BuffettFan
is Blowin Smoke!
I've decided that I want to build an Ugly Drum Smoker.
I predict it will be something of a long term build for a couple of reasons.
First, I am in the middle of a major bathroom rebuild. Not a remodel, walls came down, all new plumbing and electrical, etc.
This will take first priority, but I will have some time in between and my job affords me the luxury of being able to spend some time on it at work.
Secondly, I am challenging myself to do the build with free, and or, repurposed materials.
Currently, other than the actual drum, which I have a line on, I believe I could build one with the materials I have accumulated so far.
What I have available for intakes are (2) 1" elbows, ball valves, and fittings. I have non-threaded 1" aluminum thick wall tubing that I can machine and thread to 1" NPT.
I also have the same in 3/4", but have (4) assemblies. I can use any, all or any combination.
For exhaust, I can choose form 2", 2 1/2", 3" or 3 1/3".
I'm leaning toward the 3 1/2" because I also have a damper for it, but an concerned that it might be too big of a diameter.
The goal of the UDS is to get long, constant unattended cooking temps, and a damper on the exhaust is a variable.
I have seen some builds with no stack, just 1" holes drilled around the diameter of the lid. I don't care for that idea for two reasons, aesthetics and rain. There's just something about smoke coming out of a stack. :wink:
For the charcoal basket, I can certainly make one from expanded metal, but I saw one utubes vid using a 5 gallon bucket. I like the idea of that one and have a metal bucket available.
I have 3 HD casters, but they are non-swivel, so I may need to build a swivel plate for them.
I also have several 22.5" Weber grates.
The big question for now, what should my target intake and exhaust areas be? Planning on 90* elbows coming out of the lower sides of the drum with a section of pipe and the ball valves on top.
From what I've seen, 3 square inches of intake and 2 square inches of exhaust is fairly common.
Do any of the Brethren have some more wisdom they'd be willing to share?
Again, looking for long unattended burn times and before anyone suggests it, No I'm NOT buying a pellet grill! :laugh:
Thanks in advance!
I predict it will be something of a long term build for a couple of reasons.
First, I am in the middle of a major bathroom rebuild. Not a remodel, walls came down, all new plumbing and electrical, etc.
This will take first priority, but I will have some time in between and my job affords me the luxury of being able to spend some time on it at work.
Secondly, I am challenging myself to do the build with free, and or, repurposed materials.
Currently, other than the actual drum, which I have a line on, I believe I could build one with the materials I have accumulated so far.
What I have available for intakes are (2) 1" elbows, ball valves, and fittings. I have non-threaded 1" aluminum thick wall tubing that I can machine and thread to 1" NPT.
I also have the same in 3/4", but have (4) assemblies. I can use any, all or any combination.
For exhaust, I can choose form 2", 2 1/2", 3" or 3 1/3".
I'm leaning toward the 3 1/2" because I also have a damper for it, but an concerned that it might be too big of a diameter.
The goal of the UDS is to get long, constant unattended cooking temps, and a damper on the exhaust is a variable.
I have seen some builds with no stack, just 1" holes drilled around the diameter of the lid. I don't care for that idea for two reasons, aesthetics and rain. There's just something about smoke coming out of a stack. :wink:
For the charcoal basket, I can certainly make one from expanded metal, but I saw one utubes vid using a 5 gallon bucket. I like the idea of that one and have a metal bucket available.
I have 3 HD casters, but they are non-swivel, so I may need to build a swivel plate for them.
I also have several 22.5" Weber grates.
The big question for now, what should my target intake and exhaust areas be? Planning on 90* elbows coming out of the lower sides of the drum with a section of pipe and the ball valves on top.
From what I've seen, 3 square inches of intake and 2 square inches of exhaust is fairly common.
Do any of the Brethren have some more wisdom they'd be willing to share?
Again, looking for long unattended burn times and before anyone suggests it, No I'm NOT buying a pellet grill! :laugh:
Thanks in advance!