New to UDS building.

[cjclemens]

Well, I had some soybean oil come in at work and it came in 55 gallon drums. Naturally, I had to swipe an empty for a UDS build. Unfortunately, they are the liquid type drums with the solid top, but it cut off easily enough with a sawzall and, with a little tweaking, I think the lid off an old 22" Weber grill might fit pretty well.

Here are the questions: I was gonna use 3/4" black steel pipe for intake vents - will 3 intake vents be enough? I was gonna have 2 with caps and one with a ball valve on it. Also - will the exhaust on the lid of the old Weber grill lid be sufficient?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[hardcookin]

On the UDS I built I had 3 intakes that you mentioned.
Once I got up to temp. I would only use the intake with the ball valve 1/2 open. That seemed to be enough.
On the Webber lid the exhaust setup it worked but I would have liked to experiment with adding another. Weber sells the exhaust vents.
I used an old milk crate for my charcoal basket.I lined it with 3/4" expanded metal.

 

[desertlites]

I also have 2- 3/4 intakes along with a ball valve and yes once it gets going I pretty much use the valve. Built mine outta a pressure tank along with the lid grates and baskets so not sure on the webber top but many people use them. good luck on the build.

 

[SmokinLogs]

I have 3 3/4 inch intakes, but for some reason once I’m up to temp I usually have 1 open all the way and another half way open.
@daveomak is a good resource for advice on UDS building and tinkering!

 

[fivetricks]

I run about 1 - 1.5 open valves when I run mine on low draft mode as well. Sometimes in low wind situations in have to add a 3 ft or so length of 4" pipe to increase draft. Not sure how to increase that with a Weber style lid exhaust. But I know people do it

 

[cjclemens]

Thanks for the info! My next step is to drill the intake holes and burn the liner out of it. I think I'm gonna try it with 3. I have noticed that some builds have the extended up close to the lid. Is that to help with draft or is it just a cosmetic choice?

 

[fivetricks]

Having the longer intakes will theoretically promote better draft. I have them up close to the lid for two reasons.

Reason 1: it puts the valves at waist level , so no bending over for my lazy self.

Reason 2: Big box stores sell the 3/4" pipe in two foot lengths, pre threaded on both sides. Much easier to just use those than having to cut and thread a longer pipe.

 

[cjclemens]

Unfortunately, I haven't had time to finish up my build, so I thought Id use the opportunity to ask one more question:

How high above the fire basket do you place the diffuser plate and the grates? I bought one of those pre-made baskets. It's 12x12x9 with an ash pan 3" underneath it. The diffuser is just a thick plate of steel with holes drilled in it.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[fivetricks]

My diffuser sits right on top of my fire box.

My bottom shelf is prob 4-6" above that and my top shelf is about 10" above the bottom