My first UDS

Custom manufactured BBQ Pits, Do-it-Yourself projects, parts and ideas.

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puff USER_AVATAR
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My first UDS

Postby Puff » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:02 pm

I've been reading alot about this on other sites so I decided to build one myself. It's a very inexpensive cooker that you can build yourself.
I have about $120 parts and the drum into it but I opted for a new drum and added a chrome accent 8) I also did braise a few of the parts but this can also be done without braising and for less than what I spent.
I'm told these Ugly Drum Smokers will hold temps for 12 hrs. steady.
There is 3 airintakes at the bottom. One has a ball valve and the others have caps that can be removed for more airflow.
This unit took me about 12 beers (Beer cut into build time a bit :D ) to make once I had the parts. I was going to give her a fine paint job but I think a turbo heater(kerosene) and paint fumes would not mix well in a closed garage :shock: I'll have to wait for warmer weather. I hope to season her up this weekend and get her cookin'.

Pics of the build.

Braising the expanded metal for the charcoal basket

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Braising the air intake nipples

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Because of this........... :oops:
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I added a handle to the charcoal basket for easy removal

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Top grate on with charcoal basket below
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A handle for the lid and a little chrome and she's ready to go 8)
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Last edited by Puff on Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby DATsBBQ » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:34 pm

Great pixs there Puff. Any chance you could resize them so our dial-uppers don't get bored to tears 8) :wink:
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Postby Puff » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:38 pm

DATsBBQ wrote:Great pixs there Puff. Any chance you could resize them so our dial-uppers don't get bored to tears 8) :wink:

Yeah....sorry :oops:
Big pics show how proud I am :D
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Postby ChileFarmer » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:24 pm

Puff, great job. I will be interested how it cooks let us know. CF
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Postby JamesB » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:25 pm

Hey Puff, as a proud owner of 2 newish UDSs, I just know that your going to love it! I too opted for brand new drums. Much easier for sure. It did take me a couple of tries to figure out what it wanted for air intake settings etc., but now can get 12 hours of a steady 235° with ease.

I like the idea of the handle of the coal basket. Might have to steal that idea if ya don't mind!

Good luck with yours! What ya gonna cook on it first?

James.
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UDS

Postby r&rsmoke » Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:21 pm

nice job on your UDS.I like the handle on the grate,mine is similiar but the handle is attached to a ash pan below the coal grate.What do you think about somehow making the handle removeable with hooks and a couple of holes in an ash pan to remove ashes and grill at the same time,or just to shake the coal grate,or to just remove the coal grate
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Postby DATsBBQ » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:26 pm

Puff wrote:
DATsBBQ wrote:Great pixs there Puff. Any chance you could resize them so our dial-uppers don't get bored to tears 8) :wink:

Yeah....sorry :oops:
Big pics show how proud I am :D


I like it when folks are proud of what they do :D 8) Great job :D
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Postby honu41 » Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:36 am

Great fabrication Puff.... Lots of improvements over the very first one I "made." Actually it was my own design... a 55 gallon drum opened at both ends, bottom propped up on 4 bricks, mesquite fuel, and meat hanging on rebars that straddled the top, covered by a piece of plywood.

Real rudimentary but it worked...

malama pono a hui hou,
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Postby OSD » Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:31 am

Great job Puff. :clap: Building one of these has been on my to do list for a while, but something always comes up and I put it off. :dont:
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Postby TX Sandman » Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:45 am

Looks like a great drum, Puff! I can't wait to see her smokin'! That handle idea is great! I haven't seen anything like that before.

Couple questions:
1. What size intakes and exhaust do you have? 3/4", 1", 2"?
2. How did you make the ash pan? Was it premade, or did you braise some metal together?

I'm wanting to make one, but so far I've been a bit too busy, so I'm still "gathering information".
Rob - TX Sandman
Midnight Blue Smokers BBQ Team

"...grilling is fun and tasty, but it isn't brain surgery and the patient won't die if you mess up."
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Postby bowhnter » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:11 am

Looks nice. I have zero welding experience, but would like to build one one of these days.
Mike

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Postby nascarchuck » Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:51 am

Looks nice Puff! I like it!!!
Chuck

http://cookinwithchuck.blogspot.com - Updated 01/10/10

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Postby SteerCrazy » Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:05 am

good lookin smoke stack Puff. What's in the works for the first cook??
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Postby Papa Tom » Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:51 pm

bowhnter wrote:Looks nice. I have zero welding experience, but would like to build one one of these days.


When ya get ready ring my bell......
tarde venientibus ossa....
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honu41
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Postby honu41 » Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:04 pm

Aloha Puff,

Are the plans/sketches available on the 'net? Although I have a pit nearing construction at Gator, it would be a fantastic project for my son since he has the welding equipment at his home shop.

And also if he makes his own, it will slow down his "confiscation" of my Q'ing equipment. :lol:

He already wants me to list him in my will as the receipient of the new pit that I haven't seen yet!!! :roll:

Please let me know where...

aloha,
honu41
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