- Sep 10, 2015
- 4
- 10
Afternoon all,
I recently built a UDS and had its maiden voyage to season it on the weekend.
All went well except for one thing, loads of condensation on the inside of the drum... Drained about 200 ml out of the bottom when I had finished. I had to drain it and clean it as it'll rust out if I leave it full of water. Not a huge issue I guess, but on my weber kettle I just shut it down and cover it when cool - was hoping for a similar low maintenence affair. I assumed charcoal to be almost pure carbon, so a bit surprised to be getting so much water vapour. Smoke was thin but white for most of the smoke, this was prior to the wood even catching alight - not the thin blue I aim for.
I didn't use a water pan, it sat at 230 F for 4 hours, only used two chunks of wood which were bone dry. Cooked one chicken, A bit of juice ran out but the majority is definitely condensation as the walls of the drum were covered in it. I used lumpwood charcoal which had been in my garage for a while, reckon it has absorbed water from the air?
Exhaust is 2" diameter and fully open. Inlets are 2 x 3/4" inlet stacks and one 3/4" nipple.
Pics here if interested:
How much moisture do you guys get during a cook?
Anyone experienced extra humidity from old charcoal?
Cheers!
I recently built a UDS and had its maiden voyage to season it on the weekend.
All went well except for one thing, loads of condensation on the inside of the drum... Drained about 200 ml out of the bottom when I had finished. I had to drain it and clean it as it'll rust out if I leave it full of water. Not a huge issue I guess, but on my weber kettle I just shut it down and cover it when cool - was hoping for a similar low maintenence affair. I assumed charcoal to be almost pure carbon, so a bit surprised to be getting so much water vapour. Smoke was thin but white for most of the smoke, this was prior to the wood even catching alight - not the thin blue I aim for.
I didn't use a water pan, it sat at 230 F for 4 hours, only used two chunks of wood which were bone dry. Cooked one chicken, A bit of juice ran out but the majority is definitely condensation as the walls of the drum were covered in it. I used lumpwood charcoal which had been in my garage for a while, reckon it has absorbed water from the air?
Exhaust is 2" diameter and fully open. Inlets are 2 x 3/4" inlet stacks and one 3/4" nipple.
Pics here if interested:
How much moisture do you guys get during a cook?
Anyone experienced extra humidity from old charcoal?
Cheers!