- Feb 7, 2014
- 22
- 10
I picked up my UDS a little over a month ago.
It is a 55 g drum, with a plow disc with a T handle for holding charcoal, There is 1 1" hole on the lower side for air. The top of the barrel has 6 3/4 in holes, which is used for rebar to hang meat from with meat hooks. One side of all the rebar has a washer welded to it, to help mitigate heat dissipation. It also came with a 22.5" cooking grate that can be used while the rebar is in use. IT has a temp gauge, which rarely sees above 230 degrees.
I consistently see smoke coming from around the lid. The edge of the lid is rolled to go up and over the top edge of the barrel.
To improve my cooking time and temp control, I have bought and used magnets to cover the top rebar holes, when not using the rebar to hang meat, and have just started a charcoal basket build. It will be 9" high and 18.5 in diameter (about 58" in length)
I am interested in any feedback y'all can give me regarding how to extend my cooking time, and possibly give me a greater temperature range, like up to around 250 degrees. I tried the 3 2 1 method for ribs a couple weeks ago, and had to had 2 chimneys of charcoal to carry it through the entire 6 hours. by then, the temp was down to around 175 degrees
I have considered adding more holes on the bottom, using a ball valve to control the airflow. I have also thought about attempting to get a tighter fit on the top with the lid, though I cannot think of any way do do it.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
It is a 55 g drum, with a plow disc with a T handle for holding charcoal, There is 1 1" hole on the lower side for air. The top of the barrel has 6 3/4 in holes, which is used for rebar to hang meat from with meat hooks. One side of all the rebar has a washer welded to it, to help mitigate heat dissipation. It also came with a 22.5" cooking grate that can be used while the rebar is in use. IT has a temp gauge, which rarely sees above 230 degrees.
I consistently see smoke coming from around the lid. The edge of the lid is rolled to go up and over the top edge of the barrel.
To improve my cooking time and temp control, I have bought and used magnets to cover the top rebar holes, when not using the rebar to hang meat, and have just started a charcoal basket build. It will be 9" high and 18.5 in diameter (about 58" in length)
I am interested in any feedback y'all can give me regarding how to extend my cooking time, and possibly give me a greater temperature range, like up to around 250 degrees. I tried the 3 2 1 method for ribs a couple weeks ago, and had to had 2 chimneys of charcoal to carry it through the entire 6 hours. by then, the temp was down to around 175 degrees
I have considered adding more holes on the bottom, using a ball valve to control the airflow. I have also thought about attempting to get a tighter fit on the top with the lid, though I cannot think of any way do do it.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance