Wanna build a UDS

pgsmoker64

Master of the Pit

Original poster

OTBS Member

Apr 23, 2010

3,402

81

Prince George, Va.

• Aug 25, 2010

• #1

Alright folks....I have seen a lot of info on UDS builds, but not a step by step. 

I have a source for FREE, CLEAN drums and want to get going, but don't want to make any mistakes.

I need info on where to put vents, where to set up the water chamber, how far up to put the grates, etc.

Can anyone help me with this initial build or guide me to the right threads?

 

oldschoolbbq

Legendary Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Jul 16, 2008

9,359

205

NW Ohio - outside Toledo

• Aug 25, 2010

• #2

Go to forum navigation at the bottom of the page.

Have fun and,

 

meateater

Legendary Pitmaster

SMF Premier Member

Oct 17, 2009

8,983

63

Hendertucky, Nv.

• Aug 25, 2010

• #3

Here's a wiki  I wrote, nothing set in stone. There's a million ways to build them. Hope this helps.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/uds-ugly-drum-smoker

 

Last edited: Aug 25, 2010

dave54

Smoking Fanatic

Dec 12, 2009

384

19

OHIO

• Aug 25, 2010

• #4

meateater said:

Here's a wiki  I wrote, nothing set in stone. There's a million ways to build them. Hope this helps.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/uds-ugly-drum-smoker

Click to expand...

meateaters wiki is great info

 I'm on my 4 th build for friends and this will make the build easy

 

cromag

Smoking Fanatic

Mar 3, 2010

360

14

Sevierville Tennessee

• Aug 25, 2010

• #5

http://www.thepickledpig.com/forums...32-our-uds-cooker-how-build-one-part-1-a.html

 

meateater

Legendary Pitmaster

SMF Premier Member

Oct 17, 2009

8,983

63

Hendertucky, Nv.

• Aug 25, 2010

• #6

cromag said:

http://www.thepickledpig.com/forums...32-our-uds-cooker-how-build-one-part-1-a.html

Click to expand...

Great info, I need to get me a rotisserrie on mine soon.

 

 

ddave

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Mar 3, 2008

1,843

31

Far Northern California

• Aug 25, 2010

• #7

One of the best if not THE best "how to" UDS thread on the Internet.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43943

Dave

 

pgsmoker64

Master of the Pit

Original poster

OTBS Member

Thread starter

Apr 23, 2010

3,402

81

Prince George, Va.

• Aug 26, 2010

• #8

Thanks everyone for all the great information!

I really like the information included in the instructions from the pickled pig!

One more question. What about a water pan? Is anyone using a water pan in their UDS?

 

smokinjoeb

Fire Starter

Jun 22, 2009

50

10

Orange County, CA

• Aug 26, 2010

• #9

i don't use a water pan in mine.    IMHO the key to good UDS is timing.  if you need to open it up you need to get in and get out FAST!!!  otherwise, the temps will spike up.  i have two racks in mine and if i am smoking the same thing on both racks, i need to rotate them 1/2 way thru to keep the cooking even.  so, i just get ready and pop off the kettle cover , take off the top rack, take out the bottom rack put the top into the lower rack slot and then put the last rack into the top slot and put the cover back on. takes about 1 minute and i don't get much of a spike in temps

 

ecto1

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Feb 22, 2010

2,131

28

Spring, Tx

• Aug 26, 2010

• #10

SmokinJoeB said:

i don't use a water pan in mine.    IMHO the key to good UDS is timing.  if you need to open it up you need to get in and get out FAST!!!  otherwise, the temps will spike up.  i have two racks in mine and if i am smoking the same thing on both racks, i need to rotate them 1/2 way thru to keep the cooking even.  so, i just get ready and pop off the kettle cover , take off the top rack, take out the bottom rack put the top into the lower rack slot and then put the last rack into the top slot and put the cover back on. takes about 1 minute and i don't get much of a spike in temps

Click to expand...

this is exactly true this is not a smoker for someone who likes to look at their food because it will throw your temp off and you may even get flare-ups.  But if you have patients and a good thermometer man is this awesome.