Mini UDS built (mini not micro)

cityevader · Posted: Feb 19 2010 Post subject: Mini UDS built (mini not micro)

Hello, I love my big ol' smoker from a 55 gallon drum down on the patio, but I wanted a smaller one for the balcony off the living area as I get kinda tired of walking downstairs to check on things, carrying many things, etc. A smaller one would fit the bill nicely. For smaller cooks, appetizers, or anything needing a different cooking temp than the main cooker.

Also, I wanted a small Weber Smokey Joe for grilling up steaks for more flavor than the gasser.

Also, I wanted to use the Smokey Joe bottom and lid for the UDS with NO modifications so that the Weber could be used for either.

Also, it had to be cheap cheap cheap.

So here it is, a 17 gallon drum (26" tall 14.5" wide) from work that held gear oil (thoroughly cleaned, burned, wire wheeled, and painted. The 14.5" Weber lid fits perfect on the top without mod. I ground down the bottom of the drum just enough until the bottom just fell off, and it fits perfectly tight into the lower half of the Weber. The food grate fits ridiculously perfect into the drum. I scrounged an abandoned and trashed stainless steel shopping cart that I'll use to make a second food grate, as well as a lower rack for water tray or drip pan (if needed).

The Weber coal grate is 10" wide, and I made the coal basket 8" tall. Since the basket sits down low in the bottom, that gives 20" from the top of the basket to the upper food grate.

With the lower intake half opened the temps are surprisingly stable at under 250�, and with it fully opened it's right at 300�. This was with about 15-20 briquettes pre lit, or about 1/6 basket capacity. It's been two hours on its first trial run/seasoning, and temp still rock steady with coals left. I had gone back and forth about trying to seal the bottom where drum met Weber, as I didn't want to glue anything to the Weber, and the shape didn't allow for super simple layup... but turns out not needing any at all, nice!!

One thing I may end up doing is putting some clasps on the bottom to draw the drum/Weber tightly together. However, without any food weight on top it is surprisingly sturdy and not easily tipped. Time will tell.

Can't wait to do a full length run, as I'm not sure how well the intakes will "self clear" from the ashes and not choke. Otherwise, should be easy enough to make an ashpan below the basket.

Cost?
Weber Smokey Joe from Craigslist $20 in perfect condition.
Thermometer $9
High temp paint $7
Total of $36 for what initially seems like it may be a nice cooker!

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BluDawg · Posted: Feb 19 2010 Post subject:

I have seen small drums before all built in the traditional way. that is 1 slick set up. I like it.
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Jon D. Q. · Posted: Feb 19 2010 Post subject:

I like it a lot also.

BluzQue · Posted: Feb 19 2010 Post subject:

That's a Sweet Little Cooker you put together cityevader!

Cool

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cityevader · Posted: Feb 19 2010 Post subject:

Thanks!

The size is perfect and it was super easy to make.
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12TH AV SMOKERS · Posted: Feb 19 2010 Post subject:

Very nice... I like what you've done. I have a little Weber that never gets used. Maybe now it has a purpose. I've wanted a small one to tote around. I can't see anything protruding out of the drum did you weld studs inside or what do you have the grates resting on?
Keep us posted on its performance and the pics. Well done
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Jarhead · Posted: Feb 19 2010 Post subject:

Great idea and good looking cooker there, cityevader
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cityevader · Posted: Feb 19 2010 Post subject:

12TH AV SMOKERS · Posted: Feb 19 2010 Post subject:

If you haven't picked up the hardware yet ....
I've been thinking from now on I'll start using a round headed bolt with the nut on the inside to tighten to the barrel. I think the round head will be a cleaner look.
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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/

cityevader · Posted: Feb 20 2010 Post subject:

Yup, already brought my square file home from work to use carriage bolts!

Who knows, maybe with enough of them evenly spaced it'll look like big rivets on a locomotive or steam boiler? Somewhat industrial with the black/silver contrast?
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nachovo · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 56 Location: Idaho

That is a sweet little cooker cityevader, and I bet it doesn't use much charcoal either. Congrats, and can't wait to see it in action.

k.a.m. · Posted: Feb 20 2010 Post subject:

cityevader, awesome job on your mini UDS Very Happy

I like it, and I will be watching for her first cook. Smile

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cityevader · Posted: Jun 29 2010 Post subject:

I just realized I never followed through on a mini-review of my mini-smoker.....seems like I did a full description, even posted more pics....must have been in a different thread? Perhaps responding to someone else's....

Anyway....overall performance isn't up to snuff after being spoiled with a full size set and forget uds. Temperatures are strange. It can start off hot enough for poultry, but soon drops down to 200� or so. Also it can't really stay at any one temperature without constantly babysitting the intake, which seems extremely finicky and overly sensitive to adjustments. And the charcoal tends to billow white smoke forever and ever after starting before it settles into thin blue smoke. And then it seems to burn through charcoal pretty quick too. And after awhile the intakes get obstructed from ashes...even with lump. And even with several grates, there isn't much room at all.

So if it seems disappointing, it is. It's more of a novelty (which wore off quickly) or conversation piece. I use it more without the barrell than with. Anybody in the area looking for a cheap mini-uds? Actually no, the grill is still good for taking to the park.
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day_trippr · Posted: Jun 29 2010 Post subject:

That's such a sweet little build, it sure looks like everything fits together pretty well from here. My expectations were certainly higher than the apparent outcome.

There's gotta be something that just isn't quite right that's keeping it from being tamed, but the combination of symptoms doesn't give much direction. Burning a lot of fuel doesn't jive with a lot of white smoke - it's usually one or the other, nor does high fuel consumption go with running cool. The touchy intakes is probably a good clue, but taken with the rest, I'm still lost...

Cheers
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cityevader · Posted: Jun 29 2010 Post subject:

The only thing I can think of is that the heat is more quickly lost to the environment. Since it's smaller, there is vastly more exterior surface area compared to internal volume. So it's like a tiny hummingbird that has to constantly eat or it will die in a few hours. Compared to a large bird that may eat once a day. Arctic animals are large to further cut down on external surface area.

Also the coal basket is much closer to the side walls, allowing a more direct radiant heat loss.

My gut says not enough air intake...explaining drawn out initial white smoke and cool running. And perhaps the fuel consumption is simply being lost as radiant heat?

Personally, I no longer have much desire. I've already got my unused gasser next to it on the balcony. The big UDS, a nearly finished UDS, another in the works, and two Weber 22.5's on the tiny porch of our condo. I may just copy this guy's idea. http://www.theqjoint.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6695 after looking at this other site for new ideas....sorry smokeringers!
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cityevader · Posted: Jun 29 2010 Post subject:

I just thought of something... AKA regular uds intakes. I could leave the bottom intake closed and simply drill holes into the sides of the drum at the bottom and do the ol' refrigerator magnet trick to cover the holes however much is needed for intake control....should work great!
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To make the ° temperature symbol, hold the Alt key while typing 248 on keypad.
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