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-   -   Ugly Drum Smoker (https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23436)

jaronimo 01-10-2009 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson Colfer (Post 821493)
The burn went about as well as I'd expected, it was a pain to get the fire lit due to recent rains and the fact I haven't cut air vents yet, but half a bottle of lighter fluid made things manageable.


You need the air vents cut first. More air equals hotter fire.

jgh1204 01-11-2009 04:15 PM

1999

jgh1204 01-11-2009 04:15 PM

Post #2000(for me anyway)

Norcoredneck 01-11-2009 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson Colfer (Post 821493)
I haven't cut air vents yet, but half a bottle of lighter fluid made things manageable.

.

Cheater, might as well have used pellets.

Chavo27 01-12-2009 01:34 AM

After looking at allot of picture of different setups I gather that there is no right and wrong way really to build your UDS. With that said I just have a couple question, first of all the tubes with the nipple bolts at the bottom. Is that for air that can be added or removed as need. The valves with levers do they do the same purpose? How many holes should I start with in the lid? or would it be better to use a lid from a grill with a damper like round plate.

Norcoredneck 01-12-2009 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chavo27 (Post 823296)
After looking at allot of picture of different setups I gather that there is no right and wrong way really to build your UDS. With that said I just have a couple question, first of all the tubes with the nipple bolts at the bottom. Is that for air that can be added or removed as need. The valves with levers do they do the same purpose? How many holes should I start with in the lid? or would it be better to use a lid from a grill with a damper like round plate.

No right or wrong way but some work better than others. I like 3-3/4" pipe nipples. 2 with caps, 1 with ball valve. The bottom holes are air intake. First thing to remember is that the drum lid sealing and controlling the air intake is what makes them work so well. You can just make 3 1" holes and use sheet magnets to cover the holes to adjust air as some have done. The flat lids I use have 8 1/2" evenly spaced holes. The Weder type lids do give a hot spot but allow room for a second rack that is a real squeeze with a flat lid. I have a feeling you have not read the entire UDS thread. lot's of trial and error can be avoided if you read it.

Chavo27 01-12-2009 07:25 PM

I guess I don't understand how a ball valve works I thought it had to have pressure for it to open and close....

you said you like 3-3/4" pipe nipples. 2 with caps, so there's really no point to the other 2 holes?

also is there allot of maintenance required as fasr as keeping the heat at a stable level...
Do you have to be watching it the whole cook or can do other stuff close by?

ComputerMike 01-12-2009 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chavo27 (Post 824084)
I guess I don't understand how a ball valve works I thought it had to have pressure for it to open and close....

you said you like 3-3/4" pipe nipples. 2 with caps, so there's really no point to the other 2 holes?

also is there allot of maintenance required as fasr as keeping the heat at a stable level...
Do you have to be watching it the whole cook or can do other stuff close by?

My first cook I got it up to temp and it went unattended for 18 hours +.
I use only three holes covered with flexible magnets with the idea I would install a ball valve later. Never saw the need. My drum cost me $40 CND(mostly for the SS hardware and paint)

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/MK-Ul.../drumdone4.jpg

redaub 01-12-2009 07:44 PM

Chavo, start at page one and read for a few days. It answers all your questions, and then some. READ !!!!

Jackson Colfer 01-12-2009 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chavo27 (Post 824084)
I guess I don't understand how a ball valve works I thought it had to have pressure for it to open and close....

you said you like 3-3/4" pipe nipples. 2 with caps, so there's really no point to the other 2 holes?

also is there allot of maintenance required as fasr as keeping the heat at a stable level...
Do you have to be watching it the whole cook or can do other stuff close by?

This thread has answers to all your questions, I'd suggest starting at the beginning and taking notes. You'll be glad you did.

JD McGee 01-12-2009 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chavo27 (Post 824084)
I guess I don't understand how a ball valve works I thought it had to have pressure for it to open and close....

Nope...it's mechanical...it just uses a "ball" as a method to open and close the air flow...

you said you like 3-3/4" pipe nipples. 2 with caps, so there's really no point to the other 2 holes?

Some folks use 3...some use 4 holes. The idea is to be able to open them all when lighting and then shut them down one by one to reach your temp goal...the ball valves allow for a more precise adjustment.

also is there allot of maintenance required as fasr as keeping the heat at a stable level...

Not really...once you get a few burns under your belt you get a feel for how your pit burns...

Do you have to be watching it the whole cook or can do other stuff close by?

Once you get her dialed in your can do whatever you want depending on what you're smoking.

Beerwolf 01-12-2009 10:00 PM

I'm beginning to wonder if we need to require that this thread be read in completion before accepting a new member.... EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT A UDS AND MORE IS WITHIN THIS HOLY GRAIL. Seriously, we've all read it when we built our first UDS. These things are simple and bullet proof if you follow the directions as experienced by other members. Once you get the idea of how they work, then you can get all "Macguyver on its ass". IMHO thats where the real fun is. In order to make a better mousetrap, you have to know how the old one worked.

jgh1204 01-12-2009 10:07 PM

Hell, even I haven't read this whole thing.:biggrin:

Dr_KY 01-13-2009 03:59 AM

This is still one of my favorite pictures in this thread...
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottles 'n Bones BBQ (Post 417120)
I knew a girl named "stacks" once...sadly, no pics :cry:.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/bcswitz/x2.jpg




Jackson Colfer 01-15-2009 12:04 PM

Lordy, I think I've managed to alienate a few neighbors with my UDS build... I've got today off and decided what the hell, I'll break in my el-cheapo angle grinder by cleaning out my drum since I live outside the city and it's getting on in the day..

I commence to grindin', took me between an hour and an hour and a half to get 1/3 of the way done. So as I stand up for a stretch and a look around I peel my dust mask, ear plugs and ear muffs off and what do I see? A retired neighbor lady standing in her drive way ~100ft away, staring at me and obviously full of piss and vinegar..

Well, 1/3 of the way is as good a point as any to call it a day.

I hope y'all will be kind enough to keep me in cigarette money (or at least interesting letters) once the law shows up!


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