maiden run
Finally finished my first UDS and took him out for a trial run. I thought this was going to be an easy Cheap build after getting 2 free open lid drums. Wrong, got just about $150.0 into that free drum. $10 for a donor kettle (not a weber) from craigs list.Cooking and coal grates,new. Four thermometers,2 of which are electronic,programable,remotes.one,3" dial with a about a 3" stem and the otherone was a cheap 12" fryer thermo.
I did run into a slight problem using the 3-2-1 method for a slab of ribs. Slightly burned. I used the large dial Thermometer to set the cooking temperature of 225* to 250*. Dialing that in was sweet, and it held.
The 12" fryer gage (center of drum)gave me up to 120* higher readings than the large one with the 3" probe., Lesson learned. Plug the hole for the large gage and put in the center of the lid,or just work with the fryer gage and the electronic ones for the internal meat temperatures.
My Fatty went from 60* to 165* internal temp in just about 1 hour, paying more attention to the large gage which hung at about 230* for the most part,and not paying that much attention to the small gage.
Made my drum with 2 lids, flat one when only useing the bottom grate, and dome lid when i'm useing 2 grates. got a little prOn to go with post.
All in all, had great time building it, and THANKS to all of folks that contributed to this thread and made it all possible. Thanks again. leonard