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My UDS Revisited

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worknomore

Guest
A while back I posted photos of my UDS and had several suggestions on how to improve it. The builder did the suggestions and he added a few more improvements. Here is what we ended up with:
Added a lid with a seal and hinges:




Added a water drain for clean out:


Sand blasted the inside. Added a basket:


Added intakes:



Added lever for opening and closing clean out hole:


Added handle for ash tray:




Well you guys, what ya think now?
 
Looks fancy. That's a hell of a lot nicer than my plane jane UDS.
 
Everything was made so as not to have to bend down to operate the smoker. I think about that nowadays. The basket was even made to not have to be removed for cleanout. The pole in the middle of the basket is attached to the bottom grate only so the expanded metal stays in the smoker when cleaning out the ash. Just lift out the 13 inch grate and sweep the ash into the hole. A UDS for cripples,woman,and old people.
 
"A UDS for cripples,woman,and old people."

It doesn't sound politically correct, but that is what it is.
 
Basket

I have the charcoal grate were it can be adjusted also. I just need to figure out how to move it up and keep it there when I want to for grilling. Maybe a carter key with holes drilled in one inch increments in the square tubing or something like that. I don't know if I will grill in it or not, I have the Smokey Joe Jr, but I may so its ready if I do.




 
Last edited by a moderator:
The hinges and the lid are off a cheap Weber clone that Lowes sales here:http://www.lowes.com/pd_42596-42600-CBC835L_4294857761_4294937087_?productId=1086393&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Charcoal%2BGrills_4294857761_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1%26page%3D1&facetInfo=








He used the drum lid and tack welded the kettle lid on top of the drum lid. (Thin metal on the kettle lid, cant take the heat, so he tack welded it) Then used high temp silicone to make a air tight seal between the drum lid and kettle lid as shown in the picture. He then used a fiberglass type stove seal inside the lip of the drum lid as shown to make a good seal with the top of the drum and the drum lid. He then cut the hole under the dome lid. Everything fits tight and no air leakage. Looks like I may have to put the old bolts and wing nuts in the lid to plug up the unused hinge bolt holes. But no biggie if I need to.
 
Oh ya, I like this. I am now done with the smoker. I am inside under the air conditioning and its just cruising along while outside its over 100 degrees. I am liking this.



Cactus bloom. Just cause I can post it!
 
bigabyte said:
Beautiful drum!:cool:
Click to expand...
I would like to thank all the people here for there suggestions.I started with a drum that needed tweaks, and ended using the suggestions for getting it up to par and ending with this. This is a great forum and the brethren here are willing to go the extra mile for new people getting into smoking. :clap2:
 
the only thing you are missing would be a stoker / digicue / iq110 for temp control.
 
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