Is this basket too big for a UDS?

[Mirage_Man]

Hey guys, just picked up a charcoal basket that my buddy welded up for me. I think I screwed up though. I used the charcoal grate from a Weber 22.5" kettle grill as the basket base and welded 12" tall expanded metal to it for the sides. The thing is the grate is 17" in diameter. This thing is freakin' HUGE! I think it's way too big but having never used a UDS I don't know. What do you guys think? My gut feeling is I'm gonna need to shrink it down to a smaller diameter.

 

[sdb25]

Perfect.

 

[BBQ Grail]

Is it too big...maybe not.

Does it have to be that big...no.

 

[jetfxr27]

Same size as mine. Works perfectly.

 

[blackdog043]

same size I have. don't forget to make it 3 inches off the bottom. I also added a piece of 1/2 black pipe with a t fitting on top to lift it out. used steel conduit nuts and washers to hold it between the grate also need to spread the grate a little so the pipe will go between.

 

[NASCARican]

your only problem I see is lifting the basket straight up.

 

[BRBBQ]

Only one way to find out, try it.

 

[schellter]

Yah, getting that thing outta there would be let you know how sober you are or not.

 

[kik_start]

mines bigger...LOL

 

[ShutYrMouth]

fold it in half
wont be too big then!
greg

 

[caliking]

:becky:shoot a video of yourself putting the basket in and taking it out. you might find yourself swearing like a sailor as you hit the bolts on the way in and out (I know I did the first time!)

 

[Hotrodhog]

Same size as mine, I just run plenty of lump in it.

My question is...Why all the hard ware?...4 levels of racks?

 

[Yleekyoti]

I built one like that by accident. It's just tight getting it in and out of mine. but I ran my uds for 30 hrs the first time i tried it. Had an air leak and the wind was blowing .. had a hard time getting it to go out. LOL
Cooked a super primo brisket with it!!

 

[jemezspring]

If you can install and remove easily then use it. I would also make a smaller ring, maybe 10"-12", to drop in for smaller and/or shorter cooks. The 17"x12" is great for super long cooks but how often will you use that feature. Plus you will have ash problems at that length of time.

 

[Mirage_Man]

OK guys, I'll leave it alone then. I'm going to do a seasoning run today with it. Can't wait to see how it goes. BTW there's a handle on the basket you can't quite make out in the picture. It's like a bucket and that swings out of the way to the side. I have a T handle bar with a hook on the end to grab the bucket handle when I need to pull it out.

 

[Mirage_Man]

Same size as mine, I just run plenty of lump in it.

My question is...Why all the hard ware?...4 levels of racks?

The very bottom 2 set of bolts are for a rack that will hold a diffuser. I plan to experiment with different types of diffusers.

 

[Mirage_Man]

OK she's up and running for the first time!

 

[JD McGee]

If you can install and remove easily then use it. I would also make a smaller ring, maybe 10"-12", to drop in for smaller and/or shorter cooks. The 17"x12" is great for super long cooks but how often will you use that feature. Plus you will have ash problems at that length of time.

Ditto...:thumb:

 

[BigButzBBQ]

That basket is close to the same as mine. I don't have a problem with it but, didn't put a handle on it. I end up getting the leather gloves out to pull my basket out but, a handle is going to be added shortly.
You'll be fine, let er rip!

 

[NASCARican]

Roll with it ....everything looks great!