new uds build

[bullpage]

OK,so i've been studying everything i can for the last couple of weeks on building a UDS. Friday i went to Lowes and bought a 17 inch charcoal grate for $11.00.I then went to a local weld shop and described to him the charcoal basket i wanted ,3/4 expanded metal wrapped around the grate with 3" legs on the bottom,oh yeah,the expanded metal is approx 12" high, he quoted me $30.00 for material and labor.I will be picking it up next week. I had been talking to a source for drums that i had found on craigslist for about a week,he called me friday night and told me he had found some drums that had contained apple juice concentrate.I picked up the drums yesterday (3) for $15.00 a piece ,2 of them are for a buddy who is also wanting to build a UDS. When i got them home i was a little concerned, They are green on the exterior with a yellow liner and the label says they come from China and are only 54 gallons.Today i scored a Weber 22.5 kettle grill complete used very lightly for $45.00 off of craigslist. Igot home with the Weber and the 1st thing i did while my son was putting the grill together was check the lid to drum fitment, it was PERFECT, so i think my initial fears were unfounded. I now have to find a sandblaster to do the drums,i am partially paralyzed in my right arm and shoulder so it would be difficult for me to try the burnout and wirewheel routine with one hand,which i have heard is only partially sucsessfull anyway

  I know this thread is useless without pictures,so my next challenge is to learn how to post pictures( i am hopelessly computer illiterate ) I will try this week to get pictures posted as things come together.I would like to thank you guys and gals in advance,because without this forum i dont think i would have found this new addiction.

Sincerely, Bull

 

[daveomak]

Bull, morning and welcome to the forum.... congrats on getting it all together......   Dave

 

[bruno994]

Welcome Bull...can't wait to see some pics.  I have been debating on building one for myself as well.  Maybe I can use your build as a motivator for mine.

 

[jrod62]

Welcome to SMF . UDS are Great !!!!!!!!!

 Be waiting to see how it turns out.

 

[bullpage]

i cant wait ,i'm waiting on a price for sandblasting as i type !

Sincerely,Bull
 

 

[smokin john]

Welcome, I cannot wait to see your finished product

 

[bullpage]

ok guys sorry for the delay in posting pic's .today i picked up at lowes most of the piping (3) 3/4x1 1/2 nipples ,(2)3/4x24 pipe,(2) 3/4 90's,(1) end cap  (1) bag of 3/4 conduit nuts .The total cost for today was $28.00. The items i still need are as follows; (2) 3/4 brass ball valves, (2) stainless u bolts for vent supports,   i decided to go simple on the paint just hi temp primer and hi temp black bbq grill paint, so with that paint scheme i think the hardware for the racks will be stainless allen bolts. I'm going to go with 2 racks ,so do the bolts for the top rack need to be shorter than the bolts for the bottom rack? i've also not made up my mind about a diffuser plate, only because i've read that grill temp can vary from one side to the other, if i do it will be with the simple pizza pan with holes resting on top of the charcoal basket. now i am going to study the thread on how to post pics if anybody can see or point out anything i am doing wrong please feel free to point it out.  Thanks Guys

Sincerely, Bull

 

[jrod62]

ok guys sorry for the delay in posting pic's .today i picked up at lowes most of the piping (3) 3/4x1 1/2 nipples ,(2)3/4x24 pipe,(2) 3/4 90's,(1) end cap  (1) bag of 3/4 conduit nuts .The total cost for today was $28.00. The items i still need are as follows; (2) 3/4 brass ball valves, (2) stainless u bolts for vent supports,   i decided to go simple on the paint just hi temp primer and hi temp black bbq grill paint, so with that paint scheme i think the hardware for the racks will be stainless allen bolts. I'm going to go with 2 racks ,so do the bolts for the top rack need to be shorter than the bolts for the bottom rack? i've also not made up my mind about a diffuser plate, only because i've read that grill temp can vary from one side to the other, if i do it will be with the simple pizza pan with holes resting on top of the charcoal basket. now i am going to study the thread on how to post pics if anybody can see or point out anything i am doing wrong please feel free to point it out.  Thanks Guys

Sincerely, Bull

Yes , That the way I do it. The temp will stay within a few degrees from one side to the other.

 

[bullpage]

scottsbbq1.jpg

• bullpage
• Feb 22, 2013

scottsbbq2.jpg

• bullpage
• Feb 22, 2013

scottsbbq3.jpg

• bullpage
• Feb 22, 2013

scottsbbq4.jpg

• bullpage
• Feb 22, 2013

scottsbbq5.jpg

• bullpage
• Feb 22, 2013

 

[bullpage]

Ok, so i found a company that's local that does sandblasting,they told me on the phone they would have to see the drum to be able to give me a quote.I loaded up the drum today and took it to them,They quoted me $60.00 to $100.00 plus the cost of the sand! I was born at night but not last night,needless to say they will not be getting my business.The threads i have found suggest that burning is not that sucessful on the drums with yellow liners,so unless anybody has any ideas my build is going to be put on hold until i can find an affordable sandblaster.

bull

 

[chiefusn]

Have you tried maybe going the weed torch method? I have read that it is quicker than wood burning them and HF has a weed torch for about $15-$20. Then you can use the torch later for starting your coals. This is the route I plan on taking with my first build.

Chad
 

 

[smokin john]

The weed burner is the way to go and if you have a HOA it will keep them off your butt - and save that for the smoker

  The weed burner will get the metal hot enough to purge it of any impurities that were left by the product it contained. It will also burn the liners off. You especially want to heat the rim super hot on both ends if it is an encolsed container to purge the oil or what have you from the crevice. I do not have to worry about a HOA so I build a fire in my barrel and at the same time I heat it from the outside with my weed burner. Any impurities that are purged are consumed by the fire. You do not have to burn the house down trying to clean your barrel. If the fire is to hot the metal will warp. It is better to do several burns rather than one

inferno

 

[bullpage]

i've got one more lead on a sandblaster,if he isnt reasonable then i will try the weedburner method.Thanks guys for the replies

Bull