Can't stand it no more!

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jonnyrod

Fire Starter
Original poster
Nov 23, 2010
38
10
Pasadena, Tx
I have been checking out these U.D.S. units for some time now and I gotta have one. First, I was thinking of building the fire grate with legs and attach an ash pan to the bottom. Second, I was thinking of making the cooking grates stackable. I think this would yield a little larger cooking surface since you don't have all the bolts sticking inward to contend with. Lastly, I was thinking about taking it to work and having the insulators give me a quick tutorial on insulation and getting it done by them the right way at the same time. If I insulate it, will it be difficult to keep the temps down? Would a diffuser plate be in order? It would stand to reason I would have to keep the inlets turned way down and possibly starve the fuel of oxygen. I look forward to any input. I built a few grills for my Hybrid's upright portion and thought they would make perfect grates for a U.D.S. They are 1"x 1/4"   flat stock and 3/4" #9 expanded metal. Here is a pic of the grates, I still need to clean then up a bit.  

f211c2fa_IMG_3147.jpg
 
I have seen several UDS builds where they have used a fire basket and that was attached to an ash pan, the whole thing had a handle on one of the builds on here to where you could pull it out of the bottom with a long rod with a hook on the end that catches on the handle, pretty slick set up IMO.  I am still in the wanting to build one and research stage so I cant really help with the other questions but I am sure some here will have your answers.  Those grates are sweeeeeetttttttttttt!!  Very nice!!
 
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You sure have some heavy duty grates there Jonny. I don't have a UDS but I have seen alot of them here and most folks use thewire racks form a weber kettle grills.
 
IMO there is absoutly to reason to insulate a UDS, I can keep mine at 250* all day in sub-zero temperatures. I would also argue that it runs better in cooler/colder temperatures. Those grates are great! I myself stuck with the weber grates they fit perfect yet they are heavy duty enough for what I use my drum for. They also fit in my gas grill so I can turn it on high and clean the grates.
 
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You sure have some heavy duty grates there Jonny. I don't have a UDS but I have seen alot of them here and most folks use thewire racks form a weber kettle grills.
I have seen the grates they sell and quite frankly found them to be a little cheesy. I'm not bashing anyone's gear here but I like to do stuff one time. I  have a New Braunfels smoker I bought years ago and have been modifying it since. The wire grate was the first thing to die a horrible death and has been replaced. Tanks for your input guys. 
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I have been checking out these U.D.S. units for some time now and I gotta have one. First, I was thinking of building the fire grate with legs and attach an ash pan to the bottom. Second, I was thinking of making the cooking grates stackable. I think this would yield a little larger cooking surface since you don't have all the bolts sticking inward to contend with. Lastly, I was thinking about taking it to work and having the insulators give me a quick tutorial on insulation and getting it done by them the right way at the same time. If I insulate it, will it be difficult to keep the temps down? Would a diffuser plate be in order? It would stand to reason I would have to keep the inlets turned way down and possibly starve the fuel of oxygen. I look forward to any input. I built a few grills for my Hybrid's upright portion and thought they would make perfect grates for a U.D.S. They are 1"x 1/4"   flat stock and 3/4" #9 expanded metal. Here is a pic of the grates, I still need to clean then up a bit.  

f211c2fa_IMG_3147.jpg
I think that you are over thinking and over doing it with the UDS.  Grates are great but forget about insulating.  They work great as is.  I have been using mine for two years now and love how it smokes and performs.   I think it is best to leave a good thing alone.

Take care,  John
 
I have been checking out these U.D.S. units for some time now and I gotta have one. First, I was thinking of building the fire grate with legs and attach an ash pan to the bottom. Second, I was thinking of making the cooking grates stackable. I think this would yield a little larger cooking surface since you don't have all the bolts sticking inward to contend with. Lastly, I was thinking about taking it to work and having the insulators give me a quick tutorial on insulation and getting it done by them the right way at the same time. If I insulate it, will it be difficult to keep the temps down? Would a diffuser plate be in order? It would stand to reason I would have to keep the inlets turned way down and possibly starve the fuel of oxygen. I look forward to any input. I built a few grills for my Hybrid's upright portion and thought they would make perfect grates for a U.D.S. They are 1"x 1/4"   flat stock and 3/4" #9 expanded metal. Here is a pic of the grates, I still need to clean then up a bit.  

f211c2fa_IMG_3147.jpg
I think that you are over thinking and over doing it with the UDS.  Grates are great but forget about insulating.  They work great as is.  I have been using mine for two years now and love how it smokes and performs.   I think it is best to leave a good thing alone.

Take care,  John
That's cool, I have heard of these things running in cold temps forever and holding the heat. One of the benefits of insulating it for me is I don't have to paint it. The insulation would be wrapped up in aluminum sheeting secured with bands of stainless flat stock and a corrugated lid cover. I can't leave a good thing alone so here I go.......
 
Hey knock yourself out.  Why not think outside the box now and then.  It is fun!  Who knows maybe you will come up with a better mousetrap and if not ya had fun trying.
 
Looking forward to the completed build. Those racks are sturdy enough to sit on, although I wouldn't recommend it.
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 Your gonna love that drum when your done.
 
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