30 GAL UDS questions

I have been wondering the same thing. I haven't really seen anyone using a flat lid on a 30 gallon uds. Also what height would the grate have to be then and would the use of a diffuser be recommend if you only had about 20 inches from the charcoal grate to the grill grate?

Have a piece of 2 inch flat steel rolled to the inside diameter of the drum, then tack weld or bolt it to a piece of sheet metal, like 10 or 12 gauge.

And the basket would be smaller than the 55, so distance wouldn't really mater.

If you cut the drum 1/2" below the lid all the way around you could have a thin piece welded all the way around on the inside. That way the part you cut off will fit over the piece welded on the inside. May be a tight fit but a grinder and some elbow grease should fix that.
I was lucky enough to get a new open head 30 gal for $11 haven't even came close to starting it yet.
Good luck keep us posted.

BluegrassSmoke said:

I don't understand....as a lid?

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Yes, as a lid. So the rolled flat steel sits inside the drum, but the sheet stay outside on top, your drippings stay inside the drum, and it would create a decent seal with some high heat silicone.

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Good point about the drippings staying inside the drum, with a strip rolled to the inside of the drum, but I wonder if rain water could get inside it? Wouldn't rolling the strip to fit the outside be better? Just asking, since I don't know the answer. I think WSM's have the problem of rainwater getting in since the lid fits inside the lip of the middle section.

I made a midi UDS some time and love it. It is a great size for 2 folks, but can handle a fair amount if you need to cook for more people. I did 2 8# pork butts for a party once, but have not pushed it to its limits to see how much food it can cook.

Some pics of my midi UDS build and unveiling.


I think I ended up with racks at 3", 8", and 15" from the top of the drum. In retrospect, I wouldn't worry about beer-can chix so much, because i think they are too much of a hassle now - would just spatchcock. I also would not add risers to all of the intakes, just one. And I would probably go with bigger intakes as well.

Have fun with your build. You're going to end up with a great cooker!

If it was me I would cut a 1/8 or 1/4 lid with the plasma or you could just put a piece of square flat on top of it, might not look as good ,but would work

shoot, even plywood would work as a flat lid, seen it used. but i think a domed lid would be better. i would just cut the top part out next to the seam.

You would just leave an overhang on it, Cali.