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Adding wood or coal to a UDS?

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bsnemo

bsnemo

Fire Starter
Original poster
Jun 3, 2013
35
10
Michigan
I'm thinking about adding a UDS to the collection and got to wondering how you add more wood or coal to the bottom of the drum without removing the meat, racks and letting all the heat out. I've looked at some videos and didn't recall any access doors for wood at the bottom. I seems the only entry point is the top.
 
I didn't have a choice on my charcoal basket size but it goes 15 hours on lump @ 250 and will go longer on KB.

IMO a side benefit of the drum is just that it is fairly air tight by not having a door. 
 
So you have never had to restore more wood or coal into your drum? It sounds to me like you would load your basket up depending on what you're going to cook. Or is the drum just use for a long slow cooks?
 
bsnemo said:
So you have never had to restore more wood or coal into your drum? It sounds to me like you would load your basket up depending on what you're going to cook. Or is the drum just use for a long slow cooks? No it's for long or short...If the basket is full you'll just have unused fuel for next smoke. 
Click to expand...
I haven't needed to no.... I do sometimes keep the hinged section of the Weber grate open in case i want to drop some more wood in for smoke, but it still not necessary.       

Meat also cooks faster on drums.
 
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I always load my basket up to about 3/4 full (20 or so pounds) and have gone 16 hrs so far (longest smoke) and have had half basket left with unburnt fuel. I usually place about 8 chunks of wood in with the charcoal or lump depending on what I use along with Jack Daniels wood chips. Never had to add to it. Chips and chunks are usually gone but still have unburnt coals for next smoke. I always close off the drum right (intakes and exhaust) after I pull the meat and it snuffs out pretty quick. Usually in an hour or so. That all depends on how air tight you build your drum. Chad
 
bsnemo said:
So you have never had to restore more wood or coal into your drum? It sounds to me like you would load your basket up depending on what you're going to cook. Or is the drum just use for a long slow cooks?
Click to expand...
If you make the UDS air tight, when you are done cooking, closing the vents etc. will extinguish the charcoal...   Put more in than you think you need...  When cooking steaks on the grill, you have briquettes left over....   same with the UDS....  
 
I use my UDS for short hot cooks and long slow smokes. I do not need to add more fuel. If I am doing a short cook I don't load as much fuel. If I am doing a Brisket. I fill it most of the way up. Like others have said. Close all vents when finished. Then you have fuel left for the next cook.

Happy smoken.

David
 
Ah the hinged grill I forgot about that. That would allow you to drop in some new coal or wood or maybe stoke the fire if the grill rack was low enough or if you have a longer stoker rod...
 
bsnemo said:
Ah the hinged grill I forgot about that. That would allow you to drop in some new coal or wood or maybe stoke the fire if the grill rack was low enough or if you have a longer stoker rod...
Click to expand...
I don't know of anything that will fit in the UDS that you cant smoke with one load of fuel......If you hing your rack you will have to unload the rack before you can do anything. So why not just pick up the rack? Mine has 5 racks.

David
 
I can't imagine why you would want to add more once its going.  I've had mine go 18+ hours on the initial burn in on 16lbs of charcoal.
 
Smokin EMT said:
 
Would someone post the dimensions of their baskets. I've read someplace that someone had a size for smoking and a size for grilling. Can anyone add to this?
Click to expand...
Mine is in a kit but you can buy it separately from Big Poppa Smokers...13-3/8" diameter by a heigth of 7-1/2"

I could have made my own but it's so nice being able to grill and sear, it easily lifts from the bottom to a higher level and sits under the cooking grate to sear or grill.
 
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http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/g/i/221000/a/137229/first-usd-build/sort/display_order

Mine is 16" diameter. . 9" high expanded metal.. with a 3" rise... some uds models have a basket you can raise up wards to "grill" on.. FWIsmoker's is one.. but .. with my basket if there is enough fuel left after my long haul smoke.. I can grill almost anything on it.. even done pizza "grill style with my basket still sitting where it usually sits.
 
Having used different types of smokers.

Different types of smokers have their good points and their bad points.

If fuel efficiency is your goal, I don't see how you could beat a properly sized and designed upright.

Good luck and good smoking.
 
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