UDS charcoal basket procedures

[Smokin' Shawn]

Do you dump some lit charcoal in the bottom of the basket then fill it up, or do you fill the basket first and light the top? I do it the second way, but I got to thinking about it, and I'm wondering if I'm missing something here.

[keale]

Shawn, do the "minion" method....w/ a coffee can. Cut out both ends, put in basket lay coals, and wood around can...put 1 chimmney of lit coals in can, pull out can,....
Walla!!... I actually stole this idea from "Smokin Gator!" LOL!

[OSD]

I usually fill the basket, then make an indent in the center of the charcoal and put about 12-15 hot coals in the indent.

[Bbq Bubba]

I usually fill the basket, then make an indent in the center of the charcoal and put about 12-15 hot coals in the indent.

Ditto, that works for me, but i'd like to hear other ideas....

[thirdeye]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/thirdeye2/BDS/DSC02826.jpg

I fill the basket and use a torch, lighting one spot dead center. Takes about 3 minutes.

[crome]

I usually fill the basket, then make an indent in the center of the charcoal and put about 12-15 hot coals in the indent.

same for me.....

[bowhnter]

I usually fill the basket, then make an indent in the center of the charcoal and put about 12-15 hot coals in the indent.

I don't make the indent, but just pour on about 15 lit coals.

[Patrick's BBQ]

http://www.kingsford.com/images/KIN_MatchLight.jpg This is what I like to use... :-)

[capri man]

http://www.kingsford.com/images/KIN_MatchLight.jpg This is what I like to use... :-)

i am gonna pretend that i did not see that!!:-P:-P

[Barbarian]

Either the new guy from Ohio has a good sense of humor or will actually learn how to Q. But who knows, he probably douses the MatchLight bag in Charcoal fluid to get it started.
As for Smokin Shawn go with Thirdeye's method or OSD.
I don't think you need a whole chimney to get a UDS up to temp fast.
I use Thirdeye's method and once about 4 or 5 coals on top are going turn off the weed burner. Like he said about 3 minutes.

[Bbq Bubba]

http://www.kingsford.com/images/KIN_MatchLight.jpg This is what I like to use... :-)


Now thats funny chit!! :cool:

[Smokin' Shawn]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/thirdeye2/BDS/DSC02826.jpg

I fill the basket and use a torch, lighting one spot dead center. Takes about 3 minutes.

Thanks all. This is the same method that I use. I was just checking to see how it was done else where. My neighbor who has a large BDS does it the same way with the same type of flame thrower! Man I like setting stuff a'flame!

[sampson]

http://www.kingsford.com/images/KIN_MatchLight.jpg This is what I like to use... :-)

Teach me more, master...

[chinesebob]

I think there are pics on the Pretty good bbq thread with him using it, and there was lighter fluid too.

[keend]

http://www.kingsford.com/images/KIN_MatchLight.jpg This is what I like to use... :-)

Stop it! You're going to cause a virus and shut the whole site down.

[CajunSmoker]

I was putting my lit coals in a hole in the center of my unlit coals but I was getting a lot of unburned briquettes on the outside edges. I started putting my lit coals in a hole on one side and letting it burn across the basket and it seems to work better for me.

[Dr_KY]

Apple and pecan.

http://i30.tinypic.com/zikv2s.jpg

[Bbq Bubba]

Apple and pecan.

http://i30.tinypic.com/zikv2s.jpg

No Cherry???

[Dr_KY]

I'm almost out of cherry believe it or not so I'm saving a few chunks for a comp next weekend to smoke my ribs over. The guy that i'm cooking the silverside with the basket above really likes the pecan so I wont shake him up with the cherry. lol

[swamprb]

1. Depending on the length of the cook, fill appropriate basket.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/100_1717.jpg

2. Remove vent plugs.

3. Hit with weed torch until top layer starts to ash over. @ 3-4 minutes

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/100_1718.jpg

4. Add smoke wood.

5. Set cook grate in place.

6. Let temp rise to @250*, place meat on rack, close lid and plug 2 vents, temps will stabilize to 225* and rock steady!

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/100_1893.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/100_1895.jpg

NO RANCHER IN MY DRUMS!!

I fire up the WSM's pretty much the same way with the torch, watch my temps rise, add the meats and ratchet down the vents and they rock on too!
Its still a MM firing, you just have to be ready to go with it.

[cmcadams]

http://www.kingsford.com/images/KIN_MatchLight.jpg This is what I like to use... :-)

I know some of you reading think this is a joke... It's not! He means it!!!!

