I've read it, but there doesn't seem to be a consensus on the diffuser thing. I'm thinking that if I ever want to try a hot and fast brisket cook that it may burn if there isn't a diffuser in there.

Having the meat drip directly on the coals is a major part of the UDS concept. Having the grate 24" from the bottom of the charcoal basket is key to not burning the meat. Many people believe in turning briskets during the cook, but others leave it fat cap down without turning.

I guess I will just have to experiment. I don't usually turn brisket, but I can change my ways if I have to. I have read a lot about the drippings in the charcoal but never tried it. So, I'll just have to wait and see. If I ever get a drum, I will post some results of my experiments.

I am looking for the threaded thermos that norco used in his first build and on his tutorial. Any idea where you find the threaded ones?

thanks

Norco used the one from Spicewine Ironworks. Spice is a Brethren.

http://www.spicewineironworks.com/Me...egory_Code=acc

bingo thanks sir. I am looking back through and trying yo find that coal basket with the square frame and squarehandles coming up . should have written it down

found the square box on page 173......
 

it is barbarian's firebox. Wonder how that worked out?

Make something temporary to start with. Cook with and without a diffuser and decide which you prefer. I used the oriiginal ash pan from the donor weber I used. Drilled 2 7/8" holes in the bottom so it was able to allow those nice juices to get to the coals.

My first cook went well with the diffuser, but my next will be without so I can decide which i prefer.

im about half way doen with my UDS build. i cut the top off my drum so the weber lid will fit. the ? is.. is there a type of rubber gasket that i could put on the drum.. not only to keep myself from cutting myself but to help keep the heat in.

Did you cut off the entire rim or just inside it?

i cut off the entire rim. i just couldnt get the weber kettle top to fit

PIcked up my first free drum last week... Still reading through te thread, but I'll be starting the build soon...!!!

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...d/ac4f9a7c.jpg

When using it as a uds should be used, I have seen absolutely no need for a diffuser.

That said, mine is currently a twig burner. When cooking chicken, I have a VERY short window to open it without catastrophic temperature spikes. With chicken I run the drum hot (300-350). Essentially all the twigs are kept right below flash point - open it longer than 10-15 seconds and flames are coming out the top of the barrel. As such I have considered using a diffuser (including a butterfly baffle - to limit the uds turning into a burn barrel.

Why do I open it too long? takes a while to load chicken quarters.

I bought the threaded thermos for my UDS at Walmart in the grill dept.

That's a great point. Thanks for the info!

One more question; ive painted the inside of my drum with black kettle paint (rated to 400C or 752F)

Was this a bad idea, healthwise?

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

No paint on the inside, just raw iron:eek:!!!!!!!

I'd get it out of there.......

Paul B
SS UDS

Hire someone to sand blast it out unless you want to lose your hearing from a sander inside the barrel.

Errr... like shooting at the range:
Step 1: put on earplugs.
Step 2: Put on hearing protector sound deadening ear-muffs.

Too much work. It's worth $20.00 to have someone else do it. :-)

Thanks guys,

I stripped the orignial paint lining out from the inside using an electric drill & wire brush.

Looks like i'll be doing that all over again!

Not to proud to ask a brother for help
 

Howdy yall, :-P

I am new to the brotherhood and have been reading on this epic thread for the BDS/UDS.

Now 'member I'm from Texas and there's always a story 'specally 'fore askin' a question.

I have the bug to build a UDS, especially since my new son-in-law after this last Thanksgiving when I smoked a turkey wants a smoker so I want to make one for each of us. (Brings a tear to my eye, a lump in my throat, and my chest puffs out a bit, just thinkin' 'bout the boy with his very first smoker. I'm so proud. :-D)

I have a question before I get started.

I have been given 10 open top barrells with rolled rims, bolt rings, and lids. Don't know what the insides look like yet as they are sealed up, I do know they were used for soil samples from an area small strip mall and have been given green non-hazardous stickers, so I know our 'Q won't glow in the dark or poison us.( 2 very important points.)

I would like to use a couple of them to make high covers instead of using old weber or clone domes (since I don't have any of those), and maybe even rotisery rings like ive seen a few do.

I'm only up to page 130 of the thread so I don't know if this has been asked and answered, if it has please tell me where to look, many thanks.

Here's the question, :confused:

I was wondering if any one has specific instructions and/or pics of how to construct the donor drum lids and make them seal tightly?

I think that I've seen somewhere in the thread N8man talking about his but not how he built it.

I just want to get it right the first time to get a good seal.

I'll take lost of pice during the build and post it all for upcoming generations of brethren.

