question about the uds

[resstealth]

Hey all, been considering building a uds to go with my wsm. My question is, how on earth do you add charcoal/wood without taking the food out?

 

[caribou89]

You don't. A full load of lump charcoal and a few wood chunks will rock without touching it for way over 12 hours. I didn't believe it either at first.

 

[resstealth]

What if you're doing a big pork shoulder or brisket?

 

[caribou89]

The UDS I'm running has gone over 17 hours at 250. You keep the oxygen at a low enough level that it takes a REALLY long time to get all the way through your charcoal. Trust me. Build your UDS. You will love it.

 

[danbury]

My basket is 17" in diameter and 7" high.  I fill it and get well over 17 hours out of it at 225 - 245 and still have quite a bit of lump in the basket when I am done.  UDS is one of the more efficient smokers/pits out there if you built it right.

 

[jdne5b]

Yep.  I thought the same.  I built mine and can run at least 4 batches of ribs (~5hrs each, 20-25hrs total) with just under a full basket of charcoal.  Very efficient.