Minor Deflector Adjustment

[DDave]

Added another set of bolts to the UDS to allow positioning of the deflector a little higher above the charcoal basket.

I'm thinking this will help with convection and also keep the deflector from smoking grease during high heat cooks.









So there are four sets of bolts and for information sake (I get asked a lot ) the measurements from the top of the drum's rolled edge are . . .

First
1-1/4" Top rack used for double cooks with Weber lid

Second
6-3/4" Main rack that is 24" from the bottom of the charcoal basket.

Third
12-1/4" New position to place deflector on or charcoal basket for grilling.

Fourth
18-3/4" Lower position where deflector sometime sets and charcoal basket when doing some grilling as well.

I'm sure if someone rounded to the nearest inch, it would still work just fine.

Dave

[IrishChef]

A 1/2 pan filled with water will rid you of much of your grease sizziling issues...

[Fire it up]

Wanna build me a drum, one day I will...one day.

[tadowdaddy]

Dave, watcha gonna put under that new rack to keep it from drippin down and smokin?? The added distance gonna keep it from flaring up?

[DDave]

A 1/2 pan filled with water will rid you of much of your grease sizziling issues...

Dave, watcha gonna put under that new rack to keep it from drippin down and smokin?? The added distance gonna keep it from flaring up?

I hope so.

But I think some clarification is in order.

When the deflector is on the bottom set of bolts and I am cooking at a temp of 240° when measured on the 2nd grate, dripping fat sizzles on the deflector but does not burn or make smoke.

When the deflector is on the bottom set of bolts and I am cooking at a temp of 315° when measured on the 2nd grate, the deflector was MUCH hotter and dripping fat was smoking on the deflector.

The new (3rd) set of bolts will give the deflector an additional 6-1/2" between the charcoal basket and the deflector. I believe this will keep the deflector from getting hot enough to cause the dripping fat to smoke during a higher temp (300°) cook.

I could, however be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.

But, additionally, I remember SmokeMiester (who designed the deflector that I am using) posting that he good results with the deflector higher up from the charcoal basket than I had originally placed it. I believe it will allow for greater convection and hopefully extend the burn times a bit while still keeping a majority of the dripping fat from hitting the coals (or something else hot enough) and smoking.

So the purpose of the extra set of bolts is more than just trying to avoid the brisket disaster I experienced earlier in the week. It is an idea that I had been toying with for awhile but had not gotten motivated enough to do it. It also gives me a lot of flexibility when using the UDS as a grill as I have in the past. I can place the charcoal basket closer to the grate for grilling. But with the recent acquisition of the kettle, I'm not sure how often that would happen.

Plus with all the talk of cooking stuff in foil pans that has been posted lately, I just may change my process and do some of that as well.

Dave

[MossyMO]

Dave

I see you mention SmokeMiester designed the heat deflector. Is there a place they are available to purchase?

I still haven't got mine put together and have a friend interested in adding a heat deflector to a drum he just recently put together... do you suggest this style as the best design you have found so far?

[dales133]

Don't tell me I need a heat deflector I thought I was done shoping

[DDave]

I see you mention SmokeMiester designed the heat deflector. Is there a place they are available to purchase?

I still haven't got mine put together and have a friend interested in adding a heat deflector to a drum he just recently put together... do you suggest this style as the best design you have found so far?

I do prefer that design over anything else I have used. There isn't anywhere that you can buy them. Thunderdome (Bill) contacted SmokeMeister awhile back and found enough buyers to where they could have some made.

http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15501

Don't tell me I need a heat deflector I thought I was done shoping

I don't know that you need one. You may want one though. Some folks just use a perforated pizza pan.

Dave