Mini UDS Specifications

[whynotnaveen]

Can anyone give me the specifications for building Mini-UDS.

1. What is the height & dia of the drum?

2. Fire Grate size?

3. How many intake valves?

4. Fire Distance from fire grate to webber grate?

5. How many intake valves?

Thank you.

[Rich Parker]

This thread has some info for you.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64888&highlight=MiniUDS

[whynotnaveen]

Thank you for your kind reply.

[Learnin Querve]

Hello.

What sized drums do you have available? Do you know what was in them?

You should stop in over at Cattle Call and introduce yourself. With Chennai listed as your location and Naveen as part of your name, can I assume you're from India? I'm curious as to what you're looking to cook...

Chris

[swamprb]

I guesstimated the grate placement after reading reviews and the specs from Big Drum Smoker http://bigdrumsmokers.com/smokers.htm

The Mini 1427 has 6.5" clearance with the lid on, if you have a Weber Smokey Joe to sacrifice to the drum gods, it has a 14.5" cook grate, the charcoal grate on mine sits 3.5" from the bottom of the drum, and it has three 3/4" intake holes- drilled 2.5" OC from the bottom (no ball valves) and draft is regulated with magnets.
The Weber lid will give you an extra 3" and its large enough to cook a beer can chicken.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0525_1.jpg

[whynotnaveen]

Thank you everyone.

Yes, I am from India. We don't eat Beef. So I am planning to cook chicken & lamb first, turkey, fish & pork later.

I am planning to build mini UDS (me & my wife only). So here is the spec copied from bigdrumsmoker.

Height : 27.5"
Dia : 14.5"
Intake valve : 1 (2" from the bottom)
Fire grate : 4" heigh
Clearance : 6.5

Grill like webber grill grate is not available here. So I have to use steel mesh for this.

Thank you once again.

[Learnin Querve]

Your dimensions look about right. You may want to add a couple more intake holes (about 3/4 inch diameter) and use flat magnets instead of pipe and plugs to regulate them.

Have you contacted the Weber distributor in India?

http://www.weberindia.com/

A Weber Smokey Joe would be perfect. The grill grate and lid could be used on your drum cooker. Some steel mesh around the charcoal grate could be used for your coal basket.

What is the smoking wood of choice there?

Chris

[moocow]

I think mine is 16 gallon and it works great. Smokey Joe parts fit perfect. The grate is 5" down from the top. My fire basket is as big around as the charcoal grate in the Smoky Joe and about 10" tall. I have two 3/4" couplings in the bottom with one ball valve with an extended handle. Hope this helps. I use mine a lot!

[moocow]

Thank you everyone.

Yes, I am from India. We don't eat Beef. So I am planning to cook chicken & lamb first, turkey, fish & pork later.

I am planning to build mini UDS (me & my wife only). So here is the spec copied from bigdrumsmoker.

Height : 27.5"
Dia : 14.5"
Intake valve : 1 (2" from the bottom)
Fire grate : 4" heigh
Clearance : 6.5

Grill like webber grill grate is not available here. So I have to use steel mesh for this.

Thank you once again.
My good friend from work is from Chennai! I have taken him to many BBQ contests in America and he really enjoys. He is going to Chennai to be married next week, If I would have read this sooner I would have tried to send the parts back with him. I may be able to still send a grate back with him if you are interested. Let me know.

[TrustTheDust]

Whoa, this is the first time i have seen the mini UDS I think i need one.

[NorthwestBBQ]

Swamprb's mini drum is very cool.

[Sunra]

I'm thinking a mini UDS may be in my future as I normally only cook for no more than 4 people. I have a 16 gallon SS beer keg that I may use. I was wonder if a heat diffuser or some type of water pan will be needed? Will 3 1inch intake hole be enough should I use some sort of valve to control the air intake flow and what height from the bottom of the keg should they be drilled? I will use a smokey joe for parts needed.

Thanks for your input.

[moocow]

Two holes 2" from the bottom, one with a valve if you want good control. Water pan is not needed as the fat drips right on the fire making plenty of moisture.

[Sunra]

Two holes 2" from the bottom, one with a valve if you want good control. Water pan is not needed as the fat drips right on the fire making plenty of moisture.

cool thanks

[Hotrodhog]

cool thanks
\

Yup I just finished a 30 gallon and used a donor Weber 18.
Two holes in the bottom one with a ball valve, I open both to get it truckin, cap one then adjust the ball valve to temp.
She purrs like a kitten.

[millsy]

I wish I could find a 30 gallon drum,what was in yours?

[Sunra]

I've been told that a 16 gallon mini UDS would give you an 12 hour burn using the Minion method. If that is the case a pork shoulder should be a no brainer. What is the longest burn you guys have gotten from one of these?

[moocow]

I've been told that a 16 gallon mini UDS would give you an 12 hour burn using the Minion method. If that is the case a pork shoulder should be a no brainer. What is the longest burn you guys have gotten from one of these?
I never really do anything longer than 4 hours on mine but I have no doubt it would go that long.

[Sunra]

I never really do anything longer than 4 hours on mine but I have no doubt it would go that long.
Thanks for the reply now I'm trying to locate all needed parts in SS I've been checking McMaster-Carr website http://www.mcmaster.com for parts seemed to be able to locate everything in SS but the Valve and couplings. I guess I'm tired I'll look again in the am.

Thanks Everyone for all your input.

[whynotnaveen]

We can't get Apple or Chery wood. So I am going to use Amla or Cuava tree. I don't know how the taste will be?

Moocow, thanks for your help. One of my friend agreed to build mini UDS free for me. So he will make custom grills with steel bars. Thanks for ur support.

[whynotnaveen]

Dear friends,

I am going to give the drawing to the fabricator.

1) For mini UDS how much clearance should be there from top lip of the drum (5" or 2")?

2) I saw some pics. Your charcoal is different from ours. Our indian country charcoals normally will not burn without lots of air. In this case will my UDS work or not?

3) Any alternative for smoking wood? Can we use apple fruit instead of apple wood for smoking?

Thanks.

[swamprb]

I've never paid attention to how much burn time I get, because I have 2 charcoal baskets to play with, and 3+hours is about the longest cook I've done on the Mini.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0411.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0430.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0462.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0465.jpg
Chcken thighs
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0421.jpg
Rib Tips
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0427.jpg
Tri-Tip steaks
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0437_1.jpg
Short Ribs
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0467.jpg
Ribeyes
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0492.jpg
Flank Steak
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0527_1.jpg
Spatchcocked Chicken
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0603.jpg
TriTip roast
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0505.jpg
Turbo Temp
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_0485.jpg

Its a cookin' machine!

[Sunra]

Its a cookin' machine!
Nice!