UDS Question - Cold Weather

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fishgod

Newbie
Original poster
Aug 10, 2016
19
12
Palmer Alaska
I live in Alaska and smoke meat year round -10 F to single digit temps in the winter and 70's during the summer.  I am looking to build a UDS.  My thinking is that during my cold weather smokes I will need to burn more fuel to keep the UDS up to temp.  With that in mind I am thinking of using 1" pipe and ball valve for my draft control.  Not sure if a water heater blanket would be big enough to go around a 55 gallon drum but I know it would help stabilize temps in the winter. Does it seem like I'm on the right track?  Are there any UDS users out there smoking in cold temps that can lend some advice?
 
I would think that you might be able to use a fireblanket to wrap around a drum. Not sure if a water heater blanket would work. But you could try it.
On the inlets, I think that you would need more than just one 1" inlet. Usually they use three 3/4" inlets. 2 of the inlets wouldn't have to have valves.

It's true the colder it is, the more fuel you will burn.
The coldest weather I ever run my drum was 20 degrees. I would think wind could also be a problem.
 
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Im planning on putting 3 @ 1 inch intakes. I'm putting a ball valve on just one. I might put a valve on a second one versus a cap. Stuff up here is pretty dang expensive. I was looking at buying a coal basket on line but shipping is almost as much as the basket itself. I'm not going to pay $120 to get a premade basket. Wind is a big issue where I live. I have 2 mountain valleys point at me. Its not uncommon to have 20-30 mph winds. Planning on putting up a wind break when windy.
 
I live in Palmer. Smoked a full load of turkey legs on my uds. It was 13 out last week. I am running 4 3/4" intakes. I loaded up with a full chimney of kbb. I was only able to run at 275 until the meat warmed up. Ended up with 2 wide open and the ball valve about 3/4 to run at 325. I was thinking about wrapping a blanket on it. I'm glad it wasn't blowing. That matanuska wind will suck some heat out. I did a whole hog for Christmas on the cinderblock put. It was about 8 degrees and blowing 30. Burned 3/4 cord of wood for a 8 hour cook. Let me know if a heater blanket works.
Jason
 
That's good to hear Jason  thanks for the info. PS I live in Palmer as well, near Colony High/Middle school.  So going with the 1" valves should help in our weather. What kind of temp/burn times are you getting on a full basket of coals  I think I will plan on getting the water heater blanket.  I saw them at Home Depot and aren't very expensive.  Is there a source for expanded metal here in the Valley?

Michael
 
Use gate valves. That's what I put on mine. They work just as good and three of them cost less than 1 ball valve.

I'm a fan of three valves. The threaded black pipe caps rust and it makes it hard to take them off and put them back on.
 
Well, I dont think I will need to worry about cold weather cooking.  I did my seasoning/test burn yesterday. A few stats about the final UDS configuration.


3@ 1inch black pipe vents with 2@ ball valves and one cap. 3 inches up from the bottom of the drum

16x10ish charcoal basket made out of 9 gauge expanded metal with 3.5 inch legs (Basket will hold 18+ pounds of charcoal with lots of room to spare.

Cooking grate 7inches from the top of the drum.  

A second grate approx 4 inches above the fire basket to set my diffuser/drip pan. (Old steel Wok with the handle cut off)

2 inch vent pipe in the center of the lid (6in long)

20 inch aluminum pan for ash and drippings in the bottom (Home Depot water heater pan)

3@ garage door handles (1@ for the lid and the other 2 for the barrel)

I used all stainless steal hardware inside the barrel

A side note on the build.  A 1 1/4 inch hole saw made the perfect size hole.  I was able to scree the 1' black pipe nipples into the drum with a very tight fit.  Really did not need the nuts on either side but I do have them.

So yesterday I wanted to season the UDS and it was 26 degrees out.  I sprayed the interior with Pam.  I poured an 18lb bag of Kingsford in the basket along with some hickory chunks and pulled out 30 briquettes and put them in my charcoal chimney. I opened all there vents.  I started the charcoal in the chimney and poured it into the center of the basket.  I left the lid off the UDS for 10 min then put the lid on.  I let the temp come up to 350 degrees then started closing vents. The temp hit 360ish and started backing down.


I got it settled down into the 350 degree range and went to dinner at a friends just down the street.  When I came back it was still holding temp at 352 degrees.  At the 4 hour mark I closed all the vents and capped the vent.  It cold down extremely quickly.


Last night I prepped an 8.5lb pork shoulder and put it in the fridge.  I went out this morning to prep for my cook today. I couldn't believe how much charcoal was left after a 4 hour 350 degree burn.  The ash was a fine talcum powder consistency.  I loaded about a pound of new charcoal in the basket and added my hickory chunks. It now has been running for 3 hours in 16 degree weather at 245-250 degrees. I have one vent wide open and one just cracked a hair.  

Wow I love this thing,  Im excited to see how the pork shoulder turns out today. 
 
I live in mn .. I have smoked in negative temps several times with no issues ! I have 4 valves .. which I've never used all 4... I have had to use all 3 a few times but not often .. I use to only have 2 valves but this fall I installed the extra 2 ball valves getting ready for winter cooks... didn't even need em .. I also had several insulation plans but never needed to do any of those ideas! If your smoker is sealed up you won't have a problem! Air leaks will kill temps! Also one thing I did was I have a 90• elbow on my exhaust ... not many do this but I wouldn't trade it for anything! Wind coming from the west I rotate my exhaust to the east! Wind changes then my lid changes. This is why I can't have a hinge on my lid. Also can use wind blocks .. I tip my picnic table on its side by my smoker to keep the cold wind out of my valves ..
 
Also having extra valves is also a plus with the cold wind.. I use valves on the opposite side of the wind where the drum blocks the wind ! Hope this helped
 
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