Helluva UDS

[lcruzen]

Got started on my first UDS build. Let me first say that the info and expertise gathered from here is nothing short of amazing. Without others threads and willingness to answer questions this would have been nothing but trial and error and prolly more error on my part. Thanx to all!


First the 55 gal drum I brought home from work that contained aggragate.



Has a locking lid so no cutting to do for a kettle lid, at least not on the barrel.



Marked the sides and drilled out holes for an upper and lower grate and for the 3/4 in nipples. Installed the nipples, ball valves(decided to go with 2 and 1 cap) and grate supports.






Still got to burn it out and clean it up but got time while I find some expanded metal for the charcoal basket and some sort of heat deflector. More pics as it progresses.

Lou

[Richtee]

There ya go, Lou. I'm still leaning on Marktee to get one done for me, but I think these are just the best thing going for a C-note and under.

[wutang]

Looks good so far. You will love that thing.

[Meat Hunter]

Get on it, you will freakin love that thing

[DDave]

Lookin' good, Lou.

Dave

[Slanted88]

Man...you'll be glad ya got that cookin...get on it bestest fuel efficient...I know..it works!

[SmokinLee]

Good for you Lou. I got the vavle mounted in mine last Sept. thats as far as I got.

[Pandemonium]

Looking good and nice to go with two valves, you will be happy you did because it always seems like it needs a little more than one wide open, like one and a half seems the magic number

[doctor phreak]

looks like a good start keep it up probably one of the best smokers out there if you are on a tight budget.....

[MichChef]

I bought my expanded metal at Home Depot Lou. it came in a 12 or 16 x 24" piece that I cut lengthwise and bolted the two halves together. Don't forget your electrical fittings to use for thermometer cable ports.
Have you tried to fit your lid on the drum yet. My Weber lid wouldn't fit on my drum with a removeable lid, so I tipped the drum upside down and it fit great on the crimped bottom. I used a sabre saw to cut the bottom of the drum out and smoothed the cut out with an angle grinder.

I wish you luck on your build, sometimes they can be frustrating and time consuming. I got lucky and mine went together in about 4 hours, cutting, grinding, drilling and assembling.

[flyin' illini]

looks good, Lou!

[lcruzen]

John,

I have not tried the lid yet but I read on one thread where the bottom part of the kettle was cut about 1-1/2 in below the lip and that ring was bolted to the inside of the barrel and the lid fit perfect on that. So that is what I'm thinking right now if the lid won't fit since I'm pretty much raiding my Weber for parts anyway.

[DDave]

Looking good and nice to go with two valves, you will be happy you did because it always seems like it needs a little more than one wide open, like one and a half seems the magic number

One cap off and the valve 1/2 open gives you one and a half.

Dave

[Karkas]

Looking good, your on your way

[northern greenhorn]

can't wait to see the end results