My first UDS

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Almost finished with my UDS build. I need the thermostats and a lid. The lid is proving to be the hard part. Excuse the fire basket, it's made from entirely scrap metal.
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[jrn]

Is yours an open or closed top? Couldn't tell from pictures. Either way I'd go with a weber lid. Mines a closed top with a weber lid. Looking good! :)

[wazza220951]

I use a closed top with a Weber lid, got it from the local waste management recycling centre , complete weber for $15!

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

When I find a lid it will be closed top. I burned it out this evening and then borrowed/stole my BIL's weber lid so I could season it. Maybe I'll let him have his lid back tomorrow.


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[jfletcher84]

looks good. Let us know how your first cook goes.

[bluegrass smoke]

It's going to change your life

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Any recommendations on thermostats?


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[Teamfour]

Any recommendations on thermostats?



If you mean thermometer, just get a Maverick 732. Don't bother with a dial thermo.


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[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Sorry, I did mean thermometer.


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[Johnny_Crunch]

Nice looking cooker!

[Johnny_Crunch]

Did you burn that out?

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Yes. It didn't have a liner so it wasn't much work. I stole my BIL's weber lid and seasoned it a bit last night. I know
It sounds dumb, but now I've got to figure out the "proper" way to light the basket. Top, bottom, side!?!


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[1911Ron]

Yes. It didn't have a liner so it wasn't much work. I stole my BIL's weber lid and seasoned it a bit last night. I know
It sounds dumb, but now I've got to figure out the "proper" way to light the basket. Top, bottom, side!?!


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Pour charcoal into your basket, layer your wood chunks in the basket. Take out 12 or so briquets and light them, when lit put them on top, monitor temp as it comes up adjust openings as needed.

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Appreciate all the feed back!

[davefan360]

just get a digital thermomater. the ones on the side are just for looks and can be off 30-60*. just put the probe on thro the top vent of your weber lid. also It looks like you are handy? I would put a rod across the top of your fire basket, then make a long rod with a hook on on end. this will make lowering the hot coals into the drum easyer. or some guys use a weed bruner to light the coals, but you still may need to lift the hot coal basket out of the drum. you will love it. once you cook a few times with her you will learn how she cooks. I have got mine to run nice a smooth at aboout 265 for 17 hours. there are times now that I will even run up to the store or leave for a hour becasue I know she how it cooks. ( my dad is home and can call 911 if needed, he just does not cook.)

[jrn]

I would suggest a maverick et-732. To me it gives more options than a thermometer hard mounted to your smoker. That way you can monitor your temp at the smoker and from inside the house.

I just drilled a 5/16" hole near top of drum. That was just big enough to get the probes thru. I put cooker temp probe in the middle of the grate I'm cooking on.

You could get a hard mounted thermometer, but they can be up to 50 degrees off from the center of cooker. So you could get one that can be calibrated, and adjust so it gives you a reading of center of grate. But to know the difference, you'd need another thermometer to read temp at center grate.

So at that point I'd just get a maverick. I love mine! :)

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Looks like I need to add the Maverick to my Christmas wishlist. I looked at it online and it appears to be as nice as everyone says.

[pal251]

I made my UDS today also. I used the charcoal grate from my 22.5 weber so I have to find an ash pan that will fit underneath it. Here is a photo


wait I have to resize it.. :)

[pal251]

Ah here is a photo.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43831123/2012-11-07%2016.44.57.jpg

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Nice build. I like the welded handles. I was thinking about bending some old horseshoes for handles on mine.


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[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

I'm going to score a lid this weekend from one of the Brethren. Gonna do a little horse tradin'. Can't wait! Thanks so much Jaspaq!


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[razrbakcrzy]

Sweet builds

[pal251]

If I wanted to use my maverick how big of a drill bit do I need to slide my maverick through it?

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[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Someone posted 5/16" earlier. They said it was just right for the probes.


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[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Got my lid!! Now if my patience can last, maverick time.
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[Jaspaq]

That lid looks like it fits good

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

It sure does! Thank you very much sir!


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