DWrek's UDS Build

dwrek · Nov 4, 2012

Hello Guys, started my UDS build this weekend. Wanna use this thread to ask questions as they arise. I promise to search the threads first

. Will post pics as I progress.

First question... I cleaned by drum today. I scrubbed it with some simple green and did a burn-out. What I can't find for certain is do I leave the black soot in there or do I need to scrub that out?

Thanks, looking forward to your feedback along the way...

daveomak · Nov 4, 2012

Derek, evening and welcome to the forum..... Clean out what you can, oil the inside with veggie oil, spray is fine, and fire it up as if you were smoking some food.... try to get the UDS to around 400 or so to set the oil, you can re spray and do it again if you think it needs it..... You are looking for an oil film that covers the inside like you would a cast iron fry pan..... Then you are ready to cook...... Dave

dwrek · Nov 6, 2012

Thanks Dave, I took the wire and sander to it. I experienced some unexpected rain, so had a little rust to deal. Kind of pain, but feels good to be on to the fun part.

I was also able to rig up a flange for my hood. I was stressing out I wasnt going to be able to get my lid to fit, but it fits the lid perfect. Below is my progress so far.

Here is whats next on my list, let me know if guys see anything out of order (or can be done better). The threads and pics have been a big help. Thanks guys!.

- Give it a coat of paint

- Drill the holes

- Give it another coat

- Insert hardware

- Season it up!

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dwrek
Nov 6, 2012

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dwrek
Nov 6, 2012

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dwrek
Nov 6, 2012

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dwrek
Nov 6, 2012

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dwrek
Nov 6, 2012

jrod62 · Nov 7, 2012

Looking good so far Thumbs Up

dwrek · Nov 8, 2012

Was going to wait for sunlight to get some pics, but I gotta show ‘er off. The UDS is complete enough to start cookin. Ill season tomorrow, then test ‘er out Saturday. It was more work than I expected, but definitely rewarding. Got a lot of ideas from the threads, thanks for the help.

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dwrek
Nov 8, 2012

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dwrek
Nov 8, 2012

Fire basket was a little easier than expected once I found the expanded metal. Just need to add an ash pan.

I put the cooking grate 7"down. It sits 25" above the charcoal grate.

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dwrek
Nov 8, 2012

I got a little ghetto with the hinges, but I can easily swap out those spacers.

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dwrek
Nov 8, 2012

I don’t have a stat in it yet, but can use the Maverick until I get one.

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dwrek
Nov 8, 2012

Gotta think of a name for it, then tag it!

daveomak · Nov 10, 2012

I like the hinges...... Good addition to an already, very worthy smoker.....

papagrizz · Nov 10, 2012

Howdy DWrek.

Looks like a great build and I really like the hinges.

Last weekend I found a cheapo 22 1/2 kettle grill at the Dollar General Store so I fashioned a flange and put some stove gasket around it and it seems to work pretty good.

So my friend, I am asking for a detailed list of parts and fab of your hinges. I will forever be in your debt.

Here is my mod if you care to take a peek.

I need to do a little bending on the lid to make it fit better

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papagrizz
Nov 10, 2012

First test run with some spares, taters, onions and asparagus

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papagrizz
Nov 10, 2012

Hope I didn't

rabbithutch · Nov 10, 2012

Howdy, DWrek !

Man that build looks GREAT !!

I must have missed it somewhere; so I'm gonna ask: "What did you use for the lid?"

I'm also interested in how you did the hinges.

dwrek · Nov 10, 2012

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I bought a MasterForge at Lowe's. Lowe's also had the 1.5" strip of aluminum. The lids fits perfect with the flange.

The MasterForge also came with hinges for the lid. For the spacers I used (3) 1/4" nuts. Heres a better pic.

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dwrek
Nov 10, 2012

dwrek · Dec 7, 2012

Just some feedback on temp ranges. I installed a stat with a 3" stem. I also have a Maverick. The Maverick was registering temps 50 degrees higher in the center of the grate (over the fire basket) than the stat was showing on the outside.

I installed bolts to place a diffuser if needed. I didn't have a problem keeping temps down, so I probably wont use it much. But its there if needed, mainly if I need to use the whole rack and want to keep temps uniform across the cooking surface.

jd350az · Dec 26, 2012

Looks awesome! Can't wait to start building my UDS

jimf · Dec 26, 2012

Is anyone selling a flange for the lid? I would love for my lid to fit better. If so, please PM me with pricing.

daveomak · Dec 26, 2012

JimF said:
Is anyone selling a flange for the lid? I would love for my lid to fit better. If so, please PM me with pricing.

Jim, Some members have bolted a 3-4" wide, thin metal strip to the inside of the top of the drum for the lid to fit on.... It doesn't have to be thick metal, just something to hold the lid... Dave

waucedah · Dec 29, 2012

nice smoker

fishwrestler · Dec 29, 2012

Nice Job, I like the hing, You can probably fab up a nice spacer with small pipe or even a block of aluminum.

Robert

big griz · Jan 8, 2013

Looks great! I am getting ready to build one myself and have one question. I have heard that if you have the ball valve intake to high, it won't draw right. Have you experienced any of that? I only ask because I was thinking about doing something similar.

dwrek · Jan 9, 2013

Big Griz said:
Looks great! I am getting ready to build one myself and have one question. I have heard that if you have the ball valve intake to high, it won't draw right. Have you experienced any of that? I only ask because I was thinking about doing something similar.

Hey Big Griz, thanks for responding. I am not disputing that claim, but I have not had any problems getting my temps up in this thing. Usually the other 2 intakes are closed during cooking, so if I needed more air I could open those as well.

What you could do as a safety measure is put the U-bolt low enough so if a 3 footer doesn't work you could easily swap it for a 2 footer.

missed-em · Jan 9, 2013

DaveOmak said:
Jim, Some members have bolted a 3-4" wide, thin metal strip to the inside of the top of the drum for the lid to fit on.... It doesn't have to be thick metal, just something to hold the lid... Dave

Dave - care to define 'thin'. I've got the Weber lid but don't know how to determine thickness of metal strip w/o buying several. Thanks, Steve

dwrek · Jan 9, 2013

Missed-Em said:
Dave - care to define 'thin'. I've got the Weber lid but don't know how to determine thickness of metal strip w/o buying several. Thanks, Steve

Missed-Em, I got mine from Lowe's, I believe it was 1/16. Thin enough to bend with manual effort, thick enough to hold its rigidity without scoring when bending.

missed-em · Jan 10, 2013

Thanks - just the start I needed!

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