UDS Burnout Question

[adenjago]

Just Quick update.....

I feel like I Made a lot of progress Today,  just need wait for some people to come back to me with  Pipework and wait for some of the paint of the Components to dry.....I feel like it's 95% complete 

In the future I hoping to put some kind of hinge Mechanism on the Lid hence why i have hestitated in putting a Handle on the Lid.

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• adenjago
• Oct 18, 2014

Thermometer in, Both Grills in 

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• adenjago
• Oct 18, 2014

The Rest of the Bits & Pieces Drying, hopefully will be fitted tomorrow 

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• adenjago
• Oct 18, 2014

I do need to rejig the Fire Basket as I have made the grate a bit too low with not enough of the Mesh to bend round at the bottom,  but Im also slightly worried that it's only 12" diameter but I suppose it will get me started. ( I do have a 12" Pan which will go underneath for the AshPan, I was going to just give a about 1 1/2" to  2" between the Grate the ash pan should be enough ? 

ade

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello Ade.  The only thing you have to worry about is that the ash doesn't build up to the bottom of the basket and choke air from your coals.  I think you may be ok with the 12" basket.  Lookin good!  Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[adenjago]

Hi Danny, 

Would a two inch gap be bigger enough ?

 

[dirtsailor2003]

My basket is only 12" and it is fine. Put some bolts through the bottom to make legs, 3" is a good height.

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• dirtsailor2003
• Oct 18, 2014

 

[adenjago]

Cheers Sailor,  

I will hopefully get round to playing with the basket today. 

can I ask what your basket is from, it looks like a cooking pot that you have drilled holes in ?

ade

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Cheers Sailor,  

I will hopefully get round to playing with the basket today. 

can I ask what your basket is from, it looks like a cooking pot that you have drilled holes in ?

ade

It's a steamer basket that came with a large pot. It's 12" around and about 15" tall. Has a handle on top which is handy for putting the basket in and out if the drum.

 

[timberjet]

Looking good. I would burn that basket out real good after you get it rigged up. You never know what coating that mesh has on it. I have 3 inches of clearance from the bottom of my basket to the ash pan and it is perfect. Might I suggest some threaded plugs tapped into that lid for when you want to shut down the fire? Maybe you already thought of that or not but the beauty of drum smokers is that you can shut down the airflow and save the remaining charcoal for the next cook. Once again looking good.

 

[timberjet]

Ok I just looked at your hardware again and I see some plugs. Not sure if you thought about the lid though.

 

[adenjago]

Hi Timber 

thats correct, I have six elbows in total, four black elbows for the Lid each with threaded plugs, and the other two yellow elbows to go for the air inlet that will by regulated by 2 Bulldog valves which will come out of the bottom.

I have just noticed another possible Problem, with my drum the Holes for the Air inlets are only about  Two inches from the Bottom of barrel,  Im starting to think they maybe too low, as in they may be pointing directly at the the Ash Pan ?

 

[timberjet]

no man that will work. exactly like mine

 

[timberjet]

as long as you have 3" of clear space below your fire basket bottom. not the ash pan. the grate.

basket.jpg

• timberjet
• Oct 5, 2014

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello Ade.  Gotta agree with the rest.  I am sure you are on the right track.  Don't stop asking if you have any other doubts.  Build this thing right the first time, easier than rework and repaint.  Take FULL advantage of others experience and/or mistakes.  Looking great.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[adenjago]

Hi Guys, 

Just got the rest of the Fire Basket together looks like I made a little boo boo on the measurements between Grate and the Ash Pan.

mainly down to the comet from Timberjet about not having adequate space between the grate and the ash pan,  the pan side are a little to high... so there ain't a lot of clearance,  should i be looking for a small sided ash pan or is the height between Grate the ash pan.......there is only about 1/2" inch gap....

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• adenjago
• Oct 25, 2014

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• adenjago
• Oct 25, 2014

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• adenjago
• Oct 25, 2014

 

[dirtsailor2003]

I use metal pizza pans they work great. Flat and no obstructions .

 

[adenjago]

cheers Sailor will keep an eye out for one, I did have a look yesterday while out shopping but could only find perforated ones......

I have just start my first smoke or seasoning....been going since 12:00 with the Temp staying pretty consistent between 200 and 225.

going to pop the lid off at 16:00 just to check how they are doing and how much coal is left. (the joint was cheap clearance one from tesco 2.53kg in weight, so if it goes pear shaped i won't be overly fussed)..

Very pleased the Temp seems very stable hovering between 200 and 225

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• adenjago
• Oct 26, 2014

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• adenjago
• Oct 26, 2014

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello.  Looking great so far.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Yep the UDS is very stable at whatever temp you set it at! Good looking first smoke!

 

[timberjet]

You could just drill holes all around that pan and you would be golden. It will not be a problem on a short cook, but on a 12 hour push you will get ash buildup and the fire might try to go out. Looks good and how was that pork loin?

 

[adenjago]

Hi Timber,

the UDS kept stable up till about 17:00, where it started to drop from 225 down to 200 then down 180 then 150...so it has been going for 6 hours.  so a quarter of the basket last for a 6 hours.

I Go the Small joint out about 16:00 which was nice but I think maybe should kept it a bit longer..

the large joint came out at 18:00, I have cut a little into it it but no pictures yet, the meat tastes a little dry in the centre still nice but was expecting it be more tender, but I think it maybe should have stayed in longer, or need a drip pan and re add the juices or if it needs injecting (I'm sure i read that somewhere that some people inject the meat ? can't find post) 

Im treating the first couple of smokes as a learning curve,  and learning how to use the smoker

20141026_160332.jpg

• adenjago
• Oct 26, 2014

at 16:00 - just when I took the Small Joint out,  the temp dropped by 50, but closing a couple Exhaust's soon got the Temp back up to 200-225

20141026_161126.jpg

• adenjago
• Oct 26, 2014

the Small joint

 

[timberjet]

You should see if you can find a reliable meat probe. Pork loin is done at 145 to 150. I take it out at 135 and wrap with foil. It will continue to cook as it sits for a while to get it to temp. If it was dry it was overdone. Not like a pork roast or shoulder, Butt. Yep you might have to get some longer bolts for that pan and drill large holes around the perimeter for air flow. I did the same thing on the first incarnation of my coal basket and ended up raising it 2 inches. Good luck and good smoking.