UDS charcoal basket size

[Barbarian]

Just curious about the diameters that guys have used for the charcoal basket on their UDSs. It seems to me that having a larger diameter and a little less depth would help the smoker have a more even temp rising up to the meat so the center would not be a hot spot. Or do the UDSs have a hot spot to even worry about?
Any thoughts???
Just trying to figure out the mods I want to use when I build one next month. I think I am going to go with an 85 gal drum for the extra size on the grates. I got to see Norcorednecks UDS last week and was impressed. Thanks for the time to chat and eat Pat. Good turkey and tri-tip.

 

[cardiac_cadet002]

My basket is 18" wide and 6" deep. Its just the right size to get in and out without any trouble and holds a 15lb bag of coal and wood.

 

[smooookin]

IN my 55 I have a charcoal grate from a22 1/2 weber surrounded by 1/2 expanded sheet metal 12 inches high with the grate mounted approx 2 1/2 from the bottom.

my drum with the extension, I think, needs a larger (diameter) basket. seems the extra space/air circulation eats fuel faster.

as far as hot spots, I really could tell ya.

 

[swamprb]

Here are a few I have going and don't think any of them perform better than the others.

This one is built around a Weber 18.5" coal grate.

Small ring for short cooks, holds @5-6 lbs of briq

A perforated steel basket 12"x12"x11" with expando bottom

This one is built around a 22.5" Weber coal grate

Just finished this one and have another on the way!

Pic of a Big Drum Smoker basket

I wire my baskets to a 22.5" cooking grate and they sit 3 1/2" from the bottom of the drum. My three intake vents are 2 1/2" from the bottom of the drum, so my baskets are an inch above them.

Hope this gives you an idea, though there are many different designs being used, these are a cheap and easy build.

 

[keale]

My basket is 18" wide and 6" deep. Its just the right size to get in and out without any trouble and holds a 15lb bag of coal and wood.

Cardiac, what are you cooking with 15lbs? Brontosauraus Ribs? I mix 4, sometime 5 pieces of wood with my coals and use about a 1/3 of the Rancher 20 lb. bag, and that gives me at least 15 hrs... just currious, how would your work if your ring were a little smaller, I think mine is 13 x 9 inches.

Brian, I like that square one!! I see a "side"business starting?

 

[JamesB]

On the baskets that are utilizing the weber charcoal grate, how are you attaching the expanded to the grate itself? This is how I was planning on making the basket for my UDS and was wondering...

Thanks,
James.

 

[swamprb]

On the baskets that are utilizing the weber charcoal grate, how are you attaching the expanded to the grate itself? This is how I was planning on making the basket for my UDS and was wondering...

Thanks,
James.

I just use bailing wire to secure the expando to the coal grate. The three that I have been using are also wired to the cooking grate so its one unit. The thing about the UDS is its great for long cooks and not having to add fuel, but when I use the small ring and load it up (a little more than a Weber chimneys worth) I can do ribs, chickens, fish etc. It's pretty fuel efficient with just that much fuel and will last 5-6+ hours rather than running a full load.

 

[JamesB]

I just use bailing wire to secure the expando to the coal grate.

Thanks, that was what I was thinking of doing. Just was not sure how it would hold up...

James.

 

[SmokeWatcher]

I've wondered about the size of basket too. I'm using a square basket that's about 12" x 12" and just as high. It stands above a metal ash pan that came out my GOSM. It does sit closer to the food grates than I'd like, but cooks well enough.

 

[cardiac_cadet002]

Cardiac, what are you cooking with 15lbs? Brontosauraus Ribs? I mix 4, sometime 5 pieces of wood with my coals and use about a 1/3 of the Rancher 20 lb. bag, and that gives me at least 15 hrs... just currious, how would your work if your ring were a little smaller, I think mine is 13 x 9 inches.

I just load the coals in there and close all the intakes to let it burn out at the end of a cook. I'll reuse them till its time to add more coals.

 

[wlh3]

I reuse my coals in my 14X6 in Basket. pic is of my basket set to go in the drum with coffee can in middle. You can see in the pic the charcol has been used before. If I grill I just take the left over coals and addthem to the basket for the drum.:biggrin:

 

[Barbarian]

Smoookin, so your basket is 22.5" in diameter? That is sorta the size I was thinkin about to get an even temp across the bottom of the UDS. Oh, and will be calling you next week when I get into KC.

wlh3, what is the coffee can for?

Thanks guys, will put up pics when built.

 

[smooookin]

Smoookin, so your basket is 22.5" in diameter? That is sorta the size I was thinkin about to get an even temp across the bottom of the UDS. Oh, and will be calling you next week when I get into KC.

wlh3, what is the coffee can for?

Thanks guys, will put up pics when built.

No, think about the smaller charcoal grate in the bottom of the weber. I can't remember the diameter off the top of my head. For the regular 55 gal it last long enough to cook small farm animals.

I am waiting to hear If my neighbor has barrels available, he should have, I'll let you know next week.

 

[wlh3]

wlh3, what is the coffee can for?



I pre start 6 coals use tongs to place in coffee can then add 10 coals to the coffee can wait 15 min for coals in can to get started, pull out can put on the grill and lid set air intake for 22o deg or so wait till temps are stable put on the meat:icon_bigsmil

 

[Brian in So Cal]

wlh3, what is the coffee can for?



I pre start 6 coals use tongs to place in coffee can then add 10 coals to the coffee can wait 15 min for coals in can to get started, pull out can put on the grill and lid set air intake for 22o deg or so wait till temps are stable put on the meat:icon_bigsmil

Don't mean to answer for Wlh3, but it looks like he is going to be using the minion method.

 

[Blutch]

HI all, been gone for awhile... just now getting back into reading the forum.

The original post made mention of an 85 Gallon barrel.. I've never seen one of those.. anyone got a pic?

Are they just great big around or are they really tall? what size grates do they require? Where can you find them? I'm very interested in a drum this size.

Thanks!

B

 

[Barbarian]

85 gallon drums are salvage drums that leaking 55s can be put into.
the inside diameter is 26" and they are 39.25" tall.
Gotta find the 26" grates but I know they are out there.
I like the bigger size grates.

 

[swamprb]

85 gallon drums are salvage drums that leaking 55s can be put into.
the inside diameter is 26" and they are 39.25" tall.
Gotta find the 26" grates but I know they are out there.
I like the bigger size grates.

My cousin has a 26" Kettle and ordered a couple from Weber this past Summer, they told him they were not going to restock them when they run out. Give them a call or else try Sears, they make a Companion Magnum 26" Kettle.

Welcome back Blutch!!

 

[HappySmoker]

Need some advice on making a charcoal basket . What size do I need ? From what I been reading people have been making their baskets 21 inches so they can get even heat in barrel . How deep ? Will a 24 x 24 be enough or do I need 2 sheets of expanded wire mesh sheets. plan on using a Weber grate 21 inch . steel not the flimsy steel but good gauge steel .What could I use as an ash pan for underneath ? I'm having hard time trying to find a good size steel pan .Also what kind of deflector top should I have one that's flat or bent with hole in it of course and what gauge 16 gauge steel ?

 

[Robert]

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