Ugly Drum Smoker

[Mr. Bo]

Please could someone tell me if this expanded metal is to fine mesh for a charcoal basket?
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Perforated-Steel-Stretched-Metal-Sheet-600-x-1000mm/p/116708
its 16mm x 8mm holes and i am hoping to use it for the base of the basket.
I can notch our some sections to allow ash to fall through if necessary i guess?

As many of my UK brethren have found already expanded metal is not easy to get hold of here!

It 'might" be too small for the bottom as far as ash. It should be fine for the sides of the basket though. I used a round charcoal grate from an old ECB for the bottom of mine.

 

[Tcarlberg44]

Keep working

I made my smoker from a similar drum. It was funky burning off the liner and I took a metal wheel sander to the inside and did a few extra burns just to be safe. The finished product was worth it. The que I've been putting out on the table has been awesome.

 

[trzasa18]

I've noticed some of the uds smokers have long air inlet pipes on the sides. Does this make a difference in airflow or is it personal preference?

 

[iowabucks]

I've noticed some of the uds smokers have long air inlet pipes on the sides. Does this make a difference in airflow or is it personal preference?

I think it's just personal preference. You don't have to bend down towards the bottom of a warm barrel that way.


I have a question about heat diffusers if there are others out there that have done the same.

I prefer to have a more even temp in my UDS, so I purchased a pizza pan and use that on another grate about a foot above the coals.

Should I just leave the pan as is, or drill some holes in it to promote airflow? If so, how many, and what size holes would work best?

 

[AussieMatt]

I'd do the holes for some flow. I just used a 1/2" drill bit and went nuts.

 

[craigb]

wow...I really need to make one of these and start smokin!

 

[wdpope1]

Easter 2 days away got 4 full pork ribs ready for the UDS low and slow not sure 3-2-1 or 2-2-1 but can always adjust seen tooooo many post on here with droooooling PRON just lookin for basic cook maybe 2 rack with BBQ sauce on gas burner to caramelize
any comments

 

[ebijack]

I've noticed some of the uds smokers have long air inlet pipes on the sides. Does this make a difference in airflow or is it personal preference?

It is personal, but it does reduce the amount of air flow which equals available temps.

 

[ebijack]

Easter 2 days away got 4 full pork ribs ready for the UDS low and slow not sure 3-2-1 or 2-2-1 but can always adjust seen tooooo many post on here with droooooling PRON just lookin for basic cook maybe 2 rack with BBQ sauce on gas burner to caramelize
any comments

How many cooking grates do you have? If only one grate, roll the ribs into coils using skewers to hold the shape and keep air between each coil. If that makes sense.

 

[dadsr4]

How many cooking grates do you have? If only one grate, roll the ribs into coils using skewers to hold the shape and keep air between each coil. If that makes sense.

 

[RustyNutRacer]

Here's my fleet. I just finished the UDS inside the cart for my old man. It's his Father's Day present.

 

[Mr. Bo]

Looks like a nice build. I like the cart idea.

 

[iowabucks]

I did a full 12lb brisket as my 2nd smoke in my just built UDS. Charcoal died out about 9 hours into it. I topped it off a couple times but that didn't help alot because the ashes were deep enough in the ash pan that it reached the bottom of the basket, reducing airflow. I then emptied ashes and all and refilled the charcoal. Temps shot up faster than I expected and it finished at 208 IT by the time I realized it.

Flat was excellent but the point looked like pulled beef the way it sat. Tasted good, but I wanted to chunk it up for burnt ends. I cooked with the fat cap down because I tried to stay at 250 throughout the smoke. Wrapped it in butcher paper after 150 degrees.

Could the few extra degrees at the end of the cook be the reason the point wanted to fall apart so easily?

 

[ebijack]

Charcoal died out about 9 hours into it. I topped it off a couple times but that didn't help alot because the ashes were deep enough in the ash pan that it reached the bottom of the basket, reducing airflow.

How much height from the bottom of the drum to the bottom of your coal bskt? Depending on the brand coal used, some really leave a lot of ashes. I went from 3" to 4" ( carriage bolts for legs) just for those times I'm smoking for long periods like one smoke after another. My bskt sides are 8" on a 17" weber coal grate. I can get 17hrs no problem. As far as the point falling apart, probing IMHO is the only way to know when the meat is done. Not temp. The IT temp ranges are pretty drastic for probe tender for each piece of meat. It is done when it is done.
Cool UDS!

 

[tntitan]

Well guys its been a long time since i have been on looks like yall are holding this thread up real well keep it up love seeing all the new people.

 

[iowabucks]

How much height from the bottom of the drum to the bottom of your coal basket?

I was using 4" carriage bolts, giving me maybe 3" clearance under the basket to the ash pan. Looks like I will be swapping to 5" or 6" carriage bolts.

But after about 10 hours, 95% of the coals were gone after using a full basket. Maybe I need to start my fire with a few less coals or just bring the temp up slower, hopefully not using as many coals early, thus lasting longer?

 

[ebijack]

I was using 4" carriage bolts, giving me maybe 3" clearance under the basket to the ash pan. Looks like I will be swapping to 5" or 6" carriage bolts.
But after about 10 hours, 95% of the coals were gone after using a full basket. Maybe I need to start my fire with a few less coals or just bring the temp up slower, hopefully not using as many coals early, thus lasting longer?

How many coals are you lighting, what is the size of your coal basket.

 

[iowabucks]

How many coals are you lighting, what is the size of your coal basket.

Lighting no more than 15 coals. I have the Big Poppa Smoker kit. The basket that came with it. I believe it is just a little smaller than some of the DIY baskets I have seen online.

 

[ebijack]

Online that basket shows 13 3/8 X 7 1/2 height. That is the reason your limited on your cook times.

 

[SteamshipQ]

My first UDS

Thanks to all of you and these pages. I just completed my first UDS build. I was concerned about zinc so I used all stainless hardware. I really wanted the Weber cover so I spent some time making it fit right. I'll post some pics of how I made it work. Having some trouble attaching pics to the post. Something about the size.

I'm planning to smoke a fatty and some ribs next weekend.