Statts' DUS (Down Under Smoker)

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statts

Newbie
Original poster
Feb 24, 2015
26
12
Adelaide, Australia
Hi all,

Long time lurker and occasional poster, but I have just finished my UDS build and thought I would show some pics.


The drum started off as an open-top lined food grade drum. I pre-mounted everything and drilled all the holes, then dropped it off to have it sand blasted inside and out.


Somehow missed a lot of pics in the middle of the build, but here's the two cooking grates, Big Poppa side tables and bottle opener. All mounting hardware is Stainless Steel of course. Paint is Duplicolor Engine Enamel Ford Semi Gloss Black.


3/4" intake risers fitted up. Decided to go with copper to be different, and high temp clear coated them to preserve the finish. There's also a capped 1" intake on the front for getting the party started. Also shown is the lower half of the "Unknown BBQ" hinge.


Charcoal basket using 13" high 1"x1/2" steel mesh and a charcoal grate from an 18" Weber (13/5" diameter). Ash pan is a 15" deep pan pizza tray. Bottom of the basket sits 3" from the bottom of the drum.

And now for the finished pics....





Thanks for taking the time to look.
 
  An awesome looking UDS! Nice job! Only problem I see is you used Ford black instead of Chevy blue!
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Well Done!
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   Mike
 
 
  An awesome looking UDS! Nice job! Only problem I see is you used Ford black instead of Chevy blue!
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Well Done!
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   Mike
Thanks! I swear all I wanted was a satin black, when it arrived it said Ford on the colour description. No conscious decision I swear! 
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How come you rtv the inside of the drum? I just ordered the unknowñ bbq flat top hinge how you like yours? Is it rigid and sturdy. Or does it sway and twistbwhen open
 
How come you rtv the inside of the drum? I just ordered the unknowñ bbq flat top hinge how you like yours? Is it rigid and sturdy. Or does it sway and twistbwhen open
Just to make sure of no air leaks around the fittings. It's high temp food grade RTV. The hinge sway a bit to be honest, but it's not awful.
 
That's a very nice looking smoker, well done  
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Gary
 
Great looking ugly drum you have there! Now let's see some smoke! Just an FYI once things get seasoned and junked up there's no need for the RTV. Even the metal on metal seals up fine where the bolts and fitting penetrate.
 
Man that is a really good looking UDS? I don't see any sort of ring for the Weber lid. Did you bend it to fit the drum?
 
 
Man that is a really good looking UDS? I don't see any sort of ring for the Weber lid. Did you bend it to fit the drum?
Yeah I bent it up so it would fit on the rolled lip of the open-top drum. The resulting flange has 1/2" self-adhesive nomex gasket to seal things up nicely
 
After hours trying to make a lip I ended up bending mine to fit but I haven't added a gasket yet. Mine still leaks a small amount when I am putting out a lot of smoke but once it gets to TBS it is fine. Yours should work great with that nomex gasket.
 
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Hey Statts,

Awesome looking rig mate. I'm thinking of having a go at one myself and was wondering why not put another ball valve on the front bottom vent and do you use / need a water pan?

Cheers
 
Hey Statts, 

Awesome looking rig mate. I was thinking of having a go at one my self & was wondering why didn't you use another ball valve for the front vent and do you need / use a water pan?

Cheers
 
 
Hey Statts,

Awesome looking rig mate. I'm thinking of having a go at one myself and was wondering why not put another ball valve on the front bottom vent and do you use / need a water pan?

Cheers
Good to hear you're going to have a crack. Very rewarding project to undertake. The front 25mm will only be used when getting the pit up to temperature, and the cap put back on then. The 2x 20 inlets will be ample for low and slow temps.
 
I like the bottle opener on the side

Gary
 
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