New UDS Build Question

Gotta ask what is the purpose?

now what are you trying to do?

If it's bolted to your Drum how do you get the Charcoal Basket in and out?

if this is going on the bottom of the barrel what's the point?

I know what you are implying, and would say that since you plan to use the coal grate as a smaller meat grate, then you are in essense forcing all the heat and smoke to get through that smaller bottom hole and then out the top. I think the meat on the larger top grate is going to get left out of the party so to speak. It will not get as much heat or smoke cause the smaller bottom hole may be blocked when you have meat on it.

I say just use the flange method and put in another full sized meat grate and increase the capacity all around and not have problems with temps and choking it out.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40875&highlight=weber+flange
I think your idea will give you fits when it comes to temp management. If you think about it, you are forcing all the heat and smoke to evacuate the drum through that smaller hole and then out the lid. A lot of heat and smoke is going to get trapped all around the sides of the weber bottom. The only way for it to exit will be go through the smaller hole. You will end up with more heat and smoke than that hole can properly and quickly get rid of.

Plus, trying to manuver the coal basket in and out of the smaller hole or adding coal will be a lot harder.

Use the bottom as a high domed lid like I did:grin:

Smoke & Beers said:

Use the bottom as a high domed lid like I did:grin:

Click to expand...

Did you cut the lid then and use it to hold the bottom. Kinda like a flange mod in reverse? Damn, wish I had seen this when I built mine. I like the design.

shawn that is totally cool!!!, I am going to copy that someday.

Smoke & Beers said:

Use the bottom as a high domed lid like I did:grin:

Click to expand...

I hope this is not a "Hi Jack" but that is a "Kick Arse" idea. I was just about to cut a drum tomorrow for my 1st. full size UDS... Change of plans! S & B did you leave a small shelf around the inside of the bead when you cut the top off? Seems like that would be a good seal and no drips or runs on the outside if the drum. I would like to see a pic with the lid (Weber bottom) off it you would please!

I did not have to cut the barrel. You can't see it in that picture, but the barrel has a slight taper and the OD of the lip of the barrel and the OD of the lip of the kettle were the same, so I formed a 3/4" ring (1/8" thick steel) and welded it to the lip of the kettle. This is what forms the "seat" and keeps it in place. Originally, I was going to use the lid clamp that came with the barrel to just clamp it on when in use, but this turned out well and gives it a good seal.




I hope this helps...

Matt,
When you described your idea it reminded me of this. Bear with me, I'm weird and that's how I analyze things. I can't help it. If you took a glass(it represents the drum) and then put a funnel into the glass(thats the Weber bottom) It works great for putting liquid into the glass but if you held the funnel in place and then turned the glass upside down, the funnel wont work quite as well to "empty" the glass of the water. It's going to take a lot longer for the water(the heat and smoke) to exit the funnel through the smaller hole. All that time the build up of heat and smoke will probably have a counter effect on the intakes and start pushing heat and smoke out instead of drawing air in thus choking out the fire. I did the flange trick with my drum and love it. It was not a perfect seal at the beginning, but some gaskets made of pipe isulation wrapped in foil plugged up all the leaks. I didn't bolt the flange to the drum since it fit in there pretty tight and didn't really move. Plus all the seasoning etc has pretty much secured it in place. Hope we helped you out. I really like the bottom as a lid idea. That would be perfect for making a large number of BBC or turkeys when you need the added height clearance.
keep us up to date on the build.

Here's some info on mine........I could not have done it with out all the help from the members on this board either.:eusa_clap
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39581&highlight=drum+deflowering

This thread has some great info provided by fellow Drum Heads.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38196&highlight=weber+flange

Lastly, cut the bowl about one inch under the grate supports. This way, you can still use them to hold up the grates. Also, use eye and face protection and thick clothing when cutting the porcelain coating on the Weber. It flies everywhere.