The Texas BBQ Forum

My DH and sons are going to build me a UDS for Mother's Day. I'm wanting them to put a door at the bottom to be able to add fuel to the fire but DH said the door needs to be leakproof. He is wanting to know what is the best way to make it leakproof. We'll use a locking latch to hold it closed but what to put around there to make sure no smoke leaks out or air gets in. Any ideas?

I am not sure what the others who have built one will come back with for advice on the door.

But just in case you put one in...here is a place to get gaskets that may help.

http://www.woodstove-outlet.com/gaskets.htm

Thanks for the site it was really helpful. I think I found something there that will work. Now to call the woodstove/fireplace store in the neighboring town to see if they carry it or if I need to order it.

This is what I'm looking at.
http://www.woodstove-outlet.com/gasket4.htm

Air control is essential to long burn times in a UDS. I'd urge you not to cut a door. I've had me UDSs at temp for more that 15 hours with one load of fuel, so adding during a cook should not be a problem.

James.

I only know of one person that put a door in. He is on another forum and has built about 6 of them. He said he put one in the first one he built, but that he wouldn't do it again because there is no real need for one and it was a real PITA to get it to seal all the time. These cookers will run for 12-15 hours on one load of charcoal, maybe even longer depending on how much charcoal is used. A basket 10" in dia, and 8" high filled to a little over half way will run in mine for about 6 hours at 240*. and still have some left in the basket. I'm sure others will tell you about the same thing.

Because of all the interest in these cookers, there is a special sticky thread for questions, answers, and info on these cookers. It's right at the top of this page. Here's the link below. Lots of good info there and great answers.

http://www.texasbbqforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3613

I cant speak from experience because I haven't built mine yet, but everything that I have read advises against a door.

My first barrel pit that I cobbled together, about 6 years ago, I had a door. On that one, I controlled the temp by the size of the fire/coal base. I was constantly shoveling coal into the bottom to regulate it. It was sort of fun and did produce some great Q, but it was labor intensive to say the least.

The thing I like about the current rendition of these UDSs is that they act like a big WSM when it comes to temp control. Fire it up, get the temp stable and walk away...

Here is a link to a pic of my first barrel pit...
http://www.bennett-family.com/pics/pits ... cn0271.jpg

James.

I'm guilty too. But we really should be having this and other UDS conversations in the in the UDS sticky thread so we can keep info together and not have it get lost in the regular threads and have to go searching for them.

Yeah, I'm guilty too... I will try to head all future UDS questions over to that thread...

James.