My new UDS

[thebierguy]

Well, after reading the thread 55 gallon drum smoker, I did a bunch of research and began to build my own UDS. I have never smoke before, but I really enjoy new challenges. I first picked up 3 55 gallon barrels for $12 a piece up in Manitowish, WI. I chose to use the green one for my UDS. I then drilled all of the required holes for all of the racks, air vents, and handles. I planned on 3 bolts per rack.




I then burnt out the barrel with a bunch of scrap wood I had lying around.



I then took the barrel to my parent's house and started some sand blasting in the hard to reach spots (cracks and valleys) and used the DA sander to get all of the flat spots. My wife even helped me! It was a dirty process but everything cleaned up real nice. At the same time, I used his welder to weld together the expanded metal a friend of mine gave to me, to build my charcoal basket. I picked up a used 22" Weber Grill on craigslist for $20 and bought most of the parts for the smoker from Menards and home depot.


Here is the finished product. I still have to get a pit thermometer and I just picked up some small chain to use to lift the charcoal basket.






Let me know if you want to see more pictures. I can take some more. I plan on seasoning it this weekend and perhaps cooking something on it on Sunday for the first Packer's Game. Thanks to this forum, I now have a smoker!

[erniesshop]

Looks Great !!

[bwmtnbiker]

That thing is awesome.

What are the two pipes on the side for?

[2006PSDSD]

Great work!

Originally Posted by bwmtnbiker

That thing is awesome.

What are the two pipes on the side for?

Air intakes, to control heat

[thebierguy]

^^^^What he said. I have those two pipes on the sides for controllable air intake with the ball valves and then one hole on the back that I think I will keep open the whole cook.

[bwmtnbiker]

Originally Posted by thebierguy

^^^^What he said. I have those two pipes on the sides for controllable air intake with the ball valves and then one hole on the back that I think I will keep open the whole cook.

That makes perfect sense. I understand now. That thing looks good, cook anything yet?

My RAZR made me send this...

[thebierguy]

Ribs today!!

[bwmtnbiker]

Originally Posted by thebierguy

Ribs today!!

Those sir, look mighty tasty. Good project

[thebierguy]

Rub was a little thick but turned out pretty darn good. It's a learning process/art.

[05f250inmn]

Just got done building one myself. Yours is nice. What amazes me is how these things will hold 225-275 for 10-13 hrs on one basket of charcoal.