How hot do they get

[olered]

I have been thinking about a UDS. I just bought the MES, but the thought of building my own smoker is just plain cool. My dad has a Weber 22.5 that has rusted out, but the lid and grates are good to go. Found a guy that has food grade barrels for 10 bucks. So I think I would be good to go pretty cheap, but I was wondering how hot do they get on the bottom or sides? Would it be ok sitting on a deck or do I need wheels or something? Also have little ones around and don't want them to get burned. Going to get a red and black UGA paint job.

 

[meateater]

Most members put theres on bricks, I have mine on wheels myself. I dont know the bottom temp on mine off hand. Here's a thread I started on paint jobs.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...uds+paint+jobs

 

[tom37]

Mine is on wheels. The last time I checked I could hold my hand right against the bottom and it was only warm. At 200 you can put your hands anywhere on mine and it is warm to touch. 250 slightly warmer you don't want to keep um there long. 300 you know you touched something hot but not sure it would actually put a burn on ya. You know it tho, kinda like when I have a helper when I weld and hand off a hot piece of steel and he squeals what the hell you do that for, that was HOT.

I plan to watch the thrift stores for a giant size blanket lined coat for my UDS. That will be the icing on the cake.

 

[travcoman45]

I put mine on wheels cause it's easier ta move around.  Ain't sure I'd wanna just set it on wood an leave it alone (the idear behind a UDS) just ta be on the safe side.  I'd at least put it on some bricks.  Also, ya never know, a little one's hands er not as tough as ours, I'm sure there could be a chance of em gittin a good holler outa it if nothin else.

My granddaughter has learned ta stay away from grandpa's smokers cause ther hot.

 

[dburgette]

I was a little unsure about putting mine on my deck, so I just use a few 16x16" pavers and set them on top, off the side of the deck in the dirt.  I wouldn't trust putting it on top without something underneath.

 

[rp ribking]

I use durock concrete board under my WSM it works well.

 

[caveman]

I use durock concrete board under my WSM it works well.

I was thinking about using wheels on mine.  I like the idea of rolling it around instead of moving it manually when I setup & break down.

 

[graybeard]

Quote:

 Going to get a red and black UGA paint job.

 Good selection!!

beard

 

[olered]

Well my dad had a 55 gallon closed head drum that had oil in it. I was looking and looks like if I cut the top off right below the top ring the Weber lid will fit perfect. Then A good burnout is going to take place maybe a pallet or two should get it cleaned up. I also think I will go with some kind of wheels for it. Whats best to cut with a ziz wheel or Sawzall?

 

[jaxgatorz]

A weber that rusted out????????

 That musta been hard to acomplish

 

[stubborn]

The leg sockets rusted out on mine.  After about, let's see, got it before we got married, 10yrs there, 4 there, 16 here, curbed it about 7 years ago... I think it was about 20 years old when I tossed it.  Never really took care of it, set outside all the time.  The lid had gone from black to gray. If I had realized I was going to get back into it, I would have saved the parts...

 

[tom37]

  Whats best to cut with a ziz wheel or Sawzall?

I would vote for an angle grinder and grind through the one layer of the lid, just to where the barrel wall is showing on the rolled edge.

PM me if you need pics of what I am talking about.

 

[ddave]

I set mine on a cart with wheels that I built.  The cart is made of wood.  I've had the drum at temps of 300°+ cooking and it has actually gotten over 400 a time or two at the center grate. The wood on the cart shows no sign of getting too hot. 

Having said that though, the cart is on a cement patio when I am cooking.  I don't know that I would cook with it on a wooden deck with nothing underneath it.  I'd also be concerned about using ANY charcoal smoker on a wooden deck but have seen plenty of pictures of folks here that do that.

Dave

 

[dick foster]

It's not that hard to do. I've done two of em and I've closed the holes every time. I wanted to get into smoking anyway so it was no big deal.

 

[olered]

Well cut the top out this afternoon and the lid fits pretty good. Got some conduit nuts from a electrician at work and when I see the fire sprinkler guy going to see if he has any nipples I can use. Sorry Gatorz I don't know the age of the grill, but were the leg bolts on was rusted out so about 4 years ago we got him a new one for fathers day. It was still usable just a little wobbly. He kept the other for a spare in case he needed to cook a lot of burgers or dogs.