Two Piece UDS Build with Pics

[bartsmoker]

This is my UDS I built last winter. First of all let me say this was very time consuming and would not do it again. But in the end I have a nice smoker that should last. I started with a heavy gauge food grade drum. From there I got a little carried away.

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

I made a door to tend to the coals if needed and fill the water pan.

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

I thought it would be nice to have it come apart into two pieces for clean up.

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

It closes air tight I left it apart in the next pic so you can see I used two pieces of 1/2" flat steel and rolled them, butted them together and welded it.

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

I made the coal basket and set it up so you could use it as a water smoker or standard UDS.

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

I put a lot of thought into a drip pan that would not block the direct heat. This is what I came up with. I might have to figure out a way to close off the ends. I will try it first.

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

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• bartsmoker
• Jun 3, 2013

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Very nicely done.

 

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Nice looking UDS! Lots of great ideas there too.

 

[coffee_junkie]

Nice looking UDS. Just a question, why would you want to use a drip pan? I think the drippings that fall and hit the coals add a very distinct flavor to foods smoked on the UDS. IMO it gives it a real "old school' BBQ pit flavor.

 

[bartsmoker]

Dripping on the coals gives the meat a burnt taste. From reading other posts on this site some people like that taste and some don't.  I will try it both ways.

 

[daveomak]

Very nice genius build.....  Dave

 

[smokin john]

I agree with coffee_junkie  cooking in an open pit style does bring a unique flavor to the meat. This is

why the UDS is so universal. It can be used as a water cooker, deflected heat, or and open pit.

Awesome build.

 

[themule69]

Nice build. I love it. How does it cook? Does it hold temp well?

Happy smoken.

David

 

[bartsmoker]

I have not found any time or good weather to try it. I did smoke some baby back ribs this weekend on my offset smoker. I want to test the UDS on something a little cheaper first,  to see how it holds the temp.

 

[chiefusn]

I have not found any time or good weather to try it. I did smoke some baby back ribs this weekend on my offset smoker. I want to test the UDS on something a little cheaper first,  to see how it holds the temp.

Instead of cooking something on it, just do a season on it with about a 1/2 basket of fuel. This way, you're not going to ruin any meat and just burn up a couple of bucks for fuel. I did that on mine to see how well it held temp and see how long it would go.Very nice build by the way. A lot of great enginuity put into it.Chad

 

[dirtsailor2003]

I have not found any time or good weather to try it. I did smoke some baby back ribs this weekend on my offset smoker. I want to test the UDS on something a little cheaper first,  to see how it holds the temp.

Sounds like a perfect choice would be a spatchcocked chicken. I like doing these for test cooks because they are cheap. and can handle a wide range of heat temps. And if the skin doesn't end up crisp, you test out the grilling capabilities too!

 

[fwismoker]

Yep AWESOME build... i see alot of similarities to the BPS but customized... like it alot.    I saw that concept of a diverter before on another forum when i was looking at heat diverters, i hope it works well for you.   I ended up just doing a pizza pan with holes drilled into it, evens out heat a little if i want it and catches some more of the drippings say for a pork shoulder. 

That shelf is bad to the bone for sure!

 

[polecat customs]

NICE build man!

 

[webowabo]

So far ive takin my uds on two camp trips and to the gulf coast.. i want to build a shelf. But it would beed to be easily removable cause I have to lay it on its side. I love the idea of cutting in two for clean up.. cause I still never put an ash pan in mine yet. I just turn it upsise down for now. Great looking build...

 

[cwalk]

Woooow, you shoud patent that rig

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Nice, good ideas...

 

[bartsmoker]

Thanks guys, The shelf is removable.  That's the reason I made this thing is so I could bring it camping or to the cabin. I don't have a good smoker that's east to transport. I also made a dolly to strap it to and through it in the back of my truck.