Which chain links do i buy for my UDS? stainless steel or black iron?

[mcjunkins uds]

I plan on installing 3 chains on the interior of my UDS. They will be spaced equally out in the drum and hung vertically. I plan on using metal hooks to connect the grills to the chains. This way I will be able to change the height of my grilling surface. My question is what type of chain should I use?
Also, can I get away with only one 1" air intake or will I need more intakes.
Thanks!

 

[johnboybaker]

I've built a few uds and I used plain steel or black iron steel the smoke keeps it from rusting and it's less$$ then SS and dose not have any coatings that can burn off or gas off like galvanised steel has. As for the intake it depends on your elevation. I cook in the mountains of VA and WV and the air can be I little on the thin side I use 3 3/4" intakes and a 8" tall 2" round exhaust. That works for me.

 

[bill1]

A lot of decorative chain comes with nickel or brass coating.  I think galvanized chain would be the exception rather than the rule.  Just make sure the weight rating of the chain exceeds the weight of your heaviest slab of meat!  

 

[texassmokedr]

I'm toying with the idea of using shelf brackets with clips. Let me know how the chain works out.

 

[johnboybaker]

I bent small 90s out of some 1/4 round stock and welded them on the inside at different levels and cut two pieces of rebar to go from side to side and set the grill greats on them. If I still had it I would post a pic but treaded it to my cus

 

[mcjunkins uds]

Thanks for the info. I'm in California at sea level. I will probably go with two 3/4" pipes and see if I need a third intake. 

 

[mcjunkins uds]

I checked out Home Depot and they sell stainless steel chain. I priced it out to about $12.00 total for what I would need. I wanted to try chain since it would give me an adjustable grill height and limit the amount of holes I put in the drum. I would like to weld, but I don't know how to. 

 

[johnboybaker]

Sounds good I would like to see some pics when your done

 

[mcjunkins uds]

I work all weekend and all of next week. Wish I had more time. But I will definitely put some pics up when done.

 

[bill1]

you can't go wrong with stainless steel.  

If your idea is to roll the chain onto a spool at the top, you might want to consider steel cable as well as chain.  It's easy to get 100's of pounds of strength in small diameter cable so it's easier than chain to wind up.  

 

[mcjunkins uds]

Good to know.

 

[halleluiah que]

I'm using stainless steel purchased from HD.