UDS Version 2.0

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Inkjunkie,

So the intakes are a 1" 90* with a male and female end. The male end goes into the barrel and I got a 1" inner diameter coupler thing. I also have 2 lock washers on the outside to get a good pinch on there. It is very secure but will be even better when I tack weld it this week. Then there is a 12" pipe that threads into the 90* and the ball valve goes on the other side. I will not tack weld the ball valves on the top of the pipe. I also put a u-bolt around each so that it keeps them from moving.

I also have amazon prime but I didn't want to wait a couple days for the parts when Home Depot is literally right around the corner from my house. I was originally going to go with a 2" ball valve but they don't sell it and the ones on amazon were pretty expensive. After finishing it up, I actually like the look of the 2 intakes going up. I would also have had to buy a new adapter for my BBQ Guru because I only have one for a 1" and a 1.5" ball valve.

This is what I am going to use for the rack. It isn't this exact one but same concept: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-ShelfTrack-84-in-Standard-Bracket-2812/100194576?N=5yc1vZc89d
Thank You Sir. We only go to town 2x a week so getting things delivered to my home is usually a bit quicker.
 
Small update, so I have not made much progress on this since the last post but I have been working to make the weber lid fit better. At first it was just a tiny bit too small to fit so I mechanically persuaded the barrel lip to make it work. I started with some channel locks and just grabbed and bent in and worked my around the lip. I then broke out my big hammer and worked my way around. All in all, I have the lid where it will at least go over the lip but the seal isn't as good as I want.

Opinion: Would it be better to grind on the lip and take the rolled part off? I know it will then work with my lid and I can put some oven gasket stuff or whatever around the top to seal it up properly. Is the lip needed for structural rigidity to keep the barrel round?

Here is a pic from yesterday that I took while doing a test burn with only a handful of charcoals to make some smoke. As it sits right now only a tiny bit of smoke leaks out of a couple little places. I don't think it would be enough to mess with airflow but I am a perfectionist and it is bugging me. I may just continue to bend it and beat it until it works.

 
Look for the weber lid mod. Basically bolt or weld a strip of metal to the inside of your drum sticking up a half inch or so for the lid to sit on. You can also put a rope gasket inside the lip on your lid
 
Looks nice with that smoke coming out

gary
 
For what this is worth....I had three .750 intakes with 90* fittings. With all 3 wide open would struggle to hit 275*. Pulled them off and it no longer struggles.
 
For what this is worth....I had three .750 intakes with 90* fittings. With all 3 wide open would struggle to hit 275*. Pulled them off and it no longer struggles.
These are both 1", we will see how it goes. I use a BBQ Guru anyways so air flow won't be an issue. Also, I never smoke that at that high of a temperature. So long as I can hit 225-250 it will be fine.
 
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I got the racks burned in this afternoon. Definitely not my best work but they aren't going anywhere. All that is left to do is re-sand the inside oil it down and season it. Then I will re-sand and paint the outside. Getting really close now.





I did have one blow through but I filled it and grinded it down.

 
Woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning excited to finish this smoker. I re-sanded the inside and vacuumed out the dust then wiped it down with a wet paper towel and oiled it up with spray pam.


Tossed in a leftover basket of coals and got it going.



With both ball valves wide open it quickly warmed up to 240*. I closed one completely and after about 25 minutes it settled right around 250*.


After another 20 minutes it went up to 265* so I closed the one valve half way. I will see where that ends up, I know the guru will keep temps in check so I am very pleased with the performance so far. The smoker is now completely done as far as cooking but I still am up in the air as far as the theme and paint I want to do for now.
 
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Nope, that is as hot as I will ever need. I do sometimes cook meatloaf and such on there so it is nice to have the ability. It will also be good for chickens and stuff after it has had a chance to smoke for a bit.
 
So, small update. I took the drum out to my Dad's house this weekend with the intent to cut off the lip at the top and put oven gasket around the top to seal it up better against the lid. I was not happy with the smoke leaking out around a couple spots on the edges. While it wasn't enough to affect temps, I am a perfectionist and wasn't completely satisfied. So, my Dad is more of a perfectionist than I am so he got out a 3lb mini sledge hammer and a regular hammer. He proceeded to give it hell and worked his way around the edges slowly and loudly. He put the heavy hammer inside against the lip and beat the outside in. After about 15 minutes I now have a very well sealed and tight fitting lid without any additional parts only some effort. According to him "all you need is a little bit of want to".

Also, to top it all off...my brother gave me another empty drum so UDS #3 will commence soon. I am going to build another for my best friend who really likes mine and has borrowed it a few times. I will surprise him with his own soon. This is what he currently uses but it is a wood hog and hard to keep steady temps. You pretty much need to have a bunch of beer while you sit and watch it.


Updates on that will be in a new thread but for now... the donor. This one housed automatic transmission fluid so another good burnout will need to happen.

 
I got a little work done today.

Paint stage 1, 2 coats of high temp engine header paint good to 2000* supposedly.


Paint stage 2, 2 coats of high temp black brake caliper paint with ceramic.


I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am going to stencil something on it but not sure what yet. The maiden voyage will be this weekend. I am smoking a couple pork butts for a family gathering this weekend for Easter.

Here we have past, present and future. My old smoker which is soon to be my brothers, my current build and the donor for my buddy who will get it soon.


I have done many many smokes on my original version, it will be hard to let it go but I know it has a good home. It looks like it needs a fresh coat of paint which I have just realized after looking at these pictures. I will leave that in the capable hands of my brother.
 
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The drum that had AT in it, are you gonna give it a quick rinsing before lighting it up? Wondering if it will smoke? Or make some interesting, colorful flames?
 
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