First UDS build..

[tirrin]

so im starting my first uds build..

unfortunately the dreaded red liner is in both of the barrels i have..which i will burn and scrub out later..

ive started tho, by drilling 2 holes on 3 sides of the barrel.. the first is 6.5 inches from the top of the barrel and the 2nd 15 inches..

they will be for the bolts holding the grates..in the middle somewhere i will put a thermo..i have a question tho..what are you guys using as an ashpan? i have plans to attach some expanded steel to a weber grate with legs..but im not sure what to put under that to collect the ashes..im not putting a door in the barrel..

 

[michael ark]

I've seen some use a pizza pan.

 

[tirrin]

so if i want to thread a 3/4 inch pipe thread into my uds for an air intake..what size of holesaw will i need?

 

[bbq enthusiast]

1 1/8 hole saw.

 

[tirrin]

this has been taking me too long to finish..the whole uds build..but..ive just finished my charcoal basket, and for those who cannot weld out there like myself, its easy to make with a few simple tools..i found that all i needed were a pair of needle nose pliers, snips, and a hammer.

 

[pit 4 brains]

Looking good.. When I made mine, I used the 2 1/2 inch bung out of the lid as my air intake, then plumbed it up to almost the top for my damper. Are you going to put a dome lid on? I highly suggest it. I never bothered with an ash pan. I just dig in there with a scoop and shovel 'em out. Can't wait to see it done...

 

[rubbin butts]

I made a drawer for the charcoal that slides in from the side.

That makes it simple if you have a long cook going and have to add charcoal.

I'll get pictures and post them tomorrow.

 

[tirrin]

no im not goin to use a dome lid on my first uds..this is a test uds persay..like its my mock up model..im trying out basically what i think will work and are goin from there..and as for the ashpan ive decided just to make it out of aluminium foil..using lump the ash is very minimal anyways so it shouldnt be a problem..also..ive thot about putting some type of divider in my charcoal basket kinda like an AMNS..but just one to increase burn time and reduce the chances of lighting all the lump at once.

 

[pit 4 brains]

no im not goin to use a dome lid on my first uds..this is a test uds persay..like its my mock up model..im trying out basically what i think will work and are goin from there..and as for the ashpan ive decided just to make it out of aluminium foil..using lump the ash is very minimal anyways so it shouldnt be a problem..also..ive thot about putting some type of divider in my charcoal basket kinda like an AMNS..but just one to increase burn time and reduce the chances of lighting all the lump at once.

I did this http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/86942/first-smoke-in-my-new-usd

in my drum and it kept the coals from growing into a giant mass of coals. It worked well but I have leaned myself away from the fire break and have gotten good at coal management.

The coals will not "light up all at once" if you do your best to keep the drum closed. When you open the lid, the heated air inside billows out and cool air rolls in down the sides providing more O2 to the coals. When it comes time to foil, probe, mop, etc., it is best, IMHO, to remove the grate and food at the same time and close the lid asap. Now you can do whatever you need to do to the food, open the lid, and put it all back mosh kosh.. Close all valves and dampers before opening the lid to reduce the amount of draft going into the drum.

 

[tirrin]

makes sense..i wanted to use it becuz in my chargriller i have a hard time keeping the basket from goin up all at once..i have too many leaks i guess lol..i love smoking and grilling on it..but as soon as i have my uds finished and working well..i doubt ill be doin much smoking on my chargriller, which is ok, cuz it is a grilling beast :)

 

[michael ark]

Now that you got your basket made.You can bolt the pizza pan to the bottem with some 4in 1/4  20 carriage bolts nuts and washers .So this will give you 3in between ash pan and fire basket and it will come out as one piece.

 

[tirrin]

im not using a pizza pan..im just putting aluminium foil under the basket..essentially ive decided that this uds is a poormans uds..

Cost Breakdown

Barrel: Free

Grates: 4.99x2--Menards

Eyebolts: .35x6--Menards

Washers: 2.99 for 20--Lowes

Nuts: 2.99 for 20--Lowes

13 Gauge Expanded Steel: 23.13 for a 4x4--makes 5-6 baskets depending on height..4.60ish for 1

13in Weber Charcoal Grate: 9.99 Ace Hardware

Grate Bolts: 4.99 for 5

Washers: 2.99 for 20 Menards

Nuts: 2.99 for 20 Menards

atm im at 43.62

all i have left is paint, a grate level therm, and some aluminium foil..which i estimate to cost around 20 bucks..

 

[ugaboz]

nice

 

[SmokinAl]

Do you have a finished photo?

 

[tirrin]

no..im still burning out this barrel..i really want to scrap it and start over with an unlined barrel..would take me 15 minutes..

 

[tirrin]

this is the liner after 2 burns...ridiculous..

it was kinda coming out with water and some scrubbing, as shown by the discoloration that looks like rust at the top..i thought maybe to take it to be powerwashed..

 

[whittling chip]

How about laying the drum on its side and do a burn. If you have any kind of grate then put it inside the barrel. Once you have your fire burning you can move the grate forward and backward to burn the barrel evenly. You can also rotate the barrel, reload some new fuel on top of the grate and just keep burning.

Just an idea but I hope it helps.

Keep Burning

 

[tirrin]

both times i burned it i laid it on its side first then stood it up later..ill just burn it out again tomorrow

 

[whittling chip]

Just one last thought. How about turning it upside down and set it up off the ground with some blocks. Maybe you could put a bonfire below and fire up anything that's left.

Good luck and let me know how it works out for you. I've been thinking about building one but I think I'll wait to see how yours turns out.

 

[tirrin]

i can kinda try...the only issue i have is that i live in the middle of my city 2 blocks from 2 schools..so i have to do this so i dont draw too much attention lol.