UDS Top Vent

[dsavells]

Had a quick question for you guys. Just getting into smoking and thinking of building a UDS. Now I understand the lower vents control air flow to the coal and control the temp but what was is the upper vent for and is there any standard because I have many different types but none that say if the vent should be small, large, etc. Does opening and closing off the top change the airflow and effect temp? Can the top vent control smoke intensity, say you want a more smokey flavor so top vent is cracked so more smoke stays in or less smokey flavor so top vent is opened. Hope you can help. Thanks

 

[fwismoker]

I'll show you a couple i thought were a good idea.  This is one that will keep rain out and let you adjust it by plugging 1 or more of them up,



This is what i'm building...it's a kit.  You'll see this one has an adjustment like a Weber. 

https://www.bigpoppasmokers.com/store/drum-smoker-kit-parts   Now i got the whole kit but you can ala cart anything and get the vent separately. 

 

[fwismoker]

Oh to answer your question, you will use the bottom vent to control the heat the most but the top vent does 2 things...one it let's the smoke out and secondly it pulls the draft through.  Consider the top vent to be the fine tuner.  Hope that helps.