I have built numerous smokers and grills but never a UDS. So I decided to build a UDS today. I have a few 55 galllon drums on hand so all I needed was to get motivated.
Smokin John's UDS Build
- Thread starter smokin john
- Start date
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I made quick work cutting the top out of the barrel, I use my Lincoln buzz box and a couple of rods
to cut the top out.
to cut the top out.
I did a preliminary burn with my weed burner on the outside, tomorrow I will build a fire inside the barrel to finish the burn out.
My neighbor gave me a 22" Weber grill top; all I need is a handle. That's no problem, I'll find a handle or fabricate something. That is enough for today. I will work on it more tomorrow and post pics as I go.
mattyj1907
Newbie
- Jun 4, 2012
- 8
- 11
Very cool, wish I would have used a drum with a cut off lid. It makes the webber dome fit so much better.
I am taking my drum to the sandblaster on Monday first thing and should have it back by mid afternoon. I will complete assembly then. I marked off the inlets which were at 24" intervals around the circumference of the barrel. This gave me three inlets; tw capped and one with a ball valve. I used a 1" piece of black pipe instead of the 3/4". I used a 11/4" bit for the install. Some of the diagrams place the hole at 2" from the bottom but I moved the drill point to 3" (just my preference). I have all the other items that are needed to complete the build. I will install a lower rack just above the fire basket to hold the deflector plate (pizza pan with holes) or water pan (a wok from the used restaurant equipment store). I'll post more pics when I get my barrel back from the sandblaster.
I welded the fire basket today. I welded the expanded wire to a Weber fire grate. I started my weld at the end of the wire and worked my way around the grate's edge as I secured it with vise grips. I also welded four 3" pieces of 1" angle iron to the bottom of the grate. I will weld an ash pan to the fire basket later.
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I had not planned to put some kind of foot on this barrel but I just so happened to have some old bed frames on my scrap metal pile. I cut three of the legs off and welded them to the bottom of the barrel. That is what is fun about building a UDS; taking nothing and making something out of it.
The temperature has been steady between 225-250 over the past 5 hours
This is not the ambient temperature, I have an iGrill that I will use with my
IPAD that will give me a true grate temperature. I cannot wait to get this
barrel back from the sandblaster, I've got some baby back ribs and a brisket
that need to be cooked.
7 hours 15 min into the burn, I opened all inlets and the UDS temperature
went to 350 degrees
This is not the ambient temperature, I have an iGrill that I will use with my
IPAD that will give me a true grate temperature. I cannot wait to get this
barrel back from the sandblaster, I've got some baby back ribs and a brisket
that need to be cooked.
7 hours 15 min into the burn, I opened all inlets and the UDS temperature
went to 350 degrees
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Just got my drum from the sandblaster. I don't mind work but I wasn't about to sand or wire brush that barrel.
I am doing the final burn using hickory and maple wood to season this barrel. Tomorrow I will add the grate,
Handles, a new temp gauge, and a paint job. I got the temperature to 485 with ease.
I am doing the final burn using hickory and maple wood to season this barrel. Tomorrow I will add the grate,
Handles, a new temp gauge, and a paint job. I got the temperature to 485 with ease.
hitechredneck
Meat Mopper
This is a pretty cool build. I have a couple of barrels laying around and I'm starting to feel inspired...
brgbassmaster
Meat Mopper
What did you use to hold the nipples in? I used jb weld on all 3 of them but where the ball valve is i drilled it out a little to much and its loose fit so the jb weld broke on the ball valve. The capped nipples are good because its a super tight fit. Thanks.
This UDS ain't nothing but the truth. I added my goodies today and finished up with a rattle can paint job.
I've got some hog jowl cooing on it to give the added flavor of cured meat. Also I got a couple of racks of
ribs to go on in an hour. Glad I used the 1" ball valve; completely open the temp gauge reads 250. I need
To put some lettering and a logo and it will be complete. I am ready for another build now :)
I've got some hog jowl cooing on it to give the added flavor of cured meat. Also I got a couple of racks of
ribs to go on in an hour. Glad I used the 1" ball valve; completely open the temp gauge reads 250. I need
To put some lettering and a logo and it will be complete. I am ready for another build now :)
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I drilled with a graduated bit so I was able to get a perfect fit. I used conduit washers on each side. However on the ball valve, I included a washer on both sides and a conduit washer on both as well. This gives added support when turning the handle to adjust the heat. Since you over drilled the hole, you can use a large washer to give added support.
brgbassmaster
Meat Mopper
Conduit washer thats what it is lol. I see them all the time at work but im a plumber and i was like i never seen those before and couldnt find them in the plumbing section. But were building huge warehouses and theres alot of electricians so now it makes sense lol.
maple sticks
Smoking Fanatic
You got my dog licking the screen.As they say, " A picture is worth a thousand words".
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