Does this sound about right to you?

[njlungbuster]

Being new to the whole smoker building group, I've had some questions. Well a new question has sprung up because I'm rounding the home stretch on my build. What size charcoal baskets are all you UDS guys using in yours? Here is what I'm planning on making and you tell me if it sounds good.

3/4" expanded steel @ 12" tall welded around a Weber grate used in an 18.5" Weber grill. The diameter(if I'm reading it correctly online) of the grate is just over 15". So figure the dimensions to be 12" x 15".

Does that sound good for my UDS? How long will it burn with it full of charcoal and using the minion method? Thanks a lot guys.

 

[njlungbuster]

ttt

 

[njlungbuster]

Nobody can guide me on this??

 

[rabbithutch]

Somebody who knows something will be along directly.

The diameter of your drum is ~22.5" - same as a big Weber kettle. A charcoal basket 15" in diameter will leave ~3.5" on either side. I'd say that was big enough. With it 12" deep, that should hold a bag of charcoal.

Wish I could tell you how long that would burn, but I don't have a clue.

 

[timberjet]

that is the size of mine and let me tell you you can burn for many many hours with that sucker full and dialed in. I can get several smokes off of a half full basket. the main thing to check is if you have that much clearance so it won't hang up on the grate supports when pulling it out. Depending on what lid you use you can shut that thing down after a session and it will go out in minutes. I use the lid that came on the barrel. Very efficient with fuel.

 

[timberjet]

Another point is that you really don't need much chunk wood as they are so miserly and efficient. I would say you could easily get 25 to 30 hours out of a full basket at 225 if you got a good seal everywhere. I fill mine and it is quite amazing to my friends when they see how long a bag of coal lasts.

 

[njlungbuster]

I really appreciate the info guys. I have the stuff to make the basket and intend on starting tomorrow. That should wrap up the smoker project and I intend to fill the basket, wipe the inside of the barrel with some veggie oil, open all three valves, and burn it until its out. Then my first cool will be Sunday hopefully.