(Actually, I don't think his big rig ever sees any charcoal)

[thirdeye]

Thanks all. This is the same method that I use. I was just checking to see how it was done else where. My neighbor who has a large BDS does it the same way with the same type of flame thrower! Man I like setting stuff a'flame!

It's also cool getting the reaction from the neighbors, although mine are getting used to me ....

[HB-BBQ]

NO RANCHER IN MY DRUMS!!
I am curious as I noticed you use lump. Are you anti-rancher or just prefer lump over brigs?

[jestridge]

I been reading about uds for months just how much charcoal does it take. That one reason I dont build one to cheap to buy charcoal

[swamprb]

I am curious as I noticed you use lump. Are you anti-rancher or just prefer lump over brigs?

I bought over 60 bags of Rancher Memorial Day weekend 2007 and thought the price was fantastic and it was the best thing since white bread, but after using it in the drums, the fats and juices drip on the coals and and every time you open the lid clouds of swirling ash would envelop everything. I tried mixing it with Kingsford and it cuts it down a little bit, so I just don't use it in the drums. I tried it in a Kettle and its the same way, used it in the Kamado and the ash was so pronounced and you are unable to reuse it, that I just use it on long cooks in the WSM's, even then you need to tap the legs to get the ash to drop.

I get very good results using lump for short cooks in the small ring, its not that I don't use it for long cooks but you need to shake the basket to get the ashes to drop or I my temps drop-I'm just lazy that way.

I been reading about uds for months just how much charcoal does it take. That one reason I dont build one to cheap to buy charcoal

If I add 12 lbs of briqs for a long cook, my meats are done long before the coals ever go out. The small ring I use holds a little more than Weber chimney and it will go for up to 6 hours.

[chinesebob]

i don't like rancher lump at all. I was using Cowboy for a while and it worked ok. I really don't like using straight charcoal with all of the chemicals in them, but you're right, lot less ash with the briq's.

[jestridge]

If i ever decide to build one I have plenty of stuff to build basket out of army depot give the school 50 sheets 10x4 of punch metal. could have got more but all our trailer would haul

[Smokin J]

I like the coffee can idea. I'm gonna try that one.

[Norcoredneck]

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k296/norcoredneck/Flameon.jpg

[Hook_Line_and_Sinker]

I been reading about uds for months just how much charcoal does it take. That one reason I dont build one to cheap to buy charcoal


I will be smoking ALL weekend ( Saturday early morning - Sunday late) and only use @ 12 lbs

I just bought a 40 lb bag of best of the west lump for less than $14 that should go all month or more if I do the same long smokes every week end

Cheap to make - cheap to run - cheap to keep

[chinesebob]

Norco - that's awesome!! My neighbors freak when I pull the weedburner out.

[deathamphetamine]

K used my uds for the second time. First brisket I have ever done... About a 6# flat. My charcoal basket is about 21" diameter by 5 " deep. I filled the basket about 3" deep and 18" around aside from the coffee can in the center. Put 20 lit coals in the center adjusted to about 240 and put brisket on.
This was about 12:30 a.m. I woke up a little before 6:30 to find all ash and a jerkied leathery chunk of cow :( Obviously there was way to much heat!! I have the barrel upside down with the factory openings for air intake and a 3" chimney. The little hole was open full and the big hole was about 2/3 closed. Why did It burn so hot!!!!???????


PS I could take pics but I am embarrased

[bigdogphin]

K used my uds for the second time. First brisket I have ever done... About a 6# flat. My charcoal basket is about 21" diameter by 5 " deep. I filled the basket about 3" deep and 18" around aside from the coffee can in the center. Put 20 lit coals in the center adjusted to about 240 and put brisket on.
This was about 12:30 a.m. I woke up a little before 6:30 to find all ash and a jerkied leathery chunk of cow :( Obviously there was way to much heat!! I have the barrel upside down with the factory openings for air intake and a 3" chimney. The little hole was open full and the big hole was about 2/3 closed. Why did It burn so hot!!!!???????


PS I could take pics but I am embarrased

I am not an expert but it sounds like too much air flow with the little hole and the big hole (only part way) open and a 3 inch opening at the top. The drum works better on less oxygen.

[Meat Burner]

death, are you measuring the grate temp? If you aren't, you need to. It takes awhile for the temp to dial in. After ignition, it may take 30 minutes or more to really settle in and find where you need to have the intakes set up.

[Rich Parker]

PS I could take pics but I am embarrased

I think the pics would make it easier on your fellow brethren diagnosis the problem at hand...Just Kidding - Chit happens go buy another one and try it again!