Making a UDS in the UK. Help please.

nutrock · Jun 6, 2013

Hi,
I'm looking into making a UDS, got a few parts for it but couldn't find the same sort of things the USA have. Couldnt even get a ball valve with a snazzy handle, looked in B&Q and Wickes!
Anyway, I got these...I don't mind going round with a screwdriver to open/close them.

image.jpg

nutrock
Jun 6, 2013

Please tell me if they're no good.
Oh and this is my drum, couldn't find one with a lid plus this was free so I can't complain.

image.jpg

nutrock
Jun 6, 2013

And this is my basket.

image.jpg

nutrock
Jun 6, 2013

Now I know this is no good. It's chicken wire, I think it's galvanised, it's got sort of a powder feel to it and I know how bad galvanised metal is in cooking.
I live in a fairly small town and can't really find many parts, asked at the rubbish dump yesterday if they had anything, they were no help whatsoever.
Looking forward to your comments.
:)

kc5tpy · Jun 6, 2013

Hello. As you said, galvanized is a BIG no-no for cooking but I reckon that chicken wire will disintegrate halfway through your seasoning smoke so probably not much to worry about there. The valves will work. Am interested in seeing what you plan to do about the lid. Got a BIG help suggestion for you: E-Bay.co.uk The valves with the "snazzy" handles are there and you can get expanded metal cut to size and delivered to your door for the basket. The grills are also available there. B&Q has lump wood charcoal on offer. I can tell you what to ask for at your local butcher when you get ready for a brisket or a pork butt. Don't try British supermarket brisket as they trim ALL the fat out of it ( I only braise them ) and I think you will be disappointed. Good Luck. Keep Smokin!

Danny

nutrock · Jun 6, 2013

Thanks Danny, I'll check eBay now. My original plan was to keep it as low cost as possible but I don't want to cut quality so I might have to spend some cash.
Are you meaning I should ditch the chicken wire all together?
And as for the lid, my brother + an angle grinder should sort it out haha.

roller · Jun 6, 2013

Yes ditch the chicken wire besides being gal it want hold up at all..As for a top you can always use a 3/4in. piece of plywood with a few 3/4 in. holes drilled in it..just make sure its not the treated kind..You can make it work just keep at it...

kc5tpy · Jun 6, 2013

Well there ya go. Roller got your lid sorted. A brother and an angle grinder is always a handy thing to have. You hang in there girl we got faith in ya. Let me know if I can help. Keep Smokin!

Danny

daveomak · Jun 6, 2013

If you cut the top off, cut it down about 1" from the rim.... using a hammer of sorts, pound on the 1" flange you just created to stretch the metal outward... soon the flange will be flared and fit over the barrel .... You might be able to use a steel 5 gallon can in place of mesh... Drill 3/4" holes everywhere so it can breathe and raise it up 4-6" from the bottom of the drum.... use a stepped drill bit to do that chore....

Just some thoughts..... by the way, WELCOME to the forum......

Dave

kc5tpy · Jun 6, 2013

THAT'S A GREAT LID IDEA DAVE!! THAT'S WHY YOU THA MAN! Should have thought! Sharp edges can be dealt with afterward. i think she might need pictures to catch the idea. Nutrock I will post some out of scale pics. tomorrow to explain the concept unless you figured it out. Keep goin girl.

Danny

nutrock · Jun 7, 2013

That's a brilliant idea Dave, thank you. Danny, I think I have a picture in my head of how it'll look. My dad just found me some expanded metal for the coal basket, it's all rusty but that should be ok after I've gone over it with a wire brush and its been thrown in the fire ;)
One more question Dave, I know you said to hit the metal outward but what if I hammered it inward and used the lid over the top of the drum?

daveomak · Jun 7, 2013

nutrock said:
That's a brilliant idea Dave, thank you. Danny, I think I have a picture in my head of how it'll look. My dad just found me some expanded metal for the coal basket, it's all rusty but that should be ok after I've gone over it with a wire brush and its been thrown in the fire ;)
One more question Dave, I know you said to hit the metal outward but what if I hammered it inward and used the lid over the top of the drum?

My thoughts.... I think we are on the same page on this... Lid over the top edge of the drum....

........click on picture to enlarge........

UDS lid.jpg

daveomak
Jun 7, 2013

nutrock · Jun 7, 2013

Looks good to me, thanks Dave.
Going to get the lid cut off tomorrow and burn it out at my uncles field as my neighbours are alcoholic big mouthed morons who would have the cheek to complain about the noise, but that's another story.
Got a 15mm drill bit today for the ball valves and a few old grills off my mum.
Thanks again.
Pics hopefully tomorrow.

kc5tpy · Jun 7, 2013

Don't hold back girl, say what ya think!! Since I have come to the U.K. I have learned about the neighbor nazis. VE HAVE RULES UND THESE RULES MUST BE OBEYED!! ANY DEVIATION FROM THESE RULES SHOULD RESULT IN DEATH!! Or a visit from the council. Keep goin.

Danny

nutrock · Jun 7, 2013

They just annoy me, I had a row with the woman on Wednesday because she was shouting her mouth off about my dog. They've sat in their garden every night this week making loads of noise. I wouldn't care about it if she just kept her snide comments to herself. Never mind.
I've just bought one of these from eBay. Item number: 390603366590
This one will be for checking the internal temp of the meat. I've already got a thermometer for checking the smoker temp. For that I'll drill a small hole and secure it through the drum.

kc5tpy · Jun 8, 2013

I reckon that'll work. Ya gettin there. Expect to see some Qview soon. Missus says I gotta finish the caravan remodel before I can start my fridge build but almost done. If the Great British weather will only co-operate a little longer. Good luck.

Danny

nutrock · Jun 8, 2013

Today's update;
My uncle said he'd cut the lid off for me so I bought it to him and he ended up helping ALOT.
The lid turned out 1000 times better than I expected.

image.jpg

nutrock
Jun 8, 2013

image.jpg

nutrock
Jun 8, 2013

image.jpg

nutrock
Jun 8, 2013

The metal I had for the coal basket was no good for welding onto so I'll have to buy that new.
:)

nutrock · Jun 8, 2013

Danny, what is a Qview?
And good luck with your caravan.

kc5tpy · Jun 8, 2013

Qview is a picture of the finished Bar B Que. We like to see how the meat turned out. That smoker is lookin good! I see you have had some family help but I have a question. What do you do for a living? I am gonna do the sexist thing here. Please forgive me. You seem to grasp metal working ideas easily for a 25 yr old female.

pc farmer · Jun 8, 2013

How did he cut the lid off. I need to cut mine off?

fwismoker · Jun 8, 2013

c farmer said:
How did he cut the lid off. I need to cut mine off?

It looks like he cut it off like i mentioned...the soup can concept, cut it right near the top and it should still seal fine. I'm curious if he used something like a jig saw but that's what i'd guess.

pc farmer · Jun 8, 2013

Cut it like down the center of the rim on the side?

fwismoker · Jun 8, 2013

c farmer said:
Cut it like down the center of the rim on the side?

This may sound silly but take a soup can and take the lid off with a can opener that cuts from the side. Take the lid off and then put it back on...it seals pretty good.

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