Thanks brothers, in advance

____________________________________
Havent figured out how to get all the stuff
I have to Q and Grill with tha normally goes here

High top cover for a drum
 

Hey brotherbd, here's what I did.

A drum with a crimped seal, not rolled. This is an open top drum, so used the bottom for this part.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...b/PA160300.jpg

Cut 3/4" below the first bulge.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...b/PA160302.jpg

Beat the heck out of the bulge to expand it a bit. I used a 3# hammer and an anvil.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...b/PA160304.jpg

A close up.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...b/PA160305.jpg

And sitting on the drum.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...b/PA160307.jpg

This was done to accept a Weber top and a rotisserie unit, but will certainly work as high top cover for your drums. It will need an exhaust of some sort though.

Have fun with the project and I hope this was of some help to you.

Great idea Smokin D

I did mine sorta like Smokin D's except I took an open top drum and cut the top third section of it at the center of the reinforcement rib. At first I thought to use it as a extended lid but couldn't get it to seal well enough. I used a locking ring to meld the cut section to the DrumPit Proper and used stove gasket to eliminate the air leaks. Keep in mind that this may not be a viable option for some. My DrumPit is now 46.5" tall and for some, they would need a step ladder to use it.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/at...3&d=1206299431

You forgot the plasma cutter and the air compressor for the HVLP gun as well as a large assortment of air tools, nibbler, grinder, drills, etc.

As for this talk about using a diffuser, if the air intake is from the bottom like mine, it keeps hot coals from falling out; in addition to distributing the intake air.

New to the thread, and just thought i would posa few pics of my build and first cook. completed over the week end. By the way, this thing is a loooooooong read, but worth it!:wink:

Pallets
 

Hello and let me say this is my first post, I just built a UDS over this past weekend and I am getting ready to do the first big burn it this thing. Without going back through all 326 pages what would you guys estimate the number of regular size pallets I should get to do the burn. I got a hit on some and told them to hold 10 for me, will that be enough? Thanks and again this is a great site. Chief

Should do the job.....^^^^^^^

Paul B
SS UDS

Dubster- that looks like the perfect build. Some good eating there too!

Here is a pic of my build, I know I posted it in a different thread a few days ago but never did here. This thread is where it all started for me... so thanks everyone.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...n/IMAG0086.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...n/IMAG0087.jpg



The one of the left was the first one I build... within a week I was cooking for enough That I had to make another.

Thanks again for all the help and Info.

Thanks. Good food so far, however i still need to work on temp control!

I used 3 pallets and about 5 pieces of split oak. I would make sure the pallets were not chemically treated for overseas shipments. jmo
my drum held mineral oil from a bakery.

I was on my way back from Memphis to Atlanta today and stopped at a Farmer Co-op and found an open top food grade barrel for $20. It looks like it has a liner in it, like a dark rust brown color. Never the less I can't say how excited I am to put one together.

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMAG0129.jpgBasket weber 18.5 coal grill wrap expanded metal
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMAG0131.jpg
Colman firepit top welded on top of lid
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMAG0135.jpg
custom flame job
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMAG0137.jpgReady to go sponsored by Bill's Gambling Hall & Saloon ready for first cook this weekend how do i go about seasoning? can, should I eat the food the first cook? Anybody else have the damn needle fall off the thermo?

Donor Drum Lid
 

Thanks for the response on the making of a donor drum lid.:-D

Now it looks like i gotta buy an anvil. :shock:

Unless someone has a better idea, I really hope so, anvils are $60 at harbor freight.

I was wondering if anyone had pit an inner rim around the donor lid to make it fit and seal. Just a thought.

I was in sheet metal job shops for about 15 years, but, alas no brake, no shear, no 1/2 million 32 die cnc punch press now if I had access to one the old shops...:frown:, well it wouldn't be a UDS then would it, it would be art.

Anyway, I'm looking to getting around to making two or more of these.

I do have another question. :confused:

I've been cooking using LP on an Smokey Mountain smoker for the last couple of years, so i'm not familiar with charcoal either lump or brickette.
I've seen postings that have raised the problems of too much moisture in the charcoal wreaking havock on uneven burns.

Here's the question .... ( I know some of you are glad I finally got there)
If it's stored in the garage or even an extra drum with a lid could you still end up with a moisture problem? :icon_blush:

Anvil or not
 

Well botherbd, I actually did not use an anvil on the first top I beat up. A cut off piece of wood like a 2x8 worked well. 3/4" plywood would work also. Just laid it on a cement step, knelt down and banged away. Worked fine. On the second one, I put a chunk of
1 1/2" thick steel on the work bench and pounded on that. Worked well but made a lot more noise. No need to buy an anvil, the wood will work as a base and result in softer noises too!

jednalf
just rub down the inside with bacon to season. I rubbed mine and thru in a fatty just for good measure. I guess it was fit to eat, I'm still here to post about it?

Anvil or not
 

Well botherbd, I actually did not use an anvil on the first top I beat up. A cut off piece of wood like a 2x8 worked well. 3/4" plywood would work also. Just laid it on a cement step, knelt down and banged away. Worked fine. On the second one, I put a chunk of
1 1/2" thick steel on the work bench and pounded on that. Worked well but made a lot more noise. No need to buy an anvil, the wood will work as a base and result in softer noises too!

As to the moisture thing. I use Wicked Good Lump and have for years. It's kept in an enclosed but unheated space under my living room. No problems yet. I've heard briquettes can absorb moisture from the air and then won't burn well. If they get rained on and really get wet, I think they may just fall apart. Don't really know though. If you keep the charcoal in a tight container all should be well.

Sorry about the semi-double post.

i completed my first UDS last night(it happened trust me). I bought a cheap 22.5" grill grate from menards. It has a shiney black coating on it, do i need to burn that off before i cook on it.

BD, the fit on the donor drum top is quite good on mine, kind of a friction fit. As the top slides over the drums lip, it snugs up nicely and there are no leaks.
I've never seen any smoke coming out where the two parts meet and have not noticed any temp spikes either. Originally was gonna use a gasket but it's tight enough without one.

OK here is my first run at a UDS
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/at...1&d=1265213513
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/at...1&d=1265213513
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/at...1&d=1265213513
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/at...1&d=1265213513
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/at...1&d=1265213513http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/at...1&d=1265213513
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/at...1&d=1265213513

ill get the picture thing figured out sooner or later

A) An anvil from HF is not an anvil, it's a horrible mockery of an anvil that was brought into this world with evil intent and bad juju. :eek: You don't need an anvil, hammer it out on a concrete pad or a piece of wood like smokin d suggests.

B) The moisture problem with charcoal is from leaving the unburnt charcoal in the firebasket between cooks. Charcoal soaks up ambient moisture in the air pretty well, so consider getting a metal bucket with a tight fitting lid to put the unused charcoal into. That will serve two functions: (1) reuse unused charcoal (2) trap the charcoal and prevent you from burning your house down with a piece that didn't apper to be lit.

Charcoal comes in paper bags because the bags absorb the moisture before the charcoal does.

95% of cooking outdoors well is proper fire management. Just get going wit' it and you'll learn what to do and what not to do real quick. :-) My guess as to why people suggest to smoke ABTs and fatties and Armadillo eggs first is because they are pretty hard to ruin from practice heat. Easier to ruin from bad smoke though....

Good luck and have fun! :-D

Smoker #1
 

My first UDS. I got the barell from a place that refinishes them,no liner.I welded a 1/8 by 3/4 inch band of steel around the top inside edge leaving 1/2 inch sticking up to fit the Weber lid. I welded the entire wheel assembly from a Weber to the bottom. I made a 2 inch id carburator style air intake,works well. The grill supports are 1 1/2 inch pieces of angle weled to the barell. Thanks for all the tips on this forum..Here's a link to some pictures...http://picasaweb.google.com/mikehanson0/Uds

That's a Fine Looking Smoker!!!
Love that Air Intake!!!

ok, having a tough time finding a lid for the uds build. Nothing on craigs or anywhere around here. That's the prob with small town wyo. Can someone direct me to where I could purchase something that would work online? I think I read someone got a lid at Target somewhere maybe. Have done searches at lowes and other places and I can't find anything.

any help where to look would be appreciated.

thanks

So should we refer to you as crappie or mike for short?

Anyway, way to go on your steel band modification. That's the way to do it.

As far as the air inlet, it looks a little difficult. I have previously offered a simpler but similar means for providing inlet air via the attached pictures. Has anyone else ever tried this approach? Yeah I know; not enough wheels :rolleyes:

UDS lid
 

I just bit the bullet an bought a new 22.5 Weber on sale at " Fleetfarm" for $75 on sale. Used the lid, grill rack ,wheels etc..mike

OK...got most of what I need to start my UDS but im nervous a little. Im wondering about me cutting the top off of this thing. I only have a hammer and chisel. What Im wondering about is if I want to use the lid I cut off, do I cut it off inside of the lip or UNDER the lip? Any tips on the best way you get it cut with a chisel since Ive never used one before? Stupid questions, I know, but Im a noob.