly, which was really annoying. Have wanted a better smoker pretty much since I first started using my offset, but didn't want the price tag. So I just stuck with my frustrating offset and definitely don't use it as much as I would a better smoker.
Don't remember how, but I stumbled upon UDS builds and was very intrigued. After doing some research and talking to my buddy to see if he'd be willing to help me with the welding, he wanted one as well. So it looks like we'll be doing 2 UDS's.
Plans are for 3 3/4" nipples, 2 with caps and one with a ball valve for intake. We are using the flat lid as is. Our barrels have the 2" and 1" or so smaller bungs on the lid. Going to use a 2" x 6" nipple with 90 degree threaded pipe elbow for the exhaust. Will plug the smaller bung with a threaded pipe plug. Will also use a threaded pipe plug to plug the exhaust after a cook to choke out the fire. We will have 2 grates. One at 6" below the lid and the second at 12". We are using #9, 3/4" expanded metal with a ring of 1/8" steel rod for reinforcement as our grill grates. Our fire box will be made with the same expanded metal and be 15" in diameter by 10" high. Will be using 5/16" steel rod for the fire box legs. I'm planning on 2 casters and a piece of steel rod as a center leg for the bottom of mine. It will get moved around a decent amount and having only 2 casters with a centered leg will keep it stable while cooking. Going to use the electrical water tight conduit connectors that others have used on here for our thermo probe inserts. Only other mods are a lid handle and a handle on the back for rolling the UDS around. I'm knocking around the idea of a side table made of steel angle and expanded metal. Not sure on that yet though.
This will be an all weld build except for the grate supports. I'm sure it really doesn't make a difference, but my buddy likes to use his welder so I figured why not.
After a lot of searching and frustration trying to find an unlined barrel, I ended up getting a pair of food grade drums earlier this week. They were used to store honey and have the tan liner. Wanted to get these smokers built, so I'll deal with getting the liner out.
Got my holes drilled for the intakes and grate supports the next day. Drilled my intake holes 1-1/2" up from the bottom. How tall should the legs on my fire box be?
Also got the top portion of our fire baskets cut. We are using expanded metal for the bottoms as well.
This will take a 2" threaded nipple, right?
What size threaded pipe plug will this smaller bung take? I don't think it's quite 1"?
That's it for now. Going to burn both barrels this evening. Have a bunch of well seasoned fire wood left over from camping and a pallet. Also borrowed my buddies weed burner for extra measure. Hoping at least most of the liner comes out with the first burn. I'll find out soon enough.
