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Stevenscustomguitars
07-24-2014, 03:20 AM
Hello,

After spending hours on this forum reading most of the UDS thread and the Norcoredneck build I decided to have a go as it looked to be pretty straightforward with amazing results.

I built 2, one for me and one for a buddy. Here are the barrels - unlined and in very good condition, they were just used to store boxes of batteries. Sadly though a webber lid didn't fit.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_1924.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_1924.jpg.html)

I pretty much built it like the Norcoredneck thread

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/BBQ/IMG_2010.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/BBQ/IMG_2010.jpg.html)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/BBQ/IMG_2011.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/BBQ/IMG_2011.jpg.html)

They had no liner but some rust spots and after advice on the UDS thread, I burnt them out, great fun!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_2024.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_2024.jpg.html)

Then i spent a while cleaning them up, all the paint had come off and i hit the rust spots with some rust remover and then washed them out ready for painting.

BBQDane
07-24-2014, 03:37 AM
Looks great so far - I also have a UDS and you will surely be happy with the Q, this drum is going to produce.
Keep the pictures comming, - also with your first cooks etc. :thumb:

Stevenscustomguitars
07-24-2014, 03:58 AM
I went for the VHT engine enamel in Ford Red for mine, and Racing Green for the other one.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/DSC_9623.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/DSC_9623.jpg.html)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_2031.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_2031.jpg.html)

In the red one you can see that I couldn't find the conduit nuts that people use in the states so ordered some stainless steel locknuts. Unfortunately, these had a taper so wouldn't screw all the way on. I spoke to BES plumbing where I got all my other parts and they said that brass ones don't have a taper so I went with those.

Then I had a weekend off and went to Glastonbury festival, plenty of barrels there but you wouldn't want to eat out of them!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_1453.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_1453.jpg.html)

I spent ages trying to find an alternative charcoal basket and in the end realised it was just best to pay for a 8'x4' sheet. Cost about £30 and would probably do about 10 baskets!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_1990.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_1990.jpg.html)

Stevenscustomguitars
07-24-2014, 04:06 AM
I bent the expanded steel around the charcoal grate of a 47cm kettle and fixed it with bolts. I used U-bolts (because I had some) to fix the steel to the grate. Then I bolted the whole thing to an 18" steel pizza pan for an ash catcher. The bottom of the grate was about 3" up.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_1994.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_1994.jpg.html)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_1992.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_1992.jpg.html)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_1997.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_1997.jpg.html)

I was really keen to have a usable handle so ordered some steel wire and clamps. This worked really well for getting the basket in and out and doesn't interfere with the cooking grate.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_2060.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_2060.jpg.html)

Stevenscustomguitars
07-24-2014, 04:27 AM
double post

Stevenscustomguitars
07-24-2014, 04:36 AM
And here are the finished articles. I'm really pleased with them. I did a seasoning and test run on Tuesday - I lit it at 9pm and the temps stayed roughly around 220f-250f until Wednesday night when i went to bed at 1am. In the morning the temp had dropped to 110f but i gave the charcoal basket a nudge and it shot back to 250f although nearly all the fuel had gone. This thing is awesome! I also grabbed the basket out and put it in the other drum to season that one.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/DSC_0106.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/DSC_0106.jpg.html)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/DSC_0120.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/DSC_0120.jpg.html)

One thing that I really struggled to find were some grommets for probe eyelets. In the end I ordered some from over your side of the pond. I don't know if I'm allowed to post an ebay link but they were $8 for 25 and are exactly the same as the ones Maverick sell at $6 for 2! I now have them on both drums, my kettle and my Jumbo Joe. not bad for $12 delivered to the UK. I used a step bit and drilled a 5/16" hole, they pop right in.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/DSC_9619.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/DSC_9619.jpg.html)

Whilst it was running yesterday I decided I'd throw some chicken on for lunch. I did one with a Ras El Hanout rub, a tangy Creole style rub and two with just olive oil, S&P, and Herb de Provence for the kids. I have to say, this was the best BBQ'd chicken I've ever done considering it had no marinating time. Normally i use the kettle indirect and have to finish over the coals to get some crisp. These ones that i oiled had crispy skin close to an oven roasted bird and they all had lots of bits that had caught nicely, kind of like when you have jerk chicken from a pit. So far I really like the difference that being directly over coals give you.

I'll probably add side handles and maybe a kettle lid but I'd like a way of using the original lid as well and I don't know if that's possible.

The satisfaction of building something yourself is great but the fact that it performs as well as if not netter than the available bullet smokers is astounding. I think they probably cost about £100 each.

Finally, thanks to all the advice and guidance on the forum; in particular the UDS thread and Norcoredneck. You guys have made me very happy!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_2140.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_2140.jpg.html)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/scubadoo2/UDS/IMG_2145.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/scubadoo2/media/UDS/IMG_2145.jpg.html)

ebijack
07-24-2014, 04:42 AM
Well done sir !

Toni1948
07-24-2014, 04:53 AM
Congratulations on your build, and your chicken looks fabulous!!!!!

TexasRT
07-24-2014, 05:57 AM
If the i.d. of your barrel measures 22.5", you can use a piece of 1/8" x 2" aluminum flat stock inside the rim of the barrel and a 22.5" weber lid will fit like it made for for it. You will need to have 1/2" of it raised above the barrels edge. Then bolt it all the way around, seal the seam with heat temp sealer and your done.
Make sense?

Stevenscustomguitars
07-24-2014, 06:01 AM
If the i.d. of your barrel measures 22.5", you can use a piece of 1/8" x 2" aluminum flat stock inside the rim of the barrel and a 22.5" weber lid will fit like it made for for it. You will need to have 1/2" of it raised above the barrels edge. Then bolt it all the way around, seal the seam with heat temp sealer and your done.
Make sense?

Yeah thanks, i've seen that done. I'm just wondering if there is a non-permanant method so i could use both lids?

TexasRT
07-24-2014, 06:09 AM
Yeah thanks, i've seen that done. I'm just wondering if there is a non-permanant method so i could use both lids?

May be but I haven't ever seen it on here. I did this on mine and really like the extra space you get, you can easily add a second rack up top.
I was actually just checking out your website, my son is a long time guitar player.

DMP
07-24-2014, 06:25 AM
Very nice.

AussieMatt
07-24-2014, 06:55 AM
Top work!

thesemicullen
07-24-2014, 07:15 AM
Those look fantastic!

aawa
07-24-2014, 10:22 AM
Great looking build and first cook!

Ironman77
07-24-2014, 11:09 AM
Nice work!:clap2:

spinningwheel
07-24-2014, 09:06 PM
Looks great from here...enjoy:-D

bstomper
07-24-2014, 09:34 PM
Awesome build. You will love the UDS

KC Transplant
07-24-2014, 10:47 PM
Let the addiction begin!

anchor-bbq
07-27-2014, 12:54 AM
Awesome. I like the grommets... I need to add those to my uds.

Smokin Ribs
07-27-2014, 01:13 AM
Nice job! I am in the middle of building one as well.. Thanks for all the pics

Stevenscustomguitars
07-28-2014, 11:41 AM
Thanks guys. I'm doing my first ever Pork shoulder on it on Thursday.

I'm planning on a Mexican style meal, maybe tacos with homemade salsa, guacamole, a bean chilli and maybe a mexican spiced slaw. Not sure if to make the rub mex-style as well with some cumin, coriander, cinnamon etc.

I also have to figure out how long to cook it and at what temp?

Any advice on what temp and time per lb/kg?