My UDS Build -w/updated pics 11-16 first cook

[12TH AV SMOKERS]

Well I've been reading and reading and I've read enough...yikes. Time to build these things. I'm gonna build one for me and one for a buddy of mine. It's gonna be simple to start because I wanna get to cookin on it soon. I'm already hooked and have more ideas than I'm going to use on these first two but because I work in the steel fabricating industry and I'm an ex welder with access to mat'l and machinery I can see more of these in the future and likely a little more user friendly ones. I have access to free barrels so that'll fuel the fire to build more too.
I'll be taking pic's along the way and of course I'll have pic's of the first cook.....
Thanks to all for the info and the inspiration which I feel an addiction starting. Now off to the garage. Won't get much done tonight cause I gotta make room and clean up a bit
_________________
FATTIE THROWDOWN CHAMP
(2) WBS- Wine Barrel Smokers
(2) BDS - Brick Drum Smokers
(1) UDS - Ugly Drum smoker
SMS - Vertical - wood / gasser

http://www.youngbergindustries.com/

[OwenStubbs]

Be sure to keep us all posted. Especially the rest of us here in Northern IL!!

[BluzQue]

Welcome 12th AV SMOKERS
Lookin' forward to your posts & pics.


_________________
" A Touch of Hickory and a Taste of the Blues "

GOOD MUSIC GOOD FOOD GOOD BEER GREAT FRIENDS

OLE BOY OFFSET SMOKER
WEBER PERFORMER GRILL
WHISKEY BARREL SMOKER

[12TH AV SMOKERS]

Well I got started.... it's late now so I might come back and add comments later. Here's a few pics. Tomorrow I need to round up remaining parts...




cut the top off with a torch and sanded it smooth.


the lid was slightly smaller than the barrel. This did the trick...


I'm using shoulder bolts for the cooking grate posts



not completed but this is where I had to stop for tonight..
_________________
FATTIE THROWDOWN CHAMP
(2) WBS- Wine Barrel Smokers
(2) BDS - Brick Drum Smokers
(1) UDS - Ugly Drum smoker
SMS - Vertical - wood / gasser

http://www.youngbergindustries.com/

[spunkymunky]

Can't wait to follow your progress. It's a habit forming addiction once you get into it and I believe you are T H E R E.
_________________
I came into this world with nothing and proud to say that I have most of it left.
ECB Propane Water Smoker (Modified)
TEC-CharBroil Infrared 5 Burner Grill w/Side
NEW UDS (She's a beauty)
Mod. Smoke Cube & Aussie 2 Burner-Lake House

[k.a.m.]

12TH AV SMOKERS, your cooker build is moving right along and looking fantastic. I will be watching for some more updates.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[smokemaster]

Nice start. Love the handle.
_________________
Modified WSM on Wheels
2 - UDS's
WBS

"Beauty Follows Smoke"

[12TH AV SMOKERS]

I've got the day off and I can't sleep cause I just wanna build my UDS... But I've got yard work to do.....yuk!
I want a little input on this.......
I've been thinking about my charcoal basket and wondering if a larger dia basket has any real downfalls. If it was a little larger diameter it would catch more drippings=more flavor! Plus less clean up. I like those thoughts.
I have 19" between the grating bolts so I could make the basket a 17-18" dia. x 9" inches high and still have clearance to lift it out.
Does it affect fuel consumption or heat control?
I'm thinking that it would burn through to the lower coals sooner meaning I would need to use more coal?

Had a good find last night in the garage rafters.... wheels from an old lawnmower that are in nice shape. So, the add on's begin
_________________
FATTIE THROWDOWN CHAMP
(2) WBS- Wine Barrel Smokers
(2) BDS - Brick Drum Smokers
(1) UDS - Ugly Drum smoker
SMS - Vertical - wood / gasser

http://www.youngbergindustries.com/

[BluzQue]

Your UDS is really comin' along nicely 12th AV SMOKERS
Thanks for sharin' your progress pics
_________________
" A Touch of Hickory and a Taste of the Blues "

GOOD MUSIC GOOD FOOD GOOD BEER GREAT FRIENDS

OLE BOY OFFSET SMOKER
WEBER PERFORMER GRILL
WHISKEY BARREL SMOKER

[Teleking]

Lookin good! you are gonna love the UDS. That is a fact.
_________________
“Franken Smoker”

“The Bride of Franken Smoker”

[Teleking]

[12TH AV SMOKERS]

Thanks Teleking.... I did the same with the grates cause I happen to have 2 laying around. This UDS build has used a few things I've had laying around. I'm not a pack rat but somethings just need to be kept. Glad I did now.... I'd post pics but my camera went to a soccer game.. I'll do it later. I've got two built now
Yes I think the kettle knew it had a new life ahead although losing it's legs and feet were probably tough on it. But it lives on and I'm going to modify the bottom to be a lid for my third UDS coming soon.
I know there's some exp. metal grating at the shop but that'll have to wait until Monday. I want to get a burn inside them soon. Maybe later tonight and tomorrow. It's been very windy the past two days.. well gotta go to the watering hole I'm feeling dry
_________________
FATTIE THROWDOWN CHAMP
(2) WBS- Wine Barrel Smokers
(2) BDS - Brick Drum Smokers
(1) UDS - Ugly Drum smoker
SMS - Vertical - wood / gasser

http://www.youngbergindustries.com/

[12TH AV SMOKERS]

Here's where I'm at with both of them. The one without a lid is for a friend and he has a Weber lid & grating for it.


So the coal basket is partially done and will be finished up tomorrow


For a look inside..


and the maple handle..cheap too


On the next one I build I'm thinking I'll modify the bottom of the donor Weber to make a high domed lid. I can see a BIG turkey in there already. I think I'll use the little pipes that the legs went into for exhaust's and I'll weld the existing holes up.


Now I'm off to start a couple fires in the barrels then we can sandblast tomorrow.... the pyro in me really loves this part. Hope the cops don't come. I live in the city.
_________________
FATTIE THROWDOWN CHAMP
(2) WBS- Wine Barrel Smokers
(2) BDS - Brick Drum Smokers
(1) UDS - Ugly Drum smoker
SMS - Vertical - wood / gasser

http://www.youngbergindustries.com/

[12TH AV SMOKERS]

I forgot... I've got wheels and a handle to fabricate and add onto them tomorrow. I need to do that at work because I don't have a welder here at home. My shop has been more woodworking. As you can see in the background of a few pics. I build Cornhole Boards for a few extra bucks..... I see a few UDS projects in my future. I'll need a welder soon
_________________
FATTIE THROWDOWN CHAMP
(2) WBS- Wine Barrel Smokers
(2) BDS - Brick Drum Smokers
(1) UDS - Ugly Drum smoker
SMS - Vertical - wood / gasser

http://www.youngbergindustries.com/

[12TH AV SMOKERS]

So those of you who have a diffuser plate in your UDS at what height do you have it at? I figured I'd put the bolts in now for the rack just in case I want to use one.
Another question: I see in pictures the use of briquettes.... I thought Lump was the key ?
How do you fill the coal basket? Layered? With what and how much?

Update pic's will come tomorrow. Haven't gotten much done the past couple of days but I will tomorrow.
_________________
FATTIE THROWDOWN CHAMP
(2) WBS- Wine Barrel Smokers
(2) BDS - Brick Drum Smokers
(1) UDS - Ugly Drum smoker
SMS - Vertical - wood / gasser

http://www.youngbergindustries.com/

[Teleking]

[12TH AV SMOKERS]

Thanks again Teleking... that helps allot. I have not been able to find any lump around here yet other than Cowboy (which I've heard sucks), Schnucks had some "Full Circle" lump which I tried, although it was my first time using lump, it didn't seem to burn very long. I picked up some RO lump at Wally World last night so I'll do my first run in the UDS using that. Hopefully that'll be this coming Sunday.
_________________
FATTIE THROWDOWN CHAMP
(2) WBS- Wine Barrel Smokers
(2) BDS - Brick Drum Smokers
(1) UDS - Ugly Drum smoker
SMS - Vertical - wood / gasser

http://www.youngbergindustries.com/

[Jimbob]

Nice work! You'll be smoking in no time! I use briquettes and fist-sized chunks of hickory, works fine for me. As they say, YMMV.

You have the right idea building one for a friend. I did, too. I hardly use mine now, he smokes on his so much, and then invites me over.
_________________
Double-Barrel Smoker
Ugly Drum Smoker

[spunkymunky]

12th Ave. You will find some here that will bad mouth RO Lump as well as Cowboy. I mix RO briquetts and Ozark Oak Lump and when all of my briquetts are gone I will probably stay with lump only. I always use 5 or 6 large fist size hunks of hickory, mesquite, etc. TRY them all and decide.
_________________
I came into this world with nothing and proud to say that I have most of it left.
ECB Propane Water Smoker (Modified)
TEC-CharBroil Infrared 5 Burner Grill w/Side
NEW UDS (She's a beauty)
Mod. Smoke Cube & Aussie 2 Burner-Lake House

[12TH AV SMOKERS]

OK I finally have some new pics. Had to sandblast the barrel before the wheel and handle got put on because the guys in the shop had other work to do so they went ahead and got it done. No complaints from me. Now they are just waiting for a coat of paint and they'll get that Friday morning. Coal basket took on some revisions so that's not done but it will be by the end of the work day tomorrow.
A little action photo


Here's the bottom. Added a tank flange style coupling to the center for easier cleaning. I have a feeling this may get so gunked up removal will get tough later on.



welded on a pipe so I won't need a wrench to remove the plug


Here's the handle for carting the UDS around


UDS sisters waiting for paint


The revised grate for the coal basket. Plasma cut.... 8 or 10 gauge 17" dia. Adding a couple of rolled rings to stiffen it up a bit. These will get finished up tomorrow.

_________________
FATTIE THROWDOWN CHAMP
(2) WBS- Wine Barrel Smokers
(2) BDS - Brick Drum Smokers
(1) UDS - Ugly Drum smoker
SMS - Vertical - wood / gasser

http://www.youngbergindustries.com/