this will be ugly

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soafung

Meat Mopper
Original poster
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Jul 9, 2009
244
11
Amarillo, TX
i don't know what my problem is...i just got the WSM (haven't even cooked on it as of today) and i'm about to build a UDS.  i'm an automation technician and we have a bakery that we do work for.  i was at the bakery the other day installing a new dough mixer weight controller and load cell system, when out of the corner of my eye i see 3 pallets of empty 55 gallon soybean oil drums.  i asked the guys i was working for what they do with the empties and they told me they make trash cans out of them.  well, not being one to leave well enough alone, i asked them how many trash cans did they need to make.  they laughed and said they were gonna hold them til such need arised.  i told them i had a need for a drum and now...i'm gonna build a UDS.  i just got the drum today and it is a closed top, so i don't know what the inside looks like yet, but i bet it has a liner.  i'm gonna use this thread as the build tread and will start the work this weekend.  it will be a slow build, because i'm WAY behind on my "honey do's" list.  i'm pretty pumped about this.
 
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Get after it! You will love a UDS, they are frikin amazing.
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congrats on the good find!  I've got a couple of drums stashed for just such a project -- just can't let the wife find them before I build it!!!
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I gotta agree here, the sooner you get it cooking the sooner you will be totally amazed at how they run. Feel free to use any ideas you may see in my UDS link in my sig. It isnt to fancy but it isnt plain either. I think I will make my next one a plain jane model, that way I dont have to worry about someone taking it if I leave it out front.

Good Luck and keep us posted.
 
if i do the vertical intakes (90's on the out side turned up with extensions to remove the need to bend down), would it be fair to say i should go with 1" or will the standard 3/4" in takes still be ok?
 
I used 3/4" all around with a 12" riser on one with a ball valve. So far no problems with temps.
you only came up a foot? hmm why not up to top so you dont have to bend over? though from what ive read 3/4 struggles when you raise it up all the way, but really i dont know, havent tried the ninety deal yet.
 
i decided...screw it.  it's my first UDS, so i'm gonna go with out the risers and stick with the 3/4".  i got some materials together yesterday, but i'm not gonna start working on it til tomorrow.  i'm taking the WSM out for a maiden voyage today.
 
Yeah, I only went up 12" because I thought if I went too high it would affect the draw.

Besides, bending over a bit is my excercise so I can eat more!
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I think that on my next one I do a full height riser but use 1" pipe, and see how it works.
 
you only came up a foot? hmm why not up to top so you dont have to bend over? though from what ive read 3/4 struggles when you raise it up all the way, but really i dont know, havent tried the ninety deal yet.
 
haha i know what you mean about the exercise lol i always joke that walking around wally world to buy more meat and food is my only exercise ahha
 
cut the lid off the closed drum yesterday and took it to the car wash.  people were looking at me like i was the crazy guy.  all i did was yell at them, "YOU WANT METAL SHAVINGS IN YOUR BBQ!?  FOOLS!"  they were totally cool after that.  anyways, i started getting my marks laid out and will find my camera ASAP, so i can document the build.
 
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did some work on the UDS.  still need to build the fire basket, ash pan, and  find a lid-a-ma-jigger.

e2acbb33_OutsideoftheUDS.jpg


40894b59_InsidetheUDS.jpg


adc71850_UDSwithGrates.jpg
 
fire basket done

5244c219_UDSBasket2.jpg


7d5199f2_UDSBasket1.jpg


where would be the best place to put the thermo?  1" below the bottom rack?
 
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my neighbor works for a fab shop (Tiernann of Amarillo, the manufacturers of the Son of Brisket cookers) and he is fabbing up my UDS lid.  he said he would try and fab up something to be used as a cart for the UDS as well.  he said he might have it done today.  i'll post pics when he gets it to me.
 
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