How hot should I be able run?

[the guy]

Hi this is my first post I've been lurking for a couple weeks. I just completed my first smoke on my Uds and I have a question about my intakes. I have a Weber lid on top and 3 3/4" intakes and one 1" intake. With all the intakes open I was able to maintain 325 but just barely. I feel like I should have been running hotter with them all open. For the 3/4" intakes I used 4" sections of pipe 3" above the bottom of the barrel and just set the fire basket on the inlets. Maybe this is the problem? I had the exhaust wide open and like around 15 briquettes lit and placed on the basket of unlit briquettes. The thermometer was placed on the grate. Thanks for your help this place is a great resource.

 

[damascusmaker]

Hi this is my first post I've been lurking for a couple weeks. I just completed my first smoke on my Uds and I have a question about my intakes. I have a Weber lid on top and 3 3/4" intakes and one 1" intake. With all the intakes open I was able to maintain 325 but just barely. I feel like I should have been running hotter with them all open. For the 3/4" intakes I used 4" sections of pipe 3" above the bottom of the barrel and just set the fire basket on the inlets. Maybe this is the problem? I had the exhaust wide open and like around 15 briquettes lit and placed on the basket of unlit briquettes. The thermometer was placed on the grate. Thanks for your help this place is a great resource.

Welcome The Guy,

Maybe some photos would help the more experienced here figure out about your temp issues. I've seen my UDS30 over 400 when doing a pizza. 

 

[daveomak]

Sounds like not enough exhaust...   If the lid is all the exhaust you have, drill holes in the top of the drum, on the sides....  probably 4 each - 1" holes should do, equally spaced around the drum, along with what's in the lid....

 

[dirtsailor2003]

My UDS has (3) 3/4" inlets all valved. I use the drum lid as a lid and it has a 2" and a 1" bung. I pull both of the bungs when using the smoker.

I have no problem achieving temps higher than 500 (my therm stops at 500 so I don't know how much higher).

Have you tested your therm to make sure it is accurate?

 

[ak1]

I'm not sure what to say. When I had my UDS I had 3 1" inlets, one on a ball valve & 2 capped. I never used the capped ones. If I had the ball valve wide open with the Weber lid  vent wide open I was getting 400+ at the grate with no problems.

 

[the guy]

Thanks for the replies I am going to mess with my charcoal ration of lit vs unlit.  Here is a picture of my basket sitting on the inlets

IMG_2688.JPG

• the guy
• Jan 28, 2016

It' hard to see but there is an additional 1" inlet too

 

[dirtsailor2003]

I don't use any lit charcoal. I fill my basket as full as I want. I place it in the drum and light one spot with a propane torch.

Are you using lump or briquettes? What brand?

 

[the guy]

briquettes Original kingsford blue bag

 

[damascusmaker]

Sitting the basket on the intake pipes seems like a good idea, except on a smoke of any length the ash will fall down and block the intakes. 

 

[daveomak]

also looks like not enough charcoal from this angle....    that looks like what I fire my weber junior with...

 

[the guy]

Thanks for the help I'll get a chance to mess with it again this weekend.  I'll play with the charcoal amount and probably add some legs to my basket to get it off the intakes.  I made it for low and slow cooking anyway just would be nice to crank up the heat if the need arises.

 

[the guy]

Just a little update if anyone cares, I switched to royal oak lump and started with more lit coals and also added more unlit.  I am able to maintain 275 easily with with only one 3/4" intake open so I am confident I can get it as hot as I would ever need.  The 1" intake was added as a knee jerk reaction after my first cook and now remains capped all the time, oh well live and learn.  Thanks for all the help this UDS is turning out to be a great cooker especially for the small amount of money I invested in it.

 

[daveomak]

Good news.....    Now we are ready for some pics